Another graduation quilt ... 2013

It always happens. Even though I plan for a graduation, reminding myself about it, it's 'x' years down the road ... then, it's time. Oh no !! Quick, a graduation quilt ! This year was no exception. My 2nd cousin -- it was in May. And my surgery was too.

So, the answer ?  Purchase fabric, supplies and during week No. 5 of recovery .. sew! In a post last month, I showed you how this compass was built.  My cousin and I decided it needed compass points, and I do like how they add to it.

The compass has graced my design wall for the past few weeks as I have hobbled around. I got cleared to drive this week by the doctor and the walking boot was traded up for a very ugly orthopedic 'shoe' .. and now I hobble a bit differently.  But since I was in town, I took the quilt with me to Hobby Lobby and used the classroom to put the background across a few tables to be able to center the compass. 

Woo HOOOO ~~

 

 

The compass is pinned all the way around the edge and through the center. Now to iron it well and stitch it down. Then it's just borders..

 

I really like how this has come out ..

 

Back to the design wall ... stitch on ~~

 

Dee

 







Chix Littles are 2 months!

But, I lost one of the hen-lettes yesterday   Out of the four, two came up roos, and two hens .. and of course, no one told the hen-lette that if she flew over the backyard fence, Lady (momma beagle) would catch her. And caught her she did ! Lady was excited to show me what she had under the lilac bushes.
  Momma Hen that I gave the littles to raise at a week old went broody 3 weeks ago and I had given her a dozen eggs to sit. She’s culled a few and the other day she had 3 left, and hatch date is August 5th. So, this morning I checked her and she had gotten off the nest to drink so surprise – she’s got 5 !  We’ll see what hatches on Monday. I think this go round they will stay first week in the brooding pen, and by 2nd week into the crate.
Now, back to some work around the house as I hear thunder .. don’t know which way it’s coming from, but hey, I’m not going to complain!
I have to go back to elevate and ice the foot ~~

til next time …

Dee

Hobbling and a Compass

Recovery from any surgery is difficult, but I am finding this particular recovery annoying. Having surgery on a foot means not walking. Walking is a very important part of my daily routine. If for any reason a foot is impaired due to injury or pain, it impedes the daily progress. I finally succumbed to the surgery as the pain was unbearable. Doctor said 'about 6 weeks' recovery, but every case is different. Well I'm the 'different' one. Having animals, gardens, yard work, all of which require needing to walk. I am so thankful to everyone that has been able to help me through this recovery that seems to be continuing ad nauseam.

The first week of recovery I thought I'd watch my online classes, I kept falling asleep. That would have to wait until much later.

I thought when I was planning for this recovery period I could handquilt an antique quilt. I washed it, I checked all seams for strength, fixed holes in seams and marked it. I couldn't sit in a comfortable position and elevate my leg for this. I was disappointed.

By week #3, I had to be able to get around the house and be able to stand occasionally, feed dogs, let animals in and out of house and be just a bit mobile. I was able to do this! And I was even in a wheelchair. The dogs got used to it, and even would go between the wheels to get past me  LOL

I was not able to sew with my right foot, so I started practicing with my left foot .. I wasn't too successful with the control, so I hunted around to find things that I was able to accomplish. The other side of this was I couldn't hang my leg down for a long period of time, so I sewed only in short spurts. So, I pulled out a UFO from 1985, an afghan made with 12 blocks to cross stitch on ~~ I counted up 11 blocks, so I have to make just one more. So I cast on my stitches and I started. I need 66 rows, and I'm up to 44 ~ woo hoo !  Here's one of the finished blocks ...

 
So, working on something made me at least feel like I could be productive. Week #4 I practiced a bit more sewing with my left foot because for Week #5 I would be sewing with my cousins ~~ an expected quilt for my cousin's oldest son for his high school graduation.

Having an army to help me was awesome, but when my cousins got here, everyone got to take a break .. which was good for everyone!

