Thursday 21 July 2022

Thursday's Three Free, Basket Case Hand Quilting, Favourite Kitchen Gadget, Critters

We are still in the middle of a heat wave. Temperatures are reaching to the 30's every day and the heat alone without humidity doesn't bother me happily.  I'm just thankful we seem to be stuck at a tolerance level and not breaking records(yet!) like in England and parts of the U.S. 

The tiny peepers have given way to the green frogs and brown toads. I'm now hearing the distinctive rumble of a couple of bull frogs at the pond. 

This happens every year though I've yet to see either a peeper or a bullfrog. Just hear their sounds which I love to note.

We had fewer dragonflies this spring. One time I would have noted that with a bit of worry. Not now as I've noticed these creatures too seem to be somewhat cyclic in numbers from year to year. 

Last night I stitched more quilting lines on my Basket Case quilt. I'm outlining each basket and block in a variegated thread.

I love to see the pretty fabrics up close.
The giant basket was easy to quilt- that men's shirt fabric provided a natural grid.
But I am finding it a little warm on my lap so I'd like it to be ready to be bound and done this weekend.  It is my July OMG and this month is flying by. I just might be on track for a finish in time for once. 

This week, LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color is encouraging us to share our favourite kitchen gadget in this Thursday's post. 

I really like this one, my Danish Dough Whisk, and use it constantly for stirring and blending though rarely for actual dough. It works great on eggs, for instance. I like the comfortable wooden handle (no plastics) and how easy to clean it is. Daughter gave me this one and I looked it up. You can check it out for yourself here at Amazon.

I also love this apron I ordered from Simons. The range of purples are amazing. Aubergine and aubergines galore!
Perhaps you'd like to share your favourite kitchen gadget in a comment.


Thursday's Three Free-actually Four This Week

#1 Here Leanne at Devoted Quilter shares her free pattern called Tilted Flowers. She provides a very detailed and helpful tutorial for this as well. I just don't know how folks can write those things...kudos to you.

#2 From the clever folks at Quilting Daily comes this SAL, Free First Snow Block -First House As you know by now, I have a thing for house blocks and this one caught my eye. Love the little fussy cut appliques.


#3 Simple Simon and Company Is this your time to try Foundation Paper Piecing? I am definitely going to try a pineapple block using this method. There so happens to be a free pdf for that block and 9 others at that link. 10 Modern Foundation Paper Piecing Patterns To Make  The two sisters in law behind this site collated ten beautiful patterns and have links to the Foundation Paper Piecing history as well as a tutorial. Good Stuff!


And this time a #4... for my
cross stitching pals, I have to remind you that The Fat Quarter Shop has three pages of free downloadable cross stitch patterns from a variety of designers. All of them very cute, imo. 


Thank you for the kind words you send me through this thing called the net. I love communicating with you and while I don't have time to respond to all the comments all the time, I will answer all questions or queries, etc. 
Hope you are staying cool or toasty depending on your corner of this wonderful world. 


28 comments :

Libby in TN said...

We have tree frogs and they make quite a racket during mating season which is early summer. Now we're hearing cicadas. I'm hoping it's not one of those record years where we have to dodge them every time we go outside.

LA Paylor said...

ooooo chock a block full of good stuff! Thanks for all the ideas and links. I almost got one of those whisks a while back, maybe for doughs? Glad to hear they are handy, I just love the look and idea of them.
great photo of frog... and I could almost hear them from your description. We have more butterflies this year but no dragonflies yet. I miss praying mantis we had in MD... and fireflies.
I think humans done in the earth... the whole place is heating up
L.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I love the sounds of the frogs and toads, too. A friend and I meet to walk around some ponds and we can hear them there. One time we tried to get up close and see what was making that sound, and as soon as we got there, they stopped! Your basket quilting looks lovely! Thanks, again for the links, too. I also have a pineapple block on my quilty bucket list.

Anonymous said...

I received a Danish Dough Whisk for Christmas, and l love it so much! I had never even seen one before receiving one as a gift, and now, I don’t know how I made it all these years without one!!
Sandra B
scb304@juno.com

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

your quilting is looking fine! we have the critters too but I must say I have not seen many lizards this season - maybe they are still there but I am not out as much to see them? I seen tiny blue lizards by the garden when I water and the occasional frog but not many on the porch.
The heat is awful here too but I hear at the end of the month it might not be bad - I do hope it cools off then we have a family reunion to go to at the end of the month

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Great likes. While wading in the river it was fun counting all the frogs. Lots of dragonflies up there, which were quite different than the ones down here. But I did see some dragonfly larvae which are fascinating wee beasties. Love your baskets. I use my danish whisk for when I am making sourdough, so for now it is relegated to the tool caddy, no bread making for me currently.

Jenny said...

