Log Cabin Domesticity

I started piecing the tops for these pillows about 6-9 months ago using the wonky, log cabin method. Two of the pillows were completed yesterday with a sewing friend (a perfect way to spend a slightly overcast spring break afternoon). Even though both of us usually have our cameras ready for "process documentation," we were both so engaged with sewing and conversation that we forgot about photography. My friend Sarah made a snazzy, string-pieced shoulder bag from an online tutorial that I had used earlier in the week with single pieces of fabric.

These cases have envelope backs. Instead of quilting the tops with a layer of batting and muslin, I used a single layer of flannel to give the illusion of quilting and to protect the inside seams while washing. I machine quilted them with a random, square spiral from the outside edge to the center.

I still have several other wonky, log cabin pillows to finish for other rooms in the house. These live in the kitchen on some old, painted-red wicker furniture that has seen better days but is now cheered up with squares of color and fresh fabric. The knitted log cabin blanket for which I'm still weaving in ends (photo below from some outside knitting earlier in the week) will also find a home with these pillows.

From My Son

from my son on St. Patrick's Day

More Looking

Yesterday afternoon after our trip to LeFleur's Bluff, we had fun with binoculars closer to home in the front yard. Looking up into the trees against the gorgeous, blue sky, we spied a squirrel's nest. Two juvenile squirrels were wrestling on the branch outside of the nest until the parents started barking to warn them that we were all watching them. I brought out my mother's dusty binoculars.

If you look closely at the photo of the binoculars, you can see my reflection taking the photo. I like this image of lens to lens, so I may try to re-capture it in some better light and without the dust.

After the photo shoot, I settled in with some knitting on a blanket that was started last summer at the pool. The colors will go well with the little white and purple flowers starting to spring up in stretches of grass.

Looking

We were looking for birds, but we found other interesting things along the way like this textured tree bark, spring flowers, fossilized shells, and turtles sunning on logs. The binoculars came in handy for the turtles and for a robin high up in the trees. I wish I had brought a magnifying glass or a loupe to examine the tree bark and the flowers more closely. As it was, I only had the lens of my camera.

Education Photography: Reading

Reading good books-- ones we freely choose to read-- is one of the best things we can do to keep learning and growing throughout life. With spring break approaching, I am making sure that my students and children have good books to read during their week of freedom. And me? Yes, I have a stack by my bed, too. Do you have some spring reading planned?

Open

dusk, night, and next day rain

Opening

morning, mid-morning, noon, and afternoon:

opening to spring and new possibilities