Free Patterns, Lone Star Medallion Progress, Cutest Thief

Doesn't he look so innocent! 

Meanwhile, he is a thief, albeit a cute one. He is quite adept at robbing bird seed from whatever style feeder I use, even those labelled "squirrel proof". Luckily, I don't mind. All creatures deserve a little something to get them through our cold winters. This time of year, the furthest from anything growing, there's not much left of nature's food. 

This below made me smile; "my" squirrels still run away when I appear but the moment my back is turned, they are instantly like magic at the feeders again. 

I'm feeling happier with how this below, the EPP Lone Star Medallion, is looking.  Colour choices and placement are certainly important for a medallion and, being me, I'm still second guessing where I've placed the darks and lights. One more diamond to stitch...maybe next week that will be a priority. Btw, the three triangles on the tips are actually real red, not this burnt red looking colour showing.

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week is what would we like in a dream studio. I've moved around a lot and lived in all kinds of accommodations. I've never been one to dream about a space that would be just mine. But if I'd done that I probably would have wanted a space for a little library with big wingback chairs and a nice writing desk. I do wish my present sewing space was big enough to hold a cutting table though. But other than that, I'm pretty happy and grateful for what I have available to me in this house. 

Thursday's Three Free

 Planted Seed Designs is home to Gerri Robinson, a designer for Riley Blake Designs. She has interesting free patterns like this one called Chinese Checkers... It involves something called  a Triangle in a Square block that when aligned together forms stars.

I followed up with this tutorial video showing how to make that block and got lost at the idea of using rulers. But many of you are adept at it.  Emily does make it sound sort of easy in this video. She has lots of other tutorials at her own site, Homemade Emily Jane. 

You'll find more links to Gerri's books, kits, patterns and fabric lines for Riley Blake there as well. 

I love this pattern called Berry Patch from Laundry Basket Quilts. The free PDF download is found HERE. What a pretty table topper this would make.

I became quite taken with the look of a quilt made up of a block called Clown's Choice. I found free download instructions at Meadow Side Designs Link Here. Very simple geometrics (yes I could sew it!) but the combination gives an interesting overall look to a project. Two basic colours, a light and a dark but they also show how to incorporate a third colour into the design for another "look".

And for my fellow slow stitching friends...Smart Cross Stitch has many pages of free cross stitch designs for special occasions and whimsical topics too. This caught my eye.  A small project that uses cross stitch and pretty Algerian Eyes stitches which look complicated but are easy. 

The sun is shining brilliantly but not warm enough for any melting today alas. But the daylight is lengthening and the quality of the light is changing, definitely brighter. Hope everything's brighter in your world too!

Sharing this post at Wendy's Quilts and More, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, Songbird Designs and Kathy's Quilts.

Embroidered Journals, Quilty 365, Tiny Tree Trains, Aging Thoughts

The Snow has arrived!

 Here is my Tuesday deep thought...

Now in my seventies (you have no idea how weird it is to write that), I realize my face is changing. My nose appears larger probably because my cheeks are sinking. My teeth look and feel bigger while my hair is thinning. It goes without saying but I'll say it anyway, how grateful I am to be here and still have my wits about me to be able to even note these changes. I also thank goodness I've never been overly vain, just the normal amount of vanity, enough to make me want my hair done and be nicely dressed for work. This natural aging process has given me to understand better why the beautiful actors indulge in cosmetic surgery...it must be quite the blow when they realize there is no cream known to humans that can halt these changes. And these changes happen to us all if we do the thing we dearly want to do, and that is to live longer. 

Having a laugh is good...

Pinterest

I notice lots of folks are making temperature quilts or temperature cross stitch projects. They are such a fun stitchy memento of a particular year.  My interest in such a thing led me to join Audrey's QAL- Quilty 365, A Year Long Journey back in 2015. I loved the idea of stitching a circle a day to mark the time. 

I enjoyed keeping them in a tin

A happy Russell Stover Santa tin (small things amuse me)

And the resulting rainbow like quilt is on the hall wall leading to our bedroom so I see it every day. Hubby can't get beyond the wrong sized birds that would be the size of helicopters, he says. :D

 Also I've always been intrigued by the idea of making an Embroidery Journal...this is a link to an article detailing how to make one... An Embroidery Journal is the Prettiest Way to Remember Your Year. Many such journals and ideas can be explored here at this Pinterest Link. 

