Let It BEE

Last week I made another Cheryl Lynch Mini-Mosiac. Her fabric kits finish at 11x14. Some day I may use her technique to create a larger piece, but with so many things on my plate right now that will just have to wait.

I brought the piece out to photograph it on the floor of the sunporch, but that was not an easy task as my assistant, Miss Emma, in her attempts to examine the piece up close kept getting into the photos.

Here are all the cross stitched pieces for the borders of the Lori Holt "Let's Bake 2" quilt. These 4 and 1/2" blocks will be the centers of the blocks on the outer border of the quilt. I have enjoyed stitching them at night while watching TV.  I'll work on finishing these blocks at an upcoming quilt retreat.

 

I'd like to make a movie recommendation, The Post which deals with the attempts to publish the Pentagon Papers. I had intended to see it at the theater when it came out, but somehow didn't get around to it, so the other night I watched it On Demand . In these 'interesting' times, it is well worth watching.

The most important line came at the end of the movie quoting Judge Hugo Black writing for the Supreme Court majority that decided the case in favor of the press.

"In the First Amendment, the Founding Fathers gave the press the

protection it must have to fulfill its essential role in our democracy.  The press

was to serve the governed, not the governors."  

"If of thy mortal goods thou are bereft,

And from thy slender store two loaves 

alone to thee are left, sell one, and with'

the dole buy hyacinths to feed the soul.

                                                  - Saadi, Persian poet of the medieval period

Doe, Re and Mi

Yesterday morning when I took Emma out around 8:00, we were surprised to see three visitors in the woods. Three deer had stopped by for the day back on March 10, but I don't know whether or not these were the same deer. (One of those deer had a butterfly shaped design on its left rump, but I couldn't spot one on any of these deer.)

Isn't nature's camouflage amazing?

This gal had quite the itchy chin.

When the sun came out later, I was able to capture my favorite photo of the day. (Note: you may click on any image to see a larger version.)

I was so glad that my cousin/godchild and her girls had come for "Ladies Lunch," so they could see our woodland visitors.

We went to lunch, the wonderful playground in the Braintree Highlands, and then made a stop at Hornstra Farms in Norwell for ice cream. All in all, a very, very fun day . . .

The deer stayed until dusk and did not return this morning.

Paris Themed Table Topper

Here's a little table topper that I made for my long suffering, ever patient, good natured, always encouraging, flute teacher who just returned from a honeymoon in Paris. I was thrilled to have found  a small amount of fabric with Paris graphics.

In keeping with the French theme, I included a piece of vintage sheet music, "The River Seine." It's a lovely piece from the forties which sounds good on my old upright and will sound even better on her grand piano.  If you are ever looking for a particular piece of vintage sheet music, just ask as I might have it. (In my cellar, I have my aunt's music cabinet which is filled with music from the 20s on . . . ).

I told Donna her assignment is to learn "The River Seine" by my next lesson. I have three pieces to practice for next week, so I thought it would be funny to turn the tables and give her an assignment. :-)

A Quilting Week in Review

I was glancing at the quilt magazines on my way to the checkout counter when this one caught my eye. Inside was the pattern for "How Does Your Garden Grow" by Chris Malone. I couldn't wait to get home and make it!!!

 

I used large black buttons for the flower centers and had all the necessary fabric in my stash. I love it!

On Tuesday, I had attended a meeting of the Crosstown Quilters Guild.  The BOM was "a jar of happiness." My jar was filled with chocolate pieces which before developing diabetes was my idea of pure, delicious happiness. :-) It was fun to see all the different things that folks put in their jars.

On Friday, my friend Laurel came for a day of quilting and brought the top she had made at a workshop at the Herring Run Guild last Saturday. The project was Dresden Neighborhood by Kim Lapacek at Persimon Dreams. You can purchase the pattern at that site.

How fun it that!!! How I wish that I had signed up for that workshop. You can be sure that I will be ordering the pattern soon as I have an idea for what I would like to do with it. I am eager to see what everyone in the workshop did with their tops.

I also made a gift that I will show in my next post.

Pansies are making their appearance at local garden centers, and so yesterday I bought four flats. I potted up four planters: three for the front steps and one for the back porch. I'm not sure if it was an act of faith or of defiance as the weather is downright cold and soon to be stormy with a whole lot of rain and lord knows what else.

Have an interesting, fun, creative week. 

Teeny, Tiny Squares of Fun

What do you get with a rotary cutter, cutting ruler, and a muffin cup pan filled with teeny, tiny 3/8" batik squares??? You get the start of a really fun project. Let me explain.

I enjoy following many different types of blogs, especially quilting ones. One blog that I have followed for a number of years is that of fiber artist, Cheryl Lynch, so I had been aware of her mini mosaics. She was inspired to create these patterns and kits after becoming enthralled with both ancient and contemporary mosaics while on a visit to Israel.

Last year when I went with friends to the Vermont Quilt Festival, Cheryl was one of the vendors. Her effervescent personality drew folks in, and after her demo I couldn't walk away without a kit and neither could one of my friends.

It got put aside until this past week when I was down and out with my asthma. It was the perfect project on which to work, and I love the results!!!

 

If you are intrigued, please watch her ten minute instructional mini mosaic quilt video. I should also note that the instructions which accompany the kit are very clear and well written. All you need to add with the kit are batting, borders, and backing fabric. The kit comes with a wide assortment of two inch batik squares, stabilizer, the pattern, and 'toile'. You should also order the cutting ruler to simplify the cutting process.

Fair warning: The process was so much fun that I already ordered a second kit. "BEE" watching for it.

Here's something else to share with you. As you know I'm really enjoying working on Lori Holt's Let's Bake2 quilt. In the course of making the blocks you do some embroidery, applique, and use various weights of yarn and floss. I purchased her color coded needle set shown above and below. 

There are color coded needles for: Binding, Tapestry, Sewing, Embroidery, Chunky, and Applique. It's a great idea to have all the different types of needles all in one labeled, handy packet.

I'm happy to say that I was finally able to take Emma for a walk this afternoon and am feeling much, much better.

I have completed two items on today's docket, but there are still three more to attempt to complete today. I'm not too concerned though . . .  with glorious retirement there's always tomorrow.

Have a wonderful week.

Friday Photos

I have been dealing with a flair up of my asthma since last weekend which has kept me down, but thankfully the meds are kicking in and I sound and feel much better. [You know . . . some people actually look forward to spring. Me? I'm of a mixed mind about spring. Once the trees start budding, I'm usually in trouble, and this year was no exception.]  

Yesterday I began feeling well enough to take a couple of crocus photos in the warm weather. Today these little beauties were pelted with snow.

Tomorrow it will warm up again and these hearty messengers of spring will bounce back just like me!!!