Free Patterns, Applique 0f All Sorts

 Below is Ned on a trail we only get to walk on in the winter so it is a little bit special to be there.This is the wetland area that is usually under a couple feet of water. I imagine all the peepers, frogs, toads and other critters that are snoozing below our feet when I tramp along there. 

It's going to be all snow photos these days. We are having a pretty normal winter here in our corner of southeast Ontario. The colder days reminding of my Labrador winters. The crunch of the snow under my boots this morning brought to mind my northern memories of Baffin Island and Labrador City, two places where summers are brief and winters long. Around now in Pangnirtung, Baffin Island, we would be celebrating the return of the sun. It was always back by Valentine's Day and so welcomed. Days of darkness then spun on into days of continual daylight which I found harder to cope with than the dark. This weather phenomenon made it impossible for some southerners to live there and many left after their first year...some even before. Being told about something is one thing, living it is entirely different. What adventures!  

I've finished with blues, the RSC January colour, with this little gathering of appliqued quarter Dresdens. 

As a possible final arrangement, I think I like the half sunrise look the best. What do you think?

I've pulled out a few dark greens to work with next. I don't have many greens and since I'm still on my fabric diet, won't be purchasing any more. So I'll make do.This fabric with little hearts is the last of this one. 

And I've been steadily working on my Snow people for this project. I've decided mine are not just men.

Here they are and I just had to add more embellishments than in the pattern. This is relaxing and fun stitching.

I've been saving more links to free patterns so it's time to share a few more with you. 

At All People Quilt, you will find a true bounty of free quilt patterns. That link will take you to their bank of quilt patterns that feaure embroidery. They've kept the stitching designs simple with projects that would work up quickly. I love this I Love You redwork pillow. Of course, you could change out that message for something else meaningful to suit too. 

Another site with a huge bank of free patterns is Riley Blake Designs. They have this Happy Hen block that I love. It features Lori Holt's Farmer's Daughter fabric line which is enormously popular. There is so much more to find there so if you have the time and the notion, do visit. 

Lori is running a brand new SAL called Farm Fresh Sew Along. Her tutorials are so good too and I love all her tips and hints. She's a lady who's all kitted out with all the stitchy doodads too. 

Moda is another giant in the quilting industry and HERE is where they offer their free patterns. I chose this one to share wtih you as I saw a lot of folks sew it and loved it. It's called Baked Alaska which is so pretty in solid soft colours.

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt was to do with exchanging Valentines in school. Yes, we exchanged valentines back in my day too. All the way back then, we had to buy large books and cut out each valentine; they weren't fancy. We each decorated a tissue box too to hold our valentines. Some would have a shoe box. It was a given that we gave a valentine to everyone in the class. Did you?

On the agenda today is going to the clinic in our nearest town so Tony can get an ear syrnged. Yes, always exciting happenings here! But we are going to pick up takeout for supper so that saves me a bit of bother so it's all good. 

I hope February is turning out to be a wonderful month for you whatever the weather, news (oh how I fear for our country, the Royal Family, etc.) you are coping with. Take care out there.

On a happier note, so glad there are linky parties for us to share like these ...The Inquiring Quilter , Days Filled With Joy and Quilt Schmilt. Thank you all for hosting!