Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Groundhog Day!

Well, it's official - six more weeks of winter. Apparently every groundhog in the country saw his shadow this morning! Too bad we don't have a Scarborough Scarlet or something because it's dark and grey outside. No sunshine here today - therefore, no shadows! Instant spring! Wouldn't that be nice?

What do you think Mimi?

"Meow! You guys really base your weather forecasts on a rodent? That's just plain dumb! Meow!"

Yeah, I guess you're right Mimi.

But if we are going to have six more weeks of winter, I am going to stay inside and sew. This month's UFO to finish is number 7. That's 'Chicken Soup' on my list. Here is a sneak preview.I still have some embroidery to do and then sandwich and quilt it. I hope I have the energy to finish it. When I looked at it closely yesterday, I noticed that I did this one all by hand - the applique, the sashing and even the borders. I have no idea when I started this one - perhaps 8 or 10 years ago! So much work has gone into this one. This really should be the month to finish it. But I am feeling somewhat guilty because I started a quilt with a friend in Japan. I have not had the energy to do anything on it for a long time. Sorry K! I think I will move our Yokohama/Toronto quilt to number 7 and move Chicken Soup to 7a.

The only thing I seem to be able to sew at the moment are these strip blocks. This is a warning! These things are highly addictive! I have made 61 of them so far. These are the four I made this morning. I think I will limit myself to four a day. I want to have 80 in total. That would make a quilt about 48in. by 60in. - big enough for a lap quilt. But who knows! I might not be able to stop!

I promised to take a photo of my stained glass lamp that I posted a couple of days ago. So here it is - taken yesterday when the sky was blue. The dark glass I used for the leaves is actually a translucent glass. I think it was antique glass. I love it because it looks dark, but when the light is on, it shines through and makes it appear light - a pretty aqua colour.And here is another lamp that I made. It has orchids all around it. This was the first lamp I ever made and I think it is still my favourite!


13 comments:

Barb said...

That Chicken soup is hilarous (did I spell that right)...where can I get the pattern?

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

No sunshine here today either, but we'll still have 6 more weeks of winter here anyway.

I love your orchid lamp. It looks like it would have been a lot harder to do with all of those gentle curves.

Pat said...

I love your lamps AND the adorable chicken soup project! And...I am totally ticked off at the groundhogs!!!!!

LizzieJane said...

I actually saw the sun today. I have to tell you it was really great. It does wonders for my mood. Love that chicken soup project. It is adorable. And those lamps are just beautiful Hetty. I'll try and send some sunshine your way.
x

the dutch purple rabbit said...

you make such lovely things.
go one and finish those ufo's

nynke

Unknown said...

Do you really think groundhogs know anything about the weather? ;-) I say spring should come early ....

quiltmom anna said...

You are one multi talented lady Hetty- I love Stain glass- One of my favorite shows on television is Antique roadshow and I love it when they have Tiffany glass on it.
I love the way that glass shimmers especially when it is iridescent glass. Your orchids are particularly stunning. I have never tried making stain glass -cutting the glass is a bit scary and using the soldering to bead even more so!!
Your chickens are truly funky- what fun it will be when it is finished and hung up.
Thanks for sharing your lovely pieces,
Regards,
Anna

Kaye said...

Hi Hettie, Barbara sent me to see your site and I really enjoyed it. You sure are a multi talented Gal. I absolutely LOVE the stained glass lamps. I would like to see some pictures of your woodworking.

Diane said...

The lamps are lovely. And I just love the look of the strip blocks. So colourful, I can just imagine that they are adictive. No two are alike so you must keep going to see what's next!

PaTcHwOrK jEnN said...

Love the lamps those are so cool! I love purple so the orchids are my favorite. I love the chicken soup too, can't wait to see the whole thing.

em's scrapbag said...

I do so love your lamps. The chicken soup quilt is very fun. And I agree strip blocks are very addictive.

dutchcomfort said...

Love that chicken soup quilt! Hilarious! And the string blocks are so pretty!

Rinie said...

I told you, you are an all-round artist. Those lamps are another example. And the chicken soup? You know, I don't like that soup but yours I might try.
And trust Mimi, she knows better than those rodents!