"Finish each day.....

.....and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and

absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow

is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be

encumbered with your old nonsense. "

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Isn't that a great quote? It sure describes recent days at Taylorsoutback! But not much nonsense here as we try to stay focused.

The Wedding Quilt is Finished...

No fair peeking...we will wait until the couple arrives back in Wisconsin in just a few weeks...

And keeping up with Barbara Brackman's 2013 Dixie Sampler....

Plus have all those 1/2" hexies together - now to figure out how everything goes together to make that little purse!

Look at this....bare ground, ice free pond and the spring peepers are in full chorus today. Our pair of geese have returned to nest and Mr. and Mrs. Mallard have settled in amongst the cattails to raise their family.

We have waited for so long - the winter was endless. Just in the last 2 days, the grass has a tinge of green, and even though the ground is still cold, signs of new growth are evident in the iris, phlox and daffodils - all of which will be late but doubly enjoyed.

The weekend was taken up with the start of yardwork - endless loads of thatch, downed branches and fallen leaves were gathered and carted off to a distant part of our south field where Mother Nature does her part to return everything to the earth.

And so, each day has it finish and as Mr. Emerson says, complete with blunders and absurdities. But somehow complete nevertheless.

And tomorrow is indeed a new day and counting....

33 days to go........

Wishing each of you many finishes to your day!

Pat

 

Posted with Blogsy

Look what arrived in the mail...

After inhaling a winter's worth of dust while "Spring cleaning" (despite a steady snowfall outside) Mr. Outback's office area this morning, I am treating myself to this...

Yes! in my hot little hands - Di Ford's new book - a late birthday present to myself. This has got to be one of the most beautifully published quilt books ever.

I have long coveted this particular pattern - Drayton Hall - and here it is complete with instructions (both in English and French).

But wait! There's more....

And....

And....

Sixteen gorgeous projects in all. Plus lovely side notes to accompany each one. Can you tell I am just a tad excited? I will take the summer months (if they ever arrive) to choose a first quilt and gather special fabrics. Working from this stunning collection could keep a quilter going for 10 lifetimes!

Paper templates and pattern pieces...

There is a special connection - though distant. While on an Australia quilt tour with Doreen Speckman in 1994, we were hosted by the Waverly Patchworkers of Melbourne. Di was (and still is) a member of that group and all of us spent 2 days being shown the amazing sights in their area. That included a trip to Primarily Patchwork, the quilt shop owned at that time by Di.

This is one of my photos taken while we enjoyed a picnic in one of the spectacular parks. Di is on the left. Wonderful memories and it seems we have "met" again through her book.

If you love 19th century inspired quilts - you will treasure this book (published by Quiltmania)

Happy stitching everyone

Pat - in quilter's paradise.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Handwork and more thoughts....

....hoping this finds each of you enjoying some jelly beans or little chocolate ears from an Easter basket bunny...

We are still waiting for the arrival of Spring...

And wishing there was something quilty to be shared with you...am anxiously awaiting of this -

 

flying direct from Australia...Di Ford's book - oh happy day - postage is over the top but this is a very special late birthday treat...handwork of a different nature is happening though - working with beads (photos later!) and paint brushes...

This is the rather basic cupboard that started out with "merlot" paint

- Not!! Ended up fuchsia - Not! And now like a little Basic Black dress....that's my story and I'm sticking to it! Besides it goes with my desk nearby...which is getting a freshening up...first coat of accent paint "pine needle green" on interior shelves.

And...the search for a comfortable MOG outfit continues with online orders being received....and rejected...and reboxed...and returned...

One of my stitching buds, who will remain anonymous, but has frequently been known for her attachment to all things Sock Monkey...has offered this little number as another possibility...

Another friend thinks it might work but I should "lose the red bow"....

And the search continues....

57 days and counting...

 

Pat

 

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy