This month teases us with nice warm days, followed by freezing cold ones. I am ready for it to moderate, and be warm enough during the day to run around without a coat. The daffodils are coming up, and just starting to make buds. I am hoping for some happy flower faces soon.
A few more are coming up in the circle too.
I got this photo of a pretty bluebird sitting on a limb. I’ve been seeing a bit more activity at the birdhouse, and I have hope that they are going to raise a family there this spring.
On the feeder, now that the sunflower heart seeds are back, the variety of songbirds coming by is amazing. The goldfinches are just starting to turn the bright yellow that they wear in the summer. On the front of the feeder, the little spotted bird is a female house finch. Around the back side is a male cardinal.
The male house finch came by shortly after. He’s the one on the left with the rosy head and chest.
Another bluebird stopped by. There are four of them in two pairs. I don’t know where the other pair is building a nest.
The female cardinal was next on the left perch. On the right, the female house finch was enjoying her lunch.
On the ground, about a dozen dark eyed juncos were hopping around and picking up seeds dropped from the feeder above. They don’t sit still, but I managed to get three of them in this photo.
Four quilts went to Michael this week for delivery to Gerton residents in his community. If you are planning to ship quilts to me, I will continue to take them through the end of the year. I am happy to report that every first responder in Chimney Rock, Gerton and Bat Cave who wanted a quilt has received one. Every church member of the two churches in Gerton and Chimney Rock that I have been working with have also received one. There are still members of the Gerton community where Michael lives that would like to have one. I’d love to give the first responders in Mountain Home a quilt for their station, as they really did a huge amount of work during the aftermath, while dealing with damage to their own homes. Plus, the two domestic violence shelters in the hurricane area can use more twin size quilts. The need goes on.
In the sewing room, I worked on the bee theme runner this week. Previously, I had put together some pinwheels and plain squares. It is a good size for a table runner.
With the fabric I got at Foust, I auditioned the bee theme ones and they worked great.
I put a dark border on first for contrast.
The light grey background of the same print goes beautifully with the piecework. Next will be to load it on the longarm and get it quilted so I have at least something out next month! I’m going to try my best not to have anything in this coming month.
The saving grace this month may be the day of Virtual Retreat plus three days of a sleep at home retreat at the end of the month. Come sew with us on the 19th, just $5. Sign up HERE.
So, my plan for the week is to sew when I can between a couple of meetings and appointments. Worldwide Quilting Day is next Saturday, and then I can show you my entry. I’m the chair of that event for the guild, and our committee is planning a great show. What are you planning this week?
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From My Carolina Home 
Good morning, Carole. I love seeing the bird photos. We have a lot of bird activity going on. Wishing you a beautiful Sunday!
Hi,
Always enjoy your blog. Could you tell me what kind of bird feeder that is? I live in Waynesville and keep trying to find a bird feeder that the squirrels will not empty in a day.
Hi Gail, ours is a caged feeder similar to THESE (click on the Amazon link) that we have mounted on a 10-foot telescoping pole. My husband can release a pin, and lower the feeder for cleaning and filling. On the pole, we have a Tube Squirrel Baffle (Amazon link) that really works. The squirrels climb the pole and get stuck inside the baffle, then they turn around and go back down.
Thanks so much for the bird feeder info. I’m going to try a caged feeder, but I don’t think I can manage a telescoping pole. But it certainly sounds like a good idea.
BTW, I always attend the Hendersonville show and buy lots of used books and magazines plus a wee bit of fabric☺️.
The red winged blackbirds arrived last Sunday – 1st real sign of spring for us. Hearing their conk-a-lee song brings a smile. The table runner is lovely, especially fond of the beeswax honeycomb fabric. All those little hexies. Bees are so smart, they figured out the strongest & most efficient use of space for their homes.
Cute runner, Carole! You put those fabrics to quick use! I enjoy seeing all your birds, many of the same we have at our feeders. The house finches have just returned here. No goldfinches yet. Wow, daffodils! That’s fun!!!
Your bird photos are fantastic!
So many birds at your house! You have quite a stash of fabric to sew up now, but you are also inspired, so I bet you will whiz through it pretty quickly. Wish I could do the retreat, but early lessons and some necessary errands will preclude me this time. I’ll catch you one of those days!
March is much the same in Colorado – very unpredictable! It’s supposed to be 70 today – that will be so pleasant. Love your bird photos! They’ve been busy in our yard lately, too. We’ve seen a lot of juncos this year. The bee runner is so pretty! I love those bee themed fabrics!
Your birds are looking terrific (and reminding me — it’s feeder fill day! And a lovely one, too. No real signs of spring yet but I welcome the longer days that come with the time change. I might be doing a yard clean-up this afternoon, getting brush that has fallen in the winter. I’m looking forward to seeing those daff shoots, although I always worry if they are a little too early! We’re not out of the woods yet but hopefully getting there.
Happy Sunday. I’m hoping to paint a bit today. We’ll see!
I do believe Spring is coming.but she is taking her own sweet time
Our daffodils are springing from the ground too but no buds. However, I did notice some purple & white crocuses showing color. Yay! We’ve been enjoying the bird shows lately but are anxiously awaiting the departure of the starlings. Such greedy, picky birds. Oh well, they need to eat for the energy to fly away! Lol! Bees are always a great subject for fabric and I think you scored really big with the fabrics for your table runner. Nice chatting with you this morning!
I have hyacinths starting this week to do with two varieties and daffodils and crocuses. It is nice to not have to wear a jacket every day – some days still but not every day
Love seeing your bird population, so pretty. It’s Autumn/Fall here now with cooler nights (thank goodness) and lovely warm days. I can go out in the garden without dying from the heat!
Your bee fabric is lovely and the Runner looks really nice. I imagine you have lots of ideas for your bundle of bee fabrics.
When my daffodils come up I have wonderful green tops and nary a flower. I have fertilised them, watered them some years and other years just left them be but still only lovely green tops. I could dig them up but I would lose all the other plants and ground cover. One day……….🤔
Mary :))
Love seeing the bird pictures.
Like how the bee themed fabrics work in your tablerunner!
I’m working on a mini Saint Patrick’s themed wall hanging. Hoping to finish it today!
Hoping spring comes soon! A local business says it measured snow totals of 300 inches so far. We usually get around 120 inches on average. Pining for sunshine and putting the shovels, etc. away!
Please tell me what kind of birdseed is in your feeders? Thank you!
Hi Martha, my husband gets Sunflower Hearts and Chips (Amazon link) so he doesn’t have to clean up the shells. Several brands are available. It is a bit more expensive than other blended bird seeds, but it brings in the pretty songbirds. We got some cheaper seed recently, and the birds wouldn’t eat it.
Thanks, Carole. I agree with your husband! I have such a mess under my feeders from the sunflower shells! The only good part is that I have lots of volunteer sunflowers popping up in surprising places! That’s delightful! I may try what y’all use. Thanks for the link.
Love your blog! I’m not a quilter, but I do love to garden and watch my birds and cook. We have much in common, most of all, our strong faith. I always send up a prayer for both of you when I read your fun and joyful words and pictures. Keep it up!
It is always lovely to see Spring arrive. Everything looks so much better!
Lovely work with the bee themed runner. Lovely fabrics.