Young robin, pond bathing...
The garden has become overgrown and I'm a bit overwhelmed trying to keep up. Who knew rain and heat interspersed with sun were the perfect combination for plant growth, :). Look how everything is spilling onto the front steps. Usually this is a late August look.
My Woodpecker is getting more of his feathers! I made a mistake in one of the lines and had a little unstitching to do. I waffled about pulling out the stitches because I don't think anyone else would notice. But I'm glad now I did it because it probably would continue to bug me. But I'm enjoying this slow stitching journey -I'm certainly not doing any fast stitching that's for sure.
I shared a look at a block I'd stitched for my Bramble Blooms II project a while back. The one hosted by the improv artist, Audrey, at Quilty Folk. The free pattern is called Circle of Fiends and is from Maureen Cracknell Handmade. I have the other three blocks that I'm using for a center cut and ready to stitch. I realized the block is aqua-ish and would suit for the July RSC.
Joy at The Joyful Quilter has picked butterflies as a theme for July. Very appropriate and here are a number of free patterns featuring that summertime favourite motif.
The first is so lovely and light and summery...From Cloud 9 Fabrics
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I really liked the pattern from Connie Kresin, Free Motion By the River. I used to join her very popular linky party years ago. Caroline from SewCanShe has a beautiful and easily pieced butterfly in the collection too. Beautiful fabrics and butterflies...quite a combination.
We are enjoying this show below while eating our supper...we use trays in front of the tv. Anybody else dine like that?? (I've read that Ronald and Nancy Reagan loved eating like that.)
I wonder why I've gotten out my mini muffin pan, the one I bought to make some fancy tarts that one time about ten years ago and hasn't been used since. Have you ever done that? You will have to drop by next time to see what I got up to with it all these years later.
Another post threatening to get too long! I always have so much to say it seems. You all take care, stay warm and toasty or cool and collected depending on where you are on this beautiful planet of ours. Here the ceiling fans are whirring!
So happy to share this post with Songbird Designs, Alycia Quilts, Quilting Patchwork Applique, So Scrappy and My Quilt Infatuation.
27 comments :
I love your garden leading to your front of the house - it is beautiful.
We normally sit at the table for our meals but Mike has a tv in there to watch the news which to mean spoils the dinner as the news is always so horrible.
Loads of butterfly quilts. Thank you for all of them. Certainly some beauties with a few fiddly ones too. Your woodpecker is looking good! I hope you have some good weather so you can trim back your garden. It looks good though!
Your garden is looking quite healthy. I love the hydrangeas. Mine are just beginning to bloom. You are making nice progress on your Pileated Woodpecker. I love the aqua in your quilt block. I started watching Grantchester years ago. I'd like to get back to it.
I love the look of your garden, Jocelyn! So many happy things growing. We watch Jeopardy while eating dinner, and try to figure out the answers. It has been the catalyst for many interesting conversations! We're also enjoying Grantchester, but I agree - I'm surprised by all the smoking and drinking. Your center block for Bramble Blooms II is lovely! I've been looking at butterfly patterns, too, and have made a couple very simple ones for a small runner. That reminds me to go make some more!
Your garden is beautiful--those hydrangeas are amazing--mine haven't set bud to bloom yet...
Neat butterfly patterns...I was just looking at some on YT..hugs, Julierose
I don't think you're an old fogey. I watched Grantchester when it first came on PBS and really enjoyed the acting and the story line. When the vicar had a one night stand with a nightclub performer I drew the line. Like you say, a religious leader is supposed to set an example. Your woodpecker is such and interesting piece and I enjoy seeing the Progress.
Your garden looks beautiful, so lush and green. We sit in our 'TV' room with our meals on trays, we enjoy it. I couldn't watch the first flour seasons of Grantchester, I had read the books and they totally destroyed Sidney Chambers character. I still have a hard time with "vicars" they have now. I always enjoy your posts!
Your hosta leaves look wonderful, if you ever want to try thread painting on fabric, take a photo, copy it 4 times, crop out to have each quarter, print onto fabric after enlarging, sew together, and stitch over the lines, veins or petals if you have a flower. I have seen a hosta leaf done this way and it was SO stunning. Guess what, Josh says Vancouver is so hot, the streets are so long, too far to walk, he is hiring a bike, and the druggies and homeless are everywhere. He can't wait to be further out, once he gets a vehicle by Friday!!!
Such a fabulous photo of the young robin. Your garden is just gorgeous, Jocelyn. I love your hydrangeas. I planted my 1st hydrangea this year. I hope it does as well as yours. Thank you so much for sharing links to the butterfly projects. I have an affection for butterflies. Have a lovely week.
