Above was a progress shot of the new back fence and trellis taken a few days ago. Hubby finished the new fence section and trellis yesterday (hubby's photos below from both sides, I copied them off Instagram) He also built an enclosure for the garbage and recycling bins on the right side. My pretty rose Crepuscule used to be on the outside of the fence on the left side by the brick. He put the fence on this side of the driveway so she's now part of the backyard. Now to train her onto the trellis. (She's almost done with her first flush bloom)
From 2017
I have been meaning to add something here, I used to blog more often, life gets busy.
Still enjoying the distractions of gardening and sewing, gets my mind off the worrisome pandemic news. Sure didn't think it would go on this long, now I'm pretty much resolved to the notion that it's somewhat here to stay in whatever form and capacity and we just need to keep up and learn the best way to live with it.
Sharing some of the favorite blooms I enjoyed this past year and some of my sewing projects as well. I'm afraid I've actually been doing more sewing than gardening but I love the creative side of quilting, just need to find a balance I think so the weeds don't get so far ahead. 😉
My Mom and I both decided to buy more dahlias this year beyond the few single flowered ones I have grown the past few years. We can't grow them directly in the ground here because of gophers so hubby built me 2 raised bed boxes in the back part of the garden with hardware cloth at the bottom and that worked out well. Photo upon completion of beds. I didn't get a shot of the filled boxes, they were planted with support netting, nothing showy as the dahlia blooms were intended for cut flowers.
And a few more garden shots.
And some of the quilts finished this year, some have already sold, I would love to keep them all!
All vintage sheets
Two baby quilts , one girls and one boys version
Vintage barkcloth with kittens inspired this one
Another baby one
And these three should be completed soon, I have a dozen completed tops that just need the quilting and binding. Lots of garden floral ones in my head but trying not to start new ones until I catch up…and maybe do some winter garden cleanup!
The arrival of spring always makes me appreciate my garden, despite being behind on weeding, things are flourishing and new blooms are appearing daily. Just going out every morning, sometimes with coffee in hand and my cell phone, visiting with the chickens wandering in the yard, looking closely at new growth and emerging buds, even taking 10 minutes to pull weeds, is a calming distraction from the current pandemic upheaval, I almost forget the grim sadness on the daily news. So thankful for my garden, like my family and friends, always there for me to bring normalcy and quiet the mind.
Lily enjoying a dust bath where I should be planting veggies.
And cell phone shots of new blooms
And I'm still doing a lot of sewing, this week I'm planning on finishing up this bright and happy garden quilt commissioned for a friend, it's cheerful to work on it! Any sewing with flowers is always something I enjoy.
I did take a break from the quilt to make face masks, as of a couple of days ago, our county made it mandatory to wear them when going out. I made almost 60 for family and friends and then just kept cutting and sewing to add some to my little shop. I certainly had enough fabric scraps, mostly vintage pieces and I got pretty good with this nice contoured design with a nose wire and I also added cotton knit ties for the ear loops rather than elastic after reading discomfort with elastic after a long day wearing them. They are a little more work than the popular pleated scrub mask style but I like them better. If you have to wear them, might as well add a little fashion to them.
My pretty daughter with one of the first ones I made.
They don't quite bring me joy in making them, mostly because of the reason they are needed and I'm getting a little burned out with them. Maybe I'll take a break and make oven mitts since so many are home cooking and baking! 😂 Yes, I'm off to hunt for pretty fruit, veggie and flower prints for mitts! Another good distraction.
Pile of masks
Garden has slowed for the winter, so just a few shots of new chickens we got end of May, three of them just started laying. Our last two remaining hens slowed egg production so they went to their retirement home nearby where they joined a small flock with a rooster. These new girls all have flower names again, Lily #2, Petunia, Daisy, Jasmine and Buttercup.
Many know that I've taken up quilting, I just listed three garden themed quilts in the Classified Forum, The thread "Garden themed Handmade Quilts" in Classifieds and Group Buys forum
I just can't keep them all no matter how much I love them!
Made the difficult decision to say goodbye to my sweet little 7.5 lb. Penny today, she was a sweetie and will be greatly missed.
