Things in Bloom

There is a benefit to sheltering at home.

Over the past 3 years we have lived in Virginia, I have only seen the Dogwood Tree in front of Quiltville Inn bloom ONCE – and that was before the house was even ours.

Due to self-quarantining, I’m seeing changes on a daily basis.

The daffodils are in large clumps on the hillsides, banks of the creeks and roadsides – giving everything their best show!

And those weeks are sprouting up QUICKLY!  A week ago they weren’t here.  Now it looks like a lawn mower will be needed within the week – if it ever stops raining.

Forsythia (of which I have none here, but certainly wish I did as it is my favorite burst of spring color) is growing all along my 7 mile route from cabin to inn (safe within my van, not stopping or talking to anyone on my way in between.)

Things are getting greener!

Photo in the rain -

This is the end of the drive in front of the inn, and I love seeing these bloom.

There are a couple of bradford pears by the USPS that are also in bloom – all I need is a blue sky and some sunshine to get a really nice photo of those – and I’ve noticed pink buds popping on other trees as well –pink blooming things light up my life.

Pink project boxes light up Dresden’s life! LOL!

As I worked to press and cut and sew on the remaining Elvira quilt blocks from Gudrun’s Quarantine Quilt Along from Sunday, he just plopped himself on top of that project box and would NOT leave.  Like – he was keeping it from falling to the floor or something.

Dresden – there are many other comfier spots in the QPO – that doesn’t look so snuggly!  But whatever – you are a cat – and you do things your way.

I kept my blocks in “uphill and downhill” piles -

Trying to keep things in order.

Block Lay Out Time.

I have never made a quilt with such big blocks, but I know Jeff is going to love this one!  I was able to use quite a few older prints, and smaller cuts – as long as I could get the required size of rectangle out of the fabric it went.

And yes, I was using the Stripology Ruler to do my cutting.  What was nice is that I could cut the size I needed, determine what I could get out of the leftovers, and immediately cut what was left to my Scrap User’s System sizes for storing for later.

I have SEVERAL 2 1/2’’ strips that I cut from the leftovers without having to move the ruler – there were also some pieces that I was only able to get 2’’ or 1 1/2’’ – and some leftovers were just enough to go into my string bins. 

So the fabric scraps from this quilt live to piece another day!

Lola, you blend right in!

She says that Dresden can stay on that hard plastic box – she knows where the comfy spots are and where she would rather be!

Rows together – how I left it last evening.

All that remains is to sew the rows together, and then decide what I can do for a backing.  This quilt was definitely fast and fun, and great for quick satisfaction.

Let’s face it.  My son isn’t going to care of a quilt has super huge blocks and was made in a flash, or if it has a zillion tiny pieces and took forever.  He would value them both the same – a quilt with a billion pieces that took forever to make doesn’t hold any more love in it than the quilt made quickly with big pieces.

What matters to me is that I can get this quilt quilted and bound and into his arms as quickly as I can.

Did you know that yesterday was National Puppy Day?

Zoey was sure to let me know!

Yep her right eye is half blue/half brown!

And this makes it impossible to get ANY binding done!

(But I’ll take it!)

Let’s have some fun!

I’ve been in touch with Scott at IronEz and he has reached out to offer us a Gift-Away to lift people’s spirits!

There is MUCH sewing going on with our need to stay home – and quilters NEED things that make their sewing and pressing just a bit better!

I was so sold after the first one I received  that I immediately thought of where else I NEED to put one.

The adjustable clip can fit a multitude of thicknesses – this will even clamp to a table top, tray or big board.

You can also save 15% using coupon code BH15off ordering from IronEZ directly!  You’ll input the code on the checkout page.

Get two or three while you are at it.  You are going to LOVE keeping those spray bottles in line and off of your ironing surface.

I love that it fits and corrals a multitude of favorite bottle sizes – and the free bottle that comes with it has even a finer mist than the traditional trigger spray on Best Press.

It will also hold an aerosol spray starch can, Flatter spray, or many beverage bottles – keep it near your machine and remember to HYDRATE!

We are giving away THREE! (Due to shipping, this gift-away is available to USA residents only please.) Enter below:

We will draw our three winners on Sunday Morning, March 29, 2020!

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Ocean waves quilt top shared by Diane in Michigan.

This is so true.  Good things come out of patience!

And we are sure learning about the need for more patience right now, aren't we?

What’s in line for your Tuesday?