10 March, 2021

Elephants On The Move...

I've got the entire top cut out and all the pieces labeled for "Elephant Parade" by Sew Fresh Quilts. This one has been on my "to do" list for a very long time, it's for Lynnleigh. 
Guess what her favorite animal is. I'm adding more baby elephants and omitting the flowers, bird, turtle and frog. Her current favorite colors are coral and teal, that's how it will be bordered. I'm off this weekend to sew by the lake on a retreat with a few friends. I'll have to buckle down and pay attention as I sew with these blocks- there's many pieces and they're each a little bit different. I've done two sample blocks already, that will help. For me, mindless sewing is a better choice on retreat so that I can sew, chat, listen and chat some more. Not to worry, though, I'm packing up a boxful of that, too, just in case! 
140 hexagons and 280 setting triangles all packed and ready to follow along behind the elephants (or, to take their place if yours truly gets too distracted 😉). There's enough here to complete the current scrappy on my design wall. Along with those packed-up pachyderms and other projects there's plenty more moving forward too:
Currently under the needle is my four block applique wallhanging from a Sue Nickels workshop that I took a few years ago; I've been inspired to finish this and hang it after visiting the Nat'l Quilt Museum and seeing her work, and her sister's (Pat Holly) on display there. Peacock Shell background fill with a cross-hatched border. Not much more to go. 
I was the lucky-ducky winner of this FABULOUS new book from a giveaway on Instagram! The Country Threads gals (that's their quilt, Seaglass, on the far left) had posted the contest and my name was selected from a drawing! I was so excited to learn of the win and even more so now that I have the book, I want to make every. single. quilt. in it!
Speaking of feeling lucky and moving on... I'm fully vaccinated now and extremely thankful for that good fortune too. I had ZERO reaction to the first round. The second one was completely painless but I started feeling achey all-over approximately twelve hours later, that lasted for about a day and then vanished as quickly as it came . Achey joints and muscles seem like a small price to pay for the sense of thankfulness and freedom. Moving on...
The post-COVID vaccination soreness was no match for the post-mulch-spreading aching that ensued as I prepare the perennial garden for spring. We spread four pick-up truck loads in two days!  It's always so exciting to greet the emerging plants once again and to take the after-winter inventory. I believe that I may have lost my Cone Flowers and one Hosta, but all hope is not lost-  it's still early. Fingers crossed. 
The Lenten Rose in all its glory is a joy to behold right now; and, the bluebirds are building a nest!

Hope and promise; moving forward... here we go, 
full steam ahead! 

Life is Good!

9 comments:

Quiltdivajulie said...

I have that book on order - happy to hear that you are so pleased with your copy. Ah - spreading mulch - UGH! Hard Hard work no matter how you do it.

cityquilter grace said...

lucky win for you! and adorable elephants too...

Needled Mom said...

I did that quilt and it turned out so cute. You'll love it. Congratulations on your win.

Janet O. said...

The elephant quilt is adorable, but I do think you are brave to work on it at retreat. :) Good thing you are taking a back-up.
Your quilting looks beautiful!
Congrats on your book win. It looks like a good one.
We had 5 inches of snow yesterday--don't think I'll be spreading mulch anytime soon. But I do get my first shot in 2 weeks!

Lindah said...

Your wall hanging is beautiful. --Looking forward to seeing the finished project.

Sherrill said...

Those elephants are going to be so cute! But I'm with you; mindless when gabbing is involved! HA 4 truckloads is a LOTTA MULCH! I ordered 6 bags of organic from the Boy Scouts so that's all I'll be doing. I saw that you won that book! It is really tempting me. I got both vaccines in Jan. so I've been 'immune' for awhile now. Feels good.

Tanya said...

I'm drooling over your Peacock Shell quilting! So beautiful!

jude's page said...

Beautiful quilting on your quilt, our group was fortunate to meet Sue and Pat while we on tour in 2018, at the Paducah quilt show. I think Sue's quilt might have been Best of show and was amazing in the detail.

patty a. said...

Finally someone who knows what a Lenten Rose is! I have a whole bed of them and they are now putting on quite a show. I try to spread the Lenten Rose love and give away baby plants to those who are interested.