Signs of Spring 2015, and an Owl Pair are visiting

 These little jewels (above) have been visiting us, sporadically, choosing our evergreen tree.  They are not the least bit concerned with our presence.  One is larger than the other - we presume this is a male and female.  We have heard from neighbors that screech owls have been in this neighborhood for many years. 

These look like my tulips, planted in a sunny place.  It's somewhat early for spring here, but weather has been warm and balmy for the last 2 weeks.  We are in western Nebraska, at 4000 ft. elevation, so spring usually comes later than we would like. 

These are daffodils.  I was careful last year to NOT trim them back at all after flowering, as they were somewhat puny.  We'll see if that technique will improve them this year.. 

Clean drawers and TWO Owlickens!

Can I get some whoot-whoots here?  ALL of my fabric drawers are neat and tidy, for now anyway.  In the process I pulled some that were unloved, packed them in bags for the next quilty gathering, and they can find new homes.  I LOVE pulling out the drawers and feeling good about this small accomplishment!!!

Below - just playing with making 9 inch blocks. 

Yesterday at a funeral we sang a delightful old-timey song about coyotes and "Owlickens" -- a cross between owls and chickens!  (Something like that Jackalope critter in Douglas, Wyoming!)  That prompted me to look again at our pine tree today to see if Mr. Owl was there.  Yes, he's there, (center, bottom) but .wait ... there is a mate, Owl #2   I tried numerous  photos, but could not get them in the same one.  She's there, above #1, -- you can only guess if you are seeing her in the center, above #1 -- looking exactly like the pine tree bark.  This is most likely a mated pair.  Happy Day!!! 

RED, Owls, Friendship Stars

RED is done, washed, blocked, and folded and put away.  I'm pleased with how it turned out.  For the last scrappy border, I quilted a separate design in each chunk - for interest and practice.  Some of the designs are not good for entire quilts but I still like to use them, here and there -- good practice for me.  Some worked well, some not so great - oh well.  It gives the viewer something to look closer at (whoops, dangling preposition ...)  The triangles were kept in one consistent configuration.

For the record, this pattern is called Jewel Box, Buckeye Beauty, Blue Ridge Beauty and a few more.  It is among the easiest designs, can be used in a great variety of ways, producing remarkabley different end product.  Even now, I'm thinking it would be wonderful in blue!  It's about 65" x 75".

For Lori, in South Dakota, who asked about what fabrics I used.  I can't say I used anything specific, but do notice most of the reds are small scale, and the lights are creams and whites, some with bits of color in them.  This truly was scrappy - I didn't buy anything for the top.  A couple of the reds do NOT "go" but again, they are what gives the quilt character.



 And, once again, here is one of the screech owls.  I happened to be under one of them when it "erped" up a pellet.  Yes, I was the lucky victim.  We were fearful that the neighborhood fireworks would scare them off, but nope, they are still here.  (It seems that Kodak does not "fix" owl red eye - must be something about their eyes different than human eyes.  LOL) 

Here are some friendship stars our local quilt group is making for a quilt for RSVP, Retired Senior Volunteer Program.  The small bit of fabric in upper right is our focus fabric.  It was GREAT for a focus fabric but no longer looks good as a border.  I think we are making 120, 6 inch blocks, all scrappy. 

Our owl friends

They're baaaack!  8-))  A 4th one joined them soon after this photo.  It's about 8:30 pm, and dusky/dark.  They were not at all concerned by us peeking at them, nor the camera flash!  We finally went quietly out on the deck and sat down - our presence didn't bother them at all!  Astonishing how unafraid they are.  And what on earth do they want looking into the house???   Look at their intense staring - I need to check out a Birdwatching site to find answers!  Are they seeing their reflection? or light? or moths on the deck glass door?  They did a lot of looking UP.   Soon these 3, then 4, swooped away, and we saw the 5th one join them from another direction - we're happy to know they are still a whole family.  Their delightful head bobbing and circling must serve some practical purpose. 

This is Sunday evening.  Saturday night one was  sitting on the fence looking right back at us into the kitchen window, when we opened the window for night air.   We are blessed. 

RED - a work in process, and OWL update

Yesterday, I was able to get this quilt sandwiched, early in the morning, before the horrid heat.  Today is expected to be near 105 deagrees, so what am I doing, quilting!  LOL!

This design is so similar to one I frequently do,  but more carefree, lighthearted and "open".  It's kinda "posey-like".  Kinda like daisy, flowery, but still "cute."

Look at my backing!  Is this not over-the-top???  It was on sale, and the ONLY one that would "do", colorwise.  I am usually NOT a florally person.

 The quilting thread is a variegated redish/pinky and the thread on the back is a beigy white. Both are working well.

 
On another subject;  Happily, the OWLS  are still in the neighborhood.  Last night, as I was closing up the back door for the night, there were two "lumpy dark things" on the deck rail.  Yeppers, two of the little owls - they looked back at me with their lovely huge eyes, and their heads circling so humorously - I know it's silly, but I almost thought they wanted to "connect" with me!  LOL  I didn't want to scare them with my camera - sorry no photos.  They have also been spotted in another person's trees, nearby.  It's not hard to find them during the day if one just listens for other birds, (robins, jays,) who put up such a racket if the owls are roosting nearby.

Blessings Repeated

What on earth is that lumpy thing in the birdbath?

10:00 am - The Screech Owl has returned!!!   (red eye and all)

In the neighbor's tree - all clean and fresh!

 1:00 pm - Look closer - there are TWO at the top of the photo, and what is that at the bottom of the photo?

 Yes - this time there are three of them.  In the photo below, they are all huddled into one lump! 

What you cannot tell from the photo, is that these little critters are so small, so lovely and delicate - like little woodsy jewels.  It's now 4:30 in the afternoon, and they are still in the tree.  Sometimes they were sleeping, with eyes closed.  We could have reached out the touched - yeah, right -- if we were fools!  They were so close, and so unafraid.  We let them rest and sleep in peace.

6:00 pm - a FOURTH one has appeared!  They are all still in the tree, some sleeping, some watching.

Another pillowcase - Owls

Nothing too impressive today -- Just another pillowcase, but you know when you have some cute fabric like this, what are you going to do with it?  This is the perfect project!   I've made four different pillowcases, and they ARE somewhat addicting, being so cute!  Quilt Guild tomorrow and these will be donated.  Bye-bye!  These would make nice Christmas gifts for anyone.