Warm wooly blocks for cold winter days

Although we have officially passed the first day of Spring, we've continued to see some off and on snowstorms. Just two days ago, we had a storm that resulted in several inches of wet, heavy snow. Today, however, the sun is shining, and the day looks more like the last day of March. Here are a few images from my around back yard during the past week.

Before we turn the calendar page to April, I thought it might be fun to share some of my warm and wooly creations from this past winter. Some of my past posts have featured some of my Row by Row creations. The group that sponsors the Row by Row event of the summer also sponsors a Wooly Block Adventure event in the fall. Because fewer shops participate in this event, the sponsors spotlight patterns from two or three shops on their website every other day. "Woolies," as they like to call their followers, can download these patterns for free during this spotlight period. Most participating shops also offer kits of their patterns for sale during this fall event as well. 
To get to the point of this story, I followed along during October and November when the patterns were featured. In the spirit of true confession, I also did my fair share of ordering kits. This meant that I also had plenty of explaining to do as multiple packages were arriving in the mail (well, not really that much). At the same time, it was rather fun to come home and find packages waiting on the kitchen counter for me.
During the past 5 months, I've had two trips to Asia. Wool projects travel very well and are a great way to pass the time on these long extended trips. I also need to take care to discipline myself to use stitching time as a reward for completing other work-related tasks first.
Here are a few of the blocks. Not all are fully complete with the added embellishments. Just the same, I thought they would be fun to showcase.
These sunflowers are from The Quilter's Lodge in Draper, Utah. This is a delightful shop with rooms that can be used for a quilting retreat. 

This little hummingbird is from Piecemakers Quilt Shop in Hackensack, Minnesota. The flowers in this block reminded me of our hanging baskets from last summer that attracted several hummingbirds.

I purchased this block kit in honor of my daughter who is quite a fan of bees. This block is from Danner's Bernina Shop in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

As I have mentioned in several other posts, I love sheep. This block is from Calico Patch Designs in Morehead, Kentucky. 

The chickadee block featured at the top of this post is from Primitive Gatherings in Racine, Wisconsin. We enjoyed watching a number of chickadees at our bird feeder this past winter.

Just as we are coming out of a literal season of winter, I also seem to be coming out of a bit of a figurative season of winter with some of my work projects. I've needed to remind myself that just as the literal seasons do not last forever so also these figurative seasons do not last forever. These verses from Isaiah remind us of God's faithfulness to accomplish his purposes.

"Remember the former things long past,

For I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is no one like Me,

Declaring the end from the beginning,

And from ancient times things which have not been done,

Saying, 'My purpose will be established,

And I will accomplish all My good pleasure';

Calling a bird of prey from the east,

The man of my purpose from a far country.

Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.

I have planned it, surely I will do it.

Isaiah 46:9-11