Exciting News

I am an animal lover as it seems many of us quilters are.  I have a special love for box turtles and spent many springs driving around with a box in the back of my minivan to store them in a closet in the school library (I was a teacher) so I could relocate them off the highway and into my backyard when I’d get off work.  A few seem to be thriving, but who knew how often turtles have sex?  I do…

This was the first time we witnessed it.  My kids said they must be sisters since they’re hugging so much…

And then yesterday we witnessed this…

I’m pretty sure I know what’s going on in this picture.  I’ve seen lots of box turtles in real life, but never quite like this!

Today we were playing outside and our little cousin found a bird nest on the ground with one survivor.  After consulting a wildlife rehabilitator, we decided to give it a go and see if we can keep this baby bird alive.  She gave us lots of practical advice that has been really helpful.  A newborn bird has to be fed every 20-30 minutes from dawn till dusk.   And in case you’re wondering what we’re feeding him, he really likes kitten chow soaked in water.

So hopefully we will have happy news to report in the next couple weeks.  I think it’s a robin, but I’m not positive.  My kids are loving this, especially since Bea has been interested in being a biologist.  Wish this baby bird some luck.  PS.  His name is Lucky.

Picture Perfect Polaroid Swap

I saw this swap yesterday, and I knew I had to join up!  When I painted my sewing room and reorganized my stash a few months ago, I realized I basically had a collection of novelty fat quarters.  Hardly any solids, no blenders, and a few polka dots.  Since then, I’ve made some major fabric purchases to round out my stash.

When I saw this swap, I knew it would be a great way to use some of those fun novelty fabrics I have a preference for.

I just love those turtles.  I used them to make a zipper pencil case as part of a birthday gift for a friend’s daughter, along with this great book called The Girls’ Doodle Book.  I highly recommend this book for any girl ages 8-11 who likes to draw.  Now I only have scraps of the turtles left.  Perfect for this polaroid block.

I have relatively few “boy” fabrics in my stash, but the cowboys were just a perfect fit for the 2 1/2 inch center.

And you can’t go wrong with ladybugs and garden gnomes!

I wonder who will end up getting these guys???  Also, I’ve been thinking, how cute would a polaroid quilt be with Aneela Hoey fabrics?  I guess I’m going to have to pull out some of my Sherbet Pips and Little Apples scraps and make a few more…so far I have 50 done!!!

Bea and I finished her quilt for Ronnie and will be taking photos today!  Stay cool!!!