Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Strawberries and Blocks

What a busy couple of days I've had! There has not been much stitching going on in this house, and I'm kind of feeling withdrawal setting in! There may not be much quilting today either, as I'm working at the quilt store this afternoon, and hubby gets home this evening. Anyways, I just thought I'd share one of the things I got up to yesterday.

I planted some more strawberries. We love strawberry jam in this house, and for a little while I've been making my own. We don't have lots of space for tons of plants, so I freeze the strawberries as they ripen, and when I have a lot of them I make up a batch of jam. This year our plants were past their prime, so I purchased some new ones a couple of weeks ago, and they have been going gangbusters! So I purchased six more on Monday and yesterday morning planted them out. We have the most houdini-like blackbirds you ever saw here, so Marty has rigged up this 'cage' with watering system pipe and a fruit net, and so far we've been able to keep the birds out. They are fruit bandits and must watch the fruit, while it's unripe it's safe, and the very second it's ripe 'boom' it's gone!

I did manage to get a little something done yesterday, but not much. I cut the half square triangles I need for the blue and cream blocks. 120 of them! I managed to sew about half of them together. I may do some more this morning if I get the chance. I'm just amazed at how fast people like Bonnie and Judy must be able to sew ... I think I get distracted easily ...

Amy asked yesterday about the blocks and their 'diet block' status ... ummm ... it's like this ... they clearly weren't working as inspiration so I'm just gunna make them! Ohhh, and she asked about the long story ... I promise I'll tell you tomorrow, this post is becoming like a thesis ... I worry now that it just won't be that interesting *lol*

Thank you so much to everyone for your kind, thoughtful and inspirational messages. I'm so sorry I haven't been able to respond to everyone individually, but please know they all mean so much.

Have a great day x o x.

10 comments:

Hedgehog said...

One the first things I did when I got to Finland last summer was to buy a huge tray of strawberries and made jam! I hadn't done it since I was a kid and it came out pretty well. Love your net to keep out the birds!

Anonymous said...

We've been pigging out on strawberries here, they don't last long enough to make jam. I love the netting - great idea for keeping the birds away.

Clare said...

Huge congrats on the quilt prize. Kids - why do they do these things to us! Love the carnival photos and your new kitchen is lovely!

Hugs

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh the thought of strawberries and strawberry jam is making me sooo hungry! Mmmmmm!

Anonymous said...

At least you are still inspired to make the blocks at all!

ForestJane said...

But how do YOU get under the netting? Do you have to crawl, or is it easy to peel back?

Good progress on your blue and cream quilt - I'm a slow sewer too, so I have lots of empathy!

Susan said...

Were you the one rewarding yourself with sewing on the blue and cream blocks when you lost weight? That would make it take more time, because it doesn't fall off as quickly as it goes on!

Yum, strawberry jam! My children didn't realize until they were teenagers that not everyone had to make their own jam, that some people got it from the store. They didn't like that kind, though. Not enough fruit in it!

YankeeQuilter said...

Strawberries are one of my favorite things! I'm hoping to be able to get some into the garden here at the new house.

I am also a "slow" piecer. I know it is because my favorite part of quilting is picking out the fabric, playing with the fabric, looking at new fabric...piecing is sort of incidental...

Sio

Finn said...

Hi Tazzie, your jam making sounds perfect. It's better to have enough to make a full batch than having the mess for many small batches! How about if we all pop over for tea and scones with your fresh jam??? *VBG* That would be such fun!
And you are making great progress on your project list. All but one is amazing!! Hugs, Finn

Anonymous said...

cutting 120 HSTs counts as lots of quilt related work, at least to me!

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