Bind On

It was a fairly productive day yesterday, and I feel at least a little bit less under the gun than when I last wrote. At the tippy top of my to-do list was to get the binding sewn on the Mommy & Me quilt. There were binding strips already cut, but when I looked at them again, I wasn't at all happy with my choice. The strips were from the gray fabric at the top right.

When I laid it down on the finished quilt, it just looked so dull and boring. Instead, I went with the fabric on the top left...the same fabric I used for the elephants.

Sadie gave the quilt one more run through on the snuggleability meter and declared it acceptable.

And then, lickety-split, and that binding was sewn on. I'm so glad I changed my mind about the fabric.

It was time to go have breakfast with Matthew at that point, and so I put it aside for a while. When I got home, I filled the bird feeders and took a look around. More tulips are blooming.

Finally, the clematis has bloomed. It's been threatening for weeks, but without warmth and sunshine, it's been a little shy. It's at least six weeks behind where it usually is at this time.

High overhead, I noticed the wisteria is budding out. 

The azaleas are getting ready to bloom as well.

Finally, the blooming heart is starting to look like something...

And the lilac is about to burst forth. I want this one to hurry up and bloom before we leave on our trip, or we're going to miss it.

Also, the plum tree is blooming now. It's the most frustrating tree because it always bears plums while we're traveling, and we almost always miss them. Maybe this year...

Fortunately, our neighbor comes and picks the plums and makes plum jam with them. Even though we miss the plums, we generally get some of her plum jam, which takes the sting out of it at least a little bit.

Also, the Andromeda is getting its red leaves.

And I noticed the wild strawberries are blooming. I used the heel of my boot to dig up a few of these from the field, and I planted them in the herb garden as a ground cover. They've worked out pretty well, but it's a constant fight to keep them cordoned off from the culinary herbs. They produce a tiny strawberry about the size of a blueberry. They're not good for much of anything except popping in your mouth on a summer's day.

Some of the rhododendron blossoms are beginning to open, although most of the rhodies are just barely getting started.

So that's where it stands in the garden. Having satisfied myself that spring has finally sprung, I got back to work in the sewing room making up blocks for hand-stitching while we're on our trip. I'll probably still have work to do on Hildegard at the beginning of our trip, but then, it will be time to start on the next block for the Summer Holiday quilt. This one seems completely appropriate. It's called "At the Campsite." Here's the picture from the pattern.

These blocks are a combination of applique and embroidery. The applique is finished now, and it just needs to be hand-stitched.

After that, it'll be time to move on to the 11th of 12 blocks for Hocuspocusville. This one has the least amount of stitching of any block so far. Here's the picture from the pattern.

And now my block is traced and ready for stitching.

Finally, I'll need to have the next bag lady ready to start on June 1st. We're really not sure how long we'll be gone, except that we must be back no later than the 5th. If we're still on the road on June 1st, I'll want to be ready to stitch Buelah for the June block. Now she's backed and ready for stitching, but her time won't come for another month or so.

There is still more sewing stuff to ready for the trip. There's much to do to get ready, and so I don't know how much sewing I'll be able to accomplish between now and the time we leave. The next clue for the Welcome Home small quilt mystery is out, and there's also a small quilt challenge posted. Then I noticed a new quilt-along starting up at The Inbox Jaunt. The quilt-alongs are very fun and excellent practice. I want to join in, but it means making another small quilt. I'm hoping to at least get the quilt made up over the next week, but I don't know if I'll have time. And then, there are the solstice blocks. For all of that, I'll do as much as I can, but I might just pull fabrics and put each project in its own ziplock bag. Ambitious, no?

As for the rest of my day yesterday, I decided to spend some time hand-stitching the Mommy & Me binding. Now I've turned the first corner.

And that was my Thursday.

Today is a cooking day. We have much to celebrate in May...Mike's retirement, Mae's birthday on May 1st, Mike's birthday on May 7th and Mike's retirement, and today is the birthday of yours truly. Yes, I'm cooking today and tomorrow, but we're having dinner out tonight. There's plenty to do, for sure. But I can't leave you today without choosing a winner for the April Bag Lady stitch-along linky party. Mr. Random Number generator has weighed in and chosen

#1--Gail!

Thanks to all who linked up with their bag ladies in progress. Gail, I've sent you an email, so check your inbox.