Thursday 16 March 2023

Three Free Patterns, More EPP Pluses, Embroidered Snowy Scene, Muffins, A Show to Watch

 My Jasmine Magnolia is bravely blooming a little. Photographed against a screen and that backyard bank of snow.

I'm a bit proud to have kept this one alive and kicking. And thanks Mary Anne, Magpie's Mumblings, for that tip about banana skin water being excellent for houseplants too. We eat a lot of bananas so I will definitely be adding it to the mixtures rather than straight to composting.

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week was about favourite spring flowers. Think it will be a while before I'm seeing any flowers here. This is our front steps where that dip is, well it was ...much shovelling in my future which, don't worry, I will take breaks.
That is all snow off the veranda roof. But I know when the snow starts to melt it will go quickly. Of course, I love to see the early flowers but they tend to pop up before the weather is quite ready for them. Spring is when we get freezing rain and that usually kills any flowers. But nothing is going to be popping out of the ground just yet and that is why I love it when you share your spring blooms. 

Daughter shared her walnut and bran muffins with us. She had cut the sugar in half and realized afterwards that that was a tad extreme. But with butter and raspberry jam, they are delicious. 

It's coming to the time for Easter and bunnies. This fabric, Dandelion Easter, showed up in an email from The Quilted Boutique, one of my favourite shops to explore.  So pretty. 

 Slow stitching this week is taken up with my Crabapple Hill StudiosSnow Days blocks. Here is the first block finished.
And stitching in front of this series which we have finished now...I even got used to Harrison and Helen together which seemed odd to me at the start. Thanks all for the recommendation of this one.

I stitched a couple more of the Pluses in greens...


Thursday's Three Free

I'm seeing this kind of scrappy triangle pop up here and there around the web and many are calling it the modern triangle. Here is Rebecca from Bryan House Quilts showing how to make the modern triangle and form it into a heart shape too in this case. Lots of good info and ideas here and on her blog too.


From the folks at Sulky, in their free pattern bank is this very cute pattern called Irish Twins.

Also there you'll find the link to make this 50 States Wallhanging. Along the way is the template for each state to personalize your hanging. 

I'm always spying ways to use up scrappy strings and this is a neat quilt below called Diamonds and Strings. Made by  Beth on her YouTube channel My Sewing Room. Beth shares something I've always wanted to know how to do... how to draw an accurate diamond shape, in this case out of cereal box cardboard. The video is called Make a String Quilt using A Diamond Shaped Template (homemade of course).  Beth's scrappy stringy diamonds are really pretty.
That night I was browsing 
At Sum of Their Stories and I found this wonderful post that takes you through how to crochet a granny square.  Then they show you all the wonderful items you can make with them. 
And as always for my cross stitching friends, Smart Cross Stitch has a bank of very neat patterns to download for free. Like Christmas Deer below. I especially love the embellishing stitches on this one.
I'm enjoying my week with the dogs. They are so happy for any little time and attention given them and return to us such love and affection back. 
Sharing this post with Floral Friday FotoKathy's QuiltsQuilting is More Fun Than HouseworkSmall Quilts and Doll Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

15 comments :

Jenny said...

Lots of lovely things to look at in your blog, as usual. I love magnolia trees, their blossoms are so beautiful. They are a bit too big for our little home but I get to admire them when out and about. I often cut the sugar measure in half when baking too. You are really enjoying your time with the three dogs, I'm sure Neddy is over the moon to have them visiting.

Daisy Debs said...

❄️❄️ I really love your snow scene , so effective and quite charming ❄️☃️

Angela said...

Wow! So much stitchy goodness!

Jenn Jilks said...

Those are great patterns.
I am carrying on with my embroidery. You crafty folks inspire!
A magnolia! I had one in Ottawa and one here outside.
Yay spring!

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Jocelyn! I will have to go check out the details about adding a banana peel to the houseplant water. That sounds fascinating to me and I'd love to give it a try. Your magnolia is just gorgeous. Congrats to you for getting it to blossom indoors so beautifully. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne

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

what size are you pulses - I ordered some papers for it and printed out a free pattern. I love your jasmine - or was it magnolia - very pretty. I might buy a magnolia tree = they grow well here outside. I am trying to see if I can grow one from seed just because I picked some out when out east last fall from the down fall of seed pods on the ground. I cut sugar at times too - usually a quarter down

Jackie said...

I really enjoy looking at all your shared pages. Lots to look at, bookmark and perhaps make later on.

God bless.

Brian's Home Blog said...

You Magnolia is very pretty. We have a big one out front, her name is Maggie. I love those Irish Twins, so pretty and of course the muffins look great!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I'm so glad you have indoor blooms to enjoy when there is still lots of snow outside! That Crabapple Hill snow day design is fun - love the flag. It's always fun to see what free patterns and projects you find! I've been seeing such interesting EPP designs out there lately - makes me want to try something new. And that Christmas Deer is beautiful!

Linda said...

We always threw our banana peels directly into our garden until we got dogs. Now the year old "puppy" will eat anything, and I mean anything, so we can't compost anymore. I should buy one of those barrel composters. Your Snow Days block is lovely. Jocelyn that is a LOT of snow!

Pat at Bell Creek Quilts said...

thanks for sharing the patterns and your needle work is exquisite!

Deb A said...

Lots of fun links! I tend to forget to water plants. Good tip on the banana water. We always seem to have banana's I'll have to give that a try (and a phone reminder to water the plants!) Hope you get some snow melting soon. Enjoy your weekend.

The Joyful Quilter said...

Inquiring minds want to know... Did you order that darling bunny fabric, Jocelyn??? :o))
Thanks for the Sulky link! I found a pattern that will make the perfect gift for one of my friends. Happy shoveling and PLEASE remember to pace yourself!

Jill at emeraldcottage said...

Your stitched block looks fab! I must look out for that series, I do like Harrison Ford!
Jillxo

LA Paylor said...

we had such a hot spell I began thinking of spring flowers but lots of us are still in winter weather. No flowers grow well here any time of year but I remember Maryland and my spring lovelies...
I want to see 1923 but we don't subscribe to paramount... gotta see if I can watch anywhere else.
Love, LeeAnna