Tuesday 25 October 2022

Quilt Block Test, Thrift Store Find, Attic 24 Crochet Latest, Another Great SAL, Autumn Love

Saturday, Sunday and Monday were glorious days that showcased perfect October weather. The sun shone all day and warmed the earth. It was pleasant enough to sit on the veranda and stitch.

 I watched leaves gently letting go and kept thinking of the word golden. Ned joined me, keeping a sharp eye on the squirrels and sniffing the air, enjoying autumn in an entirely different way. 
It was perfect to be crocheting and I didn't mind the extra warmth of wool in my lap. I listened to this audio book, Miss Eliza's English Kitchen. A Novel of Victorian Cookery and Friendship by Annabel Abbs.  I am enjoying this one very much.

It is reminding me of my mother, a life long cook and baker. Also a life long recipe collector even into her 80's when she admitted she knew these dishes would not be made by her. But she couldn't resist noting them anyway. Pinterest gave her joy in that way.

Lucy at Attic 24 has revealed her newest project and free pattern, The Fireside Blanket. I love it but am exercising restraint as this year I have a few requests for Christmas stitching.  But isn't it pretty!

I also got a little bit distracted by Karen's Magic Circle blocks as a possible way for me to use up yarn scraps.  Crocheting circles would be a nice break from these very long stripes.

A couple of weeks ago in this post I shared a free pattern from Kristy at Quiet Play to make the paper pieced tree block called Red Herring. She has updated this past pattern of hers to this link now to be found HERE. Thank You Kristy!

I've given it a whirl. I wanted to see if I enjoyed stitching it enough to make a wall hanging. Foundation paper piecing is a little tricky at the start. It is reversal kind of sewing and you have to get in the mindset.  The second one went a lot faster than the first. I decided to turn these two blocks into a mug rug. Photographing it against wood seemed appropriate too, :D.  I will be sharing this with Joy's Table Scraps post...a party to encourage us to scrounge through our scraps and make something!

It also gave me a chance to show you my latest thrift store mug. It was made by the English Mug Co. and it had the tiniest little chip on the bottom rim- I used  sandpaper and rubbed it smooth and almost invisible. It was an "as is" item so just $2.  I love the design and colours-pink and turquoise together...the design reminds me of holly for some reason. I looked it up and found out it is fine bone china and the pattern is called Rosie's Garden.
  I would love to do a hanging in these turquoise greens but deeper ones, more teal I guess...alas none in my stash so more thinking about this. A little shopping might be in order.  I'll share this with Saturday's So Scrappy linky party. 

Anybody joining in the free Sewcialites SAL offered by The Fat Quarter Shop


This week I have grandson for one of those PA days the schools run.  We have a couple of appointments of the dreary kind (for me)...accountant/tax stuff -my eyes glaze over when they talk, and they're always so nice, I feel bad I'm not listening.  And my stitching fingers are flying on Plaid Tilda trying to achieve that October OMG. Down to the finale!

Oh and I have to buy Halloween treats...we get no trick or treaters here down our long laneway (might be a little scary if we did!- some of us have seen those movies) but I buy our favourite chocolate bars just in case. 

Autumn is turning out to be an enjoyable and productive season for me. Hope you are feeling the same even if our Autumn is actually your Spring!

Happy to be linking this post with Linda's To Do PartyBrian's Blog,  The Inquiring QuilterQuilt FabricationTrue Blue Quilts,  Creations, Quilts, Art,  Alycia QuiltsWendy's Quilts and MoreConfessions of a Fabric Addict, ChrisKnitsSew Can Do and My Corner of the World


29 comments :

Libby in TN said...

Your crochet is looking good! One of my earliest quilting projects was paper pieced. What was I thinking?!

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

and here I tired of circles and switched to a striped blanket instead! I like Lucy's newest but I have decided not to as I have so much yarn to use already - like fabric it multiplies and I will use my scrappy yarn this winter instead.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I love that Fireside blanket design - what a great way to use up scraps! Unfortunately I don't have enough to make anything out of and maybe that's a good thing!!

Deb A said...

Pretty crochet project and what a nice place to sit and stitch with your faithful companion Ned! I checked out the quilt along and it is tempting, but I think I'll pull a project out to work on that has been waiting 15 years for me to start it. I need to stop looking for things in my sewing room as I keep finding more projects! Have a good week.

