Tuesday 15 December 2020

WIP's List!, Basket Case Finish, Magpie Art and Squirrels

 Breakfast in front of the fire. 

And from another angle. Smile says me; I am says he. 
Our Christmas was certainly never busy. I used to feel the need to deep clean everything before the big day but I won't bother this year with just the three of us here. Of course, some deep diving into totes and storage drawers would be a good thing but I have to be in the mood for that. Perhaps I'll feel like it more when the Christmas things have to go away.  

Basket Case has moved along nicely just this week.  As I showed last time, I used the yellow fabric for the central block which you all seemed to like. The baskets themselves went together quickly. It is larger than I thought at 40 x 44 and I had to use the floor to sort it out. I'm happy with it at this stage now, a flimsy; though being me, I will always have doubts about my choice for the center block. The small basket was a free pattern from the talented and generous Michelle at  Michelle Ridgway Designs.

 As promised here is my Stitching Wip's List. Don't gasp!
Medallion Quilt is stalled right now. Still more of the bow ties ready for stitching but just not getting it done.

Fans...almost there...getting closer. At least to the flimsy stage.
Solidarity blocks. I had made a decision way back to work on and finish these mostly red blocks in February. 
The last of three Christmas/Winter table runners is together in its layers ready for quilting. A project for this weekend. 

Quiltmania X-mas( I'm not fond of when Christmas is written that way). The last 7 blocks have been prepared and are ready for stitching and embellishments. 

Halloween Sampler. I've kept it in the t.v. room for those odd moments when I feel like hand quilting. I've got 6 blocks quilted with this very off hand method. 

A Year at Hawk Run Hollow cross stitch. I have it in the t.v. room too but sadly, this time of the year, the light is terrible- no sun for days at a time, so even with my special lights, I found it was giving me eye strain. I'm a little worried about this and hope it is not going to be a thing and prevent counted cross stitch. 

Tiny Triangles is my scrappy project for the RSC which I had totally forgotten about till seeing some of your projects getting finished. Lots of neutrals here but are they the shade of neutrals for this month? It is resting in its box waiting for attention but keeping very quiet for now. 

I'm not counting Book Club or Easy Hexagon Stars that need to be quilted or Other Baskets that just needs binding to be finished. Daughter has promised to help me when this is over.  I just can't handle quilting the bigger projects by myself. (That's why I did QAUG on my Dreamy Hearts quilt.)

Ongoing Quilt Bible blocks. I do sew one on the machine now and then.  I have 11 done.

Actually I'm not daunted by this list.  I seem to thrive on variety and usually enjoy all my projects right to the end no matter how long that takes.  And since I favour big projects, that can take awhile. I will get to them all-eventually.

This painting is From Swedish artisit Lennart Helje's Pinterest Board.  Just love the stark but also gentle rendering of the snow and tree and of course, the magpie, which Lennart favoured.  I have never seen a magpie here but had the fun of watching them in Alberta on one of my visits there. They were larger than I had thought, beautiful with their flashes of white and black and quite plentiful.

Below is a photo of the back window over the stairs to show what the weather looked like early Sunday morning. Lennart would have been able to paint this no doubt though it looks a little like a painting already especially a thread painting. And that reminded me of Mary Anne at, coincidentally, Magpies Mumblings, and her wonderful life like fabric landscapes too. Fabric artist, Mary Anne, also shares great links to a variety of items that are always interesting to me. 

Squirrel antics at the feeders. And by the way, I've sworn off any squirrel antics in the sewing room too. This is a large Eastern Grey squirrel that makes its way here every now and then from the far back property. He won't be able to open this one as it's got a little hasp on the side and the feeder tray also closes when triggered by weight. But the shaking will reward him with a few seeds on the ground. Splendid tail with pretty white trim. 
He went up and down a number of times. I wondered if he expended more energy with that effort than the sunflower seeds were providing. 
I'm kind of taken with squirrels as there were none in Newfoundland when I grew up and lived there. 
Meanwhile, all calm and peaceful here at the wooden house and in our corner of Ontario too though a little shivery with a newly arrived cold snap. Hope it is all calm and peaceful wherever you live too.
 






35 comments :

Jeannelle said...

Beautiful post! Your projects are amazing!

Brian's Home Blog said...

Your Basket Case is beautiful and that breakfast sure looks yummy and cozy!

Cheree @ The Morning Latte said...

ANYthing fireside makes me smile! We'll be lighting one up today for sure! Snow on the way here--I hope I get that window view! Beautiful projects and crazy (talented?) squirrels!

Nancy J said...

It's so good to know others have lots waiting to be attended too. The tail, what a beauty, and a great way to show it off. Hope he did get a few seeds after that magnificent display . Down here, we are not having a tree, or tinsel, I do have a red tablecloth that was my Mum's, a gift to them for a wedding anniversary, so that will go on the table, and I will have her crystal vase, a wedding gift to her in 1937, and hope to find some flowers at the roadside market next Thursday.Keep warm, and safe.XXX

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

your breakfast looks inviting and now wishing I had made soft boiled eggs for breakfast and toast - your quilts all look sot good and like those little diamonds - I used to clean a lot too - now not so much - I really must dust this place better we get so much of it

Nana said...

How cosy. I think your home is great to visit you for a week taking a break from life and its speed.

Nana

Jenny said...

Your Basket quilt top is wonderful, and the central basket fil.ed with flowers is the finishing touch. Dont be daunted by your project list, I'm sure I have many more than you, some I've not yet counted! All these projects add variety to our stitching days dont they.
Love that gorgeous squirrel, what a fine looking fellow he is with that bushy tail. As for magpies, we have them here, but they are not well liked, often called winged rats!

