During a snowy, rainy, gloomy January, I had some bright hours piecing this batik quilt. It's from a pattern in Quilt magazine - easy and quick to put together. I had all of the brights left from other project, or I pulled them from my stash. I did buy the white batik background because I don't usually use whites like this, but the colors really pop on the white. I now have it put together, and this past weekend, Allen and took another happy little trip to Stitcher's Garden in Franklin where I bought, among lots of other things, the backing. Yesterday, Oz helped me (right!) pin the sandwich.
The pattern is reminiscent of the pattern in the quilt I made for Shannon and Nathan. One of these days I need a picture of this whole quilt, but I found it folded on their couch arm Saturday when we stopped by to feed the cat and the fish for them while they were in Atlanta.
January and February also seem like such dark, looong months to me. I am having a hard time remembering what the sun looks like. We had our yard cleaned up recently, and it looks like we're ready for spring - mud and all - but the weather just won't cooperate. I think the pug Oz and the quilting are keeping me out of the winter blues as much as anything can. Hey wait, only about five weeks until spring break.
I am finishing up the binding on the batik quilt, and I'll post pictures when I'm finished, but on to the next one. I saw this small quilt called Cheddar Cheese and Crackers and decided to give it a try. The piecing isn't too complicated, although I can really tell I've learned a thing or two in the last year. The trickiness comes from the positioning of the fabrics. The directions say "on your design board" and "be careful of the placement of the fabrics" but I guess I read right over those cautions until I was well into the project. What I thought would be an afternoon quick quilt is not quite that simple. I admit quilt addiction.
We took Mr. Ozzie out for a walk along the greenway after lunch today. Allen took him yesterday as well, and he says Oz was much calmer today. Calm? Running back and forth, unable to walk on the blacktop because he was so excited by every little smell, looking ridiculous with mouth full of grass. What a goof.
And look! Shadows on the ground. It was sunny in Huntsville! We have had gloom and gray for weeks on end. Today's 60 degree sunshine was spectacular. A little vitamin D never hurt anyone.
Home from the walk and relaxing in the family room - what a pug life! Sublime Sunday afternoon at the Etheridge home.
