Hello May!

It's May! Mother Nature is wearing her ever-greening finery around here, and I couldn't be happier about that! I have been doing regular checks of the wildflowers in our woods - plenty of trilliums, bluebells, meadow rue, violets, spring beauties, among others. I am eagerly awaiting the Jack-in-the-Pulpits. Maybe this week.

I have pulled together pictures from this past month for my April collage. Early in the month, my DH got a new toy! He has wanted a Can-Am Spyder forever, and finally found a reasonably priced used one. He's having fun learning how to operate and ride it. Next up, my 9-patch exchange quilt is finished. I worked on it at our Canter's Cave retreat, and finished the borders soon after. Also at retreat, I took ownership of my Featherweight, and look forward to many happy hours of stitching on it.

In row two, an easy jelly roll quilt called Blue Lagoon was begun and mostly finished at retreat. Like the 9-patch quilt, I finished off the borders back here at home. The lilacs in the center are from our yard. They smell heavenly! The group picture is from Easter - me and my siblings along with our mother. Seated: Carol, Mom, Sandy. Standing: Alan, Jayne, Mark. It was a bit cool for outdoor eating, but it was a wonderful day.

On the bottom, my two blocks for the Quilter's Planner project; sister Sandy and I at the Cap City Half Marathon where we walked in the 5K; and finally, my current stitching - a rather impromptu effort with some contemporary fabrics I've been collecting. I just love the intense colors; I need to learn to make myself more comfortable using them.

I have finished my university classes and hope to make quick work of grading finals and then submitting grades. I am formulating a to-do list for tackling after teaching obligations are completed, and I will probably share that later.

I hope your April was productive; sending you lots of encouragement for a magnificent May!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

May Wrap-Up

Unbelievable. Five months of this still new year (?) are history already. Looking back over May's activities, I am realizing that while I am having a good time, I need to focus more on my stitching.

May began with a trip to Siesta Key, FL, for 5 days. What a great get-away! That's what is showing in the first frame, and while away, I finished my semester at the branch with an on-line final. Back home, DH and I hiked to a high peak near Chillicothe for the spectacular view shown  in the second frame. The third frame is a block in a QAL I began, but doubt I will finish, as I don't have enough fabric to do all the blocks. I'll talk more on that topic soon.

In the middle row, a progress pic of my Lake Effect EPP project is followed by a group picture from Mother's Day, where 4 of the 5 "McKenzie Kids" are posing with our dear Mom. The last picture is my only finish for the month - the Village quilt top.

In the bottom row, a basket of quilts that I shared with the guild from Ashland, which was such a fun experience for me. Then our dog Steve is loaded into the back of the car for a date with the groomer. Steve is about 16 years old, and getting him into the car was no small feat! However, he looks happy to be going for a ride, doesn't he? The final picture is fabric I purchased in that sweet little Siesta Key shop, The Modern Sewist. I am still dreaming up a project for that little splurge.

Tomorrow, I am afraid I might splurge even further as the Frankfort Girls have a big day of shopping planned. We are going to several shops in eastern Ohio - leaving really early - and planning for the entire day. I will try to control my spending, as Lord knows my current stash is big enough. Stay tuned for a report on how that all goes. *wink*

Speaking of the Frankfort Girls, we had our regularly scheduled get-together last Friday at Sheryll's, and look at this fantastic coffee cake she served. Man, was it tasty. She got the recipe from Pinterest - look for Blueberry Muffin Cake, or something close to that, if you go searching.

And here is one finish by who else but Jan. She is the most industrious woman! Her love of all things in primary colors continues to reflect in the quilts she makes. And did you notice the pretty quilting? Nice.

So May is wrapped up. Hope your month has been wonderful. Now, I intend to make June even better! How about you??

Happy Quilting, Friends!