Once again, a Slug-A-Long

Not sure how it happened, but I'm behind on Randy's Sow-A-Long....again.  I took such pride in being caught up, only to let it slip away.  The really sad part, Randy took the month of July off from posting any new blocks while I stopped piecing blocks back in June.  Now the August blocks are posted, so I'm trying to get back into "sewing" mode.  It's not easy with all the summer activities going on - I went with my family (brother, SIL, niece, my kids and grandkids) to LegoLand.....

Does this look fun or what?

Me and Little Man on the Lego Ride - I had to peddle my behind off to keep that thing up high in the air!

 

My latest Slug blocks:

Too scrap or not to scrap?

In April I started a BOM with the Carol Doak yahoo group.  Now, I needed to start another project like I needed another hole in my head....but I did it anyway.  I've always enjoyed paper piecing, but nothing bigger than a small wall hanging or table topper.  Carol's block of the month mystery is about the size of a 'throw' or twin.  Who couldn't use an extra throw sized quilt, right?  In Carol's instructions - she clearly calls this project a "2-color quilt".  With excitement I thought - I've always wanted a 2 color quilt!  This is perfect - I'm in!  Well.....after spending mulitple evenings going through the "stash", I didn't have enough yardage for a 2-color quilt.  I've put myself on a fabric budget, so purchasing wasn't an option. I can't just scrap the idea, I've gotten myself all worked up over a new project.  So I decided to do a scrappy paper pieced quilt.  Eye-roll.  The group is 4 blocks into the mystery - and 2 color quilters are looking really good - mine is starting to look semi-ridiculous!  Part of me thinks I should stop while I'm ahead, the optimist in me is saying keep going, it may be fabulous!  But probably not.

May

June

July

August

For the birds....

Last fall, I formed two of the concrete elephants ears with deep wells in the center (smaller leaf pictured here).  I wanted to use for a bird baths, but I can't find a stand to accommodate the weight of the concrete leaf.  I have this small stand - which is really a plant stand, but it's so low to the ground.  I thought about using an inverted log, but it would have to be pretty big - not sure I've got the strength to handle that.  Any suggestions?

Oh, and this fern has doubled in size this summer, I don't

know how in the world it's going back in the house this fall!

Can you hear me now?

It seems like it took forever for my elephant ears to finally appear.  Now that the bulbs are producing ears, the sun and heat are torturing them.  I didn't grow enough super huge ears for my sidewalk project last year, so I added a few bulbs this season.  Unless we get some rain soon, and a little less heat - my project may have to wait until next year.

Here's one pot - but all almost all the ears in the yard have crispy edges.

This is a concrete leaf for the sidewalk project - I only need about 15 more.

Close up shot of the patio the Hubs and I installed last year.  I ran out of leaves to make the walkway to the patio.  Hopefully, I'll grow a few big ones to use for pavers.  Now.... if the weather would just cooperate.

Despite the heat, the tiger lilies looked fabulous!

I have to share a pic of my "birthday myrtle".  Simply gorgeous.  

Strickly for the birds.....

For the past couple of summers, we've had a pair of doves nest in the gutter on the front of the house.  I've never understood how they keep their nest dry and out of the water.  Could be, the gutter doesn't drain properly and it's not an issue.  This is the first time I've captured their little noggins poking up from the nest.  It was a risky photo shoot, I had to stand on the back of the couch, position my elbow on the half circle window seal to get the shot.  The way I was teetering, it's a wonder I didn't fall and bring the window blinds down with me....but aren't they cute!

Playing catch up...

I’ve done it.  I’ve caught up with Randy’s Sow-A-Long!  Never mind a new set of three blocks are due out on her website today, point is, I’ve completed the blocks she’s posted so far.  For me, that’s a fabulous accomplishment. 

Group shot - I've arranged in the order Randy's

posted to her website.

Gardens at The Lazy Branch Stream

Fancy, huh?  Sounds much better than “our yard that backs up to the Lazy Branch creek”.  I’m really excited about all the buds and blooms that are popping up in our yard.  When the Hubs and I first started dating, he didn’t have so much as a potted geranium on his spread.  Now the yard is green (mostly) and colorful.  Over the past couple of summers, we’ve put in a flagstone patio (and we’re still married), lots of bulbs and perennials.  Tons of work to do yet, but at least now we can enjoy the yard instead of closing the blinds on the backside of the house....    

This is what the backyard looked like 2 years ago. 

This screams "dude hangout". 

This is fairly current.  We updated the green plastic chairs

for metal chairs with cushions.  It's gettin' serious now!

Must be a varment close by, notice the red/orange Lily has all it's leaves chewed off. 

See the little guy sittin' on the wall?  He came home with me from Branson