Thursday 22 April 2021

Bee Food, Mini Quilt Finish and Cross Stitch Start, Take Out Treat

Sure sign of spring. Happy to spy this lone dandelion down by the pond...first food for the bees.

Snow yesterday and very cold today but spring is trying its best to take over. Robins are all over the place.

This nuthatch made many trips to the ground which was unusual as they normally stay on tree trunks. I think it may have been gathering material for a nest.  Our nuthatch numbers keep rising so I'm thinking they are nesting nearby.
 
I have a plan to sew table toppers for the smaller pieces of furniture I have around the house. I experimented with this particular quilt block, courthouse steps, and made a mini quilt. 

I enjoyed using the Pantene 2021 colours, grey and yellow.  Machine stitched and then hand quilted in yellow threads. What a great scrappy block!

An unusual event for me...to decide on a pattern, cut, sew and hand stitch a finish all in one day!

I also set up my new cross stitch project. This one is a design by Lori Markovic at La- D- Da and is called Fraktur Flowers. I love the bird. The colours are reminding me of autumn which I also love. I'm using my Russell Stover pretty summertime tin to corral the threads, scissors, etc.

Have my start made. The outside border called for DMC 3799 which is Pewter and I just love it. So much softer than black. 

Quick question for you???

 How many projects are you comfortable with carrying at a time?  2, 4, 6, 8?  Or more? I think my limit is 4. But I've learned to relax about a couple of projects I'm carrying as it were- the big year long cross stitch project I work on now and then and also two quilting projects that I stitch a block here and there. I know now I will get there eventually with all of these.  

We had take out from a local restaurant...the nearest little town is blessed with many small eateries and cafes who all seem to be doing well with just take out business these days.  Souvlaki platters with Greek salads and fresh pita bread which we both enjoy.  Is this something you would like?

I'm feeling a little more reassured now that both of us have had our first vaccines. Mine was a drive through affair which is very efficient. Both our vaccines were administered by doctors and we wondered if that was the best use of their time, especially as hospitals here are saying they need more medical personnel with in hospital cases rising. 

I'm trying not to be critical of the handling of the epidemic and how fellow citizens are behaving. Trying my best to stay positive. Hope that is exactly how you are feeling today...full of positivity and enjoying your day. 

Check out the other bloggers at Not Afraid of Color who are also focusing on the positive. Also linking with Paying Ready AttentionKathy's QuiltsQuilting is More Fun Than HouseworkQuilting Patchwork Applique, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, Alycia Quilts and Life in the Scrap Patch




30 comments :

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

I don't think the doctor's are administering the vaccines I think it is mainly being done by Pharmacist and medical technicians, and nurses although I have heard of a couple doctors stopping on their way home from work to vaccine a few home bound in their areas - maybe they knew these people personally also? I love your courthouse steps. I think I am doing more projects then I should right now and letting some linger on way too long but 3 projects are for the RSC group - two of those projects I get quickly caught up at the beginning of the month while the applique project takes all month, I am also machine piecing two quilts (well one is still in cutting stage but will begin piecing tomorrow) also will make binding for small quilt and hand quilting another - and one knitting project - yes probably doing too many at once LOL
we feel more secure being vaccinated as well and that Greek food looks lovely!

Libby in TN said...

Your nature photos are always so striking! The Fraktur Flowers is going to be lovely. I need to check out that line of patterns.

Rosa said...

Looking around at all my unfinished projects: A basket of quilt tops waiting to be quilted, two--no, three piecing projects going. I guess that's not terrible, but they do all weigh on my mind making me feel guilty if I want to start something new!

I think using doctors to administer vaccines is fine. I mean, they're capable and may themselves have comorbidities (seen or unseen) that make them susceptible to extreme consequences of Covid infection, which they are constantly being exposed to. Even vaccinated, they can still get Covid. Also, working in hospitals with Covid patients can be extremely emotionally taxing and some healthcare professionals may need a break from such an intense environment, making "easier" tasks like vaccinating others an appropriate use of their skills.

Nancy J said...

Love the flower stitchery, and pewter, a lovely shade to start with. Vaccinations, here the front line workers are first in the queue, ours must be so far down the list, that we have no idea when they will be.

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Your one lone dandelion....I have a sea of yellow already, even after the snow. I love Robins, especially when you look out and spy that bright pop of color. I have 3-4 cross stitch projects going, as well as a couple of embroidery almost constantly. Depending on my whim is what I pick up to work on. We won't even talk about the number of my ever growing quilt projects. Love your gray and yellow table topper it is lovely and your big stitches. Chicken Greek salads are one of my favorites. If I could just learn how they season the chicken that makes it so yummy.

Jenny said...

So pleased you gave received your first vaccinations. Here in New Zealand ours are a month or so away. But we have had our annual flu jabs just last week.
As always, love your bird photos, and your take out meal looks very tasty.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Jocelyn, I love your gray and yellow hand-quilted tabletopper! So pretty and I know that satisfying feeling of finishing up a quick project. I have to admit I haven't counted how many projects I have going. They're all in different stages - blocks being pieced, blocks ready to be made into a top, quilt tops ready to quilt, and usually an embroidery design in progress. I just work on whatever I'm in the mood for! Your new cross-stitch design looks lovely!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I have to tell you, in all honesty, I am mortified at the styrofoam and plastic containers from that takeout food that are going to be in our landfill, or find their way into the oceans, for all eternity. When are we going to take a stand against this and refuse to accept it? By continuing to accept this stuff we have effectively signed a pledge to our grandchildren that we are dedicated to ruining their future. And we can make all the excuses we want, all the justifications we choose, it remains a simple fact.

