Sunday 12 April 2020

Forever Saturday, Spring Stitcheries, Free Patterns

It is not unusual for us to not know what day of the week it is or to not have to be anywhere for three days in a row. But even for us this is going on so long we are in a suspension-like state I'm calling forever Saturday.

 So this happened...the virus is now in our little town, notably one of the senior's homes has been hard hit.  Since the virus is in Ottawa and the surrounding towns, it made sense it was here too. Just a matter of time.
 In the meantime, we are comforting ourselves as much as possible in our own little wooden house bubble. The only thing we can control is how we spend this time so we are doing our best to keep busy and sort of productive.  
A new puzzle and just look, no snow in the back yard as of today! 
 Pussy Willows have blossomed...this too, weeks earlier than last year.  I'm surprised because we haven't had that much warmth or sun. And the two days of flurries this week didn't dampen their opening. I hope to get out and about more with my camera in the coming days. Ducks are on the pond again and I would love to get some photos.
My time this week has been spent on two projects mostly.  It is nice to look again and up close at the pretty fabrics that went into the baskets. I chose this photo because I loved to see a ray of sunshine last week. I'm using Sulky variegated thread in pale pinks, blues and creams to hand quilt a line around each. I'm working on the fourth panel now.
Meanwhile I downloaded a new basket pattern. This one offered for free from the talented and generous Michelle at Michelle Ridgeway Designs. She is calling it Basket Case and I got the bright idea to use it as a way to use up scraps. I shrunk the pattern till it was 4 inches and got out my tote of scraps.  Didn't take me long to figure out I did not have enough scraps large enough to accommodate even this size. However I did find this little pile in an old biscuit tin so I could start with these but maybe not as I think I readied these squares for something else. That'll come to me later. Never mind, I've got lots of fabric and perhaps this week will be a beginning for this anyway. 
I finished another Flower Garden block  from Melva Loves Scraps free pattern. I'm using freezer paper and a ladder stitch to join the pieces.  I changed my mind about red centers and am testing out yellow.  These are scraps from a deconstructed shirt and are a very pretty shade of yellow. Or maybe different coloured centers for all of them.  Decisions.
 My second turned out better because I didn't pull the stitches quite as tightly.  When hand stitching, I'm conscious of keeping a certain tautness to make sure the cloth will hold together in the end. Mustn't overdo it though.
It is Easter Sunday; this whole weekend was very important to us when growing up. A lot of church going was involved and it kind of marked the official start to spring. Today I hung up my Spring project from the past, In the Garden of Contentment...patterns by Allie at Allie Oops Sweet Happy Life.  I plan to hang a couple more this week.
Happy Spring and how's it going in your Forever Saturday world??
Always a treat to link with all the slow stitchers at Kathy's QuiltsLife in PiecesHome Sewn By UsQuilt FabricationThe Needle and Thread NetworkPowered By Quilting and Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.

38 comments :

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

we too are having a hard time remembering what day of the week it is- we are not regular evening tv watchers and I have no idea which show is on which nights anymore since recording shows and streaming is how so many do that now. I have two clocks in the house that have the date and the day on them and that is how I know which day of the week it is. I'm trying to finish the yarn and crochet projects already started before I start a new yarn project. Same with quilting I am trying to concentrate more on finishing one top this upcoming week and keep quilting at the frame in the evening. Soon I will get my hexie project box back out as that will be a good one to work with on the porch as soon as the weather starts to warm up - I have a feeling where some of the people will start going back to work gradually next month at some point I think a lot of the 60+ will continue to stay home for awhile - I know that I do not want to get sick. It is getting tiring - but hopefully next month or so the parks will reopen and walking can be done by the lake again or the nature trails.

loulee said...

I too am not sure sometimes if it's thisday, thatday, or theotherday. But I'm enjoying my days.
Your Garden of Contentment is very pretty. Have fin with your baskets.
Sadly, once this virus gets into an older folks residence, it seems to go right through. We have been lucky here in NZ, the Government acted very quickly and locked us down. We are cautiously optimistic.... Watch this space.
Stay home and stay safe.

