Heat Wave

The weather has been so beautiful the last few days.  When I got up yesterday I despaired that the Portland gloom had returned after just one warm[er] spring day.  By 10:00 or so, it had burned off, and it was lovely. We're expecting temperatures in the 70's for this weekend, and I say, Bring It!

Yesterday evening, I noticed the daffodils had finally opened up in big bunches all around the yard.  This image is from last year.  As I write this, it's a little gloomy out, but I'm hoping it will burn off in a couple of hours.  If it does, I'll have to make a tour of the garden and take some pictures of the flowers that have been brave enough to show their faces.

Also, I think it's time to take the tomato starts down to the greenhouse.  Some of them have grown quite tall and already need larger pots.  Some of the others seem to have stopped growing.  I hope they aren't stunted.  One of the slicing tomatoes still has not developed any true leaves.  Hopefully, moving them to the greenhouse will give them a burst of energy...or at least a happier outlook.

They've been under a grow light all this time, but they are outdoor plants.  They aren't even a greenhouse variety, and so I suppose they are depressed at living their lives indoors.  (I have this habit of attributing human characteristics and feelings to plants and other inanimate objects.  It's something of a curse because it causes me to have undying loyalty to things that are completely indifferent to my very existence.)

Here's the tally on my Four Day Curves Extravaganza:

Exercise--3

Excuses--1

Yeah.  I've gone three days in a row, but today I'm staying home.  There's a teentsy tintsy possibility that I'll get my butt in gear on Saturday morning and go.  On Saturdays they're only open until 11:00 a.m., however, and so it's unlikely.  Still, I'll keep it in the back of my mind...you know, where things go to die.  Besides, my knees are complaining.  It's a good excuse, right?

Here's what I did in the sewing room yesterday.

blocklotto.com

I made my block for the Block Lotto:

This one went together fast.  If I had started earlier in the month, I might have made more.  I like participating in the Block Lotto and experimenting with different blocks, but my personal commitment is to just make one block and let the lotto chips fall where they may.  If you're unfamiliar with the Block Lotto, you can click on the image above to learn more about it.

Then I put the finishing touches on the Perfect Harmony quilt.  It's completely finished now.  Mike still needs to cut the dowel rod for me, and it will be ready for hanging.  I made the label and then hand sewed it to the back this morning.  When I label a wall-hanging, I sew the label on upside down so that when it's hanging on the wall and you lift the corner to read the label, it will be right side up for the reader.

Wanna see what it says?  This little verse isn't original to me.  For the 29th birthday of my youngest child, it seemed perfectly appropriate.

Good grief.  Where did the years go?  When I think back over all the parent-teacher conferences, soccer games, music lessons, first days of school, etc., etc., etc., it seems like a long time.  But when I recall the day he was born, it seems like the time has gone by in the blink of an eye.  You parents of adult children can no doubt relate.

Also, I put a tab in the center of the quilt to go along with the corner pockets.  

The tab will keep the quilt from sagging in the middle over time.  I made it using the same tutorial I have used in the past for making quilt sleeves.  The only difference is that this is just a little mini sleeve.  Once Mike has cut the dowel rod to the right length, I'll thread it through the pockets and the tab and voila!  It will be officially hangable.

I'm going to use the leftover piece of dowel rod and this same method when I have the Line Dancing quilt finished.

Now there's a button you haven't seen for a while.  For those of you who have bemoaned the demise of Foto Finish, I have very good news!  Elaine over at Commotion from the Ocean of Life is reviving Foto Finish on her blog.  Elaine tells me that she will resume Foto Finish on April 20th with the first optional theme of  "speed or fast".  You can check out Elaine's blog post right here.  So get those cameras out and start clicking!

Also, I want to tell you about a giveaway going on to celebrate Julia's First Birthday.  To celebrate, Richard and Tanya are giving away a baby quilt.  There are several ways to enter and share about the giveaway, so check it out!  Even if you don't have a baby to give it to, there are many charities that would be happy to claim it for some deserving child.


So, I think that's all the news I have.  I'm just getting ready to write a blog post for the March NewFO Linky Party and Giveaway on my own blog.  The linky party goes up on Sunday, and you'll have a full week to link up to be eligible for the giveaway.  This month, everyone who links up will have a chance to win this cat needle nanny.

And if you're not familiar with the NewFO Challenge, just click on the button above to read all about it.  All you need to do is start a new quilting project in March.  No finishes required!  Haven't started anything yet?  There's still time!

Once I have that done, the expanse of a day at home lays before me.  I have a little housework to do.  I'm cooking a family dinner on Sunday for Easter and to celebrate Matthew's birthday, and so I might start working on a few things for that as well.  Beyond that, I want to spend the rest of the day sewing!

I hope you're having a good day.  Mine is off to an excellent start.