Sydney and Jack (find the boots), shown here with Melody and Shadow, had the chance to play with the horses .. but I think the horses enjoyed having them just as much! They hadn't seen me personally for 5 weeks now, and all these strangers. Shadow had just been brushed before Melody here, but he didn't want to be out of the picture  hahaha

So the graduation quilt was cut, sewn and we got a good amount done.            

2nd half is almost ready to attach to first half, background is sewn and needs to be squared .. and I have found letters to applique onto the background for compass points ~~ woo hoo !!

So while I was sewing on the compass, Sydney learned how to use a sewing machine and cut fabric for her own quilt. She made a lot of progress in just one week, hoping she continues with all her fabric once she gets home ..  I had wanted to do a kids can sew camp during the summer, but since the surgery, that was not going to be a possibility. Teaching Sydney was a good choice !


Now that it's been another couple of weeks, I've had a checkup with the doctor and have given up the crutches, the walker and the wheelchair. I am using a walking boot and started doing my own chores.  I was told that both walking and elevating will reduce the swelling of my foot. I haven't found that yet to be true. I have to wear two different size boots to do things outside, and I sort of hobble through chores. However, after doing any chore, I have to elevate and ice, then back into the walking boot.

I am continuing to sew in spurts, trying to find small things that will get completed and crossed off the -to do list-, clean a little bit at a time, elevate regularly, and pray that one morning I will be able to wear a real shoe.

I know there's light at the end of this tunnel, I am amazed that it's been 8 weeks since the surgery. And now I'm getting really good at sewing with my left foot. And one day, I'll even be able to drive again.

Til the next time, I will be hobbling around ...

Stitch on ~~

Dee


 

Spring to summer to surgery and recovery ...

I made a resolution this year to blog more often, find a job, have my foot surgery, finish more UFOs, and possibly have a great harvest from an early garden. Well, the blogging didn't happen, the job hasn't happened, I have had my foot surgery, I'm still working on the UFO's, and the harvest, well, other things took priority.

I had planned a Memorial Day post -- and was waiting for a picture of my comforter curtain project that I completed the day before my surgery. I'm still waiting, but will post it under projects completed 2013. I planned the entire month of May to complete a lot of work outside before my surgery was to happen. Plants needed dividing, seeds needed planting, new pots, deck washed, gardens, seeds dried, 2 dogs to groomer for summer clip. Well, the garden got some work, and seeds dried, but too much to do!  Then, I had a hen go broody, so I got her 4 baby chicks to raise. The goal ~~ get them independent and into the flock before my surgery. And it worked !  They are now 2 months old, and from the four I have 2 hens and 2 roosters.

     

One Week old 



                      2 months old



Well, the week of the surgery, my sister brought me a case of sweet potatoes to can ~~ and I did that too ! I cooked them down, made fries, tried cubes for freezing, and used a pressure canner .. phew !

Then my surgery was performed the 31st of May and I've been out of commission since. The first week was demarol. I weaned myself down by the end of the 2nd week as it put me out completely. My SO took his entire vacation for the year to come home and take care of me and took over chores on the homestead while I recovered enough to be a bit independent. However, I still had to assemble a small army of people to cover outside chores with the horses and flock. I was instructed to not put any weight on my foot for the first FOUR weeks. I had one mummy foot, a cast put on within 3 days, and a 2nd cast 2 wks later. I've been using a wheelchair around the house for 3 1/2 wks, plus crutches and now am trying to walk on only my heel. I have to rest, ice and elevate so I can keep going. It has now been 5 wks, going on week #6. I tried doing outside chores with horses and the flock this past weekend, just ONE feeding -- it was a huge NOT READY sign. Will try again this next weekend.

     

And I even had to bag it to shower ... in a chair ... with duct tape .. so I picked up some argyle tape !

Now, week #5, I had the pleasure of having my cousins from Tennessee come to visit and help with the chores and the invalid I am in this wheelchair. It also gave all my army a chance to do something else for a week while they were here. They cooked, they cleaned, they did chores, the kids collected eggs, picked berries, did dishes, and we had a project. My cousin's eldest son that just graduated High School in May. He's grown up on the water, will be going to Florida to college, so we decided on a Mariner's Compass ~~ we started on the 5th, and the center of the compass is almost complete. It won't stay a UFO long !

