Blocks for a Fan DYB Round Robin

My blocks are ready to go out for the Fans DYB (Do your own block) Round Robin on CQI!   I debated long and hard about what colors to use.  For a long time, I was going to go with creams and greens ~ my trusty standbys, but then I saw some lovely blocks by Valerie Bothell that you can see here at her blog, Pink Bunny.  From that point on, I couldn't get the idea out of my head of doing black blocks with pink and green embellishment! 

What surprised me was how difficult it was to come up with 8 nice different black fabrics with textural interest.  So many black fabrics tend towards a brown undertone or are sheer in nature.  In the long run, I think I came up with a nice assortment of silk, chinese brocade, suiting fabric and some flocked denim.  Hope my stitching partners on this round robin don't hate me for the black as it can be rather difficult to see while stitching on black!   I may actually stitch my block before I send them out as I'm feeling really inspired!  

I'm also working on my CQJP 2014 block.  This is a 9" block that will get turned into a large pincushion!  The lace bits are old pieces cut from larger stained and damaged pieces.  It's nice that they can go on to live another life once the original purpose is no longer viable.

Yesterday I was so pleased to see some of the many bulbs I planted in the fall poking up through the ground!  

Today, they are buried under 8-9 inches of fresh snow!


The pile of snow on the terrace keeps growing with each new snowstorm.

Lots and lots of snow with more predicted tonight and again early next week!  I'm grateful to be home for this snowstorm and not having to make the long commute to work on snowy roads.  Speaking of work, there is the possibility that I will get to move to a day shift position in mid-February!  I would appreciate your prayers!