Sunday 15 November 2020

Delicious Gifts, Embroidery, A Free BOM and QAL

I bet you would not be able to guess which of the garden plants this little leaf came from. The strange weather this year- cold and then very warm again, seems to have made for interesting patterns in the fading leaves. This is from the old rose bush and the ground was covered yesterday with similarly patterned leaves. Such a pretty autumn palette. 

 I received a wonderful gift in the mail from Amazon beautifully wrapped in this organza bag. 
A total surprise from Hubby. I had no idea Amazon wraps gifts so beautifully. I will share more about this book when I have a chance to read it and I will be trying a recipe or two for sure. 
Another gift, this one a delicious one from Daughter. A glazed lemon loaf.  I think I could have eaten it all myself...it went so well with a cup of tea.  Do you like lemon flavouring? I sure do. 
I showed you in this post what was in my big frame. Today here's What's in my small hoop...
Last year I showed you the first stitching I did in this set by Kathy Schmitz called Snowbound. Cute snowmen families. Simple backstitching. Photographed outside yesterday in the weak sun.
 I've stitched several more in between working on other projects. There is often that moment of time when embroidering something small and in hand is just the thing I want to do. 
 These are being stitched with DMC Presidential Blue, a timely name. 
I plan on using them in a couple of table toppers for Christmas gifts. I've registered for Kathy's One Stitch at a Time Club. A link is there if you would like to check it out. Kathy's designs are very cute like this one that is available from 123 Stitch.com on sale just now. 
I've downloaded all the blocks so far being offered by Sheila Christensen for her Hemisphere QAL.  When I get a couple more of my projects moved along, I think I will begin these. It might be a good lesson for me in machine stitching accuracy.  

And generous Gay at Sentimental Stitches is running another free applique BOM called Poppy's Polka Dot Garden. I just downloaded the first four blocks. Two blocks will be posted around the first of the month for the next 24 months so this is a long term project.  I enjoy reading the history behind these quilts. This photo is not doing its beauty justice.

I've enjoyed writing this post today and including a few good links for you. Embroidering, appliqueing or machine piecing only, it is all enjoyable stitching. And it is always good to keep those fine motor skills sharp and the mind engaged and focused. Never more true or needed than in these strange days. 

Also appreciate linking this post with Kathy's QuiltsLove Laugh QuiltOur World TuesdayQuilt FabricationNeedle and Thread Network and Small Quilts and Doll Quilts





25 comments :

Quilter Kathy said...

Oh my goodness... so many beautiful photos! Love that leaf photo! And your blog header photo is so pretty! That book you received looks very interesting and that iced cake made my mouth water! Thanks for sharing with the Slow Sunday Stitching crew!

Karrin Hurd said...

Great projects. I have the first 3 blocks prepped for Poppy's Polka Dot Garden. Love your snowmen, and those lovely leaves! I love lemon flavoring. Happy stitching!

Libby in TN said...

Such interesting color in your rose leaves! 'Twould make a nice color palette for a quilt. Your little snow families are so cute.

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

I am downloading the blocks you mentioned I have not made any yet. Love your snowmen, the lemon cake looks wonderful I love lemon cakes. The book looks good let us know how you like it.

Ruth Hiebert said...

i love a good lemon loaf, actually just took one out of the freezer today.

Brian's Home Blog said...

What a fun and wonderful week, that leaf is very pretty and that cookbook has to be good, it's Downton after all. Oh, that lemon loaf looks yummy too and we love the snow peoples.

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

Oh that glazed lemon loaf looks really good. Your snowmen all looks so happy that winter is on it's way! Glad someone likes the snow and cold weather! I save the Amazon gift bags and have reused them! They are quite pretty!

PaintedThread said...

Really cool leaves! Those colors look painted. That lemon loaf looks so good - I can totally imagine what that frosting tastes like! Lots of fun projects. :-)

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

What a great post! Love all that you are working on. Did you eat all that wonderful look lemon bread????? It looks so good and lemon is one I love (cannot have it though). But glad you enjoyed it and you lovely gift from Hubby!

