Getting tired of seeing this quilt? Well, the center area has all been quilted in the ditch, and today I moved to the inner border. I haven't decided a quilting design for the wider border as yet, but am thinking of something feathered. With all those square blocks, I think it needs something with softer lines.
Norie came by on Tuesday with a big supply of mulberry leaves, harvested from her neighborhood.
With the supply piled high on their heads, the silkworms ate huge amounts, took another break and have now started their fourth instar.
I think this is the fastest progress I have ever seen in years of keeping these critters.
At least I don't have to worry about feeding them for the rest of the week.
This week has been a bit cooler, and the rainy season is predicted soon.
If I were blind, I think I could still find my front gate by smell alone.
In February it was the blooming plum. Then it was followed by the Sweet Daphne.
My neighbor's hydrangea is a big mountain of blue, and my little one in a pot is blooming for the first time in many years.
The lilies are getting ready for a master performance with a huge bunch of buds at the top of a six-foot stalk.
Tomorrow I am looking forward to a quilt show.
Hopefully, at this one, the names of the quilters will be added in English as well as Japanese.
Gardenias, beautiful scent, and gentle blooms. Your quilt is looking wonderful. I do like the border.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first year I can recall that those gardenias were not chewed by caterpillars before opening, They seem very happy. I am hoping as I work toward the edge, the wrinkles in the backing will work out in a few places.
ReplyDeleteSilk worms! How interesting. How long do you keep them and what do you do with them besides feed them?
ReplyDeleteAfter six instars, they make cocoons. Those are boiled and un-wound to get the silk, but I am not into producing silk, so let them hatch, mate, and lay eggs for next year. The caterpillars go with me to school for the kids to watch and learn what happens when something, that looks wild, is gradually removed from nature over thousands of years until it can no longer care for itself. In an age where we more and more rely on devices to find our way and others to produce our food, and systems to deliver our water and power, there is a lesson to be learned.
DeleteSilkworms are a great pet to keep, no cleaning up after them. Love your quilt and never get tired of seeing it's progress.
ReplyDeleteUnlike Nikko, they don't leave hair or anything on the floor. When they finish their meal, they don't go hunting around the kitchen for more, they just sit patiently and wait for more leaves to be tossed on their heads. AND, you do not have to sign on to their care for years and years.
DeleteYou have made great progress on your quilt. Soon it will be completed and you can start making a Partnership block! I am still thinking what I will do.
ReplyDeleteThere is a gardenia in my neighborhood and the fragrance spreads the whole street down. Wonderful!
Yes, I am still thinking about that partnership block. Cardinals don't use bird houses. I could switch to a Tit or a Wren....
ReplyDeleteI ran into Ueno-san at the Yokohama quilt show and she asked if I had come with you. It was a good show. Now I may have to put up a few posts, as most names were in English.
Great progress with the quilt.
ReplyDeleteAnd the silkworms are amazing with their growth. So fascinating to watch.
Enjoy the quilt show.
With this new system of no comments coming to e-mail, I'm sure there are lots of messages being missed. I keep hoping blogger will fix this. The silkworms began to spin yesterday, Now about a quarter of them in the process.
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