Thursday 3 November 2022

Three Free Patterns, Cross Stitching Birds, Pumpkin Crunch Cake, Panama Pyramids EPP

We both got our bivalent vaccine booster shots on Monday and both had a sore arm but, thankfully, no other effects. At this point where there seems to be a smorgasborg of viruses circulating, I don't know if it will be a help or not. Lots of talk of a bad flu happening here though too. 

Leeanna's Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week was to share our favourite pumpkin recipe. I shared this dump cake recipe in this post back in 2019 because it was just so good and the perfect cake for autumn. As you know, I'm not a big sweets lover but this cake was irresistible to me. The recipe is from Karly at Buns in My Oven and she called it Pumpkin Crunch Cake. It calls for simple ingredients; I used the whole cake mix and it filled a 9 x 13 pan.  Through kitchen chemistry, it ends up having a crunchy layer and a custard layer on the bottom. 

                    

Just wondering if you have a favourite recipe featuring pumpkin??? It's not a flavour I particularly like all on its own. 

I've managed to spend a little quiet time this week cross stitching.  A couple of birds sitting atop thistles emerging on Autumn Quakers

And in real life, the Dark Eyed Juncos are back from their northern summer breeding grounds.  Small flocks of them have been foraging all over the gardens and under the feeders. I will see them off and on throughout the winter.

I'm plugging away on my Panama Pyramids. I'm not at all tiring of the EPP and I hope you are not bored seeing them.  And I am liking how, by setting a goal of 7 - 10 or so blocks a month, they are adding up. Overall it doesn't seem I'm really working on this project. And it gives me a chance to raid the scrap pile. 

Do you like my fuzzy socks?

Thursday's Free Three

I'm happy to share this pattern called Liberty & Flowers. It's really versatile and is pictured in a number of colourways over at Suzy Quilts. There is lots to explore in Suzy's bank of free patterns and also simple free motion tutorials as well. So much to see that I've signed up for the newsletter.

Also this small pattern below I want to try. Halloween behind us now so it's the extra special time of year to start thinking about. Suzy calls this her Stars Hollow Christmas Tree ornament. 

If you would like to improve your embroidery skills, Trish Burr offers a page of patterns to download to practise various stitches.  Found Here Trish is an amazing embroiderer specializing in full coverage pieces made with needle painting. For years, I've had my eye on that pattern on the left bottom- the little girl feeding the chickens. I love it. She has lots of tutorials too.  

 I found this YouTube video of Trish teaching how to make the long and short stitches needed for full coverage embroidery.
Helen at this post White Wood and Linen shares photos and directions to make special angel wings ornaments/decorations. 

And you can find loads of free wing templates here....Angel Wings Templates. With an added embroidered word...name, etc. these could be very special gifts.

It's been a productive week here at the wooden house with several loads of firewood stacked, appointments kept, library books picked up, and a birthday celebration.  With continued sunshine and warming up during the days, our garden is golden still. I'm enjoying it all very much.
 Hope your weekend will be wonderful!


24 comments :

Mary Ann Tate said...

That pumpkin recipe sounds interesting :) Thanks for the link to Tracy Burr. I downloaded some of her how to freebies.

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

I like all things pumpkin but that cake does look good. So does your stitchery. We are still having very early fall weather here and haven't even thought of firewood but we had so much last year that there is enough for this year too. The leaf's on the trees are turning and I expect with a thunderstorm coming tomorrow evening we will have a lot more leafs on the ground Saturday morning.

LA Paylor said...

once again, your photo makes me want to do a painting. The junco has a gleam in it's eyes and beautiful shading.
I want to try that recipe but can't use most cake recipes... wonder how to adapt it?
LeeAnna

Angela said...

Those wings are so cute!

Linda said...