Before I forget and while still on the topic of embroidery, I wanted to share this sweet design of Meg's from Crabapple Hill Design Studio. It's called the Polka Dot Mitten. You would learn how to do the Fly Stitch to achieve the knitted look of the mitten. Really neat!

Meanwhile, I spent a couple of hours in the sewing room finally joining the Tiny Trees blocks which are finishing at 5 and 1/2 inches. Hope to finish all that I've made so far this week.  I realized something while I was working with them.  I like this easy foundation paper piecing enough to turn them into a fun bed quilt, if I make enough of them of course.  It is such a great way to use up scraps too. So I think I will keep this going for now and see where it takes me. 

A Tree Rainbow

I have some veggies- carrots, cauliflower, broccoli and red peppers simmering on  the stove with a little chopped onion. I added a container of Campbell's Vegetable broth instead of my usual chicken broth. I had a sip of the vegetable broth and it doesn't seem to have much flavour. I don't like to have to add lots of stuff just to get a flavour but bland is not good for a soup either. I wonder what else I could add. Any suggestions?

Thank you all for the ideas of how to finish the Old Fashioned Redwork Santa.  

I'm off to do some shopping, online that is. I'm going to check out the Black Friday sales that seem to start earlier each year. Going to start my Christmas list. Be sure to drop by on Thursday to see another set of great Christmas patterns. So many generous creators!

Linking this post with Linda, the Texas Quilt Gal's party, To Do Tuesday. Also linking with Quilt Fabrication, Wendy's Quilts and More, Quilting Patchwork Applique, So Scrappy and Alycia Quilts.

Old Fashioned Redwork Santa, Piccadilly Baskets, Medical Check Up Time

 We are now there with no leaves on the trees and I realize a plus for this...you can see through the woods more clearly. 

This is useful when walking Ned on his lead. I could add to Thomas' list No Surprise Leaps at the turkeys or deer which are moving about daily. I've been fortunate so far to catch sight before he does and steer him away. He pulled me down hard once and I don't want to chance that again.

I shared an article on the Top Six Quilt Trends at Quilt Market in this post. There's a couple of other trends I'm noticing amongst my stitching blogging friends -they have made resolutions to stitch from stash which means no new purchasing of fabric and also to finish up those WIP's which seem to be a naturally occurring phenomena when you join this club. To that end, they are digging deep in their sewing areas and finding forgotten fabrics and projects to put into use. A natural renewal of sorts.

On just such a search, I recently found this Redworked Old Fashioned Santa I stitched December 2020 ? or during the pandemic sometime. Now would be a good time to finish it off as a hanging. Any ideas as to how to do that? It is 12 inches tall and about 5 inches wide. All thoughts welcome!

I also unearthed this project which I think is called Piccadilly Baskets.  I'm going to put it on the wall for now.

I stitched this about 14 years ago and it gave me a chance to practice the chain embroidery stitch. I don't think I can stitch so neatly these days.

Update:  I did a little search and came across the pattern here at the Quilter's Warehouse. 

I've stitched more Friendship Stars and will try to finish all I need for Robbie's quilt this week. Photos next time.

It's later in the day to be posting but this had to be taken care of this morning. I had to drive to one of the nearby small town hospitals. I wonder when do we not need this; is there a cut off age???

I'm getting my flu and pneumonia shots tomorrow. Bloodwork sometime this week. I want this checkup all done and dusted before the snow flies and then I can forget about it. 

But for now as soon as I press publish- I'm all set here with my coffee in the Yeti so it won't cool down too fast, my slow stitching Autumn Quakers in beautiful autumn colours, and a new to me episode of Dateline (yes, my little secret...I am a true crime lover).

 I have so many likes. Someone once asked what don't you like...my answer was swift-black licorice. LOL

 Hope you are similarly engaged in pastimes you like!

Another like...linking up with wonderful parties like To Do Tuesday at The Texas Quilt Gal. Also linking with Alycia Quilts, Quilts Art Creations, Storied Quilts, Quilting Patchwork Applique, Kathy's Quilts and Wendy's Quilts and More.

