What I've Been Working on all Winter: Quilting, Beading, Bible Journaling, and Rock Painting

This had to be the shortest winter ever!  Spring came early both on the calendar and in the weather.  We had a very mild winter which alarmed those worried about climate change but thrilled those who live in northern climates and who normally have to deal with brutal winters.  Usually around this time of year I'm tired of dealing with freezing cold and I still have a foot or two of snow on the ground.  This year it was 64 degrees outside yesterday and I was working in my garden.  However, to my friends who worry about climate change, I have to mention that weather is cyclical.  I had one of those "memory posts" pop up on my Facebook feed where I had posted NINE years ago how beautiful it was outside, in the sixties, and I was working outside in my garden.  It reminded me that yes, this weather is unusual, but it has happened before.

Winter is generally the time of year I get inside projects done because during the spring/summer/fall months I am too busy working outside.  I usually do one remodel project a year, but other than my upstairs hallway, I've pretty much repainted/remodeled my entire house now and nothing urgently needed to be done.  I thought about repainting my upstairs hallway this winter, but after just having hip replacement surgery in October, I thought it was best to set it aside for next year.  Painting my hallway is no easy task as part of it is in a stairwell and would require scaffolding to reach.  I'm not sure if my hip is ready for that task yet.

During October-December I was focusing on healing from my surgery, going to physical therapy/doctor appointments, and preparing/enjoying the holidays.  But once January rolled around I was able to work on some hobbies of mine till I could get outside once again.

Quilting

My first project to complete was a quilt.  I use to work at a fabric store and I started all these quilts while I worked there but I never finished them.  It's been a goal of mine to finish all these quilts.  I do one quilt a winter and I thought this was the last one and would you believe I found another one in my stash?  Ugh! So I guess next winter I will be finishing the last one.

For this log cabin quilt, my best friend was kind enough to come over and help me piece it together.  That saved a lot of time because I wasn't getting up and down from the sewing machine.  The squares were already done, they just needed to be sewn together.  

First we placed them on a clean floor in a "windmill" design.

Then my friend brought pieces of the quilt over to me to be sewn.  Working like this cut the time in half what it would usually take to finish a quilt top.  I was so grateful for her help!

I put the borders on and top stitched the quilt on my own.

For the back I used a collage material that coordinated with the colors on the front.  I actually like the back of the quilt better than the front. ha ha.

Here is how I have it laid on my bed.  I simply folded it in thirds and placed it at the end of the bed.  I don't like the "country look" of quilts so I did not want to fully spread out across the entire bed, but I do love quilts as an accent.  The colors in the quilt coordinate beautifully with the pillows that were already on the bed and they are also perfect for spring!

Bible Journaling

If you're wondering where my monthly bible journaling posts have gone it's because I haven't been doing it.  I think I stopped when I had my surgery because I couldn't get downstairs to my craft room, and then I just got busy trying to have a normal life again.  The top and bottom photos were the last two pages I completed.

I did however buy a Psalm coloring book to work on while I recovered from surgery.  I didn't have to have access to all the crafts in my craft room to work on the coloring book.  All I needed was the book and my coloring pencils.

This is a really cool book if you're interested in Bible Journaling but don't know how to start.  This book has the entire book of Psalms with a space to write your reflections under each psalm reading for the day.  There are also multiple pages to color scattered throughout the book. 

I purchased my book at a small business, but I'm sure you could easily find a similar one on Amazon.

Beading

Most of my beading projects start with broken jewelry.  As my inexpensive fashion jewelry breaks I throw it in my craft room and fix it when it starts to accumulate to a large pile.  But my daughter also brings over her broken jewelry.  She had a gorgeous vintage necklace that broke and for some reason I couldn't repair it so I ended up making three bracelets out of it:  one for me, one for my daughter, and one for my granddaughter.

My grandaughter also gave me a unicorn necklace that broke which  she received for Christmas.  The unicorn was on this flimsy cheap chain and I couldn't repair it, so I just made a whole new necklace for her just using the unicorn charm.  Mine turned out prettier than the original if I do say so myself 😀

Another friend gave me instructions to create a "Gospel Bracelet".  I was all excited to make one but I couldn't come up with a design that was attractive as it used such a wild assortment of beads, so I'm still thinking on that.  However in the meantime, I made a nautical bracelet using seashells, fish beads (that I purchased for the "Gospel Bracelet") and small turquoise beads.

Rock Painting

I've tried so many different styles of plant markers over the years and none of them seem to work for me for one reason or another.  I need plant markers for my vegetable garden at least until the plants are up and growing so I can identify them, and most importantly, to not disturb the soil if there is seed there.  I saw all these painted stone plant markers on Pinterest so I decided to give them a try.  I just started working on them, so I don't have a great photo of them.

They're super easy to make.  I just paint the rock white first.  I think white is the best paint color to use as it will stand out on top of my leaf mulch.  Then I draw the design in with a pencil and then I paint it and seal it with an acrylic spray.

Once I plant my vegetable garden, I will show the rocks as they look in the garden.

So that is all I've been up to this winter.  What projects have you been working on?  I'd love to hear from you!