Now to find compass letters for N- E - S - W that will compliment the compass ...

I must get back to stitching .. have 3 more grids, want to get this done so I can work on the background and borders .. and so many other things .. life is an adventure, I do it in quilts ~~

Stitch on ~~~

Dee

What's it worth ? The journey of building a quilt ...

Making quilts for family and friends has been a journey of time, patience and love. Then someone asked, will you make me a quilt? What will it cost ?  Well, there's the supplies, of fabric, thread, batting, and then, there's the time to do it.

Time ?  What do you do with that time ? First, a decision must be made as to pattern, choice of colors, and once a quilter's mind gets churning on a 'new' project, the ideas just bounce off the sewing room walls! Quilt designs have been around for centuries, so many to choose from. And of course, a quilter will consider the taste of the person to receive the quilt, their age, is it for a specific life event? There is fabric to buy, wash, press .. and cut !

After choosing what pattern to make, a quilter makes the 'shopping trip' for the fabrics and supplies. After the fabrics are purchased, they are washed, ironed, and then by following the cutting instructions for the quilt pattern, the time it takes to cut the fabric. If it is a fairly simple pattern, it still will take 'time'. Once the pieces are all cut, then it's time to assemble the blocks. Blocks can be assembled individually, or in a fashion that all of them are completed at once. After all the blocks are completed, then the blocks are sewn into rows. How many blocks are being made? What size will the quilt be: baby, crib, toddler throw, twin, queen, or king ?  What kind of borders will it have, will it have drape at the top, bottom and sides ?  So many questions !

  What is this time really worth? And after the top is completed, it now has to be quilted. Will I do it by hand or on my home sewing machine?  Or will it be quilted by someone with a long arm quilting machine ? Batting and backing of the quilt need to be purchased before quilting can be done.  Or, the backing of the quilt can be assembled from scraps from the fabrics used to make the front. This can make the quilt reversible, and the quilting pattern can enhance the quilt. And after the quilting is finished, then it is bound with binding to match the fabrics of the quilt .. it certainly isn't something that can be thrown together for a quick turnaround by any means. Depending on the choice of pattern and/or size, 3-6 weeks can be a minimum!

 

 

A quilt for a life event, be it for family or friends, is a labor of love, with a lot of patience thrown in. A quilter is someone whose love of this craft has turned into a passion. To charge a price for the value of this labor of love is not only just the cost of supplies, but the hours lovingly put into the making of this memory for the purchaser.

I offer the following discussions from Hunter's Design Studio as food for thought, and whole-heartedly agree with trying to explain what I charge for my work, I am worth it. My skill I have acquired over the years of sewing and quilting will give you a work of art to be used and loved for many years to come.

What is it worth ?

What is it worth - Part 2

So go ahead, ask .. a well-made quilt will last a lifetime, not just a few washings to be replaced with another from another country where they are turned out in a sweat shop. I am proud to be a quilter.

My next project will be a graduation quilt for my nephew -- it's been on the back burner for the last 4 years, but he now graduates next month .. the quilt has been in the back of my mind, it is now drawn and the fabrics chosen. Woo hoo -- a new project !

I promise to keep you posted on the progress !

Stitch on ~~

 

Dee

Cookies, fudge, Christmas surprises ...

For the past several years I have been the Christmas box sender -- full of cookies, regional cool foods or sauces found in my travels to my sisters, their kids, and now their children. I would put on a long list of Christmas music, sing along and bake til I dropped. Last year, I decided it was time to end it. I sent my recipes and their favorites to all the families so that this year they could make the cookies in their own kitchens. This year, I feel like I should be doing it, but I'm just limiting the amount of cooking to our own children. I've also drastically contained the amount of cookies to a favorite sugar cookie, without frosting, and fudge. Two favorites easy to make up and send out.

