The bluebirds have landed and the popcorn ritual...

All the bluebirds are stitched on the anniversary quilt. Once I finish the foliage I can start on the embellishment in earnest.  I have a large collection of my most special treasures saved for this piece.

I have the dubious talent of turning a simple project into something complex and time consuming.  I had planned for just two birds and now I have 8. Now I want the foliage by the birds similar to  the foliage in the focal point which will mean about 400 French knots.

But for a couple days it is going to get a good stretch and rest on this foam thing I found in the barn..

It is something left from days we had a booth and it folds.. It opens quite large which is great as this piece is too large for my bulletin boards.  Sorry about the lighting.

Our dogs love popcorn and my husband has preparing it down to a fine art and he shares with the dogs.  They eagerly watch while he is popping it and the minute he sets 2 paper towels on the floor, they position themselves and wait... They each get a few kernels in turn until it is all gone.  They wait patiently for their turn and stayed glued to their spot...

Handsome Downy and lovely frame....

I kept a camera by the window today trying to catch a good shot of a downy woodpecker.  I have painted the red-shafted flicker and wanted to do the downy, the smallest woodpecker we have... It is so darn cute!!!  But is was perpetual motion and this was the best shot.  But it's good enough to paint from...

The quilting frame arrived today and after a few minor repairs and adjustment I put the quilt on it and am ready to go.... In the 70s I used to make a lot if sane quilt and really the only part I enjoyed was the hand quilting... So I am looking forward to this tomorrow when the morning light is good.   I still can't believe my good fortune to have a quilting frame turn up on my door step when I needed it.  I will do my cottage quilt on it also..

And not that I needed it I did get another good rabbit shot...  And that is snow you see.  It was 20 F this morning and snow.