This week has been all over the place weather-wise and work-wise, so I thought a second posting was necessary just to keep things straight in my own mind and give you an idea of the crazy activity going on over here.
Our barn in the ice fog
Within only one week we have experienced ice fog, another dump of snow, and what appears to be a very sloppy imitation of spring.
Front porch
About ten days ago we had mistakenly set up the little patio set, thinking it was pleasant enough to sit outside in the late afternoon but early Tuesday morning we awoke to at least two inches of the white stuff already settled on every surface, with more falling throughout the morning. Out on the open prairies the wind had created drifts across the roads, making my scheduled drive to Biggar treacherous, but by the time I was heading home the drifts had been cleared and whatever remained had begun to melt.
Yucky!
Roads under water!
By yesterday afternoon, only 48 hours later, we were in the double digits with a plus! sign in front finally, but now with the warmer temperatures we are contending with water flowing in small rivulets through town and property, and the yard basically looks like a mud swamp. The photo above is Railway Avenue, which runs right in front of our house, and the water is literally running across it like a stream. The meltdown is happening so quickly that most roads in town are covered in water, with some running the risk of washing out, and I’m quite sure some people are already dealing with flooded basements. Sure signs of spring!
New block!
Another new block!
In the sewing studio I’ve been experimenting with some of the secondhand shirts I found on my last trip to Alberta, incorporating them into some very traditional quilt blocks and combining them with some unusual contrasting fabrics. At this stage I’m still only playing with the shirt fabrics, getting a feel for how I want to use them, and practising cutting them up to get the best use of them. I have to admit that the process is quite liberating, once I get past that initial cut, but at first I was overwhelmed with guilt at slicing up a perfectly fine shirt.
...and another!
I’m not sure where or how these quilt blocks will end up but I have to confess, I’m having fun with them. I’ve made nine of each so far and I’m convinced that I before going any further, I need to do some sketches and make a plan.
How cute is this?
Finally, I wanted to share with you this sweet little treasure I found at the secondhand shop in Biggar. It is the perfect tiny little iron for pressing collars or maybe even dolly clothes. I’ve placed a spool of thread beside it to give you an idea of just how small it is, but it still has some good weight to it and, by the looks of the worn tip and underplate, it was well used. I just couldn’t resist!
until next time, carol xox
The little iron is super sweet! And do I spy some Bowtie blocks underneath?!?! Awesome! xoxo
Thanks Tammy! That tiny iron is the sweetest thing I’ve bought in a long time – love it! and yes those are some little bowtie blocks you see there and they are mounting up rather quickly. They are wee though, so it will be a long time before a quilt will appear.