My daughter's birthday is Friday, December 14th -- I have always tried to make sure her birthday and Christmas were always separate. After Thanksgiving, we would start to make cookies, and December 1st, we'd start to decorate the house. Candles in the windows, garlands on the fireplaces and stairs, but we would never put the tree until after her birthday dinner.

And for this year, her birthday present is Christmas supplies. Something she asked for, and a few things she didn't. I hope that this year she can still be surprised and be filled with wonder with both the gifts she receives and the ones she has to give.

My son is stationed in Japan this year -- far away from family, friends and his much loved fiance. Technology keeps us close by using Skype so I can both see him and hear his voice. And of course, Facebook messages and posts.

I receive hundreds of status updates, shares and videos. This morning I received a really neat video from a mall in someplace USA where a crowd in the food court turned into a group in joyous song -- a wonderful rendition of prayer in song to remind us what this season is about.

May your season be filled with wonder, joy and love, to be shared with family, friends and all you meet.

Merry Christmas ~~~

Dee

The 12 Days of Christmas ... and accessories

Last year I was going to make some Christmas accessories for my daughter's new home, but she informed me she had changed her colors. So we talked about her colors and she sent me a picture of a snowman and she wanted things to go with him. I found some fabrics that met with her approval, and made her a tablerunner.  Well, a tablerunner would be so lonely, so I decided to add some other accessories. The line from which I made the tablerunner was The Twelve Days of Christmas by Kate Spain for Moda. (The box has been sent to the destination, so I'm hoping she's gotten it by now so that I can publish this post!) 

The first thing I did was make ... stockings !

 

Of course I forgot to take a picture of the FINISHED stockings and tablerunner ...

 

I really liked this line of fabrics -- I got a 1/2 yard bundle from an online shop to make the stockings and the tablerunner. Cheery, bright and Christmas-y but not the typical always red and green. Yes it has red and green, but the blue really complements the whole thing.

 

THEN, there was a quilt --  I had found a panel that went along with the line. I thought I could find fabrics that I liked to go with it, but as the year wore on, the only answer was a kit. And I found it! Beaver Creek Quilt Company had two left, so I snagged one! 

 

   The panel has the numbered squares and the instructions were very easy to follow, the kit had everything except the backing and batting. I used a squared yard in the enter of the back and surrounded it with another. When it was quilted, it came out perfectly !! I will have to ask for a picture of  the receiver with her new quilt, front and back  :D

 

 

 

I can't publish the finished pictures until I know the box has been opened, but it sure was fun making the accessories to go with the tablerunner ...

 

The Twelve Days of Christmas has another meaning for me .. back in December of 2009, we had a pastor in our church that gave us something else to think about.

 

Besides just being a song, did you know the origins of the song came from scripture? Back when religion was unable to be practiced, the song was written to be used as a Bible study to teach the children the scripture readings of the Bible.

The references are pretty interesting if we think about them; the Partidge in the pear tree refers to God giving Jesus to us (Christians); 2 turtle doves refer to the Old and New Testaments; 3 french hens refer to faith, hope and love; 4 calling birds are the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; 5 gold rings are the first 5 books of the Old Testament; 6 geese a-laying are the 6 days of creation; 7 swans a-swimming are the Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit; 8 maids a-milking are the Eight Beatitudes; 9 ladies dancing are the Nine fruits of the Spirit; Ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments, 11 pipers piping are the Eleven faithful disciples and the Twelve drummers drumming are the Twelve Points of the Apostles Creed. When I listen to the song now, I think of these gifts as well.

My goal is now to get a few more boxes in the mail -- no stress, no worry ... I would like to think I can practice Christmas every day ~~~

For now, back to handstitching ...

Til the next time ...

Dee

 

 

 

 



Sewing Machine For Sale --

I have a Necchi Quilters Edition 4825 that needs to find a loving home. She sews beautifully, has a small band of accessories, and has done some wonderful work for me. However, I just am not using her to her full potential.

