Is Spring Right Around The Corner?

Good Monday Morning, Dear Readers! 

This fine day finds me in a cheery mood due in large part to the gorgeous day. I stepped out on the front porch earlier and noticed a couple of hopeful signs. First, it was really warm for 7:30am. The sun shone clear as can be, and the front porch was cozy and inviting. Second, birds were chirping! Yay! A real sign that spring is on the way! Such delight for the ears and hope in the heart! These hints of the coming of spring definitely put me in a cheerful mood.

I know that Ohio weather still has some wintry stuff to come, but these promising signs are definite indicators that soon we will be celebrating the return of spring.

So, let's have a look at a cheery, spring-inspired quilt, shall we? I have this currently on our bed, and the flowery nature of it beckons those spring-time vibes. This is an oldie, but one that is quite special to me in several ways. Most special is that I hand-pieced it and my grandmother hand-quilted it. Now when this was done is sort of a mystery, but I will guess the early 2000s. 

It cannot be older because this pattern, English Elegance, is on the cover of a magazine from February 1999. I have shared it here before; click here for the post. Bonus: there's a pic of Grandma with this quilt in her frame!

A second reason for it's being special is that I sorta'-kinda' count this quilt as being  the one that really jump-started my industriousness with quilting. I'd been collecting fabric with the intent of making quilts, but I hadn't been overly productive about it. At the time our kids were still young and I was working - life just didn't afford great amounts of time to be devoted to quilt-making. As the kids got older I found more time for quilting, and seeing this magazine cover was just about the best, most inspiring beauty ever. Talk about timely.

So, all the florals in this quilt now adorn our bed, and I am loving all the feels of spring that it brings to the space. It won't be long before Mother Nature is adding her own supply of florals. The birds and the sunshine this morning promise - it's coming!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Spring Is Here!

A more welcome sight could not have come: the sun shining in my eyes as I awoke this morning. Sigh. I do not ever recall being so ready for spring as I am this year. Was it because we had such a dreadful February? Maybe that coupled with this ongoing pandemic - had us in its grips for way too long. 

I find myself thinking about spring cleaning. A year ago I was charged up to wash windows and spruce up our porches - I foresee these tasks being repeated soon as the days are warming up. Those rituals of spring sure make things feel good. 

And, of course, I am thinking about quilting, too. I swear I can dream up more quilts to make! The sew along - quilt along - whatever we've termed it! Spring Dreams Sew Along has been endlessly fun and I love the quilts that are resulting from those efforts. If you are considering joining the sew along, I guarantee you will find no easier quilt to make. I daresay the most difficult part will be deciding what fabric to use. Making the 9-patch blocks is a breeze, and the results are satisfying. Do it!

I still intend to try a patriotic version of Spring Dreams. I have the fabrics for it pulled, but have yet to clear space on the cutting table to begin. This coming week will likely see some action on that.

In addition to this additional version of the sew along quilt, I have been making plans for a few other quilts. As I make fabric decisions, I will be sure to share all that. Yes, at least one will involve the ever-versatile 9-patch. 

Have a great first day of spring, dear readers! Hope the sun is shining wherever you are!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Glorious Spring

We are having the most spectacular stretch of weather here in Ohio. I believe the weatherman said on last night's news that we have had 8 straight days of above-normal temperatures and not a drop of precipitation. Trees are sprouting leaves and flowers are budding at incredible rates. If you can imagine the classical "Flight of the Bumblebee" music by Rimsky-Korsakov, then you will be able to imagine the blur of changes spring is bringing with her. And I love it!!

Spring Beauty in our woods.

Claudia is coming over today for some lessons on a quilt and to learn how to sew a zipper. I have no new sewing pics or projects to share. I hate to report that spring cleaning got hold of me yesterday. *shaking my head in shame* Also, I mended! Blecchhh! A pair of jeans, 2 work gloves and 5 socks - all for DH. And, finally, it is near the end of spring semester, and responsibilities with two classes have kept me busy. Consequently, the wildflower pic will have to suffice for today.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Mixed Messages

We saw the Baltimore orioles back at our birdfeeder this weekend. They have been regulars in the spring for 3 or 4 years now! It is a true sign of spring when the orioles appear. We have at least one pair - the female with her more subtle coloration, and the male with his brighter orangey-red vest. They rarely fly up to the feeder, but prefer to stay on the ground and eat the seeds that have been scattered about by other birds.

This looks like a male; the vest is red and the belly is white.
The contrast is not as pronounced in the female.

So that is a sign of spring, but Mother Nature is sending out mixed messages here in south-central Ohio! The snow came yesterday (above) and increased overnight! Take a look!

I'm confident Mother Nature will get it all figured out soon.

Let me take a moment to have you go check out Little Bit Funky. I mentioned this blog in my previous post - the origin of the Chapstick Cozy. Well, you have got to read her Palm Sunday post about Resurrection Eggs. It is wonderful. Even though my kids are all grown, it helped remind me of the significance of Holy Week. God Bless!

Hope you have a great Monday!
Happy Quilting, Friends!