Hummers are Back

Both winners have been in touch and I will be sending their beautiful Island Batik prizes out in the mail to them on Friday.  It is such fun to be able to share these lovely fabrics.
We have had a return to seasonable temperatures today as well as the sunshine.  I had a meeting in the morning but,  when I returned home, I sat outside to eat my lunch and then hubby, Heidi and I went for a walk.  A lot of little flowers are popping up amongst the trees and adding some delicate colour to the forest floor.
Later in the afternoon, hubby announced that our first hummingbird arrived so I hustled around and filled one of the feeders for it.  It was probably a male looking for nesting sites.  We do have at least one family here every year and I am assuming it is the same one(s) each time.
Congratulations again to Jenny and QuiltE.  I will be taking a photo of their prizes after they have received them.  Don't want to spoil their surprise.
Blessings,

And the Winners Are.....

Drum roll please!  The winners of my  draw contest is QuiltE  who won the blog prize and Jenny won the Facebook prize.  Congratulations.  Please contact me with your name and mailing address by the end of the week so I can end you your lovely Island Batik fabrics.  I would have liked to share these with every one but then I wouldn't have anything left for myself.  I will be having another contest though.
Our IB project this month is to make a modern quilt.  This is one of my favourite designs because it is so freeing.  I completed the top today and now have to decide on the quilting pattern.
Another day of sunshine.  Below seasonable temperatures but no rain or snow.  Our trilliums are almost ready to bloom and I notice a couple of fiddleheads have made an appearance.  It seems that a pair of eagles have decided that our home would be a good place for them to start a home of their own.  There have been a couple flying around for a bit.  They will probably build further to the back of the property or perhaps on our neighbours 100 acres which is behind ours.  Nice to have them around but will keep an extra eye on our chickens just in case.
Blessings

Contest-Day 4 and Markers.

It is still raining although it is more a steady drizzle here.  Had to go into the village for some blood work and then, once I was back home, I have spent the day quilting. 
I am working on a quilt top that consists of 3 inch strips made up of 3 inch squares.  Each strip is slightly different that the previous so it is necessary to keep track of which one goes where.  I am not a big fan of little strips of numbered paper to keep things organized.  I tend to lose the paper  or the pins get in the way when I quilt.  I have a method which works well and doesn't have any down side.  I use washable Crayola markers.  A lady in our quilt group tried each colour on a number of fabrics and all washed out without any problem so I bought a box.  I have successfully used them to mark fabric when doing the back basting method of applique and to number fabric pieces.  I really like them and they are much cheaper than markers made specifically for quilting. And they really do easily wash out.
Have you entered my contest yet?  For full details check Day 3 blog. Contest ends on May 9th.
Blessings,

Contest-Day 3

I was in a baking mood today. I made  dozen white chocolate muffins and a small loaf of the same and a dozen pumpkin muffins and a large loaf.  All were made from the same recipe with the main ingredient changed.  The other main ingredient is canned chickpeas, rinsed, drained and pureed.  I should have enough company treats in the freezer to last for a while now.
The Burk's Falls Art Centre opens this month for another season so I finished the day getting some items ready to sell. 
We have been keeping an eye on the weather all day as we are supposed to get a heavy rainfall.  It has held off so far so the midnight prediction for it to start seems that it might be accurate.  The rain is supposed to continue for a few days which means our driveway will be flooded again.  I am not complaining though as there are places in Quebec that have been evacuated.
This is day 3 of my contest.  I am pleased to see so many entries.  Remember that if you are a follower of this blog you can enter by posting a comment telling me what your favourite quilt block is.  You can also put in a second entry by 'liking' my Facebook page.  If you are not a follower, you can enter on Facebook.  You can only enter once in each place.  (Thank you Roberta for asking about that as I didn't mention it on the preceding days.
Blessings

Contest, Day 2

Nothing exciting to tell you today other than the sun shone for the first time in a few days and for the last time in a few more.  Did some shopping and the usual house stuff but also went for a nice long walk to the lake that is just a block or so south of us.  There are a lot of houses along the shore line but the water is still visible from the road. 
There have been a few entries for my contest so don't forget to add yours.  You must be a member/follower of this blog and then just send a comment telling me your favourite block i.e. star, log cabin etc.  The comment button is at the end of the blog.
You have a second chance to enter by going to my Facebook page and clicking like under the blog post.  Don't forget to leave your name.
If you are not a blog follower, you can still enter on Facebook.
Blessings,

Time to Enter to Win

Contest time.  If you are a member/follower of this blog, you are eligible to enter to win a great prize.  As you know, I am an Ambassador for Island Batik and I enjoy being able to share these wonderful fabrics.
If you would like to enter, leave a comment stating your favourite quilt block.  The winner will be chosen from all entries on May 9th.  There will be a second draw from those who enter on my Facebook page.  If you are a follower, you can enter in both places.
To enter on Facebook, all you have to do is like the page and leave a comment.
Remember; if you are not a follower of this blog, you can only enter on Facebook.  If you are a member, you can enter in both places.  This gives  you two chances to win a prize.
Good luck.
blessings,

Applique Adventures

Island Batik fabrics April project was entitled Adventurous Applique.  I debated for some time, and changed my mind just as often, about what I would make until I settled on the doves on either side of the heart.  It is a anniversary gift for a friend.
I love the pastel batik colours against the dark background.

 

 

I haven't been able to bind it yet as I hadn't been able to hold a needle properly.  I tried a bit of hand applique yesterday evening and the puncture (from the sewing machine needle) seems to have healed enough that I can use it. 

 

We had a real downpour today just as we were unloading our quilt supplies to take inside the Legion.  We were all drenched but even a bad weather day can't dampen (sorry) our quilting spirits.

Blessings,