Today is Connie’s actual birthday and I’ll bet she won’t forget this one! How things can change in less than 24 hours – I hardly recognize our lives any more. But this is the best medicine to escape reality for a couple hours – spring yard work! I promised myself I would limit how much I do each day so here’s two days’ worth.
This doesn’t look perfect but before I started I couldn’t even see the rocks!
The chickens don’t know our world has changed – they still come up to scratch for tasty morsels under the bird feeders.
I finished binding the red and white snowball quilt.
Jo in Wyoming sent her Dirty Dozen finish and I think it’s sort of hard to see but she has done so much work on this quilt that I’m posting it anyway. She quilted the background first and hand appliqued the mama giraffe reaching down with her tongue to her baby below. What a project! I’d love to see it in person.
Hazel is only interested in the mailman pulling in.
If you might panic when thinking of how restricted your life is, go outside and do yard work – the fresh air will do you good! Quilters can never be bored – start a new quilt! Or finish one that’s been laying around for awhile.
I’ve so enjoyed the comments – and I hope you’ll all feel part of a small group of quilters who have each other to commiserate with. I know I do!
Your red snowball quilt is just beautiful; a happy quilt:) I am so happy I have a hobby. Quilting has kept me from missing all of the things that have been cancelled. I am working on our grand daughter’s tee shirt quilt for graduation. I am sad for her because they are missing so many things. But, our county does not have any cases yet so that’s good.
Hazel is so cute. Our friend’s Vet sent her information about things to do to avoid the virus:) It’s going to be warmer here today, but cloudy.
PS Almost forgot to click the ads–oh, my. I love the giraffe quilt–stunning:)
I remember that Giraffe pattern. I think it was in Connecting Threads and I seriously thought about buying it. Now, I wish I had!
Thanks, I got the pattern from a quilt shop in Hawaii. Show had a booth at the big show in Houston.
Oh, Dear Hazel!! You are so fortunate to have her! What a darling !
Love all the quilt pictures – everyone is doing such lovely work!!
Happy Birthday, Connie – hope your day has been fabulous! Give Betty a hug for me and keep one for yourself!!
looking for the pattern with door hanging bunny
Joanne Malys – Harvey is available from us for $10. Mail check to Country Threads, 2345 Palm Ave, Garner, IA 50438
Mary, love the red/ white snowballs, what size squares did you use for corners & snowball itself?
I would love to gleem this idea using blue & white. Have been on a blue & white journey. However am working on red/white quilt using 5 inch charms..appliquing 3 inch circle ⭕️ in center of square.. have finished about 45 squares so far.. slow going as is my hand project & one that was my mobile project.. took with me when thought would be waiting..since Social Distancing should bring box in from car & work on it at home,.
Plenty of chores to keep me occupied & setting timer for 1 hour each day to make myself do some of the deep spring cleaning. If I set timer & tell myself can do any unpleasant or disliked chore for only an hour it seems to get done..even if takes longer. Funny how we use psychology on our selves even .
Nikki – setting the timer is a great idea! I may try it. Limiting my physical work outside has been a big help – I don’t work all day and that’s going to be much easier to adjust with my new knees and my compromised back.
Snowball measurements are 5” and 1-1/2”.
Thanks Mary…
Timer works wonders…do find that will go over the hour to complete a chore but just knowing is a limited time when starting is initiative enough to get started sometime..lol.
Got a call from physician friend today, said this is just tip of iceberg, expect # of cases to more than quadruple within two week. First death in Dallas today and number of area cases have increased, now have numerous community acquired cases.
Nikki M – oh, that’s so sad! Hope you’re healthy and stay home whenever you can! It’s just not worth getting sick! The tip of the iceberg????? Yikes!!!!
Mary. i have always loved the blog, It brings a smile to my face and on many days help me realize the important things in life are really the simple things. We can all get so wrapped up in work and the hectic grind of everyday life that a picture of Hazel or the chickens always calms me. So thank you !
Work is very busy even from home. I arrange loans for a living and needless to say more companies are interested and finding solutions is getting harder. I have committed to getting outside for a walk everyday and the fresh air helps. Lining up the projects for evenings and the weekends.
I am with you Christie and it’s amazing how good the fresh air feels in your own backyard. I took it all in this morning with the dogs and felt very thankful I have a space with fresh air for my lungs.
Happy Birthday Connie. You sure won’t forget this one!
And Jo did a spectacular job on her giraffe quilt. Looks like many hours were put into that,
Back to my sorting and purging of what’s tops to sew and relish I have a home to stay safe and sound inside of and a freezer of food to sustain me. And take out from local restaurants to help keep them afloat. No new cases here overnight so maybe being proactive will help the spread of this.
