Spring Fever

I have spring fever - it's not a secret...I honestly can't wait for sunshine, clear days, green grass, leafs on trees, and walks in the park...really, any sign would make me happy. Today is cold, gloomy, grey, overcast, and raining...and that is not helping with my spring fever...I'm ready for the season to change. Just as the rain/sleet was really starting to get to me, my husband and I spotted a large group of robins in our yard...the first robins of the year! Across the street is a large cherry tree and an entire flock of robins was having a feast - a beautiful sign of spring - exactly what I needed to see today. Travis was laughing as I ran to get my camera...I just had to get a few photos before they flew away...something to remind me that springtime is really on the way (if only it could arrive today)!

The gloomy weather has been the perfect excuse to lock myself in the studio - I have been busy working on class kits, some small magazine models, and I am almost finished with a nice size quilt I started over the weekend. I used a sunshine yellow fabric to sash my quilt, just to brighten up my mood....hopefully I will have a photo for you real soon. This evening, I will be doing some finishing work and maybe do a little more quilting...I am not going to let my spring fever inhibit my creativity!

Beautiful Begonia

I know you were probably expecting a sneak peek photo of my new design "Liberty Stitchery" today....and I am sorry to disappoint you, but it isn't quite done yet. I have been stitching my fingers raw...and I just taped them up for the third time today. For some reason this model is taking longer than planned - but it WILL be done late tonight...I am working on the final section (the bottom border) and I vow not to go to bed until it is finished! Once you see this new piece, I think you will understand the delay...

Today, I finally replaced the flowers in the basket next to my front door...the geraniums just didn't survive well after the crash with the bird nest...so, I have replaced them with some gorgeous blooming begonias...they are a delicate shade of salmon pink...I have had begonias in this spot before and they usually thrive, so I am expecting them to last throughout the season...

While I was outside working with the flowers this afternoon (after another torrential rain downpour), I managed to get this photo of a robin collecting dried grass for a nest...for some reason, this picture immediately made me smile, so I had to share it...
























I will be back tomorrow with a sneak peek photo for you...really, I WILL BE...I have a new quilting toy I am dying to play with and I have promised myself not to touch it until this model is ready for the framer...so I have a huge incentive!

Snowy Robin

Remember all the way back to yesterday when I was commenting about how signs of spring were everywhere? I was thinking I need to take some photos of the robins and tiny little sprouting plants popping up...and this morning the sun was shining and I thought what a lovely day to go outside and do some yard work...well, now it is 8 hours later and it is SNOWING! It started out misty, then sleet, now snow - how did my beautiful sunshine day completely turn around?! I had to go outside and catch a photo of this beautiful robin on my freshly snow-covered lawn. Yes, signs of spring are arriving...but winter has decided to keep it's presence a little longer....

I guess it will be a good evening to stay inside and do some much needed model stitching. My broken finger is finally starting to heal and I am able to hold a needle much easier. I'm looking forward a Saturday stitch-in with my girlfriends tomorrow - always a special treat! Maybe I will bring that poor Papillon Creations Mystery Sampler I have been working on since February 2006....