One Monthly Goal

Being able to reestablish a little more routine into my every day life,

I'm going to try very hard to be a better blogger, 

both reading and writing posts,

without letting computer time consume me.

We'll see how that goes ;).

With so many sampler BOM's circling blogland,

I was reminded that I had a pile of old 6" sampler blocks

stored away in the bottom of my craft closet

that haven't seen the light of day in many years.

So, I dug them out and got to work.

These date back to 2008 when I spent an unexpected winter 

in Maine with little sister, The Fern Lady.

I had been wintering in Texas with Crafty Daughter,

when sister's brother-in-law was murdered

way up north in Caribou, Maine.

I hightailed it back east to help them through it,

and these blocks are how I kept my little hands busy.

I wasn't prepared - I didn't even have a sewing machine!

And I can't, for the life of me, remember where I got the scraps.

I'd like to see this become at least a flimsy by the end of the month,

and out from under the work table,

(Space is a little limited right now!)

I only had enough navy to make it 60" square,

(probably because I had so many miscuts trying to prepare supper 

and sew at the same time).

I'm setting this as a goal for the month

and linking up with Red Letter Quilt's OMG. 

(His murder is still a cold case

and continues to haunt his family every day.)

On a much brighter note,

I'd like to share this pillow with you.

When the NSQBQ met up at the Thistle Guild Quilt Show

in Westville, NS last week, we had a pillow swap.

The challenge was 'improv curves'.

(Yes, that's a bear's skull on my end table.
What can I say?)

I sure am accumulating some nice, bright colors in my living room!  

The afghan is a WIP, a 'to go' project from the last two summers

that finallly grew too big 'to go'!

Sheila, of Sheila's Quilt World made this delightful pillow,

and to say I was floored when I released it from it's pretty gift bag

is a huge understatement.  I heard, "Sheila, you go first"

just as I spotted the corner sticking out of the tissue paper,

and I had that pillow out before anyone could blink an eye!

Sheila went second, by default!

It must have taken her forever to quilt!

Isn't it beautiful?

Linda posted about our swap at Scrapmaster

if you'd like to see all the pillows and their new owners!

And now for some birdy news!

(This is where I lose Lesley!)

The other day, I went out to refresh the hummingbird feeders

and as I re-entered the house and pulled the sliding glass door closed,

with only 2 or 3 inches left to go,

I heard, "A ship, a ship, a shippy do", loud and clear.

Well, I was back out that door in a split second,

binoculars and camera in hand

to locate this much anticipated migrating warbler.

(as always, click on picture to enlarge.)

Magnolia Warbler

(Setophaga magnolia)

There were a couple of them and they hung around all afternoon,

replenishing their energy 

before continuing their journey further inland.

They were flitting around after insects, threading their way through

the emerging leaves of the willow trees, 

and were difficult to photograph.

These are the two best, albeit a little fuzzy, pictures.

Here's looking at you!

~Karen