Tuesday, 18 July 2023

Pinks Everywhere, Basket Blocks, Free EPP Patterns

A tiny rabbit appeared in the front yard one day when the sun was scorching the grass. It stayed in this position long enough for me to get the camera ready. I got excited at the possibility of this being a brilliant photo with the little guy paused amidst an arbor of colours, pinks above and greens below. I took a number of photos. The light was horrible and this is best of the shots. Sigh But the little fellow looked so cute. I wished I could hold it. 
 
I spent an enjoyable hour combing the stacks at the local library last week while I waited for Jack. That library has had a great infusion of funds via property taxes due to all the sub divisions that have sprung up surrounding the original little town. The library closed for a makeover in the spring and I must say it is looking spiffier with big new windows and an extension to hold more stacks. 
I like how my card for this library is good for many more libraries around the province for interlibrary loans, etc. 
I had no trouble finding a few to check out. Amongst them- I'm reading Barbara's book and enjoying it very much. Demon Copperhead
I've read about and watched a number of videos on the beautiful Appalacia and the effects of the coal mining,etc. with respect to the education of the children, so this is interesting to me. 

Free EPP Patterns...I just downloaded 6 free EPP patterns from Seams Sew Me. Belle has a pretty site and YouTube channel. She linked up with 5 other designers to make the special EPP offer to her subscribers. The six projects are sweet and small so quick to stitch. I like them all. 

The Quiltmania Solidarity QAL included at least four appliqued basket blocks and I stitched three of them. Here are two more to work out how to use in a project. The bottom one has a Christmas feel with the striped fabric so I'll set that aside for now. 
These blocks were all designed by different quilters all over the world. I think this one below was Victoria Findlay Wolfe's - I stitched this very large block as a bit of a challenge to me. I think I will use it in the back of one of these finishes. 

Having a purpose like this...to give old blocks tucked away in a drawer new life in a finish, is great. It's been a morale booster and I'm glad I decided this summer would be a time in between to get at this.
 This week's specific stitchy work is right off a non-stitchy one... to get photos of the Rainbow Neighbourhood Houses Quilt which is finished. But I also want to start quilting Solidarity Flimsy #1. 

I'll be back later in the week with more news...we celebrated a special birthday last weekend and I've received some mail I want to share. I hope all of you have a good week.


16 comments :

Deb A said...

Such pretty pinks in your post! Love those basket blocks and that was nice of the bunny to stay put so you could get a photo. Have a good week.

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

your library looks nice and bright - I like natural light. I really don't go in the library often and borrow most of mine on line seeing as I have a kindle - ours is an older building and it didn't make good use of natural light.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Aww - I would have wanted to cuddle that wee bunny too!
Your library looks wonderful. We make great use of ours because both of us love to read. If we had to purchase the sheer number of books DH reads we'd have no money for anything else. Interlibrary loan is a wonderful thing too.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I love our public library here! We have that same ability to borrow books from many regional libraries - it makes more books available to more readers. Love your bunny photo, too, and the pretty blocks you're pulling out. The heart one is especially fun!

grammajudyb said...

Loving your pink themed post! What are the pink flowers in the bunny photo? I’m glad to hear that Rainbow Neighourhood is finished! Good for you! Mine is still at the long armer. I remember when you made that pink tulip block It looks awesome with your beautiful pink geraniums! Hope you have a great week!

Jeanna said...

Your flowers are very pretty. The spot in your front yard is a great place to hang out, I don't blame the bunny. Your blocks are looking great as well. I could hang out in our public library for hours! I'm participating in their adult summer reading program. Which reminds me, I'm behind on yesterday's reading. Great post, Jocelyn!

PaintedThread said...

Cute bun! I think we may have one around here, but he's been hiding in my overgrown garden. (The HUGE woodchuck has not been quite as shy.) I love libraries (and makeovers always make them better!)

Daniela Bencúrová said...

I love libraries and books :-)
Beautiful sewing!
Greetings!
Daniela

Jenny said...

Didn't you do well with that lovely photo, little bunny in the centre nicely framed by nature. You probably don't want to know this, but in New Zealand rabbits are considered a pest and are eradicated. They were brought into the country by early settlers and have run amok with no natural predators here, we dont have foxes or anything else to naturally feed on them.

Jackie said...

We had a bush bunny like yours stay with us an entire summer. It got so I could get within inches of it and have quite the conversation. Mostly on my side of course. In the fall the bunny disappeared, but this spring and summer we have a larger one visiting us in our front yard on a daily basis.

Must take a look at those links you shared.

God bless.

Darla H said...

Aww, what a sweet little bunny!

You probably already know that Demon Copperhead is a sort of modern Dickens' David Copperfield.
I didn't know until after I'd read it. Either way, it is a great roller coaster of a story.

Darla

Brian's Home Blog said...

Those blocks are very pretty and that bunny sure is cute! We look forward to hearing about the good news.

Linda said...

Love your "pink" post, especially that last photo with your block and the geraniums(?) Your appliqued basket blocks are really pretty - you do such pretty work. The library looks so inviting. It has been years since I've been to one, and I miss the smell and feel of books as well as the slightly hushed atmosphere. Looking forward to your next post - was there a cake from your daughter at the celebration? :)

Cathy said...

The bunny is so cute! I love seeing others’ local wildlife pictures. I’ve just started reading Demon Copperhead too!

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

Very nice library Your pinks are very pretty! Hugs

Susie H said...

Aren't libraries wonderful? I also love how they are so interconnected. Your blocks are pretty, the bunny is sweet. I hope you're having a great week!