Turkey Tracks and Books: And My Birthday

Turkey Tracks and Books:  March 18, 2018

And My Birthday

Friend Roxanne Wells not only suggested William Kent Krueger’s novels (set in Minnesota), she lent me the ones she has, which is all of them but the one coming out this summer.

Guess what I do at lunch these days?  And late into the night.

Reading Krueger is a bit like reading Paul Doiron’s books about a Maine game wardens solving murder mysteries.

Friend Lynn Vermeulen sent me this card, and I burst out laughing when I opened it.

My friends know that I have been watching ALL of Project Runway and PR All Stars this winter–another piece of mischief fomented by Roxanne Wells.  The key saying in every program, just before the judging begins, is the following:  “As you know, in fashion, one minute you’re in, and the next you’re OUT.”  Lynn’s card statement finishes with a happier ending.

I feel really blessed with my friends and family’s attentions.  My birthday was great.

We have two feet of snow on the ground and a cold snap, so the snow isn’t going anywhere fast.  But it is very pretty, and the days are longer, and the birds are singing.  And, the female turkeys have joined up with the males–which means the breeding season is starting.  They all know I’ll throw out some black-oiled sunflower seeds when there is snow on the ground.  They were all here this morning.  They come look in the windows if I am too slow in feeding them.

Look at this design wall!  There is a whole lot of fun going on in my house:  The scrap quilt with “made” fabric, upper left.  Valse Brilliante.  A big block selvage quilt in “cool” colors–using a larger version of Amy Friend’s design.  Bonnie Hunter Garlic Knot and Wild and Goose blocks.  Assorted foundation pieced log cabins.   A “cool” neutral block from SUNDAY MORNING QUILTS–this one by Cheryl Arkinson.   AND, Long Time Gone quilt blocks.

LOL.  The bed in the adjoining bedroom only has ONE big quilt ready to quilt on it and ONE little art quilt with a design I made.  BUT, I have to confess it has a pile of knits ready to be made into tops and skirts and, yes, one dress.

I’ve almost finished another selvage placemat.  This is the quiet selvage, not the written ones.  I string these selvages as I cut fabric, and when I get a lot, I stop and knit them into the placemat.  I like how a bright napkin pulls colors out of the placemat.

I spent a chunk of yesterday ironing and cutting 2 by 8-inch strips from my “warm” Cotton+Steel neutrals.  Yes!  A  “warm” “vanilla” quilt is in process.

AND, Marsha Green sent me this picture of her blooming amaryllis plants.  Marsha has a GREEN THUMB writ large.  I didn’t start any this year for some reason, so it is fun to see hers.  Marsha and Harry’s garden is glorious in the summer.

I’ll post pics of this month’s “Long Time Gone” quilt blocks I made when I’ve finished with the adorable little 3-inch churn dash blocks.

Meanwhile, Heidi August sent a pic of where she is now with this project.  She says she loves the Creative Grid Pineapple ruler, so I ordered the mini one for these mini blocks.

Go Heidi!