I made these blocks on a sunny Sunday afternoon in still-frozen Michigan, snug inside my studio. Although the “Big Lake” still has icebergs and the woods are still full of snow, there are a few brave shoots coming up in sunny spots. Hope, like crocuses, springs...

This is the only block I’m able to make this month. Too many other obligations. I’m not happy with the background I selected because it kind of kills the star center. Add it to the “pot”, please, and make someone else happy. The sun is out here, but we’re still buried in snow, Lake Michigan is iced over, and it is very, very...

I sent off my bead blocks today to new homes with Marie and Tracy. Today is a “finishing up” day to make space for a few green blocks.

This is how I used my “Stripe” blocks. By adding 4 of my own, I had enough for the “en pointe” setting. My daughter fell in love with it, so it will be her birthday present in May. My border is a new Carolyn Friedlander fabric; I had won a “giveaway” of her fabrics in a mini-charm pack and that led to a yardage of this fabric, which I think is perfect. Now it will go to my long-armer for her magic...

Here are my five blocks.  I’m glad other people like this color combination, but it isn’t for me.  So….. into the pot they go for the lucky...

I mailed blocks to Marie and to Peggy today.  Also sent a “bonus” block to Helen, who was so very hopeful but never a winner.  I think the sunshine today energized me…

My mailbox had a welcome visitor when I arrived home late last night — my last three striped blocks.  Tomorrow I will be playing on my design wall, I’ve lots of sketches on graph paper, and I still have no idea how I will put them together.

Celine’s lovely striped blocks arrived today from “over the pond.”  All the beautiful stamps on the envelope warrant a search for a young philatelist.  I’ll check with a middle-school teacher to see if he knows a worthy recipient.

My design wall is filling up with the wonderful striped blocks — received some more yesterday from Sophie, Margaret and Angie. I’m already puzzling about setting and the rectangular blocks are going to be really challenging. I can’t resist adding a picture of our frozen lighthouse —  A local photographer said “OK to share”.  I don’t know if this breaks the rules,...

Lake Michigan is frozen to the horizon — and so am I.  But the postman rewarded me with blocks from afar —  Laurina, Susan and Jo — two of you from down under!  Stay warm and keep on stitching.  

Today I slipped and slid down the hill to the mailbox, but the postman brought me more stripey blocks — from Karen, Kate and Debbie — making the trip altogether worth it.

I’ve been snowed in for a few days, but between Downton Abbey, a plentiful pantry,  and the chevron blocks, it has been...