This quilt was made for one of my friends and co-worker Fara after her husband passed away suddenly and left her and their 2 young boys on their own.  I called it A Fabric Hug for Fara and made it in her favourite colour lilac/lavender and her husband's favourite colour royal blue.  In some of the blocks there are Forget Me Nots and others have Pansies which are also called "Heart's Ease".  The pattern was called Heart and Souls which I thought was so appropriate.  She loved it!

Here is the March block of Bertie's Year BOM.  And yes, I know it's July.  I have almost finished April and am itching to get at June's - so stayed tuned for those coming soon.  I just LOVE these blocks as they are so much fun as they all have piecing, applique and embroidery.

 

And here is Ken's Step Back Cabinet that he made for my quilt studio and painted with milk paints to give it an antique kind of look.  Isn't he just the handiest fellow! 

Here is Toby in front of some of my amazing philopendulas which I have finally found the right place for and they are sure putting on a pretty show this year.  Doesn't Toby look like he's smiling for the camera?

Here are 3 photos of a very curious little Common Yellow Throat that spent several days rapping on the living room window.  He wanted to come in so badly.  This side of the house is covered in pink rambling roses up to about 12 feet high and 3 feet thick that small birds have taken to nesting in.  This little fellow and a female common yellow throat were 2 of the birds that spent a lot of time trying to get into the house through closed windows.  There were also 3 Song Sparrows that did the same.  We think they were all young ones that had just left their nests.  Quite a lot of entertainment to say the least! 

Is there anything happier than pots full of pansies and johnny jump-ups?  I don't think so!

My front porch (with a couple of my husband's home made Adirondack chairs and child's picnic table in glorious blue, green and purple) is looking just a wee bit bare at the moment, even though I have pink and yellow fairy wings, lungwort, daffodils and my amazing red trilliums (thanks to Uncle Gerry and Aunt Dorothy) in bloom.  The little teapot water feature is the latest in a series done and redone by my handy husband.  I think it is definitely the best one yet.  The copper pipe and stabilizers between the teapots, and the lovely teapots themselves which we picked up in Vancouver's Chinatown the last time we were on the mainland, are just so pretty.....I can hardly wait until June when everything will be lush enough in the background that it'll be like a private little oasis next to the porch.  I hope spring is finding everyone across the country by now.

The following 7 photos are of my FINALLY completed 2013 challenge "A Tisket a Tasket, Posies in my Basket" which I sent out to 5 of my quilter buddies.  I know that the 3 in my neck of the woods have not quite completed theirs yet, but need to check in with the 2 out of area ladies.  The requirements of this challenge were that they had to use the 4 fabrics I supplied, have at least 1 basket and bird and have a "surprise" element.  I love the way mine turned out, even if it did take months longer than it was supposed to.  I'll be taking it to work to hang on the side of my cubicle's locker to brighten up my days.

I joined a postcard exchange recently and this is the wonderful postcard I received from Jo.  The detail on this beetle is amazing and Jo's workmanship is too!  Check out Jo's blog at http://explorationsinstitch.blogspot.ca/

 

This is a quilt I started working on when I took some time off work.  Everything except my little earth child and the wisteria vine is made of 3/4" and 1/2" hexies.  That is a LOT of hexies.  I am very happy with how it has turned out.  I have never made such a purple quilt before, but must admit I think the colour scheme is outstanding on this project.

Here are some pictures of my quilt studio which is my favourite room in my house.  Don't you love the spool holder my handy husband made me?  Almost looks like a work of art (at least to someone who really likes thread).