Jenny said...

It's so sad to hear that the virus has entered a local senior's home. The same thing has happened here, with residents from a couple of rest homes getting sick. So sad, as they are all elderly frail people. Even more reason to stay home and stay safe in our own little bubbles. Finally we have managed to get a time slot for a grocery delivery, that took multiple tries, and is a week till delivery! Strange times for all of us. Do take care keep stitching, and perhaps a little baking too, to lift your spirits.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Wishing you and yours a Happy Easter.

CathieJ said...

I have to remember what day it is as I have to teach online two days a week! It is still hard to do though. I have puzzles, crafts and baking happening many other days. I love all the projects you are working on. Happy Easter.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

We all seem to be in the same boat regarding days of the week! They definitely seem to kind of mush together. I love your basket project, and always enjoy getting a glimpse of what you're working on. It has been snowing here off and on all day and only in the 20s - things were starting to get green and bloom - this may take us backwards a little bit!

Brian's Home Blog said...

Your quilts are sure pretty!!! I hope those poor souls in the nursing home come through okay, it's really scary for them. Stay safe up there.

retdairyqueen said...

Oh that is scary that this virus has reached your town
Stay safe and enjoy your stitching
Some lovely quilts and works in progress I love Michelles designs and have to say I have had the pleasure of meeting this lovely lady in person on two occasions

Julierose said...

We have had cases now in our town also; so, staying home is our only option...
I have been trying to get my sewing mojo back but it is elusive...these days nothing feels right...But so far we are healthy, so I am grateful for that...

Your little baskets are some of my favorites....so pretty...
HAPPY EASTER, ~ ~ ~ Waving from below Julierose

Jennie in GA said...

Admiring all of the lovely things that you are working on to get through these endless Saturdays.

Annemiek said...

When the virus reaches your honetown and it affects the people you know it is for real. I live in Holland and my collegue was infectered during ski holiday in february 28. She was the second in Holland. As we work in a hospital (facilities) from that day on we are only working for the virus. Half the building is empty. Only nursing departments are in full service. Sometimes i work from home but that is not always possible. But i am happy to be fit, so are my loved ones and i enjoy the easter days. Yesterday was sunny but today it cold luckely we have our quilting. Stay safe, enjoy your garden.

Lynn said...

Hope you have enough supplies to stay home for 2 weeks + your puzzles, baskets and stars should keep you busy. Stay safe and enjoy nature through your window.

Eva H. said...

Jocelyn,I wish you a nice days.This Easter time is so sad.I don´t decorated eggs,don´t bake so many sweets as in all ages.My daughter works in the Hospital.I´m nervouz for it.
Whole my family is OK.I wish you it too.
Eva from Czech Republic

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I bought Terry a digital clock that is 12 x 8 that tells the time, date and day of the week. He can see it well 20' away to the other end of the living room. I admit I often get up and glance to see what day of the week it is. Even though there is a Shelter in Place order, our days are not much different. We usually stay in. Our usual outings are a trip to Walmart or out to dinner. We can only hope this pandemic can be brought under control.
Be well and safe.
xx, Carol

Linda said...

Lol we have to actually look at our calendar to see what day it is. And then we aren't really sure. ;)
I love that Garden wall hanging! I often have the same problem with my scraps and have to reduce the pattern size to accommodate my scrap bin.
Wishing you a belated Happy Easter!

Jenn Jilks said...

These are lovely!

Quilter Kathy said...

So lovely to visit with you Jocelyn and enjoy your lovely photographs.
The one of the sun shining on the basket block... love it!
Happy to see another puzzle started.... it looks like a fun one!
Thanks for linking up with Slow Sunday Stitching!

Mary in Peoria Handmade said...