That pumpkin crunch is probably my favorite pumpkin dessert. I made it in the early 1990s when we had a Thanksgiving family get-together. My nephew thought it was sweet potato casserole and was raving about it - lol! Thanks for the links! I wish we were needing firewood. I'm all about fall and wearing boots and seeing my breath outside, but the weather is still getting into the 70s during the day with humidity, so it doesn't seem much like fall.

Jackie said...

Hmm, that cake looks wonderful and a new way to use up pumpkin puree.

I am definitely going to make some of those wings one day very soon.

God bless.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Your dump cake looks and sounds delicious! I'll have to try that one. I love juncos, too - they're one of my favorite birds. They usually show up in our yard when it snows. Thanks for sharing the three free, as always - the White work is interesting to me - I haven't seen that before!

PaintedThread said...

That dump cake looks really good. We've noticed the juncos have come back in force here, too. Those embroidery patterns are so pretty. Those angel wings are cute.

Su-sieee! Mac said...

Your socks are fuzzily cute! Thanks for the links.

Michele McLaughlin said...

Always a joy to read your blog! I'm recovering from the flu and hope you and Tony remain virus free! Love your pyramids piece and your cross stitch is adorable! We are going for our covid boosters this week. Hoping you continue to have a warmer and happy Autumn! Thanks again for the free patterns! Hugs!

CountryDew said...

Thanks for coming by my blog. I hope your vaccines keep you safe - I have not received that one yet though I do have the flu shot and the other 4 Covid boosters. For some reason the Pfizer is not available in my area, only the Moderna, so I am waiting for the Pfizer. Rural living, I suppose. Have a great weekend!

Susie H said...

I saw my first junco this past week at my son's in Maryland. I expect we'll be seeing them here at home soon. Lovely post as always. Thank you.

Rosemary Dickinson said...

Pumpkin crunch sounds so good! I always find your posts filled with the best photos. They're always so fun to see. I just got my bivalent booster too. I felt under the weather for a few days but not too bad. Your socks look very warm!

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

Le cross stitching is lovely, pretty colors. I love your EPP project too, it's nice to see it growing!
Thank you for sharing your progress, and linking up

Kate said...

Autumn Quakers is looking good. I'm not a big fan of pumpkin, I always went for the chocolate pie with meringue topping for Thanksgiving.

Deb said...

Great blog post , just what I needed after a taxing week. And I do love those fuzzy socks. Happy stitching.

Karrin Hurd said...

Great projects. Thanks for the links. Love Autumn Quakers. The pumpkin cake looks great.

Ivani said...

That pumpkin cake looks delicious!
Your cross stitch project is beautiful, Jocelyn.
Have a great week.

CathieJ said...

Thanks for the link to that pumpkin recipe. Our family's favorite pumpkin recipe is a Maple Pumpkin Pie that I make each Thanksgiving. I also have a few tasty pumpkin quick breads. The floss colors on Autumn Quakers are gorgeous. Panama Pyramids is looking great. Have a great week!

Rajani Rehana said...

Beautiful blog

Carolyn said...

I am also not a big fan of the pumpkin flavor. I think I will try the pumpkin crunch cake soon.

Joy from Days Filled With Joy said...

I love pumpkin soup - not really a fan of sweet pumpkin recipes... but maybe one day I should get out of my comfort zone, lol! Love your EPP and cross stitch! xx

Brenda @ Songbird Designs said...

Your EPP and cross stitch is so pretty! That White Work with Colour book is intriguing! I will be checking that out! I have no pumpkin recipes, as neither I nor my hubby are fans of pumpkin. Sweet potatoes on the other hand are a fave!! Thank you for linking up with Monday Musings! Have a great week!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

We found an easy pumpkin cheesecake recipe Resident Chef has made a couple of times. I'm hoping to try pumpkin soup over the winter (lots of pumpkin puree in our freezer at the moment).
We had one little junco at our feeder a couple of weeks ago but haven't seen any since. I hope they visit more often.
Definitely not bored seeing the Pyramid project so keep it coming.
Those angel wings are adorable.