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).

Here are the February and January mini quilts from Bertie's Year BOM.  They are a fun mix of flannels, piecing, applique and embroidery.  I am doing mine with button hole stitch applique.

Just as a point of interest, the Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt is 76 inches by 66 inches, so not exactly teeny!