I’m loving how your woodpecker is coming along. Are you planning on stitching more of the animals in that series? A friend is working on the deer at the moment and she has all 12 patterns .
We also watch Grantchester. I don’t like all the smoking and drinking either. At that time, everyone smoked. It was the thing to do so the show is trying to be authentic to the period. Now, fewer people smoke as we all know the horrible things it can do to our bodies. None of my friends smoke.
Your gardens are thriving! Ours are doing well too. I try to get out to deadhead and weed every couple of days. There are bigger jobs to do outside that are waiting for cooler days.
Take care. Gail at the cozy quilter.
What a pretty garden and path! That is my ideal. It looks so inviting. I'd love to do something like that on this side of our house (where my sewing room is), but the dogs would trample through it like it was their playground. They are very sweet but very rude dogs. ;) Your aqua block is so pretty. I have a mini muffin pan that is rarely used now. I used to make "donut muffins" for our older grands when they were little. I guess I should make them for our Littles (they are here for a couple days) and see what they think!
Jocelyn, your woodpecker is looking great! On the butterfly page, I loved the one, large butterfly, no doubt paper pieced. It looks spectacular. I’m in a stitching only mood at the present. But I need to stop and quilt now and again, especially to finish the blocks of the fall quilt I started over a year ago. Your yard looks amazing! What lushness. We are at the stage of summer where things begin to brown out for lack of rain. Hurricane Beryl did give us a very welcome half inch yesterday, but dry, hot summers are usually our lot. I’m looking forward to seeing what you will do with your muffin tin!
P.S. Unfortunately my husband does not like Grantchester so we don’t watch it. But we have been watching some episodes of George Gently on either Prime or Acorn, and the smoking in that show is plentiful. Of course it is set in the 50s and 60s, so there was a lot of smoking then that we blessedly don’t have now. Both my parents smoked, but Peter’s family did not. I never had any desire to do so, thankfully. It is such a messy habit and expensive!!!
Such a fluffy looking robin. I feel for you with the garden - I didn't realize how massively overgrown it was until I looked at photos from 2020. I've been aggressively ripping stuff out whenever it's cool enough (and being very popular on freecycle giving away iris bulbs). Ooh, yes, Grantchester! The smoking and drinking - I think that's accurate for the times (and England). But it's crazy to see, isn't it? Stay cool!
Yes, we eat our evening meal on our laps in front of the TV, and our mid day lunch as well. In fact, breakfast is the only meal we eat at the dining table.
I think the Grandchester is depicting the era where near everyone smoked, and drinking was the rule. A good series, it gets better and better.
Love he butterfly motif.
Yes, we dine like that. It's so different these days! Years of doing things a different way...
Your garden looks amazing. I love it.
I think your garden looks beautiful! It shouts summer! I watched Grantchester a few times and enjoyed it. Your woodpecker is coming along nicely! Thanks for the free patterns!!
I love how busy you stay with all of your projects. The woodpecker stitching is just wonderful looking! I'm trying to get organized with the next BBII step, your centerpiece is very fun looking:)
Your garden is beautiful! My parents have a tv in the dining room and watch the news during lunch and breakfast. I've been known to take my plate into the living room to eat while watching tv.... but the dog needs to be elsewhere. He is pretty good and just puts his nose on your leg and looks pitiful hoping you give him some. Does not work though! I hope you have a lovely day and the ceiling fans keep whirling.
Your garden looks wonderful..everything is so lush.
The links to the pretty flutter-bye quilts are inspiring and several are so pretty. Almost tempting enough to make me want to make one (note, I said 'almost').
Love the stitching, love the garden, love the robin photo. Thanks for making me smile today. :)
Love the robin photo. I once watched one "bathe" in some water on the top of a stump my husband fashioned into a small bird bath. It is quite a process and much feather furling and furling, Make your posts as as kong as you need, I enjoy the read. . always!
Your Woodpecker is beautiful, I love this pattern. Cute pink tree, and rich leaves. The blue block is lovely too. And what a garden! Thank you for sharing.
Oooh Jocelyn!! I love your garden pathway - especially those white hydrangeas! Gorgeous blooms. Your block is really pretty and I love, love, love your butterfly quilt! It is gorgeous! We're trying to stay cool here in the south, but it's getting difficult...unless you stay inside all the time, and that is no fun! LOL Have a great coming week. Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Musings!
Beautiful garden! And yes - we also eat in front of the TV most evenings.
Your garden is looking very lush and your robin is very sweet. Very chilly for me in my subtropical climate...not used to it. Your cross stitch is looking very nice xx
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