Ms. Sunshine

This is Ruby this morning.  Like every other weekend morning, she follows this spot of sun around the living room to bask in as much of it as she can.  These photos are from my iPad - the best ones are from my camera but I'm too lazy to upload them :)

She has done this since she was quite young, and I am always taking pictures of her when she does it.  It's fun to play with the shadows, and I've gotten some beautiful shots of her.  Unfortunately, photos are on not only on my camera, but my phone and my iPad too.  I've been thinking about creating a PowerPoint show of all the pictures I can find of her enjoying the sun - just haven't done it yet. Soon.

Ruby does get a little annoyed with me and my camera laying on the floor and snapping away. Sometimes she gives me a look that seems to say, "Really?  Must you? Right Now?"

Other times she just turns and looks the other way, bored with the whole session. 

It's a weekend ritual for me to try to get another 'perfect' shot of her as she follows that spot around.  I think I find it funny because she only gets a tiny little piece of the sunshine.  This is what it looks like from my spot on the couch:

And here's the little window that one, small spot of sunshine comes from:

Such goofs, aren't we?

A Little Quilting

After all that doily tatting, I'm taking a little break to finish a lap-sized quilt.  This is a fun, secret project for my oldest daughter's boyfriend - he's turning 30 this summer.  A significant birthday, and the first of my kids to hit this one. With all of the wedding plans for my youngest daughter, he'll never suspect anyone is even thinking of his big day - which is just 2 weeks before the wedding.

I tell this young man that he is going to turn into a fish. If he's not working, he's usually fishing. Summer or Winter.  Cold or Hot.  He doesn't care, he just loves to fish.  

So, it was only appropriate to find some FISH fabric.  

Now I'm questioning my choice to add so much of that very light fabric.  I won't go back and change it, it really looks fine.  I'm just kind of wishing I would have used a little less of it. It does add some contrast! What do you think?

I'm adding a border of wonderful matching colors, and then it will be off to the quilter so I can get it back in time to add the binding and tuck it away until August.  Then I'll be ahead of schedule, and can get back to tatting and wedding planning stuff.

WIOSNA 2015 - Round 10

A great round!  Relaxing, easy tat, and a wonderful round to use the variegated thread again.  I am pleased with the way the colors are coming together - I have a tendency to be kinda picky about colors.  I guess we all have very individual and unique opinions on what colors we prefer to use!  I notice this often in quilting as well.

Even though this round was easy, it took about 8 hours.  I do love the variegated threads, but I can see how one has to be careful when using them.  There are times when it throws the shape or balance of the doily off, and I do a double-take thinking I made an error somewhere.  I'm probably just scrutinizing too closely!

The last round is going to take me awhile!  It's a biggie, but it will be beautiful.  I'm thinking pink rings and white chains.  Or should I do solid white to match the inner round?  I may have to experiment a little to see what looks best.  On with the grand finish :)

WIOSNA 2015 - Round 9

Finally!  Halla-frickin-loo-yah!  Ta Da!

Excuse my excitement :)

Feels like it took forever to get this round done.  

Actually, it took 12 hours and 50 minutes.  

Yep.   F. O. R. E. V. E. R. 

I'm not particularly proud of my tatting on this round, but it really is a nice addition - definitely adds something appealing to the overall look.  It's going to need a good washing and re-blocking when it's complete though, I've been spraying each round with my 'Best Press' so that everything lays nice and flat for tatting the next round. [Fussy, fussy!]

When I was taking these photos, I noticed how the doily matches my Easter tablecloth and the thread on one of my eggs.  I guess I really associate that Springtime Lizbeth with Spring!

I was watching for a place to add that variegated thread again, and I think the next round will be the perfect place to do it.  Now I'm anxious to get going on it - I think it will be a more enjoyable, relaxing round.  And quicker.  Maybe? 

STILL on Round 9 . . .

. . . but, I'm OK with that!  It's coming along, just taking some time.

After reading Muskaan's tips and contemplating how to continue, I decided to stick with the direction I was going and plug away.  Stubborn Scandihoovian that I am, I finally got myself into a groove and am happily tatting for a little bit on this round each evening. I don't know if what I'm doing is the "correct" way to tat, but it's looking good enough for me.  (Is there really one "correct" way to tat?)  Renulek said it was a difficult round when she posted it, but that it would be worth it - so I'm trusting her.  And have you seen all her Easter eggs?  Just beautiful.  Someday I would like to make just one as beautiful as hers!

I really dislike being "behind" on this  - I was hoping to keep up with this doily each week, but I knew it would be difficult to do as these last few rounds got so large. This is probably why it's good for me to only have one round to concentrate on each week - I hate feeling like I'm not accomplishing what my mind thinks I "should" be!  My mind and my time don't always agree.

My day job is entering the busy season, and my daughter's wedding is coming up fast.  I also have a quilt top that needs to get done before mid-May.  So many things to get done and keep organized - but I seem to be at my best when I have a schedule with deadlines.  I like to plan my time and stay on track - and I really don't like to over-schedule either.  Very particular, I am!