This last week seemed even slower than a month ago. What a great photo of the new blossoms. I like the yellow centers for the flower blocks. It’s nice to see your Garden of Contentment again-so sweet.
Stay safe up there!
Mary

LA Paylor said...

hmmm one might piece/make fabric from scraps to make each basket. I kind of like that idea for me. We met Sandra from MMM quilts on the I Like meet up Saturday. She's in Ontario... for some reason I thought you were in BC. A puzzle by the window looks very cozy.
I looked up stats this weekend, and found out there are over a thousand reported cases in my town, with over 30 deaths so far. It's awful the number of cases in nursing homes, where the poor citizens are trapped. Glad you brought it to light, as I think many people aren't aware of how much harder this could be than staying in a single home. I was reading about the 1918 pandemic too... war and pestilence all at once

QuiltGranma said...

For those very shrunk Basket Case blocks you must be planning on fusing them down. I cannot imagine needle turning on such a small scale and getting away with it! Love the pictures of the baskets at the top of your post. I've got a book they are in and hope someday to make that one.

dq said...

I am sorry to hear that it has hit your town. It is in neighboring communities here. Just keep doing those puzzles and sewing beautiful quilt blocks!

I just love your sweet, happy life quilt!

Michele McLaughlin said...

I love seeing your new project and that pussy willow looks awesome!!! No snow is reason enough to celebrate! I'm so sorry that you've gotten it in your town. You are keeping yourself occupied with wonderful projects. We are doing the same here. Stay safe dear Jocelyn!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Forever Saturday - good way to describe it! I'm lucky that my computer has the date on the lower bar or I'd be totally clueless as to what day it is. So sorry that the virus has hit your local nursing home - it's not good. It's ravaged one of our nearby homes too - to the point where it's been on the national news as being the worst in Canada (Bobcaygeon). Almost half of their residents have died and most of the staff is sick - heartbreaking. Thank goodness we have our stitching to help us get through this. I simply can't imagine how people who have no hobbies are coping.

Cheryll said...

You have a lovely lot of projects on the go. Good for you...
Sorry to hear your nursing home has been hit hard...
Take care & stay safe...xox

Kate said...

Since we are working from home and still have meetings and such it's a little easier to remember what day it is. You've got some beautiful projects going. Hope you get to see more of spring, it's been very overcast here. Thank you for linking up with 15 minutes to stitch.

Kim said...

I just came visiting from the QuiltFabrication link-up and I'm glad I did. Your stitcheries are beautiful! Also, we have a common ground in being far enough north that we have to celebrate when we get sunlight and there's no snow on the ground. Ha! We now have about 2 inches of new-fallen white stuff as of last night. But the sun is shining!

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Jocelyn! Forever Saturday - that's the perfect phase for these non-ending same days. I have to keep track of the day and date, though, for work. Even though school is not in session, report cards are still completed for the days before the pandemic started. I am hoping to get into the sewing room today. I need to change my attitude and get things accomplished. Your Flower Garden blocks look fabulous. That is so cool that you are hand sewing them, and I think the yellow centers look so nice. Most flowers I can think of do have a yellow center. The fabrics you chose for Baskets are so pretty, too. Thanks for linking up this week and take care. ~smile~ Roseanne

Angie said...

Jocelyn - I can completely relate to your comment about days of the week! I usually had volunteer work or church to anchor a couple of days. We still attend church virtually on Sundays, but somehow it feels like watching TV and therefore is hard to distinguish. But we are keeping ourselves occupied. Your Spring quilt/wall hanging is very lovely. Just when I think we are past winter, we get another day or two of cold weather. Sigh. But the sun is shining and that is enough. Stay well!

Susan said...

To me, it feels like the movie Groundhog Day, repeating over and over, though I'm not learning anything new. This week has been tough.

Susie H said...

Loving all your basket blocks! I too downloaded the freebie but I'll make mine the 6" size. I love pussy willows. There's a house in my neighborhood that has a large one. My dogwood tree is trying to bloom. I can see the flowers but they're not opened all the way yet. Maybe this week!

Jocelyn said...

Days of the week? It seems like I can't keep up either. Living in Florida we have a lot of retirement homes and nursing facilities. There have been so many deaths there, it is just so sad. Family members are not able to see their loved ones, or even know if the facility has had the outbreak. Just yesterday they were moving 36 residents to hospitals and hospice because the whole place was infected. So very sad. Stay safe.

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