TNT

So pleasurable to yield a tiny needle for this embroidery. 

 It is in an eight inch hoop for scale. 

 I did all of the coneflowers first, as you see.

I'm using three strands of DMC floss.

 

SEASIDE TOP

 

While deciding what I would begin next, I remembered this kit I bought at the Quilt Show in February.

I even knew right where it was!

It was so much fun to play with the different blocks--piecing the sailboats and the flip flops and umbrellsa are done with applique.  I have it all set up but now I have to stitch the sashing to each of the blocks and then add the borders. 

 It will be fun to work on at Quilting Group today!

PLEASURABLE PURSUITS

The applecore quilt is a done deal! 

 I love the crinkly softness of the newly washed quilt.

The back turned out beautifully;  

just the way I hoped it would work out!  

It's about 40" x 47"

Proof that the stitching is completed for the sock monkey quilt! 

 I have to find backing for it so it will be on hold for a bit.

Perhaps a quilt shop trip will happen soon!

 

TRACING

I am tracing a new embroidery from Yarnspirations. 

 The light box sure made it easier!

 Now to load it in the hoop and begin stitching! 

 (I trace it with a Frixion pen so that it disappears

 as I iron it when done.)

Look at the hostas!

And here comes the first Calla lily!

STITCHING!

Nyki hopes that if she lays on my yarn, I won't be able to knit....

I made all of the decisions and this is what I will be sewing together for the sock monkey quilt!

I am wearing this heavy adhesive tape to help put pressure on the thumb incision which is trying to thicken too much and also to help the fluid drain from my thumb.

It doesn't hurt or prevent me from doing anything but it is helping with the swelling.  I can't move the tip of my thumb due to swelling and this will help so we can continue PT/OT !

I'm not in pain, gratefully, but this is how I roll! lol

 

INSIDE AND OUT

The piecing of the blocks is finished with the sock monkey quilt but today I will add the sashing.  I'm not sure how I will do it--grey with red cornerstones, beige with red or maybe grey? 

 You will see what I decide tomorrow! 

Bill rolled the new tool cart to the garage for me where I cleaned out the many places where lathe tools resided and put them all in this one place!  The other shelf by the lathe was open so every time I worked, I covered all of the tools with sawdust. 

 Now, if I remember to shut each drawer,

 I will keep everything clean and tidy.

The chest has a lidded top section, too.

  Now to get back into working on the lathe again. 

 The piece on the lathe now was when I played around with Eli.

  I don't know if it can be a vase or not but I will try.

We've gotten pretty good at spotting a gopher tortoise from afar.  He was out to nibble the green grass growing over our drywell!

Isn't he a handsome fellow?!

 

AN UNUSUAL SIGHT!

 

I am able to knit socks!  Boy, does it feel good to have the sock knitting in my hands once more.  I had a doctor appointment yesterday and I knit while waiting to be called!  Things are getting back to normal again!

Today I usually post watercolor or wood but today I would like to show you the new tool cabinet I put together for the wood shop.  This will hold all of my lathe tools and accessories.  I will be lost in front of the lathe pretty soon!

TINY NEEDLE TUESDAY

A finish!  The embroidery is completed and I have it permanently mounted in this frame.  This is a pattern from Yarnspirations;  they have a nice selection of free designs!

Our very mature Magnolia tree is full of blooms....how beautiful the aroma of this very largee blooms!

Another great smelling plant is the Chinese Privot along our hedge--heady!

 

GOODBYE AND HELLO!

Eli found a scrap from my wood to make the candleholder and the chunk of wood for the planter he found while on a golf cart ride with Grandpa.  He works with tools well and enjoyed the first few coats of shellac!  Patience is acquired through much practice, you know!

He packed up his bounty and we headed north to out rondevous point after church so he could go back to real life.  

What a great week with him!

Today, I will be adding the other 5 blocks 

with gray stars at Quilt Group!

 

GARDEN TOUR IN MAY

We know it is May when you see each of these first bloom!

Prickly Pear Cactus

Thunbergia

Desert Rose

Red Ginger

Crinum Lilies

Buddha Belly plant (Jatropha podagrica)

Dwarf Hydrangea

 

POND ADVENTURES

While Grandpa got together the equipment for fishing, 

Eli and I took a pond visit.  The lilies are in bloom!

The little frogs are about the shore.

And then this guy lumbered out of the pond...the sun was inviting!  We were on the golf cart and this is zoomed in; 

 he is oly 40" long.  

Even so, we do stay on the golf cart!

In spite of the competition, Eli caught two bullheads

 which we ate for dinner!

When the guys left for fishing,

 I finished the quilting at the frame and trimmed the edges.

See how pretty the back looks with the leftover apple core blocks?

 I also made two more blocks. 

 Now I have to decide if I want to make the next six blocks with gray stars and alternate the blcoks.  

Or if I will make all the blocks with red and then use gray to make sashing with red cornerstones. 

 Good  decisons to deal with....

A FELINE FRIDAY

She is finally brave enough to sleep on my lap 

while Eli and I watch a movie in the evening!

 

ROYALTY VISITS!

We picked up our Amelia Island grand and having him here by himself is such a delight!  He thinks it's pretty cool to have his grandparents at his every beck and call, too!

On Monday, I pieced the backing, lined up the top to match the back inset exactly and began quilting it! 

 I'm hoping the plan works out!

I even went to our local quilting group on Monday--

I trimmed up all of the monkey block centers

 and sewed all of the HST's for the star points. 

 I will enjoy piecing a block every time Bill and Eli head out on a golf cart ride!  It feels good to use a rotary cutter again to do the blocks!

 

WATERCOLOR WEDNESDAY

This one was done for fun. 

And this one painted to be as realistic as I could make it!

TNT

I like this kind of therapy!  

I was able to work on this embroidered piece

 I began back in January! 

 It was good to work on the needle placement and getting my index finger and thumb to work together again!

 

SPEEDING UP A BIT!

I  so enjoyed the block this month that it was done in no time!  Also, the steroids are kicking in big-time and the swelling and pain is going away--I can even type again with all of my fingers!  I blocked it when finished but I really had to stretch this one.

It didn't hold the height it needed but the stitch count is right so that is all that matters.  Now to wait a whole month for another block! lol