Machine, foot pedal, instruction manual

Accessories:
Feet: All purpose, zipper, buttonhole, button
sewing foot, overlock cutter, satin stitch foot,
overcasting foot, darning foot, quilting foot, and walking foot
Not shown: gathering foot, blind hemmer foot, cording foot and 2 rolled hem feet

Other:
Bobbins, screwdrivers, spool holder, pack of needles, light bulb

   View of bobbin and foot area

 

 

Price $400 + shipping

 

Method of payment:  Cashiers Check/ Money Order or PayPal

 

Will be shipped when payment clears

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This wonderful girl loves to work, and we've made a few quilts together. But I found a 'new to me' Viking that included an embroidery unit that took her place. She had a good checkup, cleaning and maintenance just last month and is ready to help someone be creative.  Would make a wonderful Christmas present !

 

For me, it's back to the sewing table, as this Elf has a lot to get out in the next couple weeks !

 

 

Stitch on ~~~~~

 

Dee

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

Welcome Charlotte !

While spending time with my Mom, my favorite times were when she was sewing. She had a Singer 401a and I couldn't wait til the day I could use it. I remember one summer she took me to purchase fabrics as she was going to sew all next year's school clothes for my sister and I. Skirts with matching vests and pants and holiday dresses. This year she also bought patterns for clothes for my Barbie. I was soooo proud and excited !

I spent hours touching fabric, helping her pin pattern pieces on the fabric, watching her iron and watching her work tirelessly to create our entire wardrobe. I was so proud of her to do this every year, she was soooo creative. The downside?  My sister and I looked entirely alike even tho' we were 2 grades apart. I hated that part! 

Then it was time. She helped me pick fabric for my Barbie dress from the scraps, I'd pin the fabric very carefully. And then I'd cut it out. Note* On a pattern, there is a side of the front where it notes: 'place on fold'. You're not supposed to cut there, it's so that the piece unfolds to make the entire piece. But I would very carefully cut this line too! And I'd have to start all over again. But I soon got the hang of it and produced at least a few respectable dresses for Barbie.

Over the next several years, Mom watched over me as I sewed skirts, pants, dresses, blouses. When I was in JHS I rode my bike to school (over 5mi) so I would sew the cutest shortest dress and make matching bottoms -- I thought this was awesome!

When I was in 9th grade, Mom's mother, Gramma Laura, gave me a Featherweight, my very OWN sewing machine. Now I didn't have to wait til summer to sew with my Mom. I still have this machine, and it still sews like a champ, but instead of making clothes for me or even dollclothes, she makes all kinds of quilts. Lovingly put together for my own family and dear friends.

So now I have two memories in my sewing room, one from my precious Gramma that continues every time a quilt is finished. And now Charlotte has joined the family where she can start sewing again and I can bring some of those cherised memories back to life.

I'll be in the sewing room -- this elf has lots to work on :D

Stitch on  ~~~~~

Dee

Quilts ... and more quilts !

Spring sprung early in February .. and then .. it was summer .. what happened ? This year seems to be moving quite fast. It seems like it was just February, and we didn't have winter, Mother Nature brought on spring and I was outside working in the gardens, conditioning my horse by driving her on the road and I was drawing up a log cabin design that was going to be a quilt for ME. Since then, the center has been completed and I am working on the pieced borders. The first pieced border will be Half Square Triangles (HSTs) depicting trees.
 



      

Single log cabin block

    

        Assembly line making rows

As you can see, the block has a variety of reds and greens. So I'm using a variety of the greens for the trees. The 2nd pieced border is planned with blocks of Delectable Mountains and I will use the reds for the mountains. My vision is that the trees and mountains depict the Ozarks, the mountain range in the area where I currently live.

Grid for multiple HST  12 grid makes 24
at a time !  phew



Pieced border - trees made of HST
I need 108 HSTs

Center of log cabin  -- I have named this pattern
Cabin in the Ozarks
Note: pattern is in the making !

In April my son who is in the Marine Corp, got orders to be stationed in Japan for 2 years.  I needed to go see him ASAP. I started making arrangements PDQ ! Then my partner's employer decided to move him to Oklahoma to work, so he started work on a camper to live in for temporary housing. I made some curtains for the bedroom to make it a bit more manly, along with cleaning and scouring. Scouring a trailer from tip to toe is NOT my favorite activity. But the curtains came out nice :D

Before the month was out, a friend asked me to make a baby quilt for an expected grandchild -- I was thrilled ! She picked fabric from my stash, and I got to work !

