Sunday 18 October 2020

On Line Shopping, Embroidery, Garden Flowers Still, Squirrel Moment, Ugly Gardening

  I had a funny thought this week when I ordered checks online from my banking site. The smallest order was for 100 and I figured these will probably see me through now. I so seldom write checks anymore. It wasn't a sad thought just like oh yes that's true now.

We have an overabundance of office supplies. This is thanks to auction wins and having extras thrown in during one of them that we did not bid on.  This week I'm planning on organizing the smaller totes and storage bins with the intent to lessen the amount. Just how many staples, paper clips and elastics can two old people make use of.  Especially in a world where we are committing less and less to paper.

Shopping-Online of course. It's younger grandson's birthday early next month and I've found several games for him at Amazon so I've got to get that done. The three of them have a family board game night which is a great idea.  

Mail came. I've wanted this book for a long time and finally ordered it from The Book Depository which offers free shipping worldwide.  When The Cold Wind Blows from the ladies at Blackbird Designs.

Practicing my ugly gardening. But before I talk about that exciting thing, some of the flowers did so well in spite of the overnight temperatures dipping down, they've amazed me.

Here's brand new growth on the rose bush. Taken last week and I'm so happy that heavy pruning I gave them in the spring didn't founder them.  I think they are quite old so it might have.

And a touch of frost brought out streaks of pink/red in the new buds as seen above and below which was interesting as the blooms are white.  I've never seen this before.
Update: However, we had a heavy frost two nights ago and all this bloom has been affected.
This week I'll be putting all the final flower pots away and start to stack wood on the veranda for the fireplace.

I've been slow stitching a lot which most of my stitching seems to be.  I decided to embroider herringbone stitches over all the hand stitching joining the pieces on the back of the Dreamy Hearts. It should help make the quilt hold together better as I am hoping this one will be used on a bed. I'm using a variegated pink DMC and enjoying it very much.  This quilt is my October OMG so I'm trying to accomplish that posted goal - for once!

And I had a squirrel moment on Friday but I have an excuse.  I really needed a distraction from sad feelings and this suited just fine.  I'll hopefully have something to show for my couple of hours in the sewing room working out a pattern.  Eager to give it a try actually. After a little machine stitching, it will require more hand stitching too. I was inspired by this article at the AQS site featuring variations on Dresden plate, a block you know I love. More later - I hope. :) 
 Almost forgot...I mentioned ugly gardening. Here is one of the tiny but precious reasons I feel privileged to do that.  Taken from my kitchen window.

I hope your Sunday is a swell one!




 



40 comments :

Brian's Home Blog said...

We haven't written a check for a long, long time here. Such a pretty quilt and cute birdie!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

I am sure you will enjoy the quilt book. Your heart quilt looks pretty. Your roses are lovely, a pretty sight to see late in the fall. Love the sweet Goldfinch, I am not seeing many of them around here. I did leave some coneflowers for the birds. Thanks for sharing your post. Enjoy your day, I wish you a happy new week ahead.

Sarah said...

What lovely even stitches you do! Lovely photo from your window too.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

How wonderful that your roses have been beautiful still into October, Jocelyn! I love that stitching has helped you through a low spot, and a fun squirrel is a result. Looks Christmas-y?! We have lots of leaves on the ground here, and even though we do pick them up, a lot remain, and yesterday we had tons of birds hunting and pecking around in them for whatever tidbits they could find. That ugly gardening is worth it!

Yvonne said...

Here's hoping your sad feelings become a thing of the past. I find getting out in nature always helps to brighten a day, even if it rains. Love your goldfinch photo. Very nice.

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

I have that book!! I made the basket quilt that is in it but there are others I have thought about even though I tend to loose my interest in applique I have been thinking one block at a time and maybe it can be turned into something - I hope my applique mojo comes back. I love your flowers. The last time I ordered checks must have been 3 or 4 years ago and I had to order 200 - I still have some and not sure when I will need to reorder - maybe at the end of next year? I use them only rarely now for the odd small company where you can not pay on line - even for birthdays now I do not send a check but on line Amazon give card.

