Daffodillies

daffodils, a photo by lalitaliving on Flickr.

A friend gave me these beautiful sunny daffodils and my daughter has been singing this song:

Spring is coming, Spring is coming,
birdies build your nest,
weave together straw and feather,
doing each your best.

Spring is coming, Spring is coming,
flowers are waking too,
Daisies, lilies, daffodilies,
Now are coming through.

Spring is coming, Spring is coming,
All around is fair,
Shimmer, glimmer on the meadow,
Joy is everywhere.

W.I.P - Spring is here!

Nature's got her own W. I. P!  We've already had a couple 80 degree days here in Central Texas. Flowers are blooming everywhere.  Here's the view under the tree in our front yard.

I've already done a bunch of Spring cleaning!  It's been so long since I scrubbed our bathroom baseboards with a toothbrush.  How satisfying that was! I also cleaned out my baking cabinet and found some items that I forgot I had, including some ceramic apple shaped ramekins.  They would have been perfect in Autumn!

I'm in the process of finishing a quilt that I started when my daughter was 8 months old.  I still have quite a way to go (making more blocks, picking a backing, sashing etc.)  Since it's been such a long time, I feel like I am learning to do everything all over again.  Do you have a favorite way to quilt or know much about the "quilt-as-you-go" technique?  I would love to hear your thoughts.  I would like to finish the quilt before Summer.

Here's what I have so far:
8 Grandmother's Fan blocks ( put 4 together to create a flower center)
4 Log Cabin
4 (made with triangles - don't know the pattern name)
4 Simple 9 patch
8 Flip and Stitch half blocks (top and bottom diagonal borders of central flower)

My mother and I took the quilt class together to learn many different techniques, so the quilt is more of a sampler.  She's given me her finished blocks for which I am very thankful! I plan on using a natural fiber batting.  I'm still not sure whether to use cotton or wool or even the newer cotton/bamboo blends.  The finished quilt should cover a twin bed.

Besides the quilt, I'm also working on a Lady Spring needle felted doll for our Spring nature table.
Here's some fairies that me and my little miss made recently.  They still have super long braids while our lovely locks got more than a trim on mother/daughter haircut day.

I'm also thinking of some simple way to celebrate Gaura Purnima this year.  It is one of most special Vaisnava holidays that happens on a full moon around this time in the Spring.    I may make some moon shaped cookies,  Bengali food and go to a kirtan the night before being led by the Mayapuris while they visit Austin.  Another fun festival is Holi - where there is a lot of merrymaking by splashing bright colors on others in a playful mood.

Hope your Spring is blossoming nicely!