Rain - NO SNOW

Today was a very gloomy, rainy Monday but hey, at least it wasn't snow! Maybe Spring is finally on the way! There was a robin on the deck railing this afternoon. That's always a good sign.

When I came home from work tonight, I had every intention of picking up the needle and thread and doing some handsewing that's been waiting for me. Dan comes home from his trip tomorrow so I thought this would one last night alone to sew and relax, but it just hasn't happened. Life got in the way. I spent a good chunk of the evening sitting here at the desk paying bills instead. What was I thinking??? Paying bills or sewing?? Tomorrow night I will sew for sure as we watch American Idol. Reality shows aren't my thing (tv in general isn't my thing)but Idol is one show we've been hooked on since season two.

I'm hoping to get away early enough to stop by one of my favorite quilt shops - Quilters General Store in Rockford, IL - before I pick Dan up tomorrow afternoon. I could easily spend hours browsing in there. I'll let you know what I find there.

Last winter day???

Will this be our last winter day?? It's later March and winter seems to be hanging on longer than it should. We received yet another snowfall yesterday. Thankfully, it was nothing like first predicted. Most of it came as rain and only changed to snow mid-afternoon. As I drove to work this morning, I couldn't help but be in awe at the beauty of it(even as tired of winter as I am). The sun was shining on the snow-flocked trees and they just glistened. I ran outside once I got to work and snapped a few pictures as in an hour or two most of it will surely be melted. Have a great Friday!

A couple of days later than hoped for

A couple of days later than hoped but our new Grandson's quilt top is finished and ready to go to the quilter. My son (his daddy) picked out the yellow construction fabric and I built the rest of the fabrics around it. His room is browns and blues.

I love to layout and piece quilts, but the actual quilting is not my thing. A good friend of mine, Jeanne, started me quilting and tried to start me at hand quilting. The hand quilting was a definite no-go! It takes too long -- I know, the purpose of it isn't supposed to be speed, but projects have to move faster than that for me. Plsu, I get frustrated trying to quilt projects of any size on my old sewing machine, so off to the quilter it goes! Pat told me if I got it to her by early April she would have it back to me in time to put the binding on for the baby's arrival in early May. I'm crossing my fingers.

Now onto another project..his Mommy needs a new cover for the changing table and a new boppy cover so I think that's next. Dan is out of town for the next few days so when I get home from work I've been sewing uninterrupted. It's lonely but my time sure has been productive.

Big sisters quilt

Here is a shot of the quilt I made for our Granddaughter, Ava 18 months ago when she was born. I love scrappy quilts!

First day of Spring and first day of blogging

I can't think of a more appropriate time to start something new than the "First Day of Spring." So today, is also the first day of this blog. I always think of things coming alive again when I think of Spring. However, today, here in Northern Illinois, Spring's arrival was greeted with yet another winter storm. Winter doesn't seem to want to loose it's grip on our region of the country and I for one am more than ready for that grip to be loosened. I love springtime! I love that first nice warm (above 40) day with bright sunshine and light breezes. We had just such a day yesterday, even it was only fleeting. All changed at 4am this morning with the arrival of ice and snow. This will be a good weekend to stay inside and quilt. I am working on a baby quilt for our new grandson due to arrive in early May. This particular quilt has a construction theme and I can't wait to see it "start" to come together. Can you tell by the word "start" that it hasn't yet? It hasn't, I'm off to quilt!