Karrin Hurd said...

I look forward to seeing what your squirrel moment is. Gorgeous roses. They don't grow well in my rotten soil, and I am going to pull up the one I do have. I love Blackbird Designs, and have many of their books. I will have to keep an eye out for this one. Your stitching looks lovely! Happy stitching!

PaintedThread said...

The roses are pretty. I like the herringbone stitch addition to the quilt. Goldfinch! :-)

Ruth Hiebert said...

It does feel strange when we each an age where you begin to think that you just won’t need some of the things anymore. I know, I have far more years behind me than I have ahead of me.

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

That is their most popular book I think! Good idea to use the herringbone to strengthen the quilt and it looks really nice

Kim said...

I clicked on the Dresden link....so many beautiful Dresden quilts to be enjoyed there. I too love dresden plates on a quilt. I am thinking of fashioning a quilt overspilling with these pretties for a friend. The best thing about sewing and imagining quilts; and enjoying beautiful hand stitching is that it takes our minds away from those feelings of sadness that seem to be surfacing more these days. Your hand stitching pretty is lovely. This quilt is going to be a beauty when you have finally stitched the last stitch. I feel for you regarding the arrival of Jack Frost. He does tend to destroy all the flowers, doesn't he. Though it looks as if you will have oodles of time to snuggle down inside and read, and fashion something from that lovely book. I love the title. Your little feathered friend seen from your kitchen window is a pretty fellow. Hoping you enjoy a pleasant week.

Jenny said...

Those pretty little birds certainly appreciate your ugly gardening philosophy, all those lovely seeds to eat.

Magpie Sue said...

Wow, good shot from the kitchen window! I love the herringbone stitching too. Variegated threads are my favorite.

Bonnie said...

That pink and white rose is wonderful. At one time we grew roses and I remember one that was pink and cream or yellow... It's amazing how many roses have been developed over the years. I've got my eye on a used quilting book as it is no longer published. I may break down and get it as it isn't all that expensive. Enjoy your new book.

Yvonne said...

Looks like you found a great found with that book. Ready for a new project? Your slow stitching looks beautiful. With cold nights it is the perfect weather for it.

Gretchen Weaver said...

I've been eyeing When the Cold Wind Blows for awhile too. Thanks for the link, happy stitching!

Michele McLaughlin said...

Hi Jocelyn! I keep cracking up about your "ugly garden" term! But it is so worthwhile seeing the wildlife and espeically the finches enjoy the seeds and berries in the winter. Plus it looks cool when the snow falls! I wonder if you will have a rebloom of your roses if it warms up again? I love your dresden! Glad you are ordering that book you coveted! That urn quilt looks so wonderfully 19th century! I love it! I also so a basket quilt in that book that reminds me of your basket quilt! Have a splendid day!

Deb A said...

Oh wow! That photo of the bird is glorious! That looks like a great book - I have seen some beautiful quilts made from it. For games- We love QWIXX - a dice and strategy game. I never though of doing a stitch like that on the connectors, great idea. Hope you get some relaxing stitching in today.

The Cozy Quilter said...

We also have the odd bloom in our garden. The trees are past peak now and are looking more bare. Embroidery is a great way to pass the time on these cooler rainy days. That looks like the perfect book for inspiration as it gets colder as well.

Linda said...

That book looks "cozy". I love Book Depository for their free shipping. And it's pretty fast most of the time. Your rose looks good with the Dreamy Hearts! I've read that roses sometimes revert to rootstock; I wonder if that is what is happening to yours. Whatever it is, it's beautiful. I love bicolor roses.
Is that a goldfinch?

Jenn Jilks said...

Lovely stitching!
I'm sorry about your roses. I had three blossoms, a bit late, but I was hopeful. Bambi snipped them off!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Our roses are still going strong. In Indiana they would be dead. Ravens are the birds I mostly see here...and hawks. Our home is tree top high so I rarely see the little birds up close. I'll have to be thinking about Christmas presents pretty soon. I'll have to order on line because we are avoiding Covis.
xx, Carol

Sherrie said...

