Sunday 22 November 2020

Christmas Gifts, Cozy Walmart Buy, Thrift Store Find, Appliqued Fox and Others

It's a dull weather day today as we brace for snowfall later this afternoon, the first real snow of the year. It is thanks to conditions far away...something called a Colorado low.  See how connected we are, my American friends. 😊

Meanwhile, I have a fire burning and a cup of two teas, green and peppermint together, to sip.  The cup, a Rose of England fine bone china thrift store find, has these pretty designs of owls and flowers. They make me think of embroidery. Anything Rose of England is very collectable, btw. 

But it is the sweater I'm wearing I wanted to talk about. I'd bought a gray one like it at Walmart. They were on an outer rack and, as I walked by, I couldn't resist reaching out to touch it. The fuzzy softness and how warm it would be swayed me to buy it though it's rare that I buy clothes there. It was wonderful- cozy and warm, went through the washing machine no problem and I went straight back to buy the same sweater in black. Perfect to be pulled on over comfy lounge, pyjama, sweat pants, etc. all the better at  
 $25 C. 

The last hurrah of the Japanese anemones which stayed in bloom into early November this year! I've never seen them go to seed like this before. An amazing sight. Puffs of spotted whiteness all over the garden.

Two  stitching things 
Below are a few of the blocks made for an old project in 2018 I think; I'd have to look back at photos to be sure these aren't from last year. Appliqueing these 24 sweet, tiny (and free) scrappy designs called Xmas by Quiltmania was fun but I ran out of the steam to work them into a project.  I'd like to do that this month. Patterns are still available at that link.
Loved the little fox. 
And generous Amy from Diary of a Quilter collated this post  50 + Gifts to Give or Make For Quilters as well as for yourself of course. Some really cute things and ideas with tutorials there.

You know who is looking at me with those eyes that beg walk me now so I'll close this post though I have lots more to talk about. Might have to fit in an extra post this week. Hope your Sunday is calm, relaxing and you have something you love to work on. 
Check out what folks are sharing as their Slow Stitching Sunday projects over at Kathy's Quilts. Also wonderful to join these linky parties- Quilting is More Fun Than HouseworkJaipur GardenSmall Quilts and Doll QuiltsLove Laugh Quilt and Applique Patchwork Quilting.



20 comments :

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

I never used to buy clothes at Wal-Mart - I didn't like them - then they seemed to change in my opinion and I do buy sweaters and t-shirts, sweatshirts and pj's. I still buy from other places too of course but I don't knock their clothes anymore.
I mix green tea with my mints also - I like the extra flavor it gives them. Love all stitchery and snow! we have yet to have a freeze- maybe next week?

Brian's Home Blog said...

Cool sweater and I'll bet that peppermint tea was yummy!

Nancy J said...

Definitely sweater time for you, and when a garment is a great find, wonderful to be able to get another one. Down here, one daughter will wake to 1 Celsius this morning, the other had their fire going all day yesterday!!! And we are in late spring.I have coffee made, the heat pump on, we have about 7 Celsius outside.Might start with a sweater on as well.

Ruth Hiebert said...

THose seed heads look so interesting .

Libby in TN said...

I still wear a White Stag long-sleeve Henley that I bought at Walmart over 20 years ago! Your little appliques are so sweet, they deserve to go into something for the season.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I love those Christmas-y applique blocks you're showing, Jocelyn! They look perfect to pull out and work on some more right now. I've never looked at clothing much at Walmart, but I may have to reconsider that. I hope you're enjoying a lovely slow stitching day in front of the fire!

Laurie at Laurie's Place said...

The Japanese anemones in seed look like clumps of snow. They're very pretty. You could almost put them in a winter floral arrangement.

Love your cute little applique blocks. They will make a darling project. Perhaps we'll get to see the project come together in future blog posts.

Kim said...

Why, it struck me as I looked at your pretty 2018 stitching project that your pretty mug matches perfectly. =) I always love to snuggle down in a cosy and soft sweater. The both of yours sound lovely. The little fox with the sweet embroidery stitches is cute. We have a lot of japanese anemones here and I always smile at them in the autumn when the seeds form on the fluffy cotton-like cloud. My anemones are just beginning to pop up in the garden now. I am looking forward to seeing their pretty pink flowers once again.

Jenny said...

Such pretty little applique blocks!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Incredible seed heads - remind me of cotton. Thank you for the great links. I made 'commercial' advents for our grandsons this year and I don't like them at all. I realized that the parents are going to be spending years having to buy 24 little 'gifts' for each of the boys (that's 48!!) and obviously that isn't the least bit practical. I have promised them new ones for next Christmas that will feature little stitcheries they can hang each day. Much cheaper and just as much fun at least IMHO.

PaintedThread said...

Tea and comfort. Lovely stuff. I love that little fox, too!

Nana said...

How cosy and lovely to sit by the fire with the low from the US... and we get the weather from the stream coming up the US, Canada across the ocean.

Nana

Sherrie said...

Hi Jocelyn,
Love your tea cup, so pretty. The flowers are pretty...never seen these kind before, thanks for sharing, I'll watch for those this coming spring to plant in my garden. Love the little Christmas blocks..so cute. It will make a beautiful quilt when finished. Hope you don't get tooooo much snow. Have a great day!

Jenn Jilks said...

All that stiching is wonderful! I keep thinking I should find a project.
That snow was something. It's still melting in the sun!

Michelle Ridgway said...

I love your gorgeous mug....so pretty! We don't have Walmart here but I am glad you were happy with your sweaters. Your Christmas blocks are just so sweet. As we are up over 30 degress Celsius today, its hard to imagine snow lol!

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

Those are beautiful Christmas blocks. Thanks for the link.

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

Cute appliqué blocks. And these flowers are fun!

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

Love the Quilt Mania blocks - yours are so pretty! Love the Reds!!!

Kimberly Smith said...

The blooms on your Japanese anemones are STUNNING! I had to keep sliding back and forth between the two photos... it was like actual eye candy. I have just begun to dabble with gardening and will have to investigate for my zone. And oh that little red fox too! Thanks for this post; it's encouraging.

Arun Goyal said...

I haven't seen Anemone flower formation in to seeds ,these are beautiful like flowers.Thanks for joining in Garden Affair. It would be my pleasure if you join my link up party related to gardening here at http://jaipurgardening.blogspot.com/2020/11/garden-affair-small-flowers-big.html