LA Paylor said...

yes to Greek Food!!!! I have so many ufo's and probably four maybe six projects going at any time although I am finishing several this week. I like to have them in various stages. Your yellow is so fresh love the hand stitches. Astoundingly good photo of the robin!

PaintedThread said...

That food looks delicious. No good Greek places around here. Looks like another nice cross stitch.

Brian's Home Blog said...

That poor dandelion all by itself, maybe it will get company soon. That robin photo is fantastic and is your topper. Bet that food tasted as good as it looks.

Karen said...

I love that yellow and grey block.
I have three projects on the go and feel a bit underwhelmed. A top down scrappy pullover upstairs for watching Coronation Street in secret, LOL. Socks downstairs when pretending to watch the gabble my guy thinks we need to watch together, LOL. And then there is the queen size "economy block" quilt I'm trying to knock together for my daughters birthday in June.
No dandelions in my part of the Ottawa Valley yet, but the mini dafs are bright and happy.

Jackie said...

Ohhh, I love the colours in your mini quilt and the block itself.

Have fun stitching.

God bless.

Linda said...

I love your sunny mini! Nice start to your cross stitch - I’ll try to remember using Pewter as a border. I wouldn’t say I’m “comfortable” carrying around as many projects as I have going on but right now my little bag is holding 2 that I’ve started. One is a cross stitch Christmas table topper and the other is a crocheted afghan. Jocelyn you need to come down to Texas! Our mask restrictions are mostly lifted and our cases have gone down. Our doctors’ offices and some stores still require masks but hopefully that will end soon. Your Greek dinner looks good. Would you believe I’ve not tried Greek food!

Scrapatches said...

Lovely mini quilt. I live gray snd yellow. You completed in a day! Bravo! The cross stitch start is very pretty. Your bird closeups are amazing. our robins and nuthatches are quite shy. I have noticed more nuthatches here this year. It is good to see them thriving. I am much too comfortable with have too many projects in the works to count. I do enjoy unearthing one, like my hexagon flowers, and working on it again. So many things to stitch and sew little time . I am happy making do. Happy Stitching... :) Pat

MissPat said...

Three cheers for getting your first vaccinations. Doesn't it bring a sense of relief? I've got way too many projects in motion (and too many whose motion has more or less ceased). But at this point, I really don't care. I work on the ones with deadlines and play with the others when there's time. We've had a hopefully brief interruption of spring with snowfall and freezing temps the last two days. I'm sure you've probably also had some of that, but since your plants are a little farther behind, it probably hasn't effected them as much as here. Warm up is coming though.
Pat

Verna G said...

Love the Greek Food! I think you will find that some Drs like some nurses are not qualified to work in ICU. ICU is such a specialty. My last years in nursing were in administration. I could have gone in and given shots but I certainly couldn't have worked in direct patient care ( and they wouldn't have wanted me there!).

Jenn Jilks said...

It's such a trying time. I just don't have the mind set to do any crafting these days. Perhaps I should think about it!
There are so many chores to do!
Beautiful pieces!

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

I really love your Court House block! The colors are so pretty - I can imagine how pretty a whole quilt would be in those colors. Your cross stitch is coming along nicely! Have a great week-end and week. We are going on a trip! YEA!

The Joyful Quilter said...

You've got to love a quick quilt finish, Jocelyn! Congrats on getting it all done in one day. That's a rare event in my sewing room, too!

Yvonne said...

How wonderful that you had your shots! I hope to get the first in the second half of May. I will feel more secure once I have had mine. Numbers are still high here in the Netherlands too but they believe we are close to the turning point now. Let's hope so, we are doing okay but so looking forward to gathering again, go to a restaurant etc. etc.

Your block in yellow and gray is lovely, I like the combination of those colors. And the robin is so different from our robins here, so much bigger, our robins are not half as big.

I don't like to have too many projects at one time. A quilt to piece, a quilt to quilt, a machine project and maybe a stitcherie but that is it. If there are to many projects waiting I get a bit frustrated and nothing comes out of my hands, to many choices I guess.

The soufflaki looks delicious. I have been to Greece a few times and the food is really very good there, but going to a Greek restaurant in the Netherlands is a good second. Maybe again soon....

Keep safe and healthy and have a good week.

Sylvia@Treadlestitches said...

I always enjoy reading your blog and seeing your beautiful nature pictures. Such a lovely yellow block, and a yummy looking Greek supper. I'm afraid to count how many projects I've got going, but as long as I'm finishing some of them I'm not overwhelmed.

dq said...

Courthouse steps in yellow and grey is divine!
It is amazing how well restaurants have been able to survive with takeout. Yummy photograph!

Karrin Hurd said...

Your takeout looks like something I would love. Love seeing how your cross stitch is coming along. I always enjoy seeing your lovely photos of birds and scenery. Have a great week!

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

Great job on your scrappy little table topper. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

I seem to hover around 20 projects and UFOs. I have tried to get below that for years but I seem to keep coming up with new ideas to start!

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

Your courthouse steps table topper is lovely! Beautiful colors, and the hand quilting is perfect!
Thank you for linking up ;)

R's Rue said...

Beautiful nature photos.

Deb said...

Our first round is done to , we are such a society of get it nows aren't we!?
I have lots of UFOs, it might be because my mind never stops working. I am getting a few complete tho.
We get take outs from our local restaurants also, I am still not dining out or socializing as I am trying to help decrease those numbers! Alberta is still
in trouble!
Stay safe and sew on !
https://quiltchatter.blogspot.com/2021/04/how-many-quilts-can-quilter-quilt.html

Melisa- pinkernpunkinquilting said...

Such a lovely yellow mini quilt and your stitch looks amazing . Happy quilting.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

What beautiful birds! and that yellow table topper is so happy and sunny! I've not really eaten Greek food that I know of, that would be fun to try!