To the rear, March

Let’s see, that could mean that March is behind us, or that I am remembering HS Band drill, or perhaps I have returned to a project I let fall the wayside.   Bingo!  You win the prize.    I was so proud of how well I kept up with the 100 Blocks/100 Days quilt.   I was on target right up to Day 83.   Then came a week in New Hampshire, followed by a week at my son’s and then the holiday season was on us.   If you are not a machine sewer you don’t know that you have to be in the mood to drag out the machine and sew.  I think finishing my hexagon quilt gave me the push I needed to get the last 13 squares cut which I managed to do in short order.   Completing the quilt top is another story. My sister has been encouraging/nagging me.   I was the one that conned her into doing the quilt and she finished hers shortly after the deadline.  

First was to cut the remaining 13 blocks….

I just  needed a rainy day and nowhere to go.  OK, Robin, time to suck it up and git ‘er done.    As of this posting, I have only six left to assemble.   Then comes the making the 20 blocks into a column of ten rows and attaching it to the previously assemble four columns.    The weather is calling for a rain off and on for a couple of days so I am thinking I can get it done post haste!

Here is my second ornament fully finished that completed my March WIPGO assignment.  It is from Lila’s Studio.  

,

My WIPGO items for April were to stitch and fully finish two bunny pillows and to start a wool appliqué project.  

   

And here’s my progress on these April WIPGO’s…..the pillows were EZ-PZ

Mission Accomplished.    One of the two pillows is fully finished but the other is soon to follow….the month isn’t over yet.      I am not sure how I will finish the Carrot Patch from Sue Gonzales Designs but my assignment was to only START a wool project.   I don’t know what I put off doing this for so long.   It was super easy and once all the pieces were prepped cut, it only took three days to stitch!   I see more of these in my future!!   The best thing is both pillows and the wool project were completed entirely from stash!   Yay me!

Last weekend I scored a long weekend in OCMD for the Grand Opening Celebration at Salty Yarns.   The store is lovely.  It was a great weekend of good friends, good food, good adult beverages and fun.   We are all so happy for Salty Yarns and their success of their move and the GIANT new store.   It was so nice to be able to have a beach weekend since I will be missing this year’s spring retreat.

Other yard news, we have a problem with our pool.   It is 23 years old so it doesn’t owe us anything.   On top of that it was the showroom model that was set up and filled with water and running at the pool store lot.  In above-ground pool years, it has had a long life.   There is a breach on one of the panels and NO ONE is willing to repair it.  We have gone back and forth on replacing it or taking it down.   I had various contractors come for estimates with both options.   Since I am the only one the uses the pool I don’t feel justified in spending all that money on me; the kids come but just odd weekend here and there; and since pools are not really a plus when selling a house,  it’s another reason to just plant grass and be done.   Decision made, one that I am not exactly pleased with, but it is coming down this weekend and will not be replaced.   I think in protest I will be getting a blow up pool to sit in!

The WIPGO for May resulted in two different samplers being called in the same month.   My assignment was to stitched 15 days on each.    My Board/My Rules.   I rearranged my board to make it a month on one sampler.   I chose Cornwall Cottage Garden by Rosewood Manor.   I hate to say how long ago I started this and how long it has sat in the basket of ignored projects.    I fell in love with everything about this pattern the first time I saw it.   The colors, the border, the basket.   I am stitching this with the called for floss and on 32 count Belfast linen.    WIPGO is really letting me see what can be accomplished in a month so here’s home I can make a big step forward on this sampler. 

All the flower beds have been prepped and mulch is on order.  Fair weather ahead and time to get that vegetable garden in, the patio furniture out and cleaned and do the necessary power washing.    Then it will be sit back and enjoy time for the rest of the season.  Thanks for stopping by and commenting-and keep on stitching!