Evolution of Sue's Quilt

My sister's much loved childhood quilt (originally made by our maternal great grandmother) recently bit the dust - I did a wall hanging and a heart shaped pillow from the scraps (see post of 24 January 2020 and and 6 February 2021), but felt more is needed...

So I found a flying geese foundation pattern that feels like a 21st century update on this quilt, however, 

Even the wadding was falling apart!

. . . I did not appreciate just what is involved. Each of 40 squares has 16 tiny pieces of fabric ... so I started planning in January (after the idea formed from a Christmas gift quilting book) selecting the fabric and gathering supplies.

Then on to learning foundation piecing. Just follow the lines or so they say and work away steadily - so far I have done 11 blocks -two of which contain pieces of the old quilt.

Are you getting the idea? Watch this space (fingers crossed).

And lastly, the May TBBG basket weaving challenge around a utensil! Mine was an old potato masher.

Sea and Spring Break Creatures

Across the state on the East Coast this surfer and giant manta ray were captured by Rusty Escandell of Satellite Beach. Manta rays can grow up to 5,300 pounds with a wingspan of 29 feet. They are among the largest fish in the world, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and are found in offshore waters from 66 degrees F (19 C). For smaller rays, be sure to do the stingray shuffle - but these mantas have no sting and are sometimes called 'sea angels.'

See comments on my last post to learn about the antics of this young Thames sea pup named Freddy. He has a tag so a bit is known about him. Mary Tester of Mortlake has been keeping an eye on Freddy and took this photo near Hammersmith Bridge. But sadly he was later killed by a dog being walked off leash.

Yup, it's that time of year when the [college] hordes descend upon our beaches and party like no tomorrow - which for some may be the case as they are avoiding all COVID advice  . . .

With Spring Break, the state's COVID positivity rate saw an uptick to 8.8 percent and 40 counties are in "red" high transmission areas, the White House said. 15 April 2021 data.

But by early May, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill banning COVID-19 vaccine passports and declared all local emergency orders related to the pandemic suspended as of  Monday 3 May 2021. Admittedly the FL COVID inflection rate has dropped below 5%/1.0 R0 rate, but DeSantis was out front of the CDC guidance.  Hey ho, even I have grown weary of keeping up with COVID.

New style beach tents ..  and a metal detector operator in the top left.

We are entertained with the 
NERF Vortex Aero Howler

Isn't this gorgeous - another talented friend!

and at last I finished this one ...

and made this one for UK church friends ...