Patchwork Maple Leaves, Hand Piecing Stars, Free Pattern

A special day. It is Canada Day today Wednesday, July 1.  I have a couple of Canadian things to share. One of the Quilt Bible blocks is a maple leaf, rather an iconic symbol of Canada. It pleases me to see how many maple trees are growing on this property.  I pieced one block to get a hang of it and in colours that match the others. A couple of things could have been done differently so I guess I'm still learning.

Then I thought of making one to match the Solidarity blocks, in reds and pinks.  After all our flag is red and white. The motif in the darker fabric was the closest thing I have to maple leaves. That was fun.

My plan for July is to keep working on my hand stitching projects, of which I have a few. 😊

 I've pieced 10 of these Flower Garden Blocks to date.  Perhaps 2 more would be enough and I'll get it rigged up for hand quilting.  That will be my July goal at Elm Street Quilts .  

Here is a tutorial and pattern that made me excited this week.  It is offered by the kind folks at New Quilters, a site I'm registered with.  I've been adding to my red scraps from the Solidarity Blocks. When this landed in my mail box, I thought it would be a pretty way to use them up.  The Rose block- a scrappy, fun to sew but controlled block that can look impressive when all the blocks are sewn together. I seem to have more red scraps than any others so I'll give one block a try.

I've been veranda stitching at some point most days. Our rain has come in brief showers and late in the day.  Just right to freshen the air and cool things down a bit. 

The red squirrels come around when I'm out there; normally they don't venture on the veranda.  They are not afraid of Murphy and this one lay down, closed its eyes for a while and had a little rest. Of course, the moment I raised the camera, the eyes popped open. 

This is a chipping sparrow (I think...there are so many sparrows) warming in the sun after taking quite a vigorous bath. Shot through my living room window. Who knew birds enjoy bathing so much!

Please enjoy your stitching and hobbies, stay safe, wear masks, and hydrate or cuddle up where ever you are in this big wide wonderful world...which it still is despite all the goings on!

I'll leave you today with a wonderful fun video made by Clark W. that puts a smile on my face every time I watch it.  All true!

Linking this post with Not Afraid of Color, Quilt Fabrication, Clever Chameleon, My Corner of the World, Viewing Nature With Eileen, Gone Stitchin' and Paying Ready Attention.