Man, I have no idea where the last week went. I feel like I just posted yesterday, but according to the calendar, it’s been 8 days. Work, Work, Work, it sure makes time fly. I’m sure you’re busy out there too — it feels like it never lets up, doesn’t it?
I spent the whole of last weekend cleaning. and boy, was it ever needed. Sort of big cleaning. Like, clean the windows cleaning — I can’t remember the last time I cleaned the windows. In addition to cleaning, we had a visit from Winston for a few days while the kids had a few days away. I enjoyed being able to take him on walks in the neighborhood. Spring is finally peeking out from under winter’s rock — late, but here. And looky who we found on our walk:
Can you see them? It’s Mr. and Mrs. Duck! Winston spotted them right away and wanted to go and play. Sorry about the picture quality, but I felt lucky that I had my phone with me. Anyway, if you’ve been around for a few years, you know that our duck couple is our official sign that spring has arrived. The trees are just barely showing a tinge of green and in spite of the snowflakes we saw this week, beautiful weather is right around the corner.
In the meantime, I’ve been doing a bit of sewing here and there. When I started the Aunts’ Quilt, I mentioned to the Auntlets that they might want to think about prepping the scallops for the border as we go along, in order to save a ton of work at the end — only I haven’t been following my own advice. After I finished last month’s blocks, I started to panic a little. Only a few more months and it will be time to do those borders and I hadn’t prepped any of the scallops. So, this past week, I got with the program and prepped some scallops in the evenings while we watched tv. Very fun work. And pretty too!
And there’s been another little project too. There are a bunch of crazies over on Instagram and I’ve followed them over a cliff. They’re having a quiltalong — you make a few blocks a month from the book “2001 Blocks of Patchwork” by Chuck (it’s a woman!) Nohara. (Click on the link, scroll down, click on the book and you can view a few pages). I need another project like I need a hole in the head. But, the ladies are a fun group, and what’s another deadline anyway? It’s good to keep busy, right? I hope I can finish some of them in this lifetime LOL. Anyway, here’s my first block:
Before I go, here’s a few fun links for you:
Randi is making smoothies and this one looks deeeeeelicious!
Flossie Teacakes wrote a great post about solids. Do you have a solids stash? Mine is sadly lacking. Hey — maybe we should have a Moda Bella Solids of the Month Club and build our stashes.
Speaking of Crazies, Ms. Ric Rac has her very first line of fabric coming out at market. Here’s a peek. I can’t wait to see it.
And finally, Irene has a new book coming out and I can’t wait to see it too. Spring Quilt Market is almost here — lots of exciting things on the way.
Ok, Peeplets — I’m off to bed. Have a great weekend!
XOXO,
Anna
okay well we all KNOW you’re not off to bed…..
Winston is adorable! Thanks for not letting him munch on the ducks.
i love love love all of the bright colors in your scallops and in your new QAL.
yes yes yes on Moda Bella Club!!!!!! we ALL need a RAINBOW O’ BELLA!!!!!! (did you get the idea that i voted yes?)
okay well i’m in a hurry, i want to be the first commenter so i win the Aunt’s Quilt when you’re done.
:waves madly
darn got to clean the chookshed windows before the birthday party……….nice block..
Seems like work & play never let up for any of us these days! Still, I always say I’d rather be busy than bored and I’m guessing you’re the same. BIg cleaning here last weekend too – there were absolutely shameful dust bunnies under the beds and behind the wardrobes, but they’re gone now!
I adored the pops of colour in this post – and as for Winston … My heart!
Winston looks so soft and cuddly. Is he part sheep? :oD
I just went and checked some of the links you shared, I used to follow Irene but I must have lost her link sometime back as I didn’t have it – thanks for posted it, I have added her link to my reader once again.
Winston looks like a fun guy to have around! I have to tell you that I’m sorry for not keeping up with your blog. I wasn’t seeing your posts for a long time on Bloglovin’. I checked and somehow I wasn’t following your blog anymore. I’m sure it was a mistake. I really love your blog and I was thinking you weren’t blogging anymore! I’m glad to be back. :)
I love that Mr and Mrs Duck arrive in spring, and makes it official. Good on you for having a super clean!! I’ve been meaning to clean our windows, lucky our spring is a while away so I can keep putting it off. Your scallops , and your flower block are so pretty! That Chuck Nohara book is one of my very favourite favourites.
Hello, friend. I have just spent the last hour catching up on your musings and all of your gorgeous Aunt blocks! Oh, good night, I must add this to my list of “Must make this before the end of time!” projects. :) Hope all is well with you. It’s been an adventure here.
Your scallops looks so pretty Anna, and I love your first Chuck block. And yay for the duckies and Spring for you!
Oh Winston, so adorable how can you bear to send him back! Not much really fun sewing going on this week but hoping to get back into in a few days. Garment sewing…well kids sewing first but I have ordered some fabric ( oh stop rolling your eyes) to make the cute Sailor top that Deborah over at whipstitch did for Easter. Have a great weekend Anna!
Oh my your fabrics always look so fresh and fun! Your scallop prep looks great!
how fun to be doing another quilt along.
Winston is so cute I wish I could give that fur a scratch!!
bbbbbbbbbaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! have fun you crazy woman!!! ;p
Please come clean my house next!
(because I want to keep sewing)
LOVE your scallops.
Lovely pictures of Winston and your fabric stash!! I love the block you’ve made, it looks so much like one from the Green Tea and Sweet Beans quilt.
Oh Anna, how I love those fabrics!!!
Don’t talk to me about windows, Anna. I cleaned every single window only to have the most awful sand storm two days later and now they look worse than even. Quite bitter about that :-)
LOVE your quilting block.
Amalia
xo
Lovely to catch up, with you and your always colourful blocks, and with Winston and the ducks. I’ve been dyeing silk noil with natural dyes and thinking about English paper piecing something … I’ll let you know how it goes.
I love the scallops….gorgeous! How cute Winston is…..eyeing the ducks :)
Happy weekend.
Helen xox
Totally tempting me to get back into applique! I love your colors.
Love your scallops – they are my favourite and I teach an easy-peasy way to do them – lots of fun! Thanks for mentioning my book. I’m hoping to get my stash of books next month and may just offer a freebie on my blog – so keep your eyes peeled.