Have A Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

 

The Columbian Park Zoo: The Perfect Small Zoo for Small Children

I have three grandchildren under the age of six and another one on the way.  My daughter and I have discovered that the small zoos are actually better to take children to than the large zoos.  Small children tire easily, and large zoos take all day to explore leaving the poor children exhausted.  Yes, you can just do a small portion of a large zoo at a time, but since most have hefty admission prices, you really want to get your money's worth and stay all day.  Small zoos on the other hand have just enough to peak a child's interest without overwhelming them.  It doesn't take all day to walk through a small zoo.  Usually one is done after just a few hours and then they can go home and take a nap.  So I'm a huge advocate for small zoos for small children!

Last summer we took the children and grandchildren to Lafayette Indiana to visit the Columbian Park Zoo.  What a fun adventure that was!

We were really impressed with all this zoo and park had to offer!

Our first stop was the "Australia" exhibit where we got to see wallabies, emus, a New Guinea singing dog, and a laughing kookaburra! 

What we liked most about this exhibit was how the wallabies wandered around freely, they were not caged in.  Guests are required to stay on the path, but wallabies can go wherever they want.  You can really see the animals up close this way.  There is an attendant in the area to make sure no one is harmed and everyone stays on the path.  

The rest of the Australian animals were behind a barrier of some sort but you still got a close look at them.

Our next stop was the "Butterfly Sculpture Garden" sponsored by Walmart.  Here you can go inside the shelter to see butterflies and chrysalis, but you can also tour their beautiful outdoor flower garden where you will also see butterflies, but fun, playful sculptures as well.

A butterfly we spotted inside the butterfly house.

My daughter and her ever growing family.

All the fun sculptures provided lots of photo opportunities!

I did spot this monarch on the butterfly bush outdoors.

The grandkids sure enjoyed climbing on all the fun garden art!

And the perfect garden sculpture to represent the butterfly garden!

Next up was "The Americas" where we saw prairie dogs, an eagle, barn owl, turkey vulture, porcupine, river otter, and a tortoise.

The grandkids had so much fun playing in the prairie dog exhibit.  They ran around in underground tunnels popping their heads up above ground just like prairie dogs do.

"Penguin Cove" was so much fun.  I don't know who found who more entertaining, the penguins or the grandkids.  The penguins were just as intrigued staring at the children on the other side of the glass as the grandkids were looking at them.  It was another fabulous exhibit where the kids could get really close to the animals.  You just don't get that experience at larger zoos.

The "Family Farm" exhibit made us feel like we were back in Wisconsin.  There was a barn that held farm animals like the llama  below.  They also had a miniature horse, goats, and a pot bellied pig.

You could buy tickets for 25c a piece to feed the goats, that is quite the deal!  You get a handful of seed for a quarter, and it doesn't last long as these critters are hungry!

There lots of farm architecture in this exhibit to make it really feel like you are on an actual farm, like this windmill and a real tractor.

The zoo had this fun peep board in the "Family Farm" area to take photos of your fun day.  I love the expression on everyone's faces!

After we finished the zoo portion of Columbian Park Zoo it was time to explore the rest of the park.  First:  a TRAIN RIDE!  Oh my gosh, Elisha, our youngest grandchild,  was so excited.  He loves trains.  It was so funny, because he was happy to just climb aboard and sit on it.  He had no idea it was actually gonna move! He started grinning ear to ear when the train started chugging along.

The park strategically placed animal statues along the train route.  The grandkids loved finding them and pointing them out.

The train made a circle around "Memorial Island".  It was a good length of track, just the right amount of time.  There was a cute realistic train station too.

After a picnic lunch, we explored the rest of the park.

We first went to "Memorial Island" which was built to honor the brave men and women of Tippecanoe County who gave their lives defending our country.

The island is beautifully manicured and well maintained.  There are stunning walking paths with bridges and views of the lagoon and gorgeous flower garden.  There are also memorials honoring the veterans.  This one was my favorite, it's called "Most Precious Offering"

There was a large amphitheater that is available to rent.

The pond had fountains in it with a view of the back of the parks and recreation building and the Rush Pavilion in the distance.

The lagoon was filled with ducks.  I loved all the flowers and the gazebo added so much charm.

Just look at the size of these Hardy Hibiscus flowers!

We just loved the beautiful historic charm of this building.

Just look at these gorgeous garden paths! Isn't that arbor just stunning!  And I love how you have constant views of the lagoon no matter where you go.

We did take a paddle boat ride but it wasn't that great of an experience for us.  The paddles were so close that we both had great difficulty paddling.  I hadn't yet had my hip replacement surgery so it was actually extremely difficult.  I would have turned around and gave up but I didn't want to disappoint the grandchildren so we muddled through.

Finally, I did want to mention they had quite a large playground area.  I only took the one photo below as I was busy keeping an eye on the grandkids.  The playground is really spread out, with different sections for different age groups and interests.  That was good, but bad at the same time because it's hard to keep track of three kids when they are all running to different sections at the same time.   But we all made it home healthy and alive. ha ha!

 If you're ever in central Indiana I highly recommend a stop at the Columbian Park Zoo.  They are open April 13 through October 5th.  The admission is hard to beat:  Children under 2 are FREE, everyone else is just $2.00.  You do have to pay extra for goat feed, the train ride, and the paddleboat, but those are all pretty inexpensive too.  Oh, and did I mention there is a water park too?  We didn't go to that as there was enough to do in the park already, but it sure looked fun!

Have A Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!