What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

 Blue is the colour chosen for January for those of us taking part in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC).  As I've got a multitude of UFOs from taking part in previous years RSC I was in two minds whether to start any new blocks this year or not.  But we all know how that turned out, I just couldn't help myself.  I had seen a scrappy quilt top on Lou's blog, and thought, why not.  Just a simple square, bordered on two sides, so it makes a zig zag line when the blocks are stitched together.  Thanks ...

This is such a fun time of year. Putting up decorations, listening to favorite holiday tunes in the car and while puttering around the house. My Sweet Babboo put up green garland and holiday bells on the veranda this year. We don’t do much because no one comes up here. These decorations we can see in the daytime as we come and go for errands and events.

Cloudy and rainy days were good for bird watching. Here, a titmouse is happy to have a meal.

The goldfinches are wearing their winter drab colors. Here one is sharing the bounty ...

Three friends and I attended the Thursday  morning screening of the film "Downton Abbey the Grand Finale".  When we arrived we were told that the credit card system wasn't working, so sales were cash only.  Luckily we all had some cash in our purses, so movie tickets were purchased, and a coffee too, as we were there in plenty of time.  I was so looking forward to the film, as I had watched all the TV series, and knew all the characters.  The scandal of divorce raised it's ugly head, as no divorced woman (at the time) could ...

Saturday was quite a busy day.  The caravan club was spending the weekend at the Manawatu Caravan Club grounds, and I drove up to join them for morning tea, about a half hour drive away.  It was lovely to catch up with everyone, and as a bonus, one of the member's was celebrating a birthday so cake was provided.  The weather was fine and clear, cold overnight and frosty in the morning.

Joining the caravan club for morning tea

I left the camp ground after morning tea, and drove up to Sanson, another half hour drive away, to meet ...

 I've been out and about lately, going here, and going there.  I was at a craft group last week, and we meet in a beautiful old property called Thompson House, home of a former doctor who lived and worked here.   I believe it has been gifted to the community and groups can hire the rooms for meetings.

Thompson House

 One of the ladies there that afternoon teaches bobbin lace.  She had all sorts of exquisite samples on display.  It's such beautiful fine work, but not something I would have the patience for.

Lace samples and bobbins

Melanie had ...

Today, of all days, was hot and awful!

I decided to get my tail moving and get some quilts done for QOV. It's time I got moving again and finished a couple tops. So, I headed downstairs. Before I did, I called Debbie to talk over all that is going on with our group. I filled her in on a few things and we talked about Kristi being head of Mossyrock. We are not going to do anything about it, nor will I help her after what she put me through and then called me a liar. So, it ...

This morning, I had to get a few things done before heading to moms. 

Then it was off to moms but first had to go to the church and drop off the backing for Linda, then went to the post office to drop off a certificate. Once all that was done, headed to moms. 

Got to moms to find her on her computer. She wanted me to order some clothes for her. I asked her why she didn't have Chris do that for her when they were there - wrong thing to say. So, I ended up ordering it for ...

As much as I wanted to stitch today, it didn't happen. It was a day were Patrick wanted to go to the movies and I was ready to go! 

We saw the new Caption America and I really liked it. I like the new Caption America, he's perfect for the part. I'm thinking more will be coming. We sat for a few minutes after the show to see if there was a trailer on what's coming but after a couple minutes, I was tired of waiting, and we left. So, I have no idea if there ...

It's taken me a while, but at long last, I've taken the Christmas quilts down.  With such gorgeous weather, what better to display than "My New Zealand Bird Quilt", made back in I'm very proud of this one, especially as it is hand appliqued and hand quilted, and was designed by NZ designer Mary Fletcher.  I'll let you into a little secret.  The design had a creepy crawly weta together with the iconic tuatara (lizard) block, but there was no way I was going to have one of those on my quilt!  

New Zealand Birds

Of ...

 These last few weeks between Robin's passing and waiting for the date of his Memorial Service I have been keeping close to home - a bit like being in limbo.  Although I've had to make visits to the bank and the supermarket to keep things running, I decided not to take part in several Christmas break-ups.

