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 Quilts, Love Laugh Quilt, Our World Tuesday, Quilt Fabrication, Needle and Thread Network and Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.