Thursday 29 October 2020

Medallion Quilt, Dreamy Hearts Finish, Jenny Wren, Free Patterns,

 One of the things I love this week was getting a photo of a wren. I've often caught sight of them down by the pond because I think they like the heavy shrubbery on three sides. There is a meadow there as well and loads of grasshoppers which I know wrens are fond of. However, it was right in front of my kitchen window that I managed to grab two quick shots of this little guy while he was checking out the decaying plants.



 In the third shot I took he was a complete blur.

This was my redworked wren from that Crabapple Hill Designs series, Flight of Fancy.  Perhaps I've shown you all of them now. 
We don't have the banks of sumac here like those that lined the farm driveway, but there are a couple of bushes. Amazing reds this time of year. 

Before I forget, the header photo is one I took a number of years ago. Hudson's Farm puts pumpkins on a cart in this field every year and you are on your honour to pay for one. You can see the cash box there on the left by the big pumpkin on the end. 
Remember I started a Medallion quilt back in August. I have been working on it a little. I set up the next round which are Spools and have 7 of them sewn. Every little bit moves it forward I figure.
I may have more time to devote to it as my Dreamy Hearts quilt is a finish! It was my October OMG at Elm Street Quilts. I'm happy with it and it is now tucked away to be a Christmas gift.
It is very soft and warm and single bed sized.
Recently there was a great little blog hop hosted by Carol at Just Let Me Quilt. Sewists shared their patterns for quick little quilty gifts you can make. Two of our Thursday Likes group shared their work at these posts, Pieceful Thoughts and Life in the Scrapatch.
And I love this too.
Lena generously shares her free pattern for this lovely Moon Flower block at her Lena Pugacheva Art Quilts site. Lena also hosts the Friday link party, Creations, Quilts, Art.
Just love this too- both the hands and the message. The photo is by Newfoundland photographer, Ned Pratt, and is used by Nonia, a non profit organization that has been selling hand made goods by Newfoundland and Labrador women for over 50 years. These are the hands of one of those women. 
I know by working with wool and fabric I am doing what my mother, both grandmothers and the one great grandmother I knew as a child did. That great grandmother had snow white hair, sewed quilts by hand but it was her gold tooth that fascinated me.

I'm thinking this morning about how the fate of humans all over the globe may well be in the hands of  scientists and researchers. They are working tirelessly to achieve the perfect concoction of a vaccine for us, one that will be safe in and of itself and also protect us from this awful virus, a monumental task. I am very thankful for them, their knowledge, unceasing labour and care. Here is a link to a Q & A with one such American researcher talking about how their quest is going. 




 

41 comments :

grammajudyb said...

Fabulous photo of the wren! Sometimes I long for a better camera. For now my phone or iPad will have to do! dreamy Hearts is just beautiful! So soft and feminine. Thanks for sharing all the likes this week! I think we are all needing this place to do that!

Brian's Home Blog said...

That Wren photo is amazing and your Dreamy Hearts quilt is beautiful!!!

LA Paylor said...

the scientists are working hard together, despite the lack of support from our admin. to do what they do, learn research, heal.
Oh the wrens! Like a studio shot, your photos are so well done. I like that your pictures led me to the next one... real wrens to stitched wrens in red, to red leaves.

Denise :) said...

Wrens are just the most darling, personable birds! We have a healthy population of them, and they are forever building nests in the most awkward places! Every once in a while, one will try and get into the RV or the Nook. Then they fuss until we can get them out! Silly, sweet things. ♥ Your hearts quilt is lovely. Someone will be very happy come Christmas! I love the bright red pop of color sumacs give to the landscape! :)

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

I am so thankful too that the scientist and doctors are working on a vaccine - one day it will happen and we just have to be careful in the meantime. I love the photos of the wren - you caught the feathers so well. We have the sumac too and thank goodness as the color is so pretty, right now we are not having an extra colorful fall, although my tall tree in the middle of the yard is just now starting to turn yellow and then it will be pretty but overall the colors are not as spectacular as they can be at times.

Shannon said...

That link to the women of the past is one of my favorite things about being a fiber artist! Even as we use more contemporary approaches, the thread of continuity is still there and it makes me so happy! And that red sumac is just gorgeous! I have a burning bush that turns red in the fall, it had been turning slowly, and then we had an ice storm, so I may miss the peak red this year.

PaintedThread said...

Wrens are cute and have attitude. I love how the hearts quilt came out.

Laura said...

Thanks for sharing your lovely heart quilt. Love the wren photos. Being able to watch nature is salve to the soul.

Sherrie said...

Hi Jocelyn,
Great capture of the wren..really like your embroidery of this bird..your stitching is beautiful...is that poison Sumac? Around here it's like poison ivy. It is a beautiful red. Your Dreamy Hearts quilt is beautiful...have a great day!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I enjoy seeing wrens, too, and you caught some great photos of them, Jocelyn! I love your redwork wren, too. Dreamy Hearts is so beautiful! I love its scrappy, cozy look - looks like you finished it at the perfect time of year!

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Jocelyn! Oh, that photo of knitting and hands. The adage of 1,000 words from a picture spring to my mind. I would love to chat with that woman while she's knitting, too. I'll bet she has fascinating stories to share. Your Heart quilt is fab and finished and wonderful with the scrappy binding. And the vaccine - amazing and admirable but I wonder if there can possibly be enough testing yet. You can't hurry time - a year hasn't passed to know any long term effects. But that's a discussion for another day. ~smile~ Roseanne

Libby in TN said...

Wrens have the loudest call for such a tiny being. The are good at getting the bugs out of the window corners.

Jenny said...