 

 Here's the start ...


  Here's the machine quilting ...




and the finished product !!! I haven't gotten pix yet of the new grandaughter IN the quilt yet, but I have been promised they are coming !

  In May, our local library decided that they would like to have a quilt, or several small quilts, to display in the library to commemorate the Civil War as this is the 150th anniversary.  Our local quilt guild passed the word that they were forming a group to make this happen and it was decided to make one full size quilt and the pattern was the Civil War Love Letters book by Rosemary Youngs. I jumped at the chance and signed up.  I have 13 blocks in this quilt, another quilter friend made over

 50!  Due to the collective effort, it made a 120 block quilt go much quicker. It is now hanging in our local library proudly displayed with all our names on the label. I love doing things like this  :D  I love Civil War era quilts and reproduction fabrics, and I am making MYSELF the Civil War Tribute quilt. I'm only on Month #4, but each block set is a work of art -- and it's going a bit slower than anything that is able to be pieced quickly.



Here are my 13 blocks -- can you find them in the quilt?

 

In mid-May, a friend who raises black angus crosses made a cut of all my pastures -- made short work for my partner who has to bushog all the growing grasses .. boy was he surprised and it cut down the amount of work he had to do when he did get to come home!  We took 15 round bales off the 10 acres .. 

 

 



 

The end of May, I jumped on a plane to DC to visit my son. It was a well deserved time away from the farm, chores, demands of the 4-leggers.  I also stayed with a friend who had a cornea transplant the end of May and stayed with her through her 2nd week of recovery. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with friends I left in Virginia before I moved to Arkansas. I got the chance to help a friend put a mare to cart, have breakfast with a friend where I used to board my horse, have lunch with a friend who I used be able to help drive her mules .. and take the opportunity to go quilting with other women. And tour the National Museum of the Marine Corp at Quantico -- what an amazing tribute to our serviceman and women that have served.  The quilt below hangs in the museum and is an amazing example of the work this organization does .. check out www.quiltsofhonor.org . Of course, my son says this is the NEXT quilt I have to make for him.

 

 



  This is Dana and her mare that I helped her put to cart .. here we are working with a drag showing me what I can do with one of my horses -- it's coming, but much slower  :D

 

 In June, we had a baby shower at our church for the daughter of one of our women, I made a burp cloth with some awesome embroidery -- I think I have found the next sewing machine I need !

 

 

 

When I need to get out of the house, I take my horse Melody for a drive. I call it my hoof therapy. I have been driving since the early 90's, and the rythmic beat of her hooves on the pavement, or just the sun on my face, is enough to give me some inner peace. I can say a silent prayer and just still my brain for awhile. The hard part is finding someone to go for a drive with me, and the occasional opportunity is wonderful .. here is my friend Paige enjoying some carriage time with Melody.  

 



 

I just finished a quilt challenge project with my quilt group. The challenge was to make a center block, and for the next 8 months of monthly meetings, we would draw two block names. You could choose to do a border of one or both of the blocks, or neither.  I took a Laurel Burch panel I had found in my stash, and for the life of me could not make several borders with the limited amount of fabric I had. So I did the next best thing. I placed frame borders to get my one border to fit mathematically, and put the pieced blocks of those that I wanted to use in ONE single border. 

 

 

I had border stripe fabrics that I cut apart to use separately on different sides and the final border was a wide directional print that I had JUST enough to make them fit. I just put the final border on last night.

 

Well, believe it or not, there are several more quilts I want to complete in the coming months -- Christmas is on it's way !  County Fair started this weekend and I thought I would have something to enter. I have a quilt that needs a binding, and it didn't happen. Oh well ... chores are calling again ...

 

Til next time, sew on ...

 

Dee

Editing the seasons ...