Hi Jocelyn,
Love the stitching on the Dreamy Hearts quilt...very pretty. I've never seen a rose do that before...but it's very pretty. Love the Dresden block..I've got some 1930's reproduction fabric I'm dying to use...and the Dresden's are already cut..just have to get them sewn together...your bird is really beautiful. Have a great day!

Rain said...

Oh gosh how do you still have such pretty flowers growing? Our are all gone, we're having below zero each night now sigh...need to grease up the snowblower soon lol...I refuse to buy cheques anymore. My bank was $60 for 40 cheques...E-transfers is what I do now if I can't pay online!

Hootin Anni said...

Your entire post was very interesting today...I do especially like your view from your window!!

Thanks so much for taking time from your day to share this with us all at I'd Rather B Birdin'

~Anni

loulee said...

What a sweet little bird. I love to sit and watch the birds from our windows too. Nature is good to watch and all for free.
Your hand stitching looks lovely.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

And that wonderful little goldfinch will be with you all winter to brighten up even the most dreary day. These days they are happy to patronize my feeders and avail themselves of high energy food. I will be sure to take care of them all winter long.

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

I love the book that you purchased. I have another book that Barb Allen wrote! great pattern! Sometimes I wonder who will inherit my quilts and fabrics. That is what Estate Sales are for! LOL. Take care and enjoy!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

We don't write cheques either - pretty much the only ones now are for sending birthday gifts to our sons and DIL's. We have no clue what they would want or need so they take the $ and buy their own. I like what your little trip with the squirrel and look forward to seeing what you do next. Oh - and great goldfinch photo!

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Jocelyn! Oh! Those photos of the rose flower are just gorgeous. Especially the white with the pink stripes - God does good work, doesn't he?! I am squeaking by on really old checks - the address is two houses ago but the account number still is correct. I hardly ever write checks any longer. It used to be so fun to pick out your check design every year or two! I remember ordering them from Current - I wonder if they're still around?! Thanks for linking up today. ~smile~ Roseanne

Denise :) said...

So much of what we do (personally) is online or with debit/credit cards, that checks are hardly every written. I haven't ordered new checks in seven years. Do you keep the gold finches year around? We do, only by November we're calling them Olive Finches! LOL! :) Your new book looks like the perfect thing to prop your feet up with a cup of tea and peruse for ideas. Or just to peruse! That rose is stunning. Frost does take its toll, doesn't it? Enjoy the remainder of your week! :)

Cheree @ The Morning Latte said...

The roses are beautiful, as is the bird. I'll be trimming all of our roses off tomorrow for the winter--a freeze is on the way.

NCSue said...

So beautiful! Thank you for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2020/10/at-aquarium.html

Mary in Peoria Handmade said...

I only write 2 checks a month. Everything else is online. Love it. Your photo of the bird is so cool and of course the beautiful new growth on the rose bushes.what a perfect choice of thread for the heart quilt.

Villrose said...

A wonderful shot of the rose bush. I think it might be 'Louise Bugnet'.
Have a great week!
/Irene

LA Paylor said...

I still love office supplies... and paper. I lose things in the computer! My flowers seemed to like the temp change, but then going from 100F is a good move in my mind. We have been having low overnight temps and headed to snow in a few days so I will move some to the garage again. Your stitching is so pretty, don't feel any remorse at chasing squirrels... do what makes your spirit sing at the moment, it's what we have. I'm truly depressed here in the States and plan to go from lovely color to color to raise spirits! Herringbone stitch is so satisfying to do thanks for reminding me of that

2 gators said...

beautiful photos, love the quilts I have the first and last quilt my mom made. I still have a few places I have to write checks too love the roese

Veronica Lee said...

Those roses are lovely!

Love the idea of adding the herringbone stitch to the quilt.

betty-NZ said...

I'm glad your roses are still blooming and giving some joy, as is the 'ugly gardening'!
New Zealand is very cashless these days. It's so easy to just pass a card over the reader, most every shop has one.
I can't wait to see your finished work :)

Many thanks for your link at 'My Corner of the World' this week !!

Arun Goyal said...

Beautiful Rose..Thanks for linking up to garden Affair.