Bear Tracks

I have always loved to be at home and I am pretty good at entertaining myself. There are always so many ideas floating around in my head and settling on paper that I am never at a loss for something to do. I continue to work in my yard, cleaning up from the winter weather, getting everything ready for spring. I went to the garden center this morning.

This lovely dahlia caught my eye.

As did this one.

My son bought me two beautiful, blue ceramic flower pots for Christmas. I think the orange flowers will be perfect in those pots. Even though it is pretty chilly outside right now I think I will plant them in the pots and set them near the wood stove until I can move them outside.

Look at this happy little one! It is a miniature dahlia, a Dahlietta (how cute is that??). I bought three matching plants. I’m not sure what I will plant them in yet but I have time to figure that out. While they aren’t terribly fragrant the scent of the blooms and the dirt have me itching for spring!

I think I will clean off my stoop this afternoon and get the rest of my pots and window boxes ready for planting. It’s chilly out there but once I get moving it isn’t so bad.

I’ve also been busy sewing.

I used two batiks to make this table runner with classic bear paw blocks. They are small blocks, finishing at 3″, but I have always loved working with small pieces. I enjoy the challenge of working accurately.

I am still very new to free-motion quilting. I am a perfectionist and it is a challenge for me. I admit I picked out sections of the feathered wreaths several times. I think I am happy with how they turned out. After I finished the quilting I set the runner aside for a couple days. When I picked it up again I was rather pleased with how it looked.

This is a tiny block, measuring 3″ finished, and I love how the wreath fits perfectly in there!

I utilized Half-Square Triangle paper from Primitive Gatherings for the HSTs in the blocks. They make the process so easy and painless with no waste. I am a solid believer in them when I need to make a whole bunch of HSTs.

All you need to do when you remove the papers is cut off the tiny dog-ears sticking out on each side. Then, viola!! perfect HSTs!

The pattern is available here in my shop. If you hop over there have a look at all the patterns available. I’m starting to get a bit of collection piled up and there are plenty more on the way!

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Many blessings to you!

Michelle