Monday, May 10, 2021

I had a lovely day yesterday; I purposely spent the day relaxing; I was happy to know I can still do that. I needed a new project for the evenings so I dug into my bin and pulled out what was right on top. Once I knew the yarn I had to find a pattern. While I was sorting through the patterns I set a few aside to send to the thrift store. I was so relaxed that it didn’t even bother me when I had to reverse stitch almost all of the cross stitch that I did in the morning when I realized I had miscounted.

But it was back to normal today. The first clue on an online mystery quilt pattern was release. I didn’t plan to do it clue by clue because I wanted to see the entire pattern first. But the first clue only wanted four nine-patches so I dug into my scraps and got them done before breakfast.

After the video chat I headed out into the yard. It was a very satisfying day as I was clearing out around the lilac bush; the smell was amazing and, had my back not protested strongly, I could have worked out there much longer. Not to worry though as there are enough spots left in that section of the bed that I’ll get another days work before the blossoms drop.

I made two card tops this afternoon and I’ll work at quilting them tomorrow.

Saturday, May 8, 2021

I promised yesterday to get out in the yard today and that is exactly what I did. I think I’ve discovered the secret to getting outside – I need to start outside first thing in the morning before I get involved in something else and start finding excuses not to go out later in the day.

I weeded the daisy bed today. The rain we have had made it much easier to pull up chunks of root – mainly bindweed. Bindweed and I have made an agreement; I’ll let it grow and flower on the stone wall outside of the fence if it doesn’t start making trails inside the fence. I know I’ll stick to my end of the bargain but I can’t count on the bindweed.

I was going to cut the grass but it was still a bit too damp. I sat on the patio for my coffee break and by the time I was finished the weather was closing in. There were only a few spits of rain and the sun was back shining again shortly after I came inside. It’s been on-and-off sprinkles all day.

I did a quick look around the yard and everything is coming up and growing. The Solomon Seal are in blossom as are the Lily of the Valley. There are buds on the peonies and one of the hydrangeas is starting to flower. The lilac bush is in full bloom and although the smell wasn’t as awesome this morning as some days I’ll be back in that corner the next time I’m weeding just so I get the full effect of it. There are blooms on the roses and a couple of early daisies are out; the irises are about to burst too.

I was able to get a card done this afternoon – all the way from piecing to quilting plus a bit of embroidery on it. I’ll sit and stitch the binding now and it will be ready for the mail on Monday.

Friday, May 7, 2021

Another day of quilting and I’m surprised that it is going as well as it is – touch wood it continues that way. Granted I’m only doing straight line quilting but if you have to turn the quilt from one line to the next there is a lot of bulk on a queen-sized quilt. I may finish one end of the quilt today; if not today then I’ll finish it off tomorrow morning. There are a lot of ends to tie in but isn’t that what early mornings are for?

I missed my chance to go out to the letterbox this morning so I went up to the post office to drop off my mail. While I was out I stopped at the library and picked up another book. Goodreads tells me I’m behind in my goal. The book I’m reading now isn’t a favourite so I’m slow at getting it done. But with three library books stacked up I think I’ll be able to get through them quickly and be caught back up.

It was so nice out today that I should have been out in the yard but I can’t seem to get my mind off this quilt (at least until this section is done). I don’t know what the weather is to be like for tomorrow but, if it is nice, I promise to spend some time out there. Sunday is Mother’s Day and Pat asked me what I wanted to do for Mother’s Day; I said a drive if it is a nice day. There really is nowhere to drive to but I’m tired of the route from home to the library and back. I don’t intend to do any weeding or quilting on Sunday – cross stitch and reading are also in my plans.

Thursday, May 6, 2021

I spent all day yesterday (except for a short nap in the afternoon) quilting; Pat had an online event in the evening so I even spent some time after supper. After another full morning I’m happy to say I’ve accomplished what I set out to do in this particular session. The quilt isn’t finished yet but I’m a lot closer to being done.

I have a few cards I should start to work on but I think I’ll do a bit of fill-in quilting in spots that I missed in the first go-round. I didn’t actually miss them but after getting this last part finished I can see where some of the lines I did in the centre can now be extended. If I run short of time for the cards I know I have several tops finished and set aside.

I have a Guild meeting tonight and I’ve learned my lesson. I wrote a report so there would be no chance of me volunteering myself for anything.