Sunday, May 1, 2011

Where has the week gone?

I can’t believe it’s been seven days since I last posted.  Where has the week gone?

I think I mentioned the needlecase swap that I joined in my last post and one of the swap guidelines was that it had to be made from Civil War fabric.  Because I haven’t done much sewing since we moved, I had to sort through several bins in order to locate my CW fabric…which turned out to be a good thing because…

I found my Civil War Bride’s Quilt pattern and blocks! 

For the life of me I couldn’t remember where I had packed them or in which box.  Now I do recall packing them in with my CW fabric because I thought that would be a logical place.  Duh!

The quilt is comprised of 16 blocks and although the original was done in traditional needle turn appliqué, I am doing mine in wool-on-cotton which is my favorite method.  Block 1 is complete…

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And the second block is now fused, ready to be stitched.  I love that part!

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It’s good to have my ‘long lost friend’ back because until all the spring yard work and planting is done, this is what is going to be keeping my hands busy.

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Speaking of yard work, we had a busy week outdoors.  Mr. Painted Quilt and I visited several nurseries in the Annapolis Valley from Berwick to Yarmouth and managed to contribute quite well to the economy in Nova Scotia.  We planted numerous perennials and fruit bushes already but because it turned cold and windy today, we decided to postpone planting the dozen or so that remain.

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In the group above are a climbing hydrangea, pink magnolia, lavender, blue columbine, three different varieties of hosta, phlox, three different colors of heather and below are some chives, rhubarb, raspberry canes and lilacs that our neighbor gave us.

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It rained for three days during the week so the other plants that we managed to get in just before are doing really well.  Here is the yellow rhododendron now.

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The color does not do it justice.  It is absolutely gorgeous!  I also planted another species, a pink one with smaller, darker foliage. 

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Can you see the lilac-colored heather to the right and the pinky-orange smaller plant on the right?  These are excellent ground covering spring bloomers and spread quickly.

We decided to name our residence ‘Chestnut Lane Cottage’ because of this huge chestnut tree that graces the area between the wrap around veranda and circular driveway.  See the swing hanging from the lower branch on the right?

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The buds that will produce the flowers and eventual chestnuts are getting bigger every day.

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The rain and warmer weather that we had over the past week has changed so much of the landscape on our property…which also caused the grass to grow another 4”.  Guess what we did today?

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We cut and edged about 3 of the 4 acres because the rest was too wet to mow.  Although it doesn’t really show in the photo, the land slopes gently towards the front of the property and about three quarters of the way up the photo you can see where we stopped because the ground beyond that was squishy wet.

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Mac was in his usual supervisory mode.  He just loves being outside with us exploring every nook and cranny on the property.

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I don’t think there is one area where he hasn’t left his mark.  *wink*

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He’s bound and determined to find that cheeky red squirrel.

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Pretty soon all the trees will be covered in leaves…but we’ll still be able to see the ocean beyond.

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Remember that this Friday, the 6th of May is the First Friday of the month and another Freebie design will be released on that day. 

I hope to see you then!

Kaarenlg

35 comments:

Taryn said...

Wow, Karen, I love your wool CWB blocks. You must have a good collection of colors and I so looking forward to seeing more. Mac is adorable--he looks very busy. I would never get tired of your water view but good luck with the grass.

Leslie's Itchin to be Stitchin said...

Gotta love those Westies

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

You have an amazing view Kaaren! If I didn't have my lake, I'd pick your view next! Aren't we blessed?

Michelle said...

I too am starting some wool/cotton applique. I love it...although still a beginner. I am sure the more time I spend, the better my stitching will look. Thanks for sharing.

WoolenSails said...

Love your name for the cottage, just perfecct.
Glad you are finding all your supplies, that is always fun when you move, lol. The blocks are beautiful!

Debbie

SueB said...

WOW. I love you wool Civil War Bride. It looks like it is coming right along. Cant wait to see more of it. I have plans to try a quilt with the wool and cotton. Your place is beautiful..

Susan said...

I am so happy you found your CW Bride quilt. I have not made a quilt using wool partly because I don't know where to begin or what to do first. I love wool. Your home is just lovely Kaaren--what fun you will have in that wonderful garden of yours...and did you say with an ocean view?!! Love it!

Karen said...

I spend a lot of time looking for things that I have put safely away thinking it a logical place I will remember. I often to do not remember that logical place. Glad you found your project. I found a project I have been wondering about its location about a week ago and am working diligently on it now.

marina said...

Your blocks are just gorgeous. I love the wools.
Great pics of your backyard. The chestnut tree is so fantastic.

Liz said...

Glad you've found your CWBQ Kaaren, I'm really looking forward to seeing some more blocks in wool..
Lizzie
xxx

Bunny said...

