Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Time Marches On

There hasn't been a lot of time for creativity lately with my stepfather dying and moving my mother to a nursing home, but I have kept up with my Canadian Wee Bee blocks.  I've never participated in a bee before and now I wonder why.  It's fun to make a block for someone else without committing to a huge number of blocks for yourself.  Sometimes the blocks are a style I've never done before and it's a good thing for me to get out of my comfort zone.

This month was a string block, a style that I always felt was too busy, but once I was done, they were strangely appealing!



Luckily I had made a quilt with black/white/red not too long ago, so I had lots of scraps to use up for the black and white strings.  But, looking at the picture, I know that I couldn't have an entire bed covered with them!  However, I know it would appeal to my daughter.

I wouldn't mind finding another bee to join--anyone out there need another member?

I made a little Japanese Knot Bag for a knitting project.   http://www.helenheath.com/sites/default/files/knotbaginstructions1.pdf  I have been hoarding that fabric for at least three years waiting for something "special" to make with it and finally decided that maybe I'm special enough!  I'll see it every day and enjoy the happy colours as I look at ti.  It's a great little bag as you can hang it over your arm or over the arm of a chair--very useful while waiting around in various offices!  I always like to have a little sock project on the go, but with the cooler weather, I've started a hat.


This year the field behind our house was planted with sunflowers and they are such a happy sight right now.  Taking pictures yesterday I was surrounded by the drone of bees. 



The tomatoes are definitely getting ahead of me, but no complaints.  I can make an entire meal of tomatoes, spinach and avocado.  Unfortunately, I'm married to a carnivore, so that doesn't go over well!


Wildlife sightings are daily occurrences.  The local turkey hens parade through the garden early every morning with their broods of various sized chicks.  We've gone from rarely seeing them to being overrun with them, at the expense of the partridges we always used to see in the woods.



8 comments:

  1. Summer is indeed busy. The bee block is nice and the bag scrumptious!

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  2. I know what you mean about bees. I joined my first bee earlier this year, and all Canadian one, and I got totally hooked. I get to try blocks and techniques, and if I don't like them, I'm only committed to making one. It's awesome! I don't know of any bees that need people or are starting, but I'll keep you in mind!

    beaniekins84(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. Beautiful pictures Margaret...your flowers and tomatoes are gorgeous too. Thank you for visiting today.

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  4. Oh, I love that little bag! I might have to make on of them! I have some knitting that would live quite happily in one of them and not gather dust sat on the side!

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  5. Really like how your string block has turned out. I look forward to seeing what you do with it.

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  6. Great that you made this lovely bag for yourself! Your string blocks are fabulous, I sometimes tone down their busyness with sashing.

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  7. Your string blocks are awesome. Can't wait to see the bee mates finished quilt.

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  8. Your blocks are wonderful. I did not have black and white in my stash so grabbed some on our visit to PEI. I love the knot bag!!! Printing the instructions right now.
    (I'm in your bee group)

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