Three Free Patterns, Sewing Tiny Trees and Poppies, Recipes Too

Our laneway in view there and one of several mother trees on the property. To the right-the overgrown area was a rock garden originally. A few plants flower there from time to time and I would love to revive it.

I mentioned I tried growing herbs in a planter this summer. This is one of the culprits caught red handed or red pawed in this case. Look at him happily munching that plant. I recognize him as a "regular" because of the notch in his ear. 

Recently I made us one of those breakfast for supper meals. I used Turkey Bacon. We both like it but I can imagine some thinking if I'm going to have bacon, I'm going to have bacon and sometimes I feel like that too.  

LeeAnna, Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week was do we like apple cider?  I didn't grow up with this and I still don't drink apple cider as such but I do keep a large container of apple cider vinegar on hand at all times. I believe it is good for you.  I shared Jenny of Elefantz's recipe for salad dressing before which also can be used in many recipes.

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

1/3 cup olive oil

1/3 cup maple syrup (or honey)

I keep this in the fridge all the time because I eat spinach salads quite often. Btw, Jenny's link there will take you to her recipe page where she shares her delicious dishes, often simple but with a high yum factor, as she calls it. 

 So do you use apple cider?

We are watching the new (to us) seasons of an old favourite of ours...Endeavour.  Enjoying too Alan Cumming's cheeky introductions. Shaun Evans makes a perfect Morse I think. We are catching this on PBS.

                      

Since Tuesday, my stitching time was spent with the Tiny foundation pieced Trees.  On a whim, I got out my container and took stock. Like the Panama Pyramids, I want to end this project too by the new year and work with whatever I've got finished. I have 52 trees finished and another 50 in two stages of stitching. A hundred or so of these will be enough. I think. What a great way to use up scraps!

Thursday's Three Free

 When I shared a new favourite post in the side bar last time, I realized I'd forgotten about Bev's Flamingo Toes blog (reminders are good!) and her generous Free Pattern page. Lots of lovely goodies to see there. Like this one.

Since we have our Remembrance Day tomorrow, it's appropriate to share a Poppy Block like this one to be found HERE at Patchwork Square.

And from the wonderful Teresa Down Under comes this great YouTube video sharing how to very quickly stitch a 12 inch Poppy Block. 

Annie's Christmas Book is available for free with a $10 purchase from their site. Over 50 Christmas pretty patterns and detailed instructions for each.  

Annie's Catalog,  PDF's of the catalogs are on that site. 

And in keeping with the Christmas stitching, I'm sharing two SAL's from kind Melissa at Pinker n' Pumpkin who continues to share her talents with us. The first is cross stitching Christmas ornaments and is called  Barnyard Christmas. Christmas Cow wearing a wreath is so cute.

The second is embroidering snowmen going about their day to day happenings called Flurry and Flakes. Also very cute and a wonderful way to welcome Christmas and winter. 

Hope you have a great weekend. 

Also great to join so many linky parties where the inspiration abounds like here at So Scrappy, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts and Kathy's Quilts.

Three Free Patterns, Wildlife, Jackrabbit Cross Stitching, Favourite Sun Block Cream

 So what do you think? Lining one of the tunnels for a nest perhaps? Update...I've been told he/she is probably storing food for the winter.

The three small groundhogs, the chucklings, seem to have disappeared. I read they move on to establish their own territory and I hope that is true. This bigger one is spotted in the front yards nowadays often tearing chunks of grass. I've read a lot about groundhogs/woodchucks and have enjoyed observing and photographing them up close. Mid summer amusement. 

I've also enjoyed a few calm early mornings laying stitches on my beautiful Jackrabbit. Ran into a hitch when I realized I don't have enough Gentle Art's Aged Pewter thread that is the lighter grey forming the diamond pattern-which is a bit tricky to stitch and I have to really pay attention to the counting. 

 I've put in an order to 123 Stitch.Com; they provide the quickest service. Of course a couple of other things wound up in the cart. :D

Our prompt from LeeAnna this week was what is our favourite sunscreen. A good question as it took me ages to find one that I could wear on my face. I wear any old thing on my arms and the backs of my hands but for my face I wanted something different. It couldn't stay white-ish or be too greasy but yet have a good sun protection number. I finally found this one and do like it. On my second container this summer.

 It combines a face cream with SPF30. So I'm very happy to share this with you. Very reasonably priced as well and found on  Amazon if you would like to check it out. 

