Bowtie Quilt

One of the first quilts I made was a bowtie quilt. I've fallen in love with this one and apparently I'm not the only one as I've heard that a number of bloggers are working on/planning to make this quilt.

I don't have any cheddar fabrics in my stash, but I do have quite a bit of what is unabashedly orange and that's what I'm going to use. Here are my first three blocks. They are 6" and I plan on making 48 and setting them 6x8.

Books Read - July, 2011

1. Inspired by Tradition by Kay Mackenzie (NF)
2. A Lesson in Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear
3. Orchid Beach by Stuart Woods
4. File Under Deceased by Sarah Lacey
5. Orchid Blues by Stuart Woods
6. God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life's Little Detours by Regina Brett (NF)
7. The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
8. Fast Fade by Arthur Lyons
9. The Ring of Death by Sally Spencer
10. Whiskey Sour by Joe Konrath
11. Rusty Nails by Joe Konrath
12. The Sixth Man by David Baldacci
13. Dirty Martini by Joe Konrath
14. Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich
15. Infernal Angels by Loren Estleman
16. The Body in the Gazebo by Katherine Hall Page

Books Read - June, 2011

1. Vintage Knits by Kaffe Fassett (NF)
2. Orange Peel: New Quilts from an Old Favorite by Linda Baxter Lasco (NF)
3. Short Straw by Stuart Woods
4. The Prince of Beverly Hills by Stuart Woods
5. Hard Trade by Arthur Lyons
6. Buried Prey by John Sanford
7. All God's Children by Arthur Lyons
8. A Cool Head by Ian Rankin
9. Mystery by Jonathan Kellerman
10. Misery Bay by Steve Hamilton
11. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
12. Broken by Karin Slaughter
13. Dark Harbor by Stuart Woods
14. The Killing Floor by Arthur Lyons
15. Castle Burning by Arthur Lyons
16. Trader of Secrets by Steve Martini
17. Dead Ringer by Arthur Lyons
18. The Dead are Discreet by Arthur Lyons

Thinking of the Future

This scrap four patch quilt is 38" square. The top was pieced by my husband's great aunt, Clara Wooster, and I hand-quilted it a few years ago. My thought was that it would make a lovely crib quilt for a future grand-son and I've put it aside for that. As I quilted and bound it I thought of what that little boy might be like and smiled the entire time.

And if you want to see some gorgeous quilts, check out the Bloggers' Quilt Festival here.

Books Read - May, 2011

1. False Pretenses by Arthur Lyons
2. Sixkill by Robert B. Parker
3. Live Wire by Harlan Coban
4. Three with a Bullet by Arthur Lyons
5. The Fifth Witness by Michael Connelly
6. Bel-Air Dead by Stuart Woods
7. A Drop of the Hard Stuff by Lawrence Block
8. The Girl Who would Speak for the Dead by Paul Elwork
9. 10th Anniversary by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
10. At the Hands of Another by Arthur Lyons

Chickies Moving Outside

John put a tarp on top of the chicken yard so the chickies won't get too wet if it rains hard. Chickens aren't very smart; their heads aren't all that big and it's mostly fluff. The tarp also helps to keep it a little warmer in there. They're mostly feathered out, but not completely. They will be kept in their house (which John still needs to do some work on), which has a heat lamp, during the nights until it warms up. John built some raised beds outside the yard. That's radishes you see on the right.

Happy Easter!

A quiet, rainy Easter Day at home for me. I will quilt and knit and visit with the sons who come over or phone. Have a wonderful Easter Day!

Thank you!

Thank you to Nancy (and Bailey)! I was lucky enough to win a copy of the first issue of a new magazine, Primitive Quilts and Projects. Yay!

More Pink Tulips!

This is what I found when I got home from work. I love pink tulips and my dear husband who thought of me.

Books Read --April, 2011

1. Dance for the Dead by Thomas Perry
2. Death of a Hired Man by Eric Wright
3. The Highly Effective Detective by Richard Yancey
4. Paradise Lost by J.A. Jance
5. Santa Fe Edge by Stuart Woods
6. Mist Over the Water by Alys Clare
7. The Price of Love and Other Short Stories by Peter Robinson
8. Loitering with Intent by Stuart Woods
9. Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden
10. Gone with a Handsomer Man by Michael Lee West
11. A Beautiful Blue Death by Charles Finch

My Chickies are Artists!

John has been giving our little chicks pieces of bread now and then, along with their feed. Here is a photo of what they did with the last slice. They are so talented! I could sell this on Ebay!

Flowers

I kept some of the potted plants in the garage this year and they over-wintered very well. It'll be time to put them outside again soon.

The Chickies

I am so happy we are going to have chickens again! We bought six chicks yesterday. The three Rhode Island Reds are named Lucy, Rita, and Maureen. The Barred Rock Three are Lizzy, Squeaky, and Martha. Here is a couple of photos. They're shy and didn't like the camera flash.

Books Read-- March, 2011

1. Strategic Moves by Stuart Woods
2. The Big Gamble by Michael McGarrity
3. Death of a Chimney Sweep by M.C. Beaton
4. Mermaids in the Basement by Michael Lee West
6. Strangers in Town by Ross McDonald
7. First Thrills ed by Lee Child
8. Through Black Spruce by Joseph Boyden
9. Bless the Bride by Rhys Bowen
10. When the Thrill is Gone by Walter Mosley

Happy Valentine's Day!

Tulips -my favorite-- and a card from my sweet husband. Happy Valentine's Day sweetheart!