Thanks for sharing about the pumpkin photo, I did wonder about it. Pretty little wren, and your redwork piece is beautiful. Congratulations on finishing your Dreamy Hearts, so pretty.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Lucky you to have captured photos of a wren! They are so hard to spot. We had one that must have nested in the tree outside our bedroom window but I never did even catch so much as a glimpse. Heard the beautiful song though so I know it was there. The recipient of the hearts quilt will be pretty happy I think - I know I would be if it were mine! And I love the photo of the hands...reminded me of both my grandmothers.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love your new banner! And the little Wren is very cute! I love redwork...I think that's what this is! It is GORGEOUS! Love the quilts too. What comfort to wrap up in that!

loulee said...

Your heart quilt is beautiful.
And how lovely to see Jenny Wren. Such cute wee birds.

Magpie Sue said...

Congratulations on the finish of Dreamy Hearts!!! And congrats on getting the two clear shots of the little wren too. You are a wonder at rounding up all the wonderful links for us.

MissPat said...

Dreamy Hearts looks quite big hanging from the deck railing. Someone is going to be very happy come Christmas. You do such a good job with your photographs. I don't get very good clarity with my phone. I should really get a good camera, but I'm afraid I wouldn't use it enough to justify the cost. We're getting our coldest weather of the season and a killing frost is finally imminent. Then the final garden clean up can begin, weather permitting.
Pat

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

There is just so much goodness in this post! LOVE the Dreamy Hearts quilt!! it is so pretty and comforting. the wren - oh my that is a great shot - even the blurry one - they never sit still! and the header - so perfect for fall!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

It is quite wonderful to have the wren visit. It is getting late in the season and I am sure it is passing through on its way south. We even had a dusting of snow this morning, a stark reminder that winter is just around the corner. It will be November on Sunday, after all.

Cathy said...

Congrats on meeting your OMG! The Dreamy Hearts is a beauty -- very shabby chic/romantic looking- dreamy!

gladiquilts said...

Beautiful photos and beautiful stitching!! I love hearts and have made some minis with hearts, but not a large quilt with them - maybe soon :). Your wren pics are fabulous and I love the "hands" picture and quote. Thanks for sharing!

Needled Mom said...

I love the picture of the little wren. Your heart quilt is just beautiful too. That sumac red is so brilliant for fall.

Kathryn T said...

I love a heart quilt and your person receiving it will surely love it. Those red leaves are just beautiful and love the wren photo and needlework. Kathryn Quilts

Fiona said...

what a gorgeous little wren... I love our little fairy wren's we get here and they look like cousins to yours! Your heart quilt is stunning, a lovely gift...
Hugz

Rosemary Dickinson said...

I love the pictures you take, they never disappoint! Your heart quilt came out great! The redwork is coming along beautifully also. Love the photo of the knitter. I love the quote also. It sums up why we do what we do!

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Great pics of the wren. I have lots of wrens around here, they love the lilacs. I have really tiny ones that are about the size of my thumb, they make me chuckle as I see them skittering up and down the maple tree outside the kitchen window occasionally. Great redwork, and yay for a finish. You are so right, may take a while, but even a few minutes of sewing it eventually all comes together. What a great saying.

Nancy said...

Wrens are so adorable. You got two great photos of your visitor!
Your hearts quilt is beautiful. I love the soft, muted colors.
I love the idea of our handwork connecting us to our ancestors. (Family historian, here.) And what a great photo!

Quiltpiecer said...

Your Dreamy Hearts quilt is so pretty. Just love it. And the little wren is adorable.

Michele McLaughlin said...

I like to wait to read your posts on a Saturday because I can take more time and savor all that you write. Your embroidered wren is lovely! I don't remember seeing it before. I also love your heart quilt--it will make a great present!!! I love that photograph as well! It also reminds me of a song from the 70s called "Grandma's Hands" by Bill Withers. Have a great day and thank you for brightening the weekend!

Nana said...

When I see those old hands knit, I remember a horrible story:
A customer came and bought a few books in sale and I said: "Well, you found alot to read!" She answered: "It´s for my Mom. I took away her knitting work because she can´t see as well anymore. Now she reads alot and I have to get her books." Oh my God, I thought this was awfull. She took the old lady her knitting stuff away because she can´t see it well enough? Is it her decission? Boy, this still makes me mad.

Nana

eileeninmd said...

Hello

Your header photo is pretty, we did not buy a pumpkin this year. I love your sweet wren images. It looks like the Winter Wren we see here only in the winter. Your heart quilt is gorgeous. I am thankful for all the scientist working on a safe vaccine for all of us. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your day and weekend! PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

Patty said...

Lovely. Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal and congrats on your finish!

Debbie said...

such a sweet little bird!! your quilts are so pretty, i quilted many years ago but started knitting a few years back and prefer that as i can take it everywhere with me!!

Anu said...

Hello. Wren is so beautiful bird.

Bonnie said...

So many nice things in your blog— great wren picture. A lovely quilt and a neat blocks. A wonderful quote. Thanks for sharing all with us.

K Reeves said...

Your photography skills are wonderful! The wren is so beautifully detailed. I do love your heart quilt, what a great big hug for someone special.

Rain said...

Your heart quilt is so beautiful! And your wren stitching too! Lovely! :)

Yvonne said...

Love watching wrens, They can get very vocal at times. I have nothing but admiration for you, finishing one quilt, then moving on to the next so many times. You are truly a wonder to me.

Deborah Johnson said...

I loved the picture of the hands knitting! My great grandmother also had a gold tooth. Her home was a treasure trove of fascinating things when I was a little girl. Thanks for reminding me. ❤️

Deborah Johnson said...

My great grandmother also had a gold tooth! Loved the picture of the working hands and the wren. My first time here and I am glad this was on my Pinterest feed.