One down, Hundreds (?) to go!

I finally finished Goody's quilt this morning. If you remember from this post, I purchased a set of fabrics to make her a quilt before she was born. I thought I didn't have time then (ha ha!). Anyway, this was completed in mostly one hour sessions. I'm not sure how many. I realized that I really wasn't in love with these fabrics any more, as I have since discovered the amazing world of fabrics online. At the time, I was limited to what I could find within driving distance. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty I like. But nothing like the dreaminess online. Anyway, I had a specific pattern in mind when I bought the fabrics, but I didn't feel like messing with a pattern, so I just decided to wing it. Here's what I came up with (this is pre-washed, by the way...it will get a lovely wrinkley look when I do wash it):

Sorry the picture's a little blurry; I'll try to get some better shots when I can put it on the bed. Goody's asleep right now. Everything is machine stitched and quilted, including the binding. The circles are hand-appliqued. Here's a detail of the quilting and applique:

Spring is for flowers!

Goody has learned about flowers; most of them she finds "pretty" or "cute". We can hardly walk past one without her saying "touch it". I always say yes and she does so very delicately. Such a little lady! She is always sure to mention the color of the flower as well. I hear about the purple and white crocus by our front stairs every day.



Today, I was searching online for the appropriate stitch for attaching rick rack by hand (I'm using some vintage rick rack sent from Mississippi for a work in progress, hopefully finished today and blogged asap) and I came across the amazing rick rack flowers. I've searched before about a million times for fabric flowers, but I never saw these.

The tutorial for these oh-so-springy rick rack flowers is blogged at Knick Knacks and Ric Rac , which is a behind-the-scenes blog for madewithlovebyhannah.com. They do have some lovely hand made clothing in their shop. I am going to add these flowers to my impossible to-do list.

Zoo!

We finally made it over to Seattle to take Goody to the Woodland Park Zoo. We were graciously hosted by our friend David, so we did not have to get a hotel room for the night. We even got to take the puppies along (not to the zoo, of course). Seattle's zoo is pretty good, definitely one of the best I've been to, not that I have seen many. It took us about 2 and a half to three hours to see everything (I take that back...we skipped the animal farm area, the butterfly exhibit, and missed the red panda). Goody had a great time, really no complaints at all other than she did cry a little when we left the gorilla exhibit (gorillillillas being her favorites and all). She talks about all the animals and what some of them were doing. Quite the memory on that one! I think her favorites were the giraffes, the gorillas, zebras, and the wild dog who was scratching his butt. Oh the things that amuse toddlers!

Fun was had by all; we definitely will visit the zoo again!

Tim, Goody, and Dave checking out the elephant:

Goody sitting under the bear (who, according to Goody, needed his toenails trimmed):

Reminder to Self

I must have a copy of the April issue of American Patchwork and Quilting Magazine. There will be a free pattern printed with which I will not be able to continue living. Just a note: THIS IS NOT MY DESIGN and I did not make this quilt; I got this off Flickr, where the designer posted it.

If you have been shopping with me any time in the last year or so, you will know that I cannot resist any sort of fabric, art, clothing, functional (really, any) kind of item with bird(s) on it. I don't know why; I don't have a pet bird. I'm not a birdwatcher (officially, but I have pulled out the binoculars at home a couple of times, and I scan the trees for Bald Eagles when I am driving to Wenatchee). Here's a link to the designer's blog. Can't wait to make this beauty! And a stash buster at that!

See you in a year!

Or so that's the plan with our friends the McKee's. They are off to Thailand for a year. I am really hopeful that we remain in touch. So far my life experience has proven that as friends move on, it is very difficult to maintain that connection, at least at the level it previously was. The McKee's have been wonderful friends to us, and have shared in many of our family's greatest life moments, allowing us the same gracious welcome to their own family.

Goody has already started asking to meet Cyrus at the coffee shop. I've told her it will be a while before we see them.

Me: "Maybe we will go on an airplane to Thailand and see Cyrus and Andy and Alicia there."
Goody: "Soon."

With luck, maybe.

Have a wonderful time, McKee's. See you when you get back!

mckeelife.com