I did make an exception with the Sew Wots Christmas lunch the other week.  Thought I would be able to cope with meeting up again with this small group of caring ladies.  The chosen cafe was The Emporium, luckily not too busy with ...

 It's called a DAH moment this morning. I told Patrick last night that I had done my blog. Yeah, well, guess not. I thought I wrote on here when I was working on cleaning up my computer room. 

So, yesterday was Sunday. I did my usual cleaning except laundry. I will do that this week, probably a little every day this week. 

After all that, Patrick wanted to go to the movies. So, we did. I'm to the point that if he wants to do something, we will. He's so skinny and who knows how long he ...

As much as I would love to sit here and type a long blog telling everyone what I did today, I can't. I actually didn't do much at all. 

I walked 6 laps with Ron. We took an hour because at 94 years old, he has some back issues and needs to stop off and on. Then I came in the house. 

Patrick worked out in the yard while we were walking. At about 1 pm we headed to the movie theater to watch "Despicable Me 4" which turned out to be pretty good. It's the same ...

This morning Patrick slept in. I was playing my games. 

Decided I wanted to play on my puzzle today and got some done before it was time to leave. 

We decided to go to the movies. I wanted to see the new Panda movie. It was at 1:30 pm. At first I thought we would be the only ones watching it but a family of 5 showed up as well. It was really good. The graphics were better than that one previously. I enjoyed the movie and knew the voices of at least 4 of them. 

Then we walked ...

We slept in a little today. It seems we are making a habit of sleeping in.  Ever since my surgery I have been tired enough to sleep till 9-10 am. I know I should get up, but then I don't nap during the day. I just seem to try to work it out. 

Pain is still there. I'm tired of it. But I know it will take time to recover. Poor Patrick is having to do a lot of the stuff I usually do. I have been trying to help when I can. 

We decided to go to ...

We are not great movie goers, but now and again a film grabs our attention, and we just have to go and see it. 

The Great Escaper, starring Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson was such a film.  This film is based on a true story about pensioner Bernard Jordan, who absconded from his Care Home in Sussex, UK in 2014, to attend an event in France marking the 70th Anniversary of the D Day Landings.  Bernard missed out on getting a pass to join one of the official groups, so decided to go it alone.

It was an excellent film ...

Our trails have dried up and there is no ice on the pond. The geese have been floating around on it.  MUCH earlier than usual and such a welcome sign of spring. LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week is if we have a favourite flower of spring. Truthfully any of the early blooming flowers are a welcome sight for me, I really can't pick just one. But I do especially love to see the Lilac tree bloom which is brief but showy. What about you?

Robbie spent part of his March break here with us ...

OH -- I got a chuckle from an email someone sent me about dressing in layers. We all know that dressing in layers outdoors is a huge factor in staying warm. The extra air pockets between layers, as well as the extra layer, hold the warm. If you need ventilation, open a zipper and get some air. Then zip up when you need to. 

But what about in your house? This is hilarious, and yet it's not. There are people, and I will NOT name names here, that feel it's OK to just crank up the heat in your ...

This past week had a couple of meetings, a delivery, and lots of time to sew. But did I get anything done? Well, not really. I could have made a quilt top in all the time I had, but it was eaten up with household chores, some piddling around, and a fair amount of just wandering, not doing anything. I didn’t want to do the handwork on the wall hanging, saving that for the weekend. Nothing else seemed to capture my interest, so I petted the fabric, moved some things around, and tried to organize a bit of clutter ...

Another Christmas has come and gone; as always, I was almost ready. Are we ever completely prepared? Naturally, all of the gifts were purchased and wrapped, cards addressed and sent, and the food was ready at the appointed time and place. But, then, there's always those "extras", those things I think I'd like to make and tuck in as a special surprise- those little cross stitch ornaments I

Another Christmas has come and gone; as always, I was almost ready. Are we ever completely prepared? Naturally, all of the gifts were purchased and wrapped, cards addressed and sent, and the food was ready at the appointed time and place. But, then, there's always those "extras", those things I think I'd like to make and tuck in as a special surprise- those little cross stitch ornaments I