Stitching on a Sunday

What a lovely weekend. 

I'm a bit laid up with my back, but sitting is not too much of a problem so on Saturday I took some binding outside to enjoy the fresher day.

We have tried to plant wildflower seeds from time to time but to no avail. This year, my husband started the seeds in the house and then planted them in pots. They have grown fabulously, except for the fact that they have kinda looked like weeds....'til the last couple of days! We are getting all kinds of colour and a few flowers I actually recognise...a couple of poppies, pinks, etc.

Well, the picture doesn't really do them justice, but they are very pretty. Not long after I took this picture a butterfly the size of a Monarch, but yellow, flitted in to check the flowers out!

This morning for my Slow Stitching I will finish the binding on my grandson's quilt. The quilt was actually ready when he was born a couple of weeks ago but I have had trouble putting the time into binding it. It may be because I'm not terribly fond of the quilt. It's ok though, it's only the first of many quilts he will receive from me, I'm sure! Here he is, quilt-less but not for long...

I couldn't resist doing a couple of hearts, too, as I try to catch up on my Quilty365/A Year in My Life....

I am linking up with Cynthia over at Quilting is More Fun than Housework for Oh, Scrap.

The next segment of the Summer Solstice quilt-along was released this week. You can check it out here at Happy Quilting. This week we do the flying geese for the quilt....and mine are done...

Not only do we get to take part in a fun project, but by showing that we have completed the step in a timely manner we get the opportunity to win prizes. Cool!

This will be a baby quilt size, ready just in time for grandbaby # 5 in the Fall. We are referring to him as Baby Mac for the time-being.

Recently I ordered myself a couple of new notions with my winnings from Quilt Canada. I'm almost out of my favourite applique needles so thought I'd try something new that I've read good reviews on....a brand of needles called Tulip. 

Also in the picture is a new needle-threader. My Clover needle-threader has almost had it so I ordered this one by Bohin. I'm not quite sure yet that I like it as much as the old one. We'll see.

Because I bought something new this week, I'm linking up with MolliSparkles for Sunday Stash.

And, like always on Sundays, I'm linking with Kathy's Quilts for Slow Sunday Stitching. Today Kathy reminds us again to take some time from our busy lives to enjoy the moment. I intend on doing that today!

Puppy update

The pups are 5.5 weeks old now, I can hardly believe it. We've had a bit of trouble settling in to a food that is just right to start them on and on Saturday we finally got it right....

This week they go to the vet for their check-up, it will be interesting to see how much they weigh. My guess is 1.5 lbs.

So adorable!

Have a great day!

Relax and Rejuvenate

I have to say, I'm ready for some down-time. Life has been so full of excitement in a short period of time I've felt anxiety welling up inside :(

Of course, what always helps is hand-stitching, my personal "yoga".

The last few days I've worked on a flower for the border of FlowerGarden. The long stem is basted on but I thought it would be fun to do the occasional flower. There are some beautiful flowers on this border. This one involves reverse applique....which I find a little tricky but the effect is worth it. I started by doing the reverse applique "off the block"...

....and a bit more...

...and, done....

I'm taking part in the SummerSolstice QAL with Happy Quilting. It started Thursday, so still plenty of time to join in. There will be two weeks between segments, this week was all the cutting. I've decided this will be a baby quilt for grandchild #5 due at Hallowe'en. I've been inspired by some of the Modern quilts I've seen lately and have chosen to work with Kona solids...

Does this happen to anyone else?.....every time I put a new blade in my rotary cutter I realise just how dull the old one was. I'm sure I've been using the old blade long after I should. Then the new one goes in and it seems like a revelation every time as to how sharp the blade should be! 

So far, I'm on schedule with the cutting done....

Puppy report

Up 'til now, Cooper has been leery of the pups and Minnie hasn't really been friendly about letting him near. 

Now that the pups are getting their "legs" things have certainly changed....

Something that's come in handy is the basket I bought at Quilt Canada. Great for taking the pups out all at once to play outside...

Actually, that is a picture of them all tired out after being outside. At three weeks old it only takes 15 minutes of playtime for them to conk out again!

Saturday evening it was so nice the we decided to eat outside....and we fed Cooper and Minnie out there also. Olaf decided that something smelled good...

Maybe it won't be long before the pups are eating puppy food!

On a hot day I do like to sit outside with a cooler and this year there is a new flavour. I give it two thumbs up!

It looks like another hot day ahead....so maybe some outdoor stitching is in order. I do have the binding to finish for our new grandson, but I don't fancy sitting in the heat with a quilt draped over me! Maybe a bit of catching up on my daily hearts.

I am linking up with Happy Quilting with Melissa for my Summer Solstice, and with Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework for Oh, Scrap (for my scrappy FlowerGarden). Because I've added to the stash, I am linking up with Molli Sparkles!

I'll also be linking with Kathy's Quilts where Kathy is celebrating a fourth anniversary of Slow Sunday Stitching!

Have a great Summer's day!

Babies and Puppies and Weeds, Oh my!

So much going on in our little part of the world lately!

On Tuesday we welcomed the newest addition to the family, my grandson, Lachlan!

Everyone is happy and healthy! But how can time have flown so fast? This seems like only yesterday!.....

Of course, I have made a quilt for Lachlan...it just need quilting. I think I've put it off because I'm not happy with it. Oh well, he'll receive plenty of quilts in the future!

We have another wee one due in November. I know I want to try something a bit more modern, inspired by my visit to Quilt Canada last week.

As luck would have it, I've come across a Quilt-along that starts this week and the quilt is done in many sizes so I will join along and have a baby quilt in the end. I think I'll do mine in Kona Solids.

The quilt is called Summer Solstice and you can see it here at Happy Quilting. Maybe you'll even want to join along!

I also have a "button" over to the right of the post to take you there.

I've been making progress on the right border of my FlowerGarden. I have the leaves appliqued and the long stem basted on. I'm so happy to be back to this quilt.

Hmm, I said long stem, but it doesn't look like it in the picture! This is a short segment, the rest of the vine is about 60" long!

I have to say, lately I've been having more and more qualms about using the Frixion pens for my applique. They are soooo nice to use but I am on the look-out for the next best thing. Any recommendations would by greatly appreciated!

I love how the perennial garden changes from week to week. Two weeks ago everything was purple. The colour of the week this week is white. 

Included in the white flowers is this invasive weed...

Usually I yank this out as it tends to choke the intended plants in the garden, but I'll leave them a few days because they are kind of pretty. I guess it's a matter of perspective....because I didn't plant this, it is considered a weed....if I had purposely bought it as a groundcover I'd be so happy with the results!!! 

Puppy update

Today the pups are three weeks old. On these nice warm days, we've been taking them outside a bit so they can stretch their legs.

I took Minnie to the vet yesterday. One thing I was told was to maybe buy some puppy milk to give to the pups as a bit of a reprieve for Minnie.

Here they are trying it for the first time. Well, to honest, this is a picture of them falling asleep on the edge of the dish after they had taken a few sips...

Adorable!

I am linking up with Sew Fresh Quilts for her linky party, "Let's Bee Social".

Have a great day!