Celtic Solstice Blocks

All 121 of my Celtic Solstice blocks are done.  I really need a break from this quilt! 

 

I'm going to take a break and put the binding on my brother's baby's quilts.

The Perfect Snow

Yesterday it got up in the mid 50s.  Today we had the perfect snow.  Big fluffy flakes that fell for about an hour and left the trees like this:

 

 

 

 

Nothing on the roads, a dusting on the cars, and melted by lunch.  That's how I like my snow!

Birthday Girl Blocks, Stash Report

I usually only give a stash report when I've added or used some fabric, but I wanted to show my birthday girl blocks for Celtic Solstice.  These blocks used the 2 units, the chevron and corner blocks, that were the least accurate of my clues.  Most of them went together OK, but had to do some unsewing and restitching.  The beauty of a  scrappy 9 inch block with 52 pieces is that little imperfections, a point missing here and there, don't really take away from the design.  Here are my 61 birthday girl blocks.

 

Everyone who has seen these blocks talks about how 'colorful' or 'bright' this quilt is going to be. 

 

Used this week: 0 yard
Used Year to Date: 1 yard
Added this week: 0 yards
Added year to date:  0 yards
Net Used:  1 yard

 

I also have to sneak in another picture of my tulips.  Three are blooming now. 

 

 One bud got broken off, so I clipped it off and have it in a juice glass in the kitchen.  That one is starting to open now. 

 

To see more stash reports: http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/01/12/stash-report-week-2-2014/

Tulips!

Eight days ago, my bulbs looked like this:

Today I have 2 tulips!  They are supposed to be red, but they look pink to me.

 

Celtic Solstice Check In

I have FINALLY completed  step 5 of Celtic Solstice.  I cleaned up my sewing area yesterday and vacuumed the floor.  Now I'm ready to put the blocks together.

I think this project will be on my design wall for a while!

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2014/01/mystery-monday-link-up-part-6.html

http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/01/06/design-wall-monday-january-6-2014/

First Stash Report of the Year

I used one yard this week, and it wasn't in a sewing project.  My son needed it for a  Destination Imagination Instant Challenge.  I was glad to get rid of this yard of blue fabric.  It was a stiff, heavy cotton, and I'm not sure where it came from.

Used this week: 1 yard
Used Year to Date: 1 yard
Added this week: 0 yards
Added year to date:  0 yards
Net Used:  1 yard

I'm still working on Celtic Solstice, but I feel myself losing enthusiasm for it.   I'm on clue 5.  About 150 more of these units to go.

 

To see more stash reports:  http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/01/05/stash-report-week-1-2014/

Forcing Bulbs

Many years ago I forced bulbs: daffodils,  crocuses and hyacinths.  I had never forced tulips before.  They aren't my favorite flower.  They aren't reliable bloomers in my yard.  My mother says it is because we don't get cold enough here.  I think we have too many critters who eat the bulbs or eat the flowers before they bloom.  I like bulbs that come back reliably year after year.  Tulips won't do that here.  For me they aren't worth the energy they take to dig the hole.

But I decided to try and force some for a friend of mine who takes care of our dogs.  This variety is a red tulip called 'Merry Christmas'.  These bulbs were chilled for about 5 weeks and have been growing for another five.

 

I've been turning the bowl to try and straighten them up, but it doesn't seem to do any good.  I had a couple of bulbs I thought were duds, but just this morning I see a little green, so maybe they will grow after all.

 

I also have a hyacinth that has been growing V E R Y   S L OW LY.  I started this guy in October.  I think he might be a dud!

 

 

The lady at the nursery thinks my house isn't warm enough for him to grow very well.  Sorry, bulb,  I can't turn up the heat just for you.

 

I pulled the other bowl of tulip out of the frig last week. I'm keeping these in the warmest and brightest room in the house to see if that makes a difference.

 

 

These are the ones for my friend.  I hope to have them ready for her by her birthday in February.