Free Patterns, Christmas /Winter Stitching, Orphan Blocks

 Below are a few early winter photos while the snow is a novelty. While walking the dogs, I'm finding the air so wonderful and bracing. But I am a little shocked with just how cold it is already in the season. It was minus 12 with strong wind gusts that took my breath away one day, but it's back to mild and kind of damp feeling today.

Here is my usual kitchen window photo; it was dark enough very early for the big garage light to stay on. That's another thing; here in the Northern Hemisphere we are now tilting further away from the sun and our daylight is noticably and suddently it seems to me, shortened. It's dark earlier in the evenings and I'm getting up in darkness already.

And here's a sewing room window shot. 

Yes, winter has arrived. 

Source:homeschoolfrench.com

"Little by little, the bird builds its' nest." I've watched them build nests, twig by twig, grass blade by grass blade, even in the rain, and their perseverance is amazing. A lesson is in that for me/us that something significant can be achieved by doing even just the tiniest of steps. I'm trying to keep this thought in mind with my stitching these days. Even a few stitches here and there count.

And in the sewing room I'm building my house too. I have the windows constructed and am ready to applique them down. These were small but fiddly.

There is not a good photo of this table runner in the book and I couldn't find one online. The book again is Blackbird Designs, Tending the Garden.

In an effort to put old orphan blocks to use, I pulled out these in reds and put them up on the back hallway wall. I must have been trying out star blocks. Isn't it funny how you can forget you made things. I wonder if this is enough for a Christmasy hanging. Potential maybe? I know some of these were stitched for past So Scrappy RSC parties when red came around. 

 I've added the Christmas embroideries I stitched along with Nanette, A Passionate Quilter, at the time, I think in 2020. I still miss her and wish her blog was still available so I could visit and look at her wonderful quilting. The free patterns are still available at this link- Holiday Stitch-a-Long, Moda. Anyway, perhaps there is a way to cobble these together that would make pretty sense. I have lots of red fabrics for borders, etc. which I'd love to use up. Any ideas?? 

That mention of embroidering reminds me- our pal, Melisa, at Pinker n Pumpkin Quilting, is posting sets of Country Christmas Doodles, very cute little free patterns for Christmas. Thank you, Melisa, for sharing your talent with us!

And the stars reminded me I watched Rachel on her YouTube channel, Stitch With Rachel, share step by step instrucitons on how to sew a beautiful Christmas quilt using a Tilda panel. There are lots of beautiful panels that could suit this star treatment. 

For Cross Stitching friends, below is Liz Matthews' free download called Winter Celebration which is appropriate for us folks here in Ontario right now. Isn't it sweet! Love Cardinals and Houses. Link to Liz's lovely free patterns page is HERE.

We are surrounded by inspiration, wonderful ideas, and beautiful images. 

Ok, back to reality. The first thing I have to do today after clicking publish is take the last of the  summer stuff down to the basement closet and bring up our heavier coats and boots. Then we will be fully prepared.  

I have a lot more to talk about so next time then. Hope you are feeling content and keeping busy whether it is winter or summer where you are. 
 So thankful for linky parties; thank you all for hosting! Quilting Patchwork Applique, Creations Art Quilts, Kathy's Quilts, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework, Melva Loves Scraps and Days Filled With Joy.