*I am not affiliated with any of the companies, etc. I mention on this blog. 

BTW, Thank you all for the kind comments about my finish I shared in  the last post. Basket Case was a joy from start to finish!

Three Free On a Thursday

At Quilting Cubby you will find the tutorial on how to make this summery Diamond String quilt. I like how they've chosen a bright to be a constant throughout the project. Really sets it off.

+

Flutterby Effect from Live Art Gallery An amazing table runner with stars and big stitch quilting from The Wannabe Grandma. That would be Alexa and she has a great site to check out too. Sorry I couldn't upload a photo.  First link leads to the free pattern so you can see it for yourself. 

Easy stitching this one- Harvest Runner from Robert Kaufman Designs using gorgeous fall like batiks.

Kitty And Me Designs has some sweet free cross stitch designs. Like this one...thinking ahead to a little Halloween stitching.

Elegant Vine Applique with Yoko Saito, one of my heroes. Wow, so fast and yet even with the stitching. 

I miss applique and need to get a project prepped.  And I do have one in the queue, of course. A project found at Timeless Traditions called Sweet and Simple designed by the talented Norma Whaley. Can't wait to get this one started. I love the adorable designs and will have fun picking out fabric for this. 

Hope there is something fun, interesting and engaging in your day!

Sharing this post with Kathy's Quilts, Love Laugh Quilt and Small Quilts and Doll Quilts. 

Three Free Patterns, Kaffe Table Runner, Wheel Within a Wheel Progress, Me in the Garden

The deer have been around and gnawed down a couple of hosta plants; here they eat the same one and leave all the rest. 

I've finished the impromptu/squirrel project, the Kaffe Table Runner. It finished at 13 by 25 inches. I enjoyed the hand quilting part of this project and how it used up some very old scraps.

I decided, because it was geometrical, I would try some rounded edges for the quilting as contrast. Sharing with the Purple Party at So Scrappy.

I cut a cardboard template and used my hera tool to make the quilting lines. 

Then I cut down the template to make a smaller leaf.  I think it is enough and looks okay. 

I've been sorting and cutting pieces for more of the Wheel Within a Wheel blocks. I still don't have four completely together to show you the other "wheels" that go with them. These are big at 18 inch squares and I am really enjoying working with the colours and fabrics. 

LeeAnna's prompt this Thursday was to name a favourite piece of summer clothes.  I'll share this photo with you because I am wearing my favourite summer clothing item, my straw hat. This was taken August 26, 2018 a few days past my birthday. I know this because I posted it to Facebook to thank folks for the birthday wishes. Our front walkway and I'm puzzled why the hydrangeas are the odd colour they are and yet the yellow Ligularia are in bloom which only happens in August. 

 I don't go out without my hat in the summertime to the point now I feel naked without it. It was bought in a specialty shop where the owner makes hats...quite expensive at the time but I've certainly gotten my use of it and it is still as good as new. With my Vitiligo I am very sun shy. 

Perhaps you'd like to share what your favourite summer clothing is.??

Thursdays's Three (or Four) Free Patterns

Another of the pretty chandelier quilt patterns.

This combines two familiar blocks to create a beautiful effect. It is called Le Chandelier and the free pdf is Here. I found it at a site called I Love Quilting Forever and at their link you will find a variety of chandelier quilt patterns. 

This one below is called Picnic at Daybreak and the pattern is found at Moda's huge free pattern bank.  Link to this pattern! I chose it because I'm still in a red, white and blue plus baskets kind of mode. 

Here's a definite summer time pattern.  Ice Lollies to be found at the Craft With Cartwright site. Perfect stitching for these hot July days. 

I must admit I really like this one combining two loves. Link is here.

Loads and loads of stuff there to explore including this to check out for embroiderers.

Talented and generous Ruth is the lady behind this very dynamic site offering recipes, DIY ideas, etc. in addition to the stitchy stuff. Definitely worth checking out!

I'm going out thrifting this weekend and so looking forward to that. Wish me luck! And I hope there is something fun happening for each and every one of you too. 
Happy to link with For the Love of Geese, Kathy's Quilts, Quilting is More Fun Than Housework, Quilting Patchwork Applique, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, Love Laugh Quilt and My Quilt Infatuation.