Winter Storm and Another Quilt Top

Mother Nature might be telling us we should have stayed in Florida. The first week back from our month-long vacation provided us with quite the winter storm. This 43-second video was taken Thursday afternoon outside our front door. Listen to it; who knew ice was so noisy?! (I hope it works; to my knowledge I've never loaded a video of my own before.)

On Thursday we had rain, then ice as temperatures fell. Branches, leaves, and eaves still have about a quarter-inch of ice hanging from them. Overnight, the precipitation turned to snow, and by day's end Friday, we had about 3 inches on top of the ice. Needless to say, we have been housebound. DH went out yesterday (Saturday) for the first time; I still have not and may keep it that way for another day or two.

Front yard; same general area as shown in video.

 

One would think that I'd have spent the time stitching away, but it occurs to me that I am a storm worrier, a tendency I believe I inherited from Mom. I have several vivid memories of her pacing around the house and looking out windows during serious storms over the years. I have the added duty of checking the weather app way more than necessary, just to see the storm's progress.

Back yard; Saturday's sunshine.

I barely did any sewing during the storm. Thankfully, the electric lines held firm, and we never lost power. The worst of our fate was that the internet was out for about a day, followed by a weak signal for about another day. Today, connectivity seems back to normal.

 

I love how the sunshine makes the ice glisten and sparkle.

 

The quilt top I am sharing today was completed prior to the weather event. Several years ago, Jan gifted each of us Frankfort Girls and a couple extras with a quilt kit. Some made theirs right away while I have had mine in storage, awaiting just the right time for its use. That time came with the early arrival of a girlfriend's baby granddaughter. Her arrival was to be quite a few weeks out yet; baby's timing wins out.

 

In a dusty and battered zip-bag, all the parts for this quilt were waiting to be organized and stitched. Gosh! It was fun getting to go straight to work and not have to find the fabrics, cut the strips and count the colors. I have never considered myself a fan of kits (too much fabric on hand already!), but this could convert me.

Strips cut and ready for sewing.

Monday and Tuesday, I was busy-busy-busy making units, sewing rows and finishing the top. Talk about gratifying! The ease and simplicity were perfect!

Units ready for chain piecing.

Early chain piecing; first two columns done.

After I did about 4 columns, I realized that my system could be made a lot more efficient by having the remaining columns laid out in order. This really was a huge time saver. And look at those primary colors! I love it! This is one of those cheery, fun quilts that just screams to be used and abused. With just about every baby quilt I make, I have in mind that the recipients will use it and love it and wear it out.

This quilt measures 48" x 64" - a twin batting will be used. I have it on the long arm frame now, and as soon as I figure out how to get my timing in sync, I am ready to quilt it. 

The timing issue is one I am determined to figure out. I've watched it on You-Tube videos, and I've seen it fixed in person. Now to do it on my own. I have my determination face on!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Welcome to March

It amazes me how time is flying by. While we seem to be stuck in perpetual winter here in Ohio, I know that Spring will come. I hear songbirds; the days are longer; and seed catalogs fill the mailbox. March brings Spring!!

Today, though, looks like winter. Here are some shots from around our house.

This afternoon, I intend to finish that baby quilt I have had on the list for ever-so-long. It is ready for machine quilting. I talked to Grandma Judy this morning and the due date is March 17. I will be ready as of March 1. How's that for determination?

Then this evening, I will cut out Snowbird Stars. Sharon will be sewing with me on Tuesday, I expect, and this is the project I think I will focus on.

Hope you are all having a great Sunday!
Happy Quilting, Friends!

Ohio Weather

The folks in the great state of Ohio like to bring out a saying every now and then when describing our weather - if you don't like the weather, wait about 3 hours and it'll change. Unlike places in the sunny south where it's 70 degrees and pleasant most days, Ohio boast some extremely changeable weather.

After a January that was warmer than most, with essentially no snowfall to speak of, we are having a February that is breaking low temperature records. And snow to go with it. The picture above shows this morning's snow activity; it is just as hushed and whispery out as can be. I love how muffled the world is when it snows in the country.

Yesterday (Tuesday) morning we had a beautiful hoarfrost. These are the coolest things; when the frost on the branches glistens in the sunlight, I feel like I'm in a most magical fairy land. Monday gifted us with about 5 inches of snow, and overnight the temperatures took a nosedive. It was -5F at 7am when this picture was taken.

This picture is a wider angle. It shows less of the hoarfrost but more of the snowfall. And is that not a majestic sunrise? I just love living here - I call it my little slice of heaven.

Today, snow is falling again. We are forecast to get several more inches of snow, but worse will be the wind and plummeting temperatures. Tonight will be frigid, and it will last for several days.

We had a guest in the backyard earlier in the week before the snowfall. Mister hawk sat on a low branch surveying the potential goodies. We have a fair amount of chipmunks and field mice, and I'm pretty sure he's scoping them out. We have seen a hawk even closer to the house; earlier this winter one was sitting on top of one of our bird feeders. That's where the chipmunks and field mice hang out, you know, waiting for seeds to drop on the ground.

Well, that's the weather report from my part of the world. Hope you all are staying warm and productive! I will be heading up to the sewing room with a cup of coffee and an audiobook on Overdrive. I shall listen and stitch this morning.

Happy Quilting, Friends!