Thursday, July 08, 2010

We're having our first heat wave of the year right now. We've been very cool here this spring and early summer . . . cool for the Pacific Northwest, even. As few as 4 days ago, the heat in the house was still coming on early mornings and nights. I kid you not! We were in the 60's and drizzly rain for the 4th celebration. It's said that summer doesn't start around here until after the 4th of July, so we're right on schedule. Because now summer has finally arrived. Yesterday we hit 87* F, and today and tomorrow we're supposed to be 90* or more.

I've been out watering the yard the last few days, so my new little plants don't croak in the unusual heat. So, I thought I'd take some photos while I was out there.

Here's my 6 foot tall Foxglove. This was taken at eye level! I think it's the tallest one I've ever had. This was a wonderful volunteer plant. Foxgloves grow wild all over here, and almost all of them are this color.

Here is one of the last two rhody blooms for the season, both of which are on the same plant.

Here is our terrarium that we planted last year. I thought I had put a picture of the start of this on the blog last year, but I can't find it. So you'll have to trust me when I tell you that this is thriving! That fern is about 3 times the size it was last year. I wish all my ferns grew that fast! We have a wonderful woodland-type back yard, and all the plants we put here are from our yard.


I've been busy sewing on my challenge, and finally have the center all put together. I still think putting all those crazy pieces together is the hardest part. This is pretty close to the true color, which is a deep red-purple. The lighter batik is pale violet.

Now I'm starting on my borders. I had a hard time making up my mind what to do for the borders. I decided to go with this design because I think these kind of echo the shape of the O's in the words and also are kind of a button shape, which will echo the buttons I'm going to embellish this with. Three more to go.

I have one week to finish this, so I'm trying to sew like crazy and not panic. It's too hot to be in the quilt studio until late in the afternoon, as it's on the east side of the house, which has no shade. And we have no air conditioner, as we only need it a few days a year. So, my studio time is limited. There may be some late nights going on around here. Wish me luck!

8 comments:

  1. How fun! I'm putting a word on the quilt I'm piecing right now. I"m so glad to have participated in that challenge. We are just getting the hot weather over on the west side. Things are going to take off in the yard this week!

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  2. The foxglove is unbelievable! Never saw one before and it is so pretty.

    I like the border! Very cool! Can't wait to see the finished quilt.

    We live on a hill, and we were assured when we bought the house, there would be no need for A/C as there is always a breeze. Well, I beg to differ. It was 102 degrees in my quilting studio yesterday and I didn't venture in there to check the temp today! Enjoy your heatwave while it lasts. As for me, I'm done with it!! We might get a break tomorrow. My daughter lives in a 5th floor walk up in NYC without A/C. She told me everything she touches in the apartment feels hotter than her body temperature. I am sure it really is.

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  3. Hi,
    I love the letters and the border looks like it will be perfect.
    I do love that foxglove ... I haven't had so much luck with them here, we also are in a heat wave and with high, high humidity. It feels like a bath tub outside.
    Thunderstorms soon to clear the air.
    Very best wishes,
    Barbara

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  4. Wow! Your foxgloves are amazing! Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Your foxglove is gorgeous. Ours are usually white or a dusky pink but your lilac one is stunning. I love the way they seem to glow in the dusk. Glad you're having some summer, we're expecting 30C plus this weekend too.

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  6. I love the color of your foxgloves! Your button quilt is great. I like what you have planned for the borders.

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  7. Yikes- yes it's hard to sew when it's that hot, and I do have a/c! Only in my sewing room though. I feel sick every time I go downstairs to fix food. Hope it cools off a bit for you so you can get this darling quilt done! I love the borders.

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  8. Luck and luck! I love the quilt and your flowers are lovely, great photos, I can almost smell the flowers

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