Day 316/366

Despite a topsy turvy kind of spring, my rose geraniums have been flowering profusely.

I grow rose geraniums mostly to attract bees to the garden and to help with pollinating fruiting plants.

I must confess that I don't really have anything that's desperate for pollinating at the moment but I was pleasantly surprised to see that not only are the bees attracted to the rather small flowers of these pelargoniums but so are the butterflies.

I spent most of the day in the garden today, raking and clearing up the endless fallen leaves from our eucalypts and I took great delight in watching the parade of butterflies.

I'm fairly certain that the butterfly above is (unfortunately - in Australia) the common pest known as Pieris rapae or the European Cabbage Butterfly.  Like the Cabbage Moth, its larvae feed on cabbage.

Day 282/366

I'm having trouble keeping up with life at the moment!  How about you?

But, today is sewing day so here are some butterflies I'm making for my row along quilt which I'm following on Bee In My Bonnet's blog.

I think I'm one row behind?

Anyway, at first I thought this quilt was just  a bit too fiddly for my liking but -  you know what? - it has been great to practise my quarter inch seams.  I think I'm doing them perfectly now.  

Day 206/366

The Graphics Fairy Spring Printable inspired these very-easy-to-make fridge magnets.

All you need is a print out of the bugs and butterflies (at the above link) at a size suitable for your glass pebbles, (I used high resolution paper for printing to stop colour bleed); some good, clear-drying glue, scissors, pencil, and one small, round magnet for each pebble.

Using the pencil, trace pebble shape around selected bug/butterfly, cut out paper shape of image and with image facing up, glue shape to back of glass pebble eliminating air bubbles if they occur. Once the glue/paper is dry,  glue magnet to back of pebble, allow to dry completely and that's it.

What could be simpler?

  

Linking to Brag Monday at the Graphics Fairy.

Wednesday Already Dr Seuss?

I've labelled this my "Bitza" quilt...not only is it bits of this fabric and bits of that fabric but it's got bits of every theme in it too. Dragonflies, butterflies, cats, dogs, pigs, frogs...you name it.

I'm continuing to hand quilt the border and now  putting a bit of detail into the butterflies...just couldn't resist.

Dr Seuss cot quilt number one is quilted and awaiting binding. I've machine quilted this one  as I've got a deadline (baby due in less than tree weeks).

The second Dr Seuss cot quilt top is almost done but alas no photographs yet!  Hopefully next week.

We're redecorating so I've had no choice but to make curtains for the guest room...almost done.

And I'm contemplating joining the Freshly Pieced Summer Sampler QAL. Okay, so it's already into block number five...hmmm.

French General and Japanese Dragonfly quilt tops have seen no progress!

Drop by and visit Lee at Freshly Pieced to see how everyone's progressed this week.

Managed to complete curtains before posting...here's a sneak peak at the newly painted room with curtains hung...I'm loving it so far but it was a shock to the system at first as it was a TOTAL change.  Can't wait to replace furniture etcetera.

Don't forget to drop by and visit Lee's Blog at Freshly Pieced.

Brag Monday.

I wanted to have something nice in the house to welcome home my Daughter and Grand Daughter after their U.K. holiday. (They're back in Sydney tomorrow-yipee!)

Does it always have to be a bouquet of flowers to brighten up things?  Well, no,not when you've got The Graphics Fairy.  Instead I printed and cut out some of my favourite graphics from Karen's blog.  Some of the graphics were made into heart or star shapes, using a template.  All the shapes were taped to a wooden skewer to make a different kind of bouquet. You can find the Butterflies here.

This bouquet would look just as lovely in a vase.  I've go them hanging in a sconce right by the front door.  It's been empty since Christmas, waiting for an inspiration.  Thanks again to Karen from The Graphics Fairy.  

I blogged these little cuties on Friday so you can read more about what I did with The Graphics Fairy's Spool Pets here.  

In the background are bagged mini chocolate eggs with Easter cards displayed on the front of the package.  Find out more in the Easter Preparation Blog as well.
Happy Week to you all.


This post is linked to The Graphics Fairy.