It's a mystery

Recently I worked on my blocks for the Four Seasons quilt group mystery quilt. Pretty Girl was my go-to machine for that. :)

When I shifted back to working on the star quilt, I decided to use some inexpensive fabric to "play" with first since I haven't done this pattern in decades, and the other time I made it I was using a cardboard template, cutting pieces with scissors and hand sewing the pieces together. Phew!

This time I'm following Eleanor Burns' method, so there's a little bit of a learning curve...and I don't want to waste any on trial and error.

Yesterday and today are my Cornell Backyard Birdcount days. Yesterday we had a Carolina Wren show up. Acording to Cornell, these birds have been steadily moving north so aren't considered uncommon, but it was a first for me to see one. :)

In peace and piecing,

Michelle

Lake effect snow, bird count day, and starting on the Lone Star quilt

Yesterday we had lake effect snow off and on throughout the day, ultimately adding upwards of another ten inches or so of new snow.

Thursday and today are my bird count days for this week regarding Cornell's Project Feeder Watch, so I've been busy watching birds (and others) who show up for a bite to eat or a sip of water.

We have had just a wee bit of fine snow off and on through the day but cold temperatures - so far we've made it up to 12°F - which is actually much warmer than was forecast, so I'm feeling grateful.

Since it isn't much fun to be outside, I've just started looking at the fabrics which are likely to be players in the next quilt I'll be starting soon. It'll be a Lone Star quilt (aka Star of Bethlehem, aka Native Amercan star, and several other names as well depending on just how one does it). Like the double wedding ring this one will be a gift (for a friend this time) and will also be queen size.

Between the colors of the birds, the deer, the squirrels, and the fabric, I've been able to mostly ignore the cloudy skies. :) And since we've made lasagne, beef and veggie soup, home-made bread, and chocolate walnut drop cookies, I'll have plenty of time over the next few days to look for inspirational images, and then begin to cut fabric! I hope to use all three of my machines: Lida, Pretty Girl, and the modern Janome - in piecing this quilt.

As I'm watching fine snowflakes coming down yet again...

 In peace and piecing,

Michelle

Betwixt and between the old and the new

It's "that time" between Christmas and New Year. Still 2014, but there's not much of that year left, but we're not yet into the new year. We did lots of lovely visiting before and during Christmas and got to enjoy the season through the eyes of the younglings which just makes my Christmas. Then there were four of us gathered here at the house on Christmas day which made for a cheerful yet relaxing day. The Christmas decorations are still out, but those normally come down by New Year's day or shortly thereafter. I always love to decorate the tree and house, but then it feels good to take them down soon after Christmas.

I didn't get the DWR finished for Christmas giving.

The top is done and everything is loaded on the quilting frame, but I didn't have the thread I wanted...so in the calm and quiet after Christmas I placed my order with Bobbin Central. I used Glide on the butterfly quilt I made for my sister-in-law and I was very happy with it. For this quilt I'm going to try their trilobal polyester. The shimmer of the Glide thread was perfect for the butterflies. On the DWR I just want the matte finish so it gives texture and definition without attracting too much attention. I think Fil-tech's prices are reasonable and I really  like that it is an American-made product.

On the bird front, we continue to have bare ground with still-green grass. However, it's much cooler today than yesterday anand the weather forecasters are mentioning the s#@$  word so we may soon see some of the white stuff again. My DSL gave us a tractor shaped suet feeder for Christmas along with suet cakes (such a perfect gift!) and the woodpeckers, chickadees and titmice all approve as well.

So, here's to the days between the old year and the new. My Machine Quilting Unlimited magazine just came in the mail today. Lots of good reading and eye candy there! And I could always get started on piecing another Project Linus quilt. That would be a very good way to head into the new year!

Hope your days are filled with peace and piecing.

-Michelle