5/5/17

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.

28 comments:

gpc said...

I love lilacs; mine are late bloomers, not even starting to bud yet. The baby quilt is adorable, I always envy your bindings, mine never look right. I hope you have the happiest of birthdays -- and why not, what an exciting year it's going to be! And thanks so much for the win!

Goofin' Off Around the Block said...

I'm a fairly new "follower" to your blog. I enjoy stitching and quilting also. My-oh-my...but I do adore that elephant quilt. You made a good choice in the binding color. Oh, and a very happy birthday to you! Andrea

Robin said...

What? Your birthday!?! Well happy birthday from me and The Emperor. We wish you the best day ever and many, many more to come. As always, your creations are stunningly beautiful, as are you and your heart.

Linda Schiffer said...

Happy Birthday!! :)

Are you planning to come anywhere near Baltimore or Washington, DC on your trip? If so, I'd love to meet you for lunch while you in this region - and meet you in person. :) I've been following your blog for ages.

I envy your long trip - I'd love to do the same but my hubby is a home body.

:) Linda

Unknown said...

Ah- you're a Taurus- I've always thought (it may be a bit presumptuous of me!)that we would be good friends if we lived closer- my birthday is the 16th. Have a wonderful birthday!

Ioleen said...

Love reading your blog. Taurus as well. Happy Birthday 🎉. Mine is the 8th. Enjoy your day no matter what you do.

Kristin said...

Happy Birthday!!!!

Lyndsey said...

Happy Birthday Barbara. Love the baby quilt and the binding really sets the whole thing off beautifully. Lots of lovely stitching prepped and ready for the off now that's what I call getting your priorities organised. I always end up scurrying round at the last minute sorting out my hand sewing when we go away.

Quilting Babcia said...

Have fun on your trip! It looks like you'll have plenty of handwork to keep busy while you're away. The blue binding is the perfect accent for Mommy and Me. It looks like your blooms are about the same stage as ours at the moment. Hard to believe since it seems Oregon always gets such an early start. Must be our similar elevations, we're at about 1700 feet.

kauanoeanuhea said...

I look for your blog every morning and enjoy all your musings thru quilting, cats (I have two), gardening, and embroidery. But you are much better than I at keeping up with the embroidery. I have good intentions but always seem to fall behind.
Happy Birthday Barbara! My family has lots of May birthdays too. Mine is the 9th and I share it with my 9 year old grandson. Two other grandchildren have May birthdays too on the 30th and 31st.

Sarah said...

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!

DeeDee said...

Happy birthday! I'm excited to read about your adventures coming up. Hope today is fabulous.

Shirley said...

Happy Birthday! Hope you have a wonderful celebration and a great trip. Love the Mommy and Me quilt. The change in binding was perfect. Love how the fabric for the elephants is picked up again in the binding.

WoolenSails said...

I just love how your quilt came out, it is so cute.
Lots of beautiful stitcheries too, I do enjoy doing them lately.

Debbie

allthingzsewn said...

Mommy and me is just perfect, I think mine will be pinks. This is all your fault. I just had to go to the fabric store. Hd just doesn't understand. I got by with it because tomorrow is "MY" birthday. Actually it is the 2nd but we have always celebrated on Derby day. So a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to YOU!

Shari said...

Hope you have had a great birthday!!

quiltzyx said...

Happy Birthday! Woohoo!!

The binding is so perfect on Mommy & Me, I'm glad you changed your mind too. It's our prerogative, right?

Looks like you will have plenty to keep you stitching while you're on the road.

crazy quilter said...

Happy happy birthday! Hope it was wonderful. Mommy and me looks wonderful, I think you chose the perfect color for the binding it just sets everything off quite nicely. Have a fun day cooking, and enjoy the family.

Betty said...

Lots to celebrate! Hope you've had a very happy birthday!!

Brown Family said...

You are getting a lot done to get ready for your trip! I like the blue (turquoise) binding! Hope you had a great birthday!

Beth said...

Darn! I'm late in wishing you a happy birthday. I hope your day was splendid, in whatever way you wanted it to be. (I love a low-key birthday, and people always sound so disappointed when I describe how I spent my day, when it seems like the perfect day to me. Hence, my ambiguous wish, I suppose.) The year ahead seems very promising. Not every year arrives with the guarantee of new adventures and fulfillment of long-awaited dreams, eh? This year is looking pretty shiny.

piecefulwendy said...

Oh! I missed your birthday! Happy, happy birthday! Have a fun, fun day with your family. I hope at some point you can put your feet up and enjoy the party! Thanks for taking me with you on your walk around your lovely garden of blooming things. So much prettiness. Enjoy your day!

juliehallfeldhaus said...

Happy Birthday and have a good trip!!

Janarama said...

Oh I'm late for the party, however you still have 3.5 more weeks to celebrate your birthday month. Happy Birthday Barbara!

Kate said...

Happy birthday! Hope you had wonderful dinner out and that your trip preparations are going well. Mommy and Me turned out beautifully. It's a very cute quilt.

Donna said...

Happy Birthday!!

Amanda Best said...

Hope you had a great birthday! I thought you were probably a Taurus, too! My birthday was a couple days ago.
I rarely comment, but I read your blog nearly everyday, thanks for sharing all your great projects/photos!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Love all the bloomin' things photos! Happy Birthday!!