My favourite kitchen gadget would have to be my old triangular grater, well used and worn. Robin wants me to replace it, but this particular sort is not made any more. It's funny how attached we can get to things.

Daisy Debs said...

It has been horribly hot here in the U.K too .We are just not used to it .
It has made me feel quite unwell .
I'm loving your froggy pics and your patchwork is beautiful HUGS Debbie x

piecefulwendy said...

Your posts are such a delight to read! I have a dough whisk, too, but never think to use it for something other than dough! I wipe the handle down with mineral oil after using it; it keeps the wood nice. Your quilts are looking great!

Deb A said...

I have that wisk too! great for mixing muffins. I can hear those frogs from your description. I miss the loon calls from VT. Pretty stitches. I think a favorite is my garlic press and the microphone. Oh, and one particular wooden spoon that is perfect for mixing.

Brian's Home Blog said...

Your quilting and stitchings always look amazing. We have lots of frogs around here too and it's quite noisy at night.

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Jocelyn! Your Danish Dough Whisk definitely looks very handy. As a whisk for sure - not so much for dough. Your baskets are coming right along but it is SO HOT to have it on your lap right now. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne

PaintedThread said...

That frog is so green! Oh, I have the big one of those dough whisk. Never thought to use it as a regular whisk. Neat sewing projects - love those little blocks.

Rebecca in AK said...

I think your baskets are delightful! Love the hand quilting. It has cooled down here quite a bit, in the 50’s F. Thank you for the pattern links. I always look forward to your blog posts.

Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting said...

Love the fig print apron!!! Fun free patterns!

Rosemary Dickinson said...

You always have the greatest post! I've never seen a Danish Dough Whisk before. Nice to know! Love the free patterns you shared. Thank you!

gladiquilts said...

Thanks for another lovely post to start my day! One of the joys of hand quilting is getting to savor those beautiful fabrics close up. Love your nature photos - frogs especially! And thanks for the pattern info. I used FPP to make my “pineapple” quilt and it was the perfect way to keep all those seams straight. Have a great weekend and stay cool!

Linda said...

I miss hearing frogs, we haven't heard any since we moved to "the city". When I was young we had an orchard next to us, and when it rained hard it filled up with water and the frogs were so happy. Sometimes they kept us awake at night they were so loud!
My favorite kitchen gadget is a digital scale I received from a company in 2008 in exchange for a review. It has been surprisingly handy!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Alas we don't hear frogs where we live now and I do miss them. The river is right across the way but I think the water is too fast-moving for them to take up residence. We do, however, have cicadas later in the summer and I love hearing those too.
Favorite kitchen gadget - hmmm - does my 6'2" Resident Chef count??? I've seen those dough whisks and wondered if they were any good. Might get him one now.
Thank you for the fun links!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

The frog in the first picture is a Northern Leopard Frog. A Green Frog is a different species - but perhaps you are just referring to colour and not to species. The toad in case you are interested is American Toad.

Carmen M. said...

Thank You for posting the free foundation Christmas/House pattern, will be fun to try it!
I understand about being forgetful at times, it is very scary as I am currently helping a friend who just got diagnosed with Alzheimer's and I worry when I find myself forgetting similar things!!! She has no family at least I have one that would support me however they can.
I am fairly new reading your blog and wanted to let you know how much I enjoy it!!!
My father was Canadian so I think that is how I found you when I saw your blog name.
Thanks for all you do!

Carol in Texas said...

Jocelyn, I love your free items! How do you find them every week? I have always looked forward to your blog entries but now they are even more enticing with these wonderful free sites you find for us. Thank you SO much. I look forward to every visit with you!

Linda said...

The basket case is coming along nicely. I'm visiting from Slow Sunday Stitching.

Karrin Hurd said...

We don't have bullfrogs, just those tiny guys. It has been 100-105 here this week. I have to get out and garden first thing in the morning. Happy stitching, and hope you can keep cool!

CathieJ said...

We don't get any frogs around here. I remember a few from my childhood. Your baskets are looking great. I love that apron. My kind of colors. I have never used a whisk like that...never even seen one before. I think my favorite kitchen utensil is my microplaner. I use it to zest lemons and ginger. Thanks for the Freebie links. I may have to print the cross-stitch pattern.

Yvonne said...

I have never seen that Danish dough wisk, they look different than the Dutch ones. The weather seems to be going from one extreme to the other on all continents. Beautiful basket quilting. Enjoy your summer stitches!

Floor said...

Nice frog and toad. Love toads, they are so nice and slow and thick.
Think your baskets are so cute.
What is my favorite appliance in the kitchen?
I do not have, because I really hate cooking or baking.
But I cook well every day.
Greetings,
Floor

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

Love the basket quilt! 30’s? Is that Celsius and what would Fahrenheit be? I would love it to be 30 in Fahrenheit now! LOL. Hugs