Under the Needle: March

 After many years (I've had this pattern since 2017), I finally really settled in to work on Old Dirt Road this month

March 15th was a horrendusly blustery day with 40 mph sustained winds and 50 mph gusts so for once, the weather did chase me indoors. I only ventured out to the barn to chore and spent much of the day in my sewing room...a rare treat.

So this month I cut everything out and stitched about half of the blocks; popping in and out of the sewing room as time allowed.

Before that, I dug out this old Tilda Project

Of all of my UFO's, this one was closest to a finish with 42 blocks made so I focused on it, made 39 more blocks and it's now a top and ready to be quilted.

I'm not in love with it, but once it's quilted, I'll like it more and I have a feeling I know a dear friend who will absolutely love it.

I made 42 blocks for my camping quilt last month and turned them into a top this month. Binding and backing was made and it's up next in the quilting que

And I'm currently stitching down the binding on my Land of Enchantment quilt in the evenings

This Dusty Trails quilt made it over the finish line this month

As did Spring Fling. 

I'm struggling to stay focused on quilting projects as Spring hovers. I have so many outdoor projects to work on, but at this age I know I need to pace myself. And we get a lot of wild wind in the Spring so there will be time to add stitches, although, after all these years as a  as a ranch wife, the weather is rarely an excuse to hide indoors. And even though we have property and cattle, after 40 years I am no longer a ranch wife in the traditional sense, but some habits are hard to break.

Spring Fling Quilt

 The seeds for this quilt started in July of last year when I tackled my scrap bin and cut everything down for numerous projects.

This quilt is called Logs and Bricks and is from this book that I bought in 2022.

These bright, happy fabrics were such fun to work with

I renamed it Spring Fling when I found this fabric at a local quilt shop

I even went back for the rest of it when I saw how great it worked with my scraps.

I liked being able to incorporate my low volume prints along with these bright fabrics from my scrap bin in this design 

It's amazing what was hiding in those scraps so this is your nudge to start digging. 😉

At 60" x 80" it ought to be perfect for cat-naps in the hammock

...which is my cue to order one. 😉

I didn't think this was my usual color story, but everything came from my scraps and low volume stash so I must be mistaken. I love how it all came together and I'm glad that all these little pieces found such a fun place to land.

Fudgsicles

 I would make these when the kids were little and last week, I decided to introduce the tradition to the next generation.

Made me miss the carefree summer days when ours were small.

Fudgsicles

1 small box instant chocolate pudding

1/2 C sugar

1/2 C cream

2 C whole milk

Just combine and mix well until slightly thickened and pour into popsicle molds. Freeze and enjoy!

I'm grateful for good help in the kitchen

80 degrees, deck time, and the perfect taste tester...doesn't get any better than that.

Spring Break Adventures

 Little E stayed with us Wed - Sat while she was on Spring Break. She's such a joy and is good at entertaining herself, but we had fun things planned and adventure to seek!

Everything we do is simple

And folded into our daily lives, 

but according to this particular 4-yr old, "These are the best days ever!"

Wise child.

She spotted the 1st ladybug of the year

I wouldn't quite trust her with a paintbrush just yet, but if you need to dust, she's got it covered

She found this feather and none of our chickens have feathers like that. 

                                                            

She proceeded to tell me a very detailed story about a 'mysterious, sneaky night chicken' 😂

                                                         

Chores with Pap

And lovin' from the oven in the kitchen

After DH got out of the shower, he was teasing her and tossing M&Ms into the batter before the flour had been mixed in and she kept scolding him and picking them out. She finally looked at him and said, "You're a very cheeky Pap!" 😂

A bit later, as I took a sheet of cookies out of the oven, I went out to shut the chickens up and as I walked back to the house I could hear little E hollering. I knew she was ok because Pap was with her and the tone of her voice told me she wasn't hurt. As I approached the deck, I looked at my phone to turn the flashlight off and when I looked up I saw this

Pap had been sneaking warm cookies and Little E was chastising him and tattled when I walked up. 🤣 Cheeky Pap indeed!

I think I need a few days off. I'm knackered, but I wouldn't have it any other way!