QuiltE

GGal ... I think I missed something, if you're meaning JanieW? So I went back and re-read. I'm thinking with the mention of soup, that you meant JanRN?

JanieW ... do hope you are well!! .... though I'm sure you're pouting with that big dump of snow that Claire told me about last night (Weather Lady on The National!)

JanRN ... Oh dear!! about Mom and Patches. I hope both are getting better ... and that you stay well, to care for them!

And I'm soon to disappear into my sewing shangrila!!!

carriem

Dishes are done and I tried scanning blocks...did NOT work well. The scanner really distorted my fabrics, so I guess I will have to wait until dd gets home tomorrow.

gardnergal970

My apologies to JanieW and JanR for getting you mixed up and thanks QuiltE for straightening me out! If I don't take notes while I'm reading the posts, that's what happens.

Here is where I've been playing this spring. This is my second spring gardening here. All of the space was under cultivation last year but I've laid out the beds with paths on the upper level and put up more fencing. It's so fun to go back this spring and not have to start from scratch but see the roses, asparagus, strawberries, etc, doing what they're supposed to do. We gathered lots of leaves last fall. Some of it I dug in this spring and the rest are in bags waiting to be used as mulch through the summer. We had a frost warning last night and I covered the strawberries. Need to go out and see if anything else got nipped.

Our house is the little white one you'll see in background of one of the pictures. The nice brick house is the neighbors. They tell me they do enjoy the garden from their kitchen window.

The last picture is the half the block that took me half a day to do. These PC blocks are very challenging since they aren't standard size and I can't use the templates I have and then the designs are unusual. Maybe by the end, I'll have conquered some of the skills I'm learning.

My DH is roaming the house today. Don't know how much sewing I'll get done. Oh, well, he's worth it!

QuiltE

All these beautiful gardens ... you make me jealous, Ladies!

Thanks for sharing yours GGal .... you know what the neighbour means when they say they enjoy the view of your garden? ... that's a subtle way of saying ... we'd gladly accept the bounty of YOUR labour!! And as you said the "construction" phase is over, so now it's the continue on, add-on and maintain phase! A little less work, and more rewards!

I moved to my home nine years ago, and about 5 yrs ago totally gutted the flowerbeds, mostly perennials and evergreens/shrubs/bushes. The first year they seemed so barren ... and gradually filled in! I keep remembering a magazine article I read sometime ago about perennials ....... first year they sleep, second year they creep, third year they leap .... and it's pretty much bang on!

Now I'm to the maintain and renovate stage .... not sure what I will do this year! Though I have decided that's how some people have SO many flower beds .... the perennials go forth and multiply, need thinning ... and so they start a new flowerbed!!!

JanieW

Great pictures, gardenergal.

QuiltE.. pouting doesn't even come close. And to think I could have been in Hawaii right this minute. This is what my yard looked like On April the 5th

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QuiltE

From the breath of spring to JanieW's Old Man Winter!
Poor You!!! The good news ... you can build Easter Rabbits with the Grands!!!!!!!! Think of the memories you will create!!!
Probably it's poor me ... as you do tend to send your weather eastward. YIKES!!! what am I in for next week?

And it's not unknownst ... The first time I saw this home was on April 7th ... and we had such a wild storm overnight that as I left with the real estate agent, we got stuck in my yard. Then as we drove along the roads and everyone was sliding everywhere, I wondered why on earth I was on the road? There really was no rush, was there? When we got here, everything was covered ... honestly, we had no clue what the roof was, or if there was a flowerbed or sidewalk? We walked down the slope thru the bush to the creek .... and being that it'd changed to freezing rain, we then had to grab tree limbs to come back up as we slid around. At the top, we were walking on top of the snow/ice ... no indentations!! I put in an offer that night, conditional to another viewing. It was accepted. That was a Friday .... by Monday, it was no better. I firmed up, as the RE agents were having an open house the next day and I didn't want anyone jumping my offer.

And I've NEVER regretted it one bit!! ... Yes there was a roof. The flower beds were there, but minimal and old and tired. The sidewalk, was merely stepping stones of limestone rock from the bush. All true, to what they had told us!

Termi ... have you done anything on your house quilt? I just saw this thread, and the houses are exactly mine! HOwever, I have about 15 made ... so using this idea, I could have LOTS of quilts!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...e-t185202.html

GGal .. I got carried away ... and forgot to mention, that I really like the start of that block. I've kept track of the # of pieces, and don't want to scare myself as to the # hours! Oh yes, hours and hours per block!! You mentioned templates, but not PPing ... have you tried it? It's still not fast, but I find it does help immensely, and gives such nice results.

QuiltingNinaSue

Great pictures; from spring to winter, both have their own beauty. Love the garden area pictures, looks much like the gardens here. No snow to speak of this winter, which means not enough moisture in the soil for this summer. Drought like conditions are expected. Hawaiian feast tomorrow for lunch; big Bar-Be-Que tonight. Band coming in to play.

Mmm the doe and dart block may have it's challenge. Finished Datoka Star and Crystal Star before breakfast...on to clover leaf and cake stand. I can hear those sewing machines going full tilt.

janRN

Oh I am so jealous GGal-I'd love to have a garden again. Years ago I kept one and loved canning and sharing all the veggies. DH is more anal than I am and had to have all the edges around the garden beds perfectly straight so when he cut the grass he "trimmed" off more and more of the plants. Finally gave up; now he has his perfectly straight borders on the yard.
I am NOT jealous of all that snow!! This has been my favorite winter--lots of small amts of snow lots of days but none over 5". The snow totals here were average for the year so we won't have the drought problems, QNS.
Doe & Darts. That's the block that almost sent me running around the neighborhood naked singing Jimi Hendrix songs!!
That's when I stomped my foot and said no more y-seams. I thought that one was a real booger-got it done but won't do that one again!!
Dough is in Bread Machine--how does home-made pizza sound for tonight's campfire?

gardnergal970

QuiltW...sounds like you are an adverterious risk taker...at least at times. It sounds like you have a little acreage. I've always dreamed of a creek. I did have a little pond once and loved the trickle of run ing water. I'm doing most of the blocks using PP. usually gives good results but combining it with y seams...challenging. You can't see the little tucks I've almost ironed out. We're waiting for pictures of your gardens once you get a chance.

QNS...Band coming...boy I bet we'll have a wide variety of requests. Right now my DH has his favorite country classic radio station playing. Anyone ever heard "I loved her first"? Really sweet song from father to daughter. Hope the link works.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...7nAIR44DediwRQ

gardnergal970

They now have raised beds with sides that can't be trimmed away. Even some on stilts so you don't have to bend over. Same principle as QNS's tractor tires. Just add potting mix and plant . Good results are assured. Check out Gardner's Supply.
http://www.gardeners.com/Outdoor-Gar...efault,sc.html