Christie – thanks so much! I’m going to try to be level headed and continue to find those small instances of pure grace to post on the blog. For the first time in my life I am included in the elderly population that is susceptible to the
virus. I don’t feel elderly but I’m going to stay put at home just in case. 😌
MARY….
Begorrah to you and our birthday gal, CONNIE!
Thanks for the pictures. Your red/white snowball topper is one of my favorites! Brightened my day!
Snow is melting here as long as the sun stays out! Plenty to melt yet! Haven’t seen any Chipmunks 🐿 out yet.
Our son did some marketing for us yesterday! Cooking a corned beef today!
Well, I won’t wear my KISS ME, I’M IRISH button this year, but Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you all! Happy belated birthday wishes to Connie, too. Love that red and white masterpiece! And, Jo, that giraffe is stunning! Sending virtual hugs to everyone…
Happy birthday Connie. Enjoy this crazy day. I am very thankful for my stash of patterns and fabric. We have a confirmed case in the next county. I live one mile from the county line so am staying home. My husband is grouchy because I will not let him go do things he thinks will be safe!
Play Perkins – that husband comment sounds very familiar – I’ve heard it at my house, too!
I absolutely love your red snowball quilt–Beautiful!! Also Hazel is a real sweetie! Our Siamese cat is one year old today (St. Patricks’s Day). We named her Katie (Kathleen being an Irish Name). I can’t believe how big she has grown in one year!!
Barb K – send me a picture of Katie – to my email and I’ll post it.
I just love your snowball quilt, red is my favorite color. I’ve seen them in a variety of colors, this is my favorite. A few of our lqs are either closing or shortening hours & offering at the door service. This is hurting everyone.
I love all of your pictures and the snowball quilt is so pretty!
Happy Birthday, Connie! Our granddaughter Ashley is celebrating her 23rd!
Mary, your blog is truly wonderful to read and especially right now to know how others are coping and being affected by the Coronavirus. I have read every comment! It’s wonderful to feel like we are one big family. We share the happy times but also say prayers for those who need support thru tough times and sadness. Thank you, Mary!
Diane in Maryland – I, too, have read all the comments and so enjoy being a part of this happy little group of quilters!
Exactly…Sunday I picked up a project to finish and ready to quilt. I sewed the blocks together and today will add borders and hopefully get batting cut and ready. The back will need to be sewn together; 4 yards; and then layer together for quilting. I will be soooo glad to free up that space!!.
Marilyn Holder – You go, Girl!!!
Hi Mary! Thanks for your update. I’m in Iowa for the duration I guess. I was here to watch the grands over spring break. I guess spring break has extended! HA! Today we studied, did chores, made salt dough ornaments and have other things planned. I found we need some sort of structure or they start picking at each other. Worst part is, I’m missing Jack our yellow and we just adopted Daisy a black lab and I haven’t even met Daisy yet! Oh well, life would be boring without surprises. I do remember lining up for polio vaccines but that is the only epidemic in my life I remember. You yard is looking great! Have fun, I know you love being outside.
Pam in NC – wow! You’re going to miss spring at home! And you haven’t even met your new dog???? I also remember getting polio treatment as a kid. Your grands are sure lucky to have you there to make sense of their days. Do they have a dog? How many grands in the home? I’m sure you never dreamed you’d be staying in Iowa for so long!
Love that giraffe quilt!! I am a giraffe person. Can’t believe it is warm enough for you to work outside. Glad you are limiting yourself. Do you know yet what they are going to do about your back? Enjoy all your thoughts and pics! Stay safe.
Margie from Ohio – well, it’s not exactly warm but I just couldn’t wait any longer to get outdoors! Back is no longer bothering me since I stopped PT so I won’t likely pursue surgery at this time.
I remember my mother stating after she went to the nursing home that she didn’t want to stay there with “all those old people”. It has really been brought home to me that I am now considered one of those old people! I am staying at home and trying to not watch the news so much. All the schools here in SC have been closed along with all public events,dine in restaurants and a lot of small businesses. My local quilt shop is offering free shipping or free delivery for purchases over $50.00 within 30 miles. I purchased a large 6 foot by six foot, 25 cubby bookcase at Ikea (before the scare) and my daughter and son in law assembled it for me Sunday afternoon. I have been quite busy moving the very tall “library stacks” from the side of the bed as they were becoming dangerous! Amazing how many duplicate purchases I have found along with some treasures! I found the “Leftovers” book and was amazed at how tiny Connie’s paper pieced houses really are! Everyone take care!
Debra Miller – Connie and I just talked about IKEA this morning and how much we’d like to go to MPLS to the store!