Cows On The Hills!

I took this photo from the corner of the parking area behind the QPO Studio yesterday afternoon.

All was ready, and I was waiting for the first of the April Quiltvillians (Who are joining us in March because Easter falls on their regular week this year.)

One of my favorite things about living in the mountains - watching things become greener than green, and seeing the cows grazing way on the top of the hills.

Look closely - zoom in - it's the little black dots to the right of the old water tower.

Watching cows wander behind the back porch and up on the hills there has also become a favorite pastime of visiting retreaters.

"Enjoying the outside?"

"Yes, just having my morning coffee with the cows...."

I'm so happy to have porch season back!

And these lovelies are now up and blooming brightly!

Out early spring weather was not kind this year.  The wind was CRAZY bad, and though I thought the potted plastic plants were in heavy enough of a ceramic container (like STONEWARE - super heavy) to not blow off, one still did and broke into a million pieces on the porch floor.

I was so sad.

This time around I'm trying a different route for porch decor.

These little gnomes are not as heavy, but they are cute as a button and if they go flying, they won't shatter where they land.

Also found on my Monday out and about:

$6.00 at Goodwill!  And it's PURPLE!

All irons are not created equal.  We had a Rowenta go belly up - or more like heatless - last retreat.

It was time.  It had served us well through many retreats.  But irons are on HIGH roughly 18 hours a day.  

Some retreaters are up early and sewing before dawn.  Some retreaters stay up until the wee smalls.  Irons barely get a break before they are running again.

At any rate - we love the stainless sole plates.  We like shallow vents on the bottom if there are vents at all because they don't catch the corners of your triangles and pleat the whole piece like you've run it through a ruffler.

Bypass anything with Teflon on the bottom - it will wear and leave black marks on your white fabrics.

We are always on the look out for irons for the retreat but it had been a while since I had been into that Goodwill. Happy Day. Long may she press....

Hazel just soaking up some rays in the back yard -

Speaking of Hazel:

Get a water fountain for the cats they said! They like fresh moving water they said. She just wants to watch it.

We'll give it some time to see if she warms up to it or not. If not, I'll relocate it to home and maybe the cats there will like it.

It was worth a shot, anyway?

SOME sewing happened - just a couple of blocks worth.

I've been grabbing handfuls of scraps from the baskets and sorting them - some into strings, some into pieces that will work for the two sizes of triangles needed for the flying geese part of the blocks.

Those pink ones belong in the other basket, but oh, well.

Flying geese happen first, then strings to either side.

That pink bee fabric makes me smile!

I'll get some more of these done today - but I have already have had requests for some hikes this week so these may take a back seat while the weather is fine. There are some "less fine" days happening after today...

A request to go up to the Appalachian Trail in search of ponies - I haven't been up there yet this spring and today may be the best weather day to do it so I'll see if I can pull retreaters away from the beginning of their retreat to just get it off of our lists.

How about you? Anything going on for your Thursday?

And if you haven't yet, please pop over to the Gift-Away post and get your entry in!

I'll be drawing for 2 winners who will each receive a Brookgreen PDF pattern from me and:

A Caramel roll from  Cotton to Quilts!

We'll draw for our winners THIS SATURDAY, 3/28/26.

Introductory Pricing:  The PDF pattern for Brookgreen is currently 25% off in the Quiltville Store, no coupon needed!  Price good through 3/31/26.

Simple shapes and easy piecing create a stunning repeat of pattern and secondary designs, inspired by photo taken of vintage tile floors white traveling. 

Full color photos, Optional piecing methods, and directions to press for success!

I can't wait to see what you do with your own version, be it in these colors, or perhaps a color theme of your own choosing!

Brookgreen finishes at 80'' X 80'' but is easily customized by making fewer blocks for a smaller quilt, or more blocks for a bigger one.

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

These are the wisest words I have heard over the past couple of weeks.⁣
⁣
I don't remember who told it to me, but it has stuck like glue. Just do the NEXT right thing.

That one thing will lead to the next thing and on to the next thing and before you know it you will get there!

Have a terrific Thursday, everyone -