Lillian "sognafaret" said...

So amazing blanket

loulee said...

Autumn is a lovely time of year, when the weather is nice. LOL Love you crochet project and Lucy's new project too. Great to spend time with grand children.

Arish said...

Preciosa manta de ganchillo, aunque las líneas sean muy largas el resultado es bonito y el mantelito para la preciosa taza tiene un diseño muy original.
La taza es un tesoro. BESICOS.

Jenny said...

I love the picture of Ned sitting beside you, looking so alert and watchful. He is a lovely dog. I can't crochet do certainly admire those who work on large woolly blankets.

Vicki in MN said...

You are crocheting with such beautiful colors. And that Fireside one wow, so pretty! I hope you have a great week!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

It sounds lovely to sit out on the veranda with Ned and crochet! So peaceful. That's a beautiful project you're working on, too. Now that I have a very tiny bit of knowledge about crocheting, I look at designs like that and wonder what stitches were used in it. That's a neat block you paper-pieced. I agree - there's a mindset to paper-piecing that you have to get into so that it will go smoothly!

Jackie said...

I do love those colours in your crochet project. Turning the block into a mug rug was a great idea.

God bless.

Lin said...

Such pretty colours for your crochet. Your new mug is gorgeous and perfect on your new mug rug. xx

Pamela Dempsey said...

Your crochet blanket is so pretty, love the colors! Ned is a great companion 🥰

Linda said...

How nice that you have Christmas crochet requests. That one in your lap is beautiful. Your teacup and mug rug look gorgeous. Thank you for sharing with To Do Tuesday!

grammajudyb said...

Love the colors in your crocheted lap covering. That’s the good thing about crocheting or knitting or binding in the fall, a bit of added warmth! I noticed Kathryn at Kathryn Quilts is doing the Sewcialities blocks! I like your paper pieced mug rugs and your pretty pink mug! What a find! Wishing you a great week!

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

What a pretty little tree block! Love the idea of a mug rug for your new cup. Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.

Rosemary Dickinson said...

I love your blanket. My grandmother used to crochet all the time and used to make blankets very similar to yours. The tea cup you found is precious! It looks perfect on your mugrug too!

Jill at emeraldcottage said...

I have NOT exercised restraint and have bought thee fireside kit, haven't started it yet, maybe next week,
Jillxo

PaintedThread said...

I really like the colors of your afghan. Cute mug. Great mug rug! There certainly is a knack for paper piecing. I'm starting to get the hang of it (I didn't sew too many wrong-sides together this time around!)

Sandee said...

The blanket is beautiful. I love the colors. You're so very talented.

Have a fabulous Thankful Thursday. ♥

Brian's Home Blog said...

Everything sure is pretty and that blanket is gorgeous. Ned, you look like quite the thoughtful helper. Thanks for joining our Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Ned - oh Ned - how you get me everytime... he is your protector!!
LOVE the blanket you are working on, those colors are amazing!!!!
Thanks for linking to Finished (or not) Friday!!! I love seeing what all you are working on!!

Janice said...

Hi, I usually read your posts linked to Wendy's Peacock Party. Thanks for your comments about my paper piecing. I tried to reply back but had trouble with the settings on my computer. We are enjoying cooler weather here in western Tennessee. Have a good weekend. Janice

Quilter Kathy said...

You have renewed my interest in my Red Herring project! I don't know where my blocks are at this moment, but they are so pretty and fun to sew.
I am going to be. Sewcialite and am sewing block #2 today! Woohoo!

Laceflower said...

Thank you for the book recommendation, sounds just up my alley. Currently listening to Nigella Lawson read her recipes to me. 'How to Eat'.

The Joyful Quilter said...

What a lovely mug rug you created for the TABLE SCRAPS Challenge, Jocelyn!! Thanks for sharing your thrifted mug score, too. Such a beautiful addition to your cup collection!

K Reeves said...

That is a lovely new CAL, almost makes me want to crochet…but I just can’t get the knack! I am needing to decide quickly on the Christmas gifts I need to make this year. With a son in law, I have to think hard about what would be a good gift! I love the picture with Ned, he seems so sweet!

Angie in SoCal said...

What a neat mug rug you've made. Love the colors.

chrisknits said...

Such beautiful colors on your blog. Thanks for linking with TGifF last week, sorry I am so tardy in responding!