For some time, I've been thinking about volunteer opportunities I might enjoy. True, I do church things: lead a journey group, serve on a committee, make workship banners. I post the pictures from quilt guild meetings. I wanted something outside of that, though.

So, when I got the chance to join a group that makes baby quilts for preemies at a local hospital, I really wanted to do that. A little of the work is done with the group at the local library and the finishing is on our own. Quilting is what I do, and this combines a little quilting and a little socializing. Perfect.

Last meeting I got a happy start on my first quilt, then had to put it aside to finish the Eden Park quilt. This was a busy week, no quilting, but this morning I finished the top. Lime green, turquoise, orange, and ladybugs. Some family's going to get a bright quilt.

Gardening

I'm finding this to be a difficult spring to get my garden out, but the things that come up by themselves are especially nice this year. The woman who owned my house was not a gardener, but she did have a few peony bushes at the sides of the house. One side gets almost no sun, but the peony bushes power on, not really thriving but still showing up year after year. On the other side, the scrub bushes threaten to crowd them out, but I'm working on that. Perennial wise, that's pretty much all I got when I moved in.

Last week, my neighbor cut down a tree beside her pool and gave me half a dozen hosta plants that had lived under it. I planted them between rain showers and think they'll do well in my shady back yard. I have mint in the back yard too, knowing well that it would spread but not caring that it would. There is a large sage plant that doesn't seem to mind the shade, as well as a couple of other herbs. A couple of years ago Sarah gave me several container shrubs that I never planted because I wasn't sure where to put them or how big they would get. They must be really hardy because they've survived in their pots pretty much neglected. I planted them with the hosta by the back fence and have a feeling that they will feel luxurious in their new surroundings.

Overall, my landscaping looks pretty neglected and dismal, but every year I add a little, do a little. It's always a choice, gardening or sewing, and sewing usually wins.

Switching Over

After an intense quilting project, it's always a little hard to start on something new. So, I've fallen back into the gentle piecing of the scrappy log cabin quilt and a little studio pick up. And a nice lunch with Becky to give her the Eden Park quilt, plus a visit to an art store. The store carries Procion dyes and fabric paints, much to my surprise. I usually visit the downtown location of the same store, which is much smaller and has no fabric dyes or paints. I got some urea and a gel resist and a little bottle with a tiny tip for the resist.

I'm reluctant to go outside and start the yard work because I know that once I start it will be so consuming. Despite the thunderstorm this morning it's a lovely day, so I'll promise myself one hour. That one hour should fill up my two garbage cans for the Thursday pick-up.

I Think It's Finished

I think, although I'm not sure, that my part of the Eden Park block is finished. All the building outlines are quilted, same with the road.

The bushes are on and the little flowers added with a candlewicking stitch.

Oops, I see that I didn't add a little touch of metallic to the spire on the gazebo. Easy enough.

I'm reminded again that creating is really an act of faith. Starting with just an idea, yours or someone else's, without a clear image of the end result, if you show up on a regular basis the picture (or whatever) will emerge.

I'm As Clever As Clever

Nora's new softball uniform, picture borrowed from Steph. Nora's one proud girl.

"But now I am six,
I'm as clever as clever,
So I think I'll be six now
Forever and ever." A.A. Milne

Getting There

I've been quilting the Eden Park block for my quilt guild's Cincinnati quilt. And, I'm getting there. The background quilting will soon be done and what will remain will be the pretty little quilting touches. Once that's done, my quilt partner will be doing the finishing - hooray.

Thanks for the Hats

Last week's mail brought a box from Sarah and Winnie with various goodies, including . . . many granola kid hats,

purchased at the end of the season at the camping/outdoor store at GREAT discount.

The kids are going to be styling next year,

although Aaron wasn't so sure he wanted to think about that yet. After all, spring has barely sprung.