Poetry RR in the garden

 I love my yard!

Have I mentioned that before?

looking out from my favorite places to stitch I get this lovely view of my tree

( ignore the pile of old picknick table, I must put that away.)

the front porch.

 my SO gave me this wonderful wind chime for my Birthday this year, it resonated and sings so prettily in the slightest breeze.
 it sounds like a Nerada track.

 and then there are my Veggi boxes across the yard,

full of tomatoes, squash, carrots, pickles, radishes, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, kale, sweet peas and corn.

I am also trying out brusselsprouts and artichokes this year.

I'm hoping to have enough of a harvest in some of this stuff to trade for fresh eggs,


as the new next door neighbors have chickens.

It's been raining so much the last few months that all 6 of my rain barrels are so full they fountain! I have to run around and make sure they all have open valves and spouts leading away so they don't flood and undermine the foundation of the barrels.


In this nirvana I have finished Janet's block for the poetry and verses RR in CQI.

She chose a children's book version of a Robert Frost Poem, the pictures of which are wonderfully charming!
As I was the last lady on this piece, I had 2 blocks to choose from.
I chose the cover page because it had the best convergence of fabrics for the idea I had.

I took elements from one of the other ladies blocks, the seam treatments in the upper left corner and top seam and then used several of the illustrations from the book for inspiration.

I hope she likes it!

I know I had fun, with the birds especially, I think I may place more critters in my blocks in future.

rain barrels and other things

I realized I haven't done any posting over the past few weeks, Naughty mommabear!

It's been so wet and rainy since may that you'd think I'd get more done than I have oh well, that's how it goes!
when you have the time you piss it away, when you don't, you're a busy little beaver!

our new house project has been to build platforms and hook up 6 rain barrels to the gutters, around the house and garage, for watering the garden.
we have two hooked up so far and its been raining so much the 55 gallon drums are so full they spout!

my side project will be, to find 6 funny/cute/whimsical fountain critters to point the water in a direction, like into a birdbath or pondy type thing, instead of up in the air!

I have been working on the Hawaii blocks and did in fact take them to Hawaii in april.

I also started a pieced belt for a dress I have in mind. its all off whites and creams and I'm thinking of doing the stitching in whites creams and pastels.
I've pieced the belt and am designing the embroidery and border bits.
I'm having trouble deciding what to do with the diamond focus block.
I know I want flowers in the corners and cabochons and beads but I'm not sure how encrusted I want it.
I'll have it all planned out and I know I'll change my mind and do something completely different with it but that's the fun of CQ!