Beautiful blocks I lave looking at you new home and surroundings.

Sheila said...

Beautiful images, beautiful view. Have a great week!

Sandi said...

What a great twist to put on the Civil War Bride Quilt, and how logical that it comes from the Wool Queen herself Kaaren!

I've been admiring the lovely work that is posted on that blog and yours deserves to be added to the inspiration.

Don't you love the smell of freshly mown grass, they should bottle it.

I love the name you've chosen, now to design a wool welcome banner to hang in your entry!

Enjoy the coming Spring.

Needled Mom said...

That is going to be a lot of mowing this summer! It is gorgeous!

Your blocks look wonderful. Glad that you found them. Isn't that always the case? They were right where it made the most sense!

Allie said...

Oh my goodness your blocks are just gorgeous. I'm so glad you found them! I think your property is going to keep you VERY busy - that's a lot to landscape and mow, but it's going to be just glorious! LOVE that chestnut tree, and I think the name you picked is just perfect.

Darlene said...

Love your Civil War Bride blocks, Kaaren. They are wonderful in wool.

I so enjoy when you share pictures of 'Chestnut Lane Cottage'. :-)

Barbara said...

Gotta love the wool! I'm a member of Mimi Dietrich's grad school group and we're doing the CWB as our project for this year and next year. I'm doing mine in wool on a cotton flannel background. I finished my 3rd block and started on the 4th but we're not doing them in order.

Unknown said...

i just love all the pics of your home and property. So homey!!
Those quilt blocks are beautiful! i will enjoy seeing the rest of them as you go along. i am starting a sampler quilt for my son and his fiancee who are getting married in July. i am not an experienced having made only one complete quilt and one quilt top before. i am so wanting this to turn out well for them. Happy Quilting!

Jenny's Place Online said...

I can't believe you swore...using the 'b-i-n' word when referring to your fabric stash!!!...lol... Given the fact that you posted such lovely pics (as always)...all is forgiven :) Happy crafting, Jenny :)

Elzaan said...

Lovely CWB blocks! Love the colours!
Mac is just adorable. I am sure he enjoys his new surroundings.

Betsy said...

Kaaren your CWB look adorable. You always work so well with wool. I never get tired of seeing your lovely home and flowers.

Elinor said...

Oh, I love your CWB quilt, Kaaren ! So cute !

Jantine said...

Those blocks are great! Lucky you to find them back and have something fun to work on after all the outside work you did!

Abby and Stephanie said...

Beautiful Civil War Bride project. It was probably like opening a treasure chest when you found it. :o) Mac is quite the lucky dog to have such a beautiful place to roam.

Anneke said...

the snow is defenitely gone! happy spring!

I wonder if the blocks made with wool applications aren´t heavy? I love them!

Janet said...

Up on top of the North Mountain and closer to the Bay where I am, Kaaren, the season is less advanced - nothing showing yet except for the first few leaves the aquilehia puts out, and the redmaples are just starting to bloom. But this morning when I went over to vte it finally smelled like spring!!
Now if I didn't still have to light the fire in the morning .....
Looks like you are busy and havinmg a great time!!! And Mac too!

Sandra said...

Love your property. Gotta love neighbours that share plants!!
Your chestnut tree will be lovely when the leaves come out. Is it a horse chestnut or just a flowering chestnut?
Mac looks very content~watch out squirrel; there's a new sheriff in town!!

Janet said...

What a bonus to find the blocks and have ready to get stitching on. Your property looks wonderful, no wonder Mac loves it, look at all the space!

antique quilter said...

those blocks are just beautiful...oh I can see why Mac is so happy look at all that space he has to play and protect!!!!
keep sharing pictures of him, some day we will have a westie too
kathie

Elyte said...

Glad to see that you are finally able to get outside and enjoy your garden. Lovely blocks.

Siobhán said...

Oh my gosh, that bride block is AMAZING!! I love all of your flowers--it will be so nice to see them come in and grow as the weather gets warmer!

Candace said...

Gorgeous wool blocks, Kaaren! You're garden is going to be so fantastic - good to know you are supporting the local economy - lol! I'm envious of your gorgeous rhody - ours are looking pretty droopy this year! Mac needs a little basket to ride in on top of that wonderful lawnmower - what a picture that would make!
Cheers!

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Kaaren, so glad you found your CWB to share with us. Mac's just thinks he's in heaven at his new home, you can just see it.

Sinta Renee said...

Your work in wool is beautiful Kaaren. I love your Primitive Gathering quilt too (an older post). What a great home you have there next to the water. It must like being on vacation all the time... if it wasn't for all the yard work that needs to get done!

Khris said...

What a gorgeous place to live Kaaren. Lucky you!! hugs Khris