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Jocelyn! Your center block is just the perfect choice, I think. It looks like a wicker basket full to the brim with summer blooms and goodness. Don’t second guess yourself! I think it also pulls out that light color from the other baskets and lightens up the whole project. You sure have a few projects going which is a nice overall variety. Fabulous shots of the squirrel - I wonder what he thought when he couldn’t get at the sunflower seeds. Thanks so much for linking up today! ~smile~ Roseanne

Ruth Hiebert said...

Your quilting projects look lovely but would be too much for me. I love the looks of quilting, but have never gotten into it.

audrey said...

I love your basket quilt so much and the centerpiece background works wonderfully! Looking forward to seeing your fan blocks in a completed quilt top too. Lots of good stuff!:)

PaintedThread said...

Breakfast looks tasty. I like your center basket. The fans are looking great, as are your tiny triangles. Cheeky squirrel!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

How I envy you that fireplace! The closest I can get is the artificial ones on the tv channel. They're pretty but nothing cozy about them, that's for sure. I enjoyed the peek through your projects and I agree that it's fun to have more than one one the go so you can play as your mood dictates.
And thank you for the shout-out and the nice words!!!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I loved seeing all your works in progress, Jocelyn! I, too, enjoy having a variety of projects to work on. The basket quilt is lovely - it makes me want to practice more applique. Your photo out the window is beautiful! Snow here, too, but it never seems to bother the birds and squirrels!

Libby in TN said...

Your photo from the back window truly looks like a painting! Our squirrels have given up on our feeder, but they sure gave it the old college try at first.

Lynn said...

I so enjoyed your opening photo of breakfast by a fire. Quite different from temps in the Southern hemisphere! Your "I am smiling" comment sounds so familiar I had to laugh. All your projects, inspiring and made me feel better about my 7 or so. And the squirrel, just gorgeous. Thanks so much for your post.

Karrin Hurd said...

I love basket case! You have some lovel projects going on! That picture of the Squirrel is precious!

Michelle Ridgway said...

Loved seeing your Basket Case quilt....it is looking lovely as are all your other projects! Your fire looks so cosy and the perfect warm spot to be. I agree with Christmas spelt that way....I am not a fan either! Your back window looks like a work of art for sure. I so enjoyed seeing that little squirrel. Stay cosy x

Michele McLaughlin said...

Hello Jocelyn! I love the center basket in the basket quilt! It works and is different from some of the things you have done. I like following you because you do have such a nice diversity in your work. I can't sew at all come twilight. Not embroider or even on the machine because I just can't see that well then. About the only thing I can do is bind quilts which doesn't require a lot of vision and even at that, I thread my needles before sundown. Don't worry about cleaning these days, just enjoy each day!

Out To Pasture said...

Lovely warm colours on this bone chilling day! What a neat painting of that twisted tree with the magpie and elf(?). Gotta admire those acrobatic squirrels that have hands for feet.

Linda said...

Love, love that basket quilt! And all your projects are so pretty. I love that photo you took of the snow coming down because I love the stark look of winter. It's so evocative of cozy winters from my childhood. Your egg and toast look so tasty - and elegant!

grammajudyb said...

Squirrels are so fun to watch! They are tenacious! I love your middle basket in the Basket Case quilt! It’s really special!

Photo Cache said...

Your quilts are magnificent. And that squirrel's tail is major league fluffy. Merry Christmas.

Worth a Thousand Words

Jenn Jilks said...

Beauteous quilting!
I tihnk the squirrels deserve a treat, too!

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

Oh that fire looks lovely. Breakfast by the fire sounds divine. I too am not daunted by a long list of wips. Like you, I know I'll get to them eventually. It'll be so nice to see you finish these! Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.

Verna G said...

I love your basket quilt! The center piece looks lovely.I'm with you Jocelyn, Christmas is Christmas not Xmas !

Yvonne said...

Wow! so many projects, but you seem to thrive keeping busy. Looks super cold there. Squirrels are pretty clever, so you'll be keeping it busy. Wishing you a lovely holiday season.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love seeing the quilts you are working on! Love red so the red square is my favorite today. Cute squirrel....keep him there pretty please! heehee! holiday hugs!

Rosemary Dickinson said...

I always love to see what you're working on. You always have the nicest projects. Our storm is finally over. Your storm looks quite intense but such a pretty picture! Your home looks so warm and inviting. Nice post!

Angie said...

Jocelyn- I love that moose mug!!! I also do not like the use of X-mas. I personally write it Cmas, if I even need it to be shortened. You do have an impressive list of projects on the go - lots to choose from on any given day! That is a gorgeous specimen of a squirrel - it always amazes me how they are able to shimmy up those poles with their little paws!!!

Klara said...

wow! what a spot for breakfast! you are very creative, lovely projects.

Rebecca Grace said...

Isn't it cozy to be inside your nice, warm house, having a hot breakfast while it's so bleak and cold outdoors? You have so many fabulous projects to keep you occupied while you hunker down for the winter, too. I think I'd have a hard time choosing which one to pick up!

Susan said...

What a wonderful idea, breakfast by the fire! Love all the projects you have going - you're one busy lady!

gladiquilts said...

I love how your basket quilt came out! I’d say your first attempt at Broderie Perse is a resounding success! Really enjoyed your WIP roundup. I work the same way as you - several projects going on at once with no real concerns about how long they take. The most important thing is to enjoy the journey!!

betty-NZ said...

That about as perfect as you can get for a breakfast! Those projects are so amazing to see, I can just imagine the finished quilts being appreciated.

I appreciate your link at 'My Corner of the World' this week! Thanks for joining us!

Kathleen said...

So many lovely projects. I love your baskets and thank the center is fabulous and the other baskets coordinate and pull out the different colors of the center. Thanks for linking up to TGIFF!