The ties that bind (ing)...

Spring has arrived here at Taylorsoutback...raking, hauling downed tree limbs, moving outdoor stuff from storage and puttering in the potting shed...the days are busy and satisfying. Before this lovely stretch of weather arrived, we had copious amounts of icy snow turning to rain which made for a good reason to stay snug in the sewing room.

As the month of April winds down, my OMG project is a done deal...the perle cotton ties have been finished to hold the layers together...ends have been trimmed...https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/2019/04/one-monthly-goal-april-finish-link-up.html

Binding made and applied...and I want to share how nice some new needles are that I have tried. (A little background first...Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings has taught a few workshops for our guild - one of which I was fortunate to take a number of years ago...she is a good instructor and provides very generous kits that are well thought out. Last month, she drove up from Menasha and presented an evening trunk show for our members and an applique workshop the next day. Boy, did I do a pouty face because I could not go...stormy weather and night driving for me are not a good mix.) At any rate, she brought along a number of her newer products, one of which were these Binding Needles.

I heard many positive comments from people who tried them, so of course...count me in! (No affiliation here) 

They are about the same length as a straw needle...

But so much firmer - easy to thread and very nice to use...if you have the opportunity, give them a try. 

Just a couple of photos of the completed utility quilt - the colors are difficult to photograph, but happy to cross this old UFO off my list.

Also joining in with Wendy over at The Constant Quilter with a completed mini - the applique portion was done during a sweet workshop with Dawn from Collector With A Needle when she visited our guild...just thinking what super nice presenters we have! 

And wrapping up - as if I don’t have enough major applique projects going on...I have fallen head over heels in love with the Rowdy Flat Library Quilt by Susan Smith of Australia  Love that it is both whimsical and inspired by a Welsh quiltmaker (who just happens to have the same last name as my maiden name) circa 1840. I was craving something that just said Spring!! and this definitely answers that.  It is a BOM and the first pattern has been received and begun...dipping into my supply of lights and pastels - a departure from the darker, muddy colors I usually work with. 

That’s it for now...wishing you a week filled with lovely moments. 

Happy stitching!

Pat

PS - are you a devoted follower of Jane Kirkpatrick? Just finished her Emma of Aurora trilogy - one of my favorite quotes -

“Women are the brooms of the world - they clean houses and clean souls. But often they get put back in the corner until the next mess needs to be cleaned up.” Alison Saar 

Spring cleaning????

As I work outside for the first time since last Fall, the sound of sandhill cranes, returning geese and redwing blackbirds brings a quiet joy to my heart...while we still may have snowflakes in the days ahead, the gentle rains that are washing away the snow banks tells us that the brutal winter we have come through is about over.

Lilacs are still weeks away from putting on their show, but I just longed for a change in my blog header that says Spring and reminds us how fragrant the air will be.

Still busy in the sewing room keeping on track with Gay's BOM over at Sentimental Stitches. These blocks are for Round 2 (April) of the Cheddarback quilt. I may redo the lower right hand block as it looks a little wonky to me.

And another old UFO has come out of the quilting cave and placed onto the Q Snap Floor Frame. I am using #8 Perle Cotton for tying - something I like to do on certain utility quilts. This quilt is more Spring-like in colors and is being tied from the back for less obvious tacking on the front when using a heavier yarn. I do a running thread from point to point, then when completed, the threads will be clipped and tied off.

This will be my April OMG for Patty over at Elm Street Quilts...just squeaking by in time for entering this month as her link closes down in a few hours.

Finally, Spring cleaning will start this week and I came across an ad from Libman (no affiliation!) that features 6 Ways To Make Spring Cleaning Fun For The Whole Family.

I shared with Mr. Outback (who would much rather focus on outdoor chores)and he laughed so hard, we did not get pass #1 which is to give everyone a personalized bucket...oh well..it was worth a try...guess I will be the only one with a name on a bucket.

All for  now - hoping Spring has arrived in your part of the world!

Pat