Thursday 3 September 2020

Nature New to Me, Autumn Flowers, Christmas Creeping In

Though the air was quite warm almost moist feeling, the look of the landscape yesterday morning was dark and gloomy. Definitely a fall look to things though not a feel. I spotted the first of the wild asters, an autumn flower. So still lots of growing things to enjoy for a while longer. Like this orange/rust blanket flower type (not sure which it is as I've lost the packet, grrr) in the garden, another hardy perennial that is spreading well.

Here is a new to me bug which I enjoyed seeing up close. And he seemed to like having an admirer as he stayed long enough for me to change cameras. A two striped grasshopper with chevron details that up close were stunning.
Another new to me bird! Glanced out my window and noticed a bird with an unusual head shape and different shade of tan/yellow.

Later a close up of one of the photos showed a distinctive and fierce looking beak which I think identifies him/her as a Cross bill. Taken through the window so not the best of photos. But one to note in my bird book.

Other noteworthy things this week...

 At the Spoonflower blog there is this post on eight artists to keep an eye on this month. 

Here is a link to Tilda's World and a tutorial on how to make these Christmas birds. I saw this link on Magpies Mumblings, followed it and figured I needed to re-link it. They're so cute.     

                     Christmas Birds | Tildas World

I've noticed Christmas is starting to creep into blogs lately. We'll blink and it will be here. Connecting Threads devoted 21 pages to Christmas Fabric in their latest catalogue. 

I've started joining the Dreamy Hearts 9 block pieces and now have four panels like this one below. I'm happy to see this one taking shape and looking more quilt like.

Hubby and Murphy on their morning walk.

These were snapshots of a few of my favourite things in my quiet corner of the world this week. Hope your week held a few of your favourites as well!

So happy to link with these favourites too!

Not Afraid of ColorPaying Ready AttentionFloral Friday FotoQuilting Patchwork AppliqueViewing Nature With EileenI'd Rather B Birdin'Jaipur GardeningSmall Quilts and Doll QuiltsOur World TuesdayPictorial Tuesday  and Kathy's Quilts.



37 comments :

Denise :) said...

What a fun- and activity-filled post! An intriguing bird; I don't think I've every seen one of those in our neck of the words. The autumn flowers are gorgeous! I love the deep jeweled burgundy. Your fabric birdies are precious!! I hope your September is off to a beautiful start!! :)

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Jocelyn! I love the photo of DH and Murphy - they just make me smile. And that gorgeous fall-colored plant - how perfect for the season. ~smile~ Roseanne

Brian's Home Blog said...

Those flowers are sure pretty and that grasshopper photo is amazing. It looks like Murphy is on a mission.

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Great likes as usual. I have coneflowers in that shade. I was thinking about how all the flowers are fading, looking like they are dusted with shadow now. Great pic of the bird, and the grasshopper. Love your heart quilt it is coming along so well. I have been waiting, with bated breath for Tilda's new line to come out. I ordered a kit which is all these tractors from The Intrepid Thread.

Nancy J said...

Your man, short sleeves, gumboots, and Murphy, makes me think of all the man out with their dog, a quiet stroll or a brisk walk to round up the cows for milking, or the sheep to go into the yards. They look so happy there, stay safe in your part of this troubled world.

PaintedThread said...

Oh, no Christmas yet! But I am looking forward to the autumn colors of golds and reds. Cool! A crossbill!

Nana said...

Thank you for sharing the tutorial.

Nana

Mary in Peoria Handmade said...

I’m still in awe of your photo shoots. Those hearts are so sweet coming along nicely. I’m gonna put out something orange after seeing your fall flowers.

Ruth Hiebert said...

ok, I have to be very honest. I enjoyed all the pictures, even the grasshopper, BUT, I absolutely despise those critters in real life. That is probably my greatest fear/phobia - grasshopper.

Jenny said...

It's always nice to read about your day, and catch another glimpse of your birdlife. The hearts are coming along well.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I've never seen one of those birds - lucky to be able to get photos of it. And the grasshopper - that's a postcard-worthy photo. Thank you for the link-back!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

That is a pretty flower - definitely has a fall look to it! I have a Crossbill on my "want to see" bird list, so loved your photo of him. Your Dreamy Hearts are lovely - glad to see your progress on them! I'm not ready for Christmas to come yet, although do need to think about working on a Christmas project for my quilt group! It's always fun to look at the holiday fabric in Connecting Threads.

Cheryll said...

Lots of interesting pics in this post...both of nature & on the sewing front.
I can see autumn in the air on your hubby's walk...
Lovely to visit you again...