I just joined Kathy’s Club again last week. I also belong to The Art of the Home - great site also.

Interesting how the leaves look..... Hugs

Kim said...

All your sweet little blue stitcheries are so pretty. How sweet of your husband to gift you the cookbook and such a beautiful surprise to have it arrive in the beautiful bag; so beautiful. Those rose leaves are magical. I have never seen anything like it really.

Jenn Jilks said...

That plant is lovely!

Rosemary Dickinson said...

The lemon loaf looks very delicious! Thank you for sharing free projects. Your work always looks so perfect to me!

MissPat said...

The snowmen stitcheries are cute. I have one half done, but need to darken the tracing lines as they are hard to see. And yes to lemon cakes (or cookies or pie, etc).
Pat

Jenny said...

Mmm stitching and baking, what a great combination! Be sure to let us know what delights you make from that wonderful cookbook!

Nana said...

A Downton Abbey cook book, what a nice thing. Tell us how it was and next year I´m invited, hahaha.

Nana

Carolien said...

Hello Jocelyn,

This looks all so GOOD! Great to see ...
Have a nice preparation time for Christmas and winter!!!

Dutch greetings, Carolien

Linda said...

I love to watch your change of blog headers! Such nice gifts you got - surprises are the best. Yes keep us posted on the Christmas cookbook. I may have to have a look at that on Amazon. Yes I love lemon flavored sweets - got that from my mother. I love my Boyajian lemon oil but forget to use it! Your snow persons in blue are so pretty. I love Kathy Schmitz and also Gail Pan and am hoping to get to stitch on a couple of things after life settles down some.

Rose Marie said...

I have the Hemisphere blocks printed off too but I will be doing mine by EPP. Your embroidery blocks are so lovely!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Oh yes - lemon is my favourite. Right up there with chocolate! Resident Chef made lemon loaves for Christmas giving and they're in the freezer just waiting to be wrapped up. Your hubby is so very thoughtful - that book must be such fun to look through.
And thank you for the links. I wish I was an applique person (I love it, just don't want to DO it)

Lin said...

Those leaves caught my eye - gorgeous! Would you mind if I made use of your photo - probably to work on in one of my sketchbooks? Lovely gift and beautifully wrapped - I shall be interested to see what you think of the book. Lots of lovely stitching going on there. xx

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I love your blue embroidered snowmen blocks - so pretty! I also love Kathy Schmitz's designs. The One Stitch at a Time Club is calling to me, too! The lemon loaf looks yummy, and I'll enjoy seeing what try from the Downton Abbey cookbook.

Stewart M said...

That is a very nice looking leaf! And I am sure that there will be lots of high tea inspirations from the book too!

Hope all is well - Stewart M - Melbourne

Angie said...

Jocelyn - you are right - I never would have imagined that the leaves came from a rose bush. So attractive. I do enjoy lemon - I am not sure why we don't have more of it ... something to consider. Your embroidered snowmen are so whimsical. I have found myself working on small cross-stitch projects rather than returning to a complex piece that has been in progress for some time - there is so much satisfaction in finishing something!

EricaSta said...

Wow... what a fantastisc needle work. I will show this my girl friend, who makes Patchwork. A wonderful Post for Our World Tuesday. I enjoyed reading.
...stay healthy and well.

Denise :) said...

So much goodness in this post — I don't know where to start! That lemon loaf looks fabulous; I imagine that it was sublime with a cup of tea! Your stitching is all so lovely! You'll really enjoy Kathy's monthly stitch club. It is one of my favorite monthly expenditures and well worth it. It's nice to (even in such a little way) support the creators that bring us joy! Thank you for the heads up on the new BOM from Sentimental Stitches! I got myself all situated and ready to collect blocks for the next two years! :)