Catching up

Wow, it's been 5 days since I posted here--unusual for me--unless I'm away which we were supposed to be. I felt like I was coming down with the cold and didn't want to pass it on to anyone, so we stayed home. Despite it being a guild quilting day, I opted to spend the day at home, and even though it's a gorgeous day here, I didn't even go snow shoeing which I've doing almost every day.

The days are getting longer, brighter and warmer, and with all our snow it's wonderful for winter sports right now.
Anyway, I needed a domestic day. Also, I've had a couple of quilting projects that I've been lugging to all my quilting days and retreats and they were calling to be finished.
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This morning, I added the last borders on the garden fence quilt. It fits my bed perfectly and the color in my bedroom is perfect with it.

When I travel for the SAQA retreat in April, I will take it to get it machine quilted.

After lunch I made a half size rhubarb crumble for my husband and I from the rhubarb I froze last summer.

Then, I sandwiched this x's and o's baby quilt. I will quilt it myself, but plan to take it to our next UFO day for that.
I feel better now that those chores are out of the way so the next time I sit dwon to my sewing machine it will be to work on my art pieces.

I actually have almost finished my two little shanty pieces but didn't photograph them yet.

I can't leave without adding my bird photo of the day. our deck and yard has been teeming with many species of birds. Recently the waxwings moved in to finish off the few dried apples left ithe tree.

More thread painting

It's another soft gray here today-- not too cold--our outside thermometer said -7C around lunch time. We've had a gentle fall of flurries most of the day. I love the quiet softness of a winter day.

 This morning, I did a session of yoga after rising and having a light snack. Then, I had breakfast and my tea before heading into the studio.

My gosh, I feel so spoiled to have the 2 machines set up! I sat for about an hour and free motion stitched more black shadows on the rocks. There is also a very pale rust high lite color in the photo which I cannot quite duplicate in thread. I decided to stitch a close shade on to see how it looked  It can be blended in with the addition of another shade.

I think it's improving but I still see areas for more shading before I add more high-lites. The last thing will be a bit of greenery here and there amongst the rocks.

At lunch time this little fellow (lady?) came for a visit. It comes every day a few times and eats it's fill. I've found little tunnels in the snow all over the yard and on the deck.

I've had the usual birds all day, but today a winter robin showed up. There are a few that will over winter. You can see white downy feathers near their behind. Once they discover a few apples they will return until the apples have all been eaten. This time of year, food may be getting scarce.

Taking advantage of the two sewing machines set in different sewing modes, after lunch, I moved to the other machine and started putting together the other little Bagette.

I didn't quite get the last step done of wrapping around and stitching down the edges. Next time.

You know I'm not one who likes to do repeat projects, but these little bags are quite addictive. I think it's because they make up quickly, are very useful for holding quilting, knitting or any small notions, or jewelery and it's so fun to use up my scraps.
I'll be looking into my scrap box for more.