Libby in TN said...

I've never seen a crossbill. Your bird photos are always so beautiful. I am ready for cooler weather!

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

Those birds are so pretty! The live ones as well as the handmade ones. How nice that you were able to see new things this week.

MissPat said...

That grasshopper photo is impressive. And a new bird to add to your tally. Your heart quilt is charming and looks very vintage. We have a holiday weekend here (which in reality is no different than any other weekend this year). I can't believe the end of summer is here.
Pat

Jenn Jilks said...

Lots of great firsts!!!

Needled Mom said...

I love the color of the wild asters and the “woven” look on that grasshopper’s leg is so detailed. LOVE the cute birds you made. Yes, Christmas will be here before we know it.

Brian's Home Blog said...

Thanks for joining our Thankful Thursday Blog Hop! We're glad you hopped in!!!

Rosemary Dickinson said...

You take the best pictures of nature! I love anything Tilda. Christmas always seems to creep up on me. Love your applique heart panel!

Michelle Ridgway said...

What stunning flowers! It is so interesting seeing whats happening on the other side of the world. Interesting critters. Those Tilda birdies are very sweet. I love your hearts. I have a whole lots of little squares and hearts cut out to be a quick pick up and go project. Yours look lovely all sewn together. I am inspired to start now.

Michele McLaughlin said...

Great likes! Your photos are fabulous! The bird, the flowers, the grasshopper...amazing close-up! Have a wonderful week!

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

Pretty flowers and nice to look at the wildlife! Hubby looks like he is enjoying the walk! Oh yes - your heart quilt is going to be beautiful! Love the background fabric!
Hugs

Nancy said...

It's fun to see the wildlife in your area. Such attention to detail to identify the specific species of grasshopper -- which looks like the ones we caught and examined when I was a kid, though we didn't look so closely as you have. They were all just grasshoppers to us. Haha.
Your hearts are looking lovely. The gentle palette is so appealing.

Mad Cat Quilts said...

I LOVE those little birds!!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

Your orange flowers are pretty.Congrats on the Crossbill sighting, they are cool looking birds. Love the shot of your hubby walking the dog. The Christmas birds are very pretty. Thanks for linking up and sharing your post. Have a great day and a happy week! PS, thanks for leaving me a comment.

Arun Goyal said...

Lovely flowers.It would be my pleasure if you join my link up party related to gardening here at http://jaipurgardening.blogspot.com/2020/09/garden-affair-teaching-from-gardening.html

Kim said...

Beautiful photos of your quiet little world, Jocelyn. The grasshopper is an amazing photo. Those hearts look more beautiful each time I visit your lovely place. Love those Tilda birds; they are exquisite.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

A crossbill of either species is a very exciting bird to see and I am sure you were quite delighted. I see then in Algonquin Park in the winter but rarely elsewhere.

Pat at Bell Creek Quilts said...

love your birds, both real and fabric! Christmas will soon be here, you are so right!

QuiltGranma said...

Beautiful autumn colored flowers! And the cross-bill, Yea! Thank you for the link to the tutorial, I saved it to my computer's memory... since I seem to have little memory of my own anymore! Have a beautiful day!

Miaismine said...

Oh! Thank you for the link to the bird tutorial! They are lovely! You photographs are beautiful! You are quite the sewist and photographer!

Anni said...

Those fabric birds are super! And your "new" bird is awesome. But, to be honest with you, my favorite photo is of your hubby & murphy on their morning walk...what a story it tells us.

Thanks for taking time from your day to link in & share with us at IRBB this week!

Peabea Scribbles said...

Oh, I love the look of your quilt, and your furbaby's name. The ground cover is so pretty. Hand up as I'm guilty of losing my flower packages and then never know what it is if I want to rebuy. Thanks for visiting me so I could come visit you. Have a great week.

Angie said...

Jocelyn - we had a wild storm yesterday morning with small hail. And then last night a frost - it is not practical to guard all my plants, so some of them are looking pretty straggly now. Oh well, summer is coming to a close ... You are right, those Christmas birds are adorable.

Funny story about the crossbill - over the span of a week or so, a neighbor of mine found several under her window, clearly victims to flying into the window. She had never seen them before, and assumed that the crossed bill was a result of hitting the window REALLY hard. She knows better now!

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Your pictures are lovely. What a wonderful close up of grasshopper.
Many thanks for the bird tutorial. The birds are so pretty!

Elkes Lebensglück said...

That are wonderful birds. The animals photo are beautiful!
Nice to see your husband with the dog!
Have a beautiful Day, Elke