One Last Post This Year

I know I'm pushing it close. It's almost 11pm here in CST, but I wanted to update everyone on the last of my finishes for the year.  First up, another baby blanket.  I love this color! We don't have anyone expecting right now, but there's always someone around the corner and now I won't have to scramble.

Next, I am able to cross this nursery rhyme quilt off my 2012 list! Isn't it cute? It's 37" x 46". This one also will be waiting in the closet for a new owner.

Finally, there's this cute little wall hanging I made the hubs for Christmas.  He used to live in the Florida keys and is a HUGE Parrothead (fan of Jimmy Buffett) so I thought this would be a nice trip down memory lane for him.  He was very surprised and pleased.  We try to do at least one handcrafted gift to each other each year.  I had wanted to do more, but ran out of time. 

So, that's it for this year.  I'm pleased with my quiltiness this year.  I've pushed myself and tried some new things.  I made the biggest quilt thus far. I have done some blanket-stitch applique. I've gained some confidence in my quilting ability and feel good about my progress.  Tomorrow, I'll talk about my expectations for 2013.  In the meantime, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!

Another Finish - SIL3's blanket

Saturday, we made a special trip after commencement to rural Midwest to see SIL3 and her family.  Their newest addition arrived last Friday (May 4) and the hubs wanted to see his new nephew before he left on his big trip.  I literally finished tying off the blanket as we drove up their driveway.  Here's a picture of the finished product:

And here it is in use that very evening!

Baby W is SO adorable!

It was only overnight, but definitely a good trip!  We were so pleased to meet baby W and to see his sisters again.  It's always good to be loved so much.

WIP... Thursday?

Normally, WIPs (works-in-progress) are a Wednesday report for most blogs... but most blogs are not written by a doctoral student. :o) I report when I have two minutes together.

I am almost finished with my Spring semester obligations.  I just have one final project left (due next week) and I received my feedback on the drafts last night.  I no longer have to make the 5-6 hours round-trip drive (depending on traffic) this semester either.  So, I'm taking today off from schoolwork.  This morning I checked email, read a few blogs, drank coffee leisurely and planned the rest of the day.  I had hoped to have lunch with a friend, but it wasn't in the cards.  So, instead, I worked a little on this blanket. 

I'm really loving this pattern.  

Yesterday, the hubs came home with flowers! It was such a pleasant surprise.

This afternoon I am planting a couple of bleeding hearts (one pink and a couple white) in the front.  Our front yard is in shade for most of the day, and I wanted perennials that would thrive in this condition - especially since the grass doesn't do well.  This spring, we turned soil in two feet swaths along the retaining wall, sidewalk and patio and planted a couple dozen shade-loving perennials.   Hopefully, by the end of the summer (or the beginning of next spring) we'll be able to see the beginnings of a beautiful shade garden!

I also have some onion plants to put in the ground.  The other day we were at one of the local home improvement stores to buy a new front door and saw that the tomato plants were huge and on sale for 50% off!  So, I'm going this afternoon to pick up a few of those and check out what else they have.  I'm also running over to the new garden store to see what they have.  Last fall, we learned that our favorite, locally-owned garden store was closing after several decades of business.   Apparently, they were unable to weather the slower business from the area flooding.  Anyway, they were bought out by a well-known, regional gardening group.  When the hubs drove past last week, he said that the greenhouses are overflowing with plants.  I can't wait to check it out! 

Enjoy the weather!