Since we didn't have a 'winter' to speak of, I didn't get my usual jump start on the sewing year. I have finished a few things, the back to my sister's quilt, all my log cabin blocks are done (quilt for ME), cutting out pieces for Starr's quilt .. I know, I jump to a few things at a time just to keep my mind from getting bored. Starr's quilt is tedious right now, and am slowly picking what fabrics will be butterflies, flowers or turtles. My log cabin now needs to get into rows -- now that the wall is vacant, that is possible. My civil war quilt, I'm on block #4.

Here's the EXtra large back for my sister's quilt. It measures 125x125 or thereabouts. When it is quilted it will be double-sided in effect from the log cabin on the front, and an off-center cabin for the back.  We'll see what happens when it's finally quilted!

But winter was ONE day this year.  February 12th.  So not only did I not get the my sewing projects further into the pipeline, so many things just didn't get done for the gardens. I usually take January and February to cut back, prune, and winter over the gardens. Mother Nature, however, had a much different idea. And planting a spring vegetable garden was very early! And having a flock of free range chickens?  They have been making sure I have no japanese beetles -- and if I find one, they have a competition to get which end.  But they can also be a pain when they remove the dirt I just put IN a bed, just to see what is underneath.  I'm down to a flock of 11, as I lost 2 hens. Don't know when I will replace them. I haven't had a hen go broody to put any new chix under this year.

This year I watched and waited to start the annual work, gardeners were being told to hold off any pruning as it would hinder the development of the fresh growth. But now that it's April, we've got overkill growth on some things. The mums, they survive anything as you can just 'do them'. My St. Joseph's coat rose on the other hand bushed out on the tops of the root bases I didn't clip as I didn't want to 'hurt' it.

So, now I have to make the decision of just where to clip and/or prune back cuz it's just TOO BIG. And I think it will need some string to help support all of this. There are a ton of blooms ready to open ... can't wait!  I also have a knockout rose bush that started to bloom 2 weeks ago, and this morning I counted several more just waiting to open to the warm air. My lilacs bloomed mid-March and are already gone.

I also have crepe mrytles -- 4 in the front yard, and 7 in the backyard.  I got 3 done in the front, let one go and 3 in the back and let 4 go.  One day I planned on getting to them and I turned around and they had leafed out overnight.  Scratch that from the 'to do' list.

What a clipped mrytle is supposed to do ...

 And this is what happens when I don't make it to create the look .. oh well ... clipping will happen anyway to shape the poor thing now !


So instead of worrying about what I haven't gotten to, I'm starting 'fresh'. My planned herb garden kept getting dug up by the flock. So, I painted a rusted tractor wheel JD Yellow -- they don't think it's real -- and they are staying away. I added marigolds, and am putting the spinach in with that.

I put a screen section around the circle which doesn't totally close, but I keep moving the opening so they are confused. Somedays it works.  


My tomatoes already have flowers and fruit. The asparagus is sprouting up, the garlic is showing, I even planted brussel sprouts! I'm adding more iris, new gladiolas, and my butterfly/hummingbird garden is overwrought with things that aren't flowers. So more dirt to turn over and add things to.

 

With all of this going on, I'm not spending a lot of time in the sewing room.  I do pass through the room to get outside to see the horses. After dark is the time I can sew. I did manage to recover a headboard for the camper. I removed all the staples and was very good about remembering how to reassemble it.  It came out great!  Next I will make curtains for the 2 sidewalls. I used my pleater on my featherweight and I am so proud of myself!

Here's what the colors were before I started .. and very dirty ..

  

  During the process -- bottom layer on, ruffle pleated .. I like this look !

  and the finished product !!  I painted the screwhead covers today and they are drying ... ready to be put on this weekend.

So, now that I've caught you up, I've got to get back outside and tackle something else. Have to run to grab a few bales of hay from a friend as cutting was scarce this past year. Hopefully with the early spring rains, it will only help to overcome the drought in the surrounding states and there will be an abundance to help the cattle in states where last  year they were without.  Then it's back to some chore somewhere outside 'til dark ... 

Sew on ...

Dee