Done

Back in 2000 I started piecing together a kaleidoscope quilt. I have been working on it on and off since then, with years going in between sessions where I worked on it. For the last three years or so it has been sitting in the top of the entryway closet with only one row left to quilt on it. I recently started going through closets and decluttering. One of the tasks was to take uncompleted projects and finally get them done. Stop adding to the fabric/yarn stash and actually make things with what I have. And since an unfinished quilt takes up a lot of room, it was a high priority. I finished the last block last week and only needed to bind it off. So since we were driving to Arkansas over Memorial Day I decided to take it along and finish binding it. Monday evening I spent the night getting the strips ready and pressed out. I got one side done on the way up, and the other done on the way back. I can finally say that it is finished. And what to do with it now? The Gnomeslayer has already laid claim to it, so it is going into her bedroom. Now on to the next project! I took the picture above while we were driving and the sun was bright. I tried to get a picture of the whole thing tonight but it's too dim. I plan to get some more tomorrow, but I had to crow about it tonight. :)

ETA - Here is the whole quilt and a close up on one of the stars. It's about a twin size, perfect for the Gnomeslayer's bed.

Who Are You And What Did You Do With My Plant?

Last year I ordered a Fulva Louisiana Water Iris from Bonnie's plants. It was a little slip of a plant when it came in, and it didn't bloom last year. This year it was going gangbusters, and started sending out a flower stalk. I was anxiously waiting for the bloom, because the pictures of the vibrant copper colored iris plant were so beautiful. Then as the bud started developing more, I thought that it looked a little dark, and sort of purplish. But I held out hope that maybe those were outer petals and it would still bloom. But alas, it was in full bloom yesterday, and it isn't the Fulva water iris. It looks to me like it is the Black Gamecock Louisiana Water Iris. I'm not terribly upset because I did like this iris too, but I liked the other one better. I even saw the black gamecock iris at Lowe's and thought about buying it, good thing I didn't. It really is a beautiful iris, the photo is close to the real color, but it still looks more purple. The flower really does look black from a distance. Hey, as long as it's blooming, I'm happy. :)

Home Again

We finally made it home, finally. We spent the weekend up at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. We had a great visit with hubby's parents, and The Gnomeslayer got to spend lots of time with her new playmates. I think Grandma and Papa were ready for a rest by the time we left. :) We hit the heavy storms in Nashville and made our way through carefully. It was one of the most nerve-wracking drives that we've been through in a while. So when we got home we had to do an inventory and see how everything made it through the storms. The picture above is the Guardian Larkspur in the rain garden. The colors on it are beautiful, almost like mother-of-pearl.

My 'Angel Face' rose finally bloomed. I love this rose, but it looks like part of the bush may be dead, so we'll see if it makes it. I love how delicate the blossoms look.
The siberian irises are in full bloom. Have I mentioned that I love siberian irises? I bought a bulk package of them a while ago, and they have been reproducing profusely. I have them everywhere now, but who wouldn't want to? :)

Time to go rest and decompress before work tomorrrow. I need a vacation from my vacation!