Deja vu All Over Again

Hi everyone! Good evening! Oh what a difference a day makes. Yesterday was beautifully sunny, 37*--- the roads and walkways finally shoveled, plowed and dry. 

Mo and I had two long wonderful walks enjoying the fresh winter air. We even went to Mo's beach bench, though sadly it was behind a big snowdrift. Mo was happy to do his tricks on the dry pavement instead.

Then today:

It is actually a beautiful snow, but who wants it?! Not us. Arctic cold to follow, brrr.

Mo was content to play briefly on the deck. I finally had been able to open the door enough to squeeze out and do some shoveling for him. 

In bad weather we play a modified Pug Fetch. I sit at my computer, and throw a treat as FAAAR into the living room as I can. Mo finds it, eats the treat, and runs back to me. For some reason he refuses to fetch a toy.

And Jeep Roadside Assistance came yesterday morning, quite promptly, and started my car. My friend has driven it for me twice now, but honestly, I do not trust it anymore. 

Working indoors today, I decided to mostly ignore house chores and we spent the day in my sewing room. Here is the view looking out past my cutting table. 

Now at 5 PM there's a slight clearing and the storm is ending. The snow-frosted trees are glowing an ethereal pink, so beautiful. 

I worked on hearts for my etsy shop. I make them year round, though I do regret not having more to offer for Valentine's day.

I made the pattern try-out for Blue Pineapples. And glad I did because refinements and changes were quite needed. 

Here is the machine appliqued/ straight stitch leafy top. I like to do a straight stitch sometimes because, when washed, the cut edge frays softly and creates textures and dimension.

First of all the thread I ordered is horrible and much too dark. I hope I can made do with my small spools I use for hand applique, the only green thread I have.

Other issues---easily fixed, the corners were hard to square up. Better to cut a blue rectangle and put notches, then sew/ press/ trim.

And the green topper and the blue body didn't fit exactly.

I also considered  using the pieced topper from Baby Ps. It looks good, but this is supposed to be a deck throw/ beach blanket, not a work of quilting art. 

Focus on function! I told myself. 

Remember the showcase the gorgeous blue batiks. 

Keep it modern and casual.

OK!

And I couldn't resist starting to piece the eBay antique Wagon Wheel blocks. I love them! Spacers to make the three across wider/ and five down. 33" x 45", plus possible borders.

I will not fix the crooked cheddar rims or not-round center circles. The piecing [as opposed to the applique] of the spokes is beautiful. Most perfect tiny even hand stitches. I'll show you next time.

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Cold weather is coming! I also did the alterations on Mo's newest parka. It had enough Velcro to close a snowsuit for a plus sized human skier. I redid the fastenings for fast on/ fast off and trimmed away the tummy coverings so Mo could potty easily.

                                                                   

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Still eating leftover pot-roast! It is far better after a few days and slices nicely when cold, before reheating. Added gravy from a jar. The veggies were mostly discarded though.

Have a great week. 

                                      

Gully, winter of 2010, 11 years ago. He was back again yesterday, 

and many winters in between.

love

lizzy

gone to the beach...