Hello my lovelies. I hope you’re all enjoying the beginning of autumn. We’ve had some dull and blustery weather lately. I’ve been watching the leaves tumbling to the ground. It’s a bit sad seeing the trees lose their leaves but I must admit that autumn is my favourite time of year. I’m already snuggling under patchwork quilts in the evening and as the days get cooler I’m starting to wear my cosy woollies. In the week or so, I’ll start wearing my boots. And the menu has changed to winter warming soups and stick to your ribs casseroles. Yahoo.
I attended a Burnopfield Belles meeting a couple of weeks ago. We started a new challenge for Quilts for Comfort. We have a small library of traditional block design instructions. We have all chosen a block design and we will all make a block including layering and quilting by the next meeting. You’ve probably already guessed that we’re using the Quilt as You Go method of joining the blocks together. I chose the Churn Dash block which is kind of my go to block when I don’t know what to choose. I scratched around and found some fabric that would be suitable for a boy’s quilt because we have decided that we’re going to make a boy’s quilt.
Once my fabric was chosen I was off. I love sitting quietly of an evening hand sewing. So, I pieced my block by hand.
Now I will layer it up and add some simple hand quilting, enough stitching to hold the block firmly together while going thru the wash. I love a nice simple challenge.
This morning while I was in my sewing room the blackbirds seem to be popping in regularly to use my bath. One after another they landed and had a good old splash around. This photo isn’t very clear as it was taken thru the window which has a film on it to protect against the bright sunshine.
Speaking of birds …..
I added some freemotion quilting to these old specimens. They need a wee bit of embellishing now. I think I’ll add some small beads for eyes.
Autumn is definitely here; the kids have gone back to school and we’re starting to make plans for Christmas. Sarah and I have discussed what we want to do for Christmas this year. Now that I’m a single parent, we can start new traditions. Making new memories is very important when you’re faced with rebuilding your life. Slowly but surely things are falling into place and life is starting to look pretty good again.
I spent some time in garden this afternoon pruning and clipping shrubs. A half hour tidy in the garden makes all the difference. I have purchased some plants for my funky planter that sits beside my front door. A few inexpensive pansies, some ivy plants and some bargain conifers will look splendid. That’s tomorrow’s job.
As we zoom along toward the end of the year, I have this hankering to learn a new technique. I’m not sure what I want to learn but I’m on the lookout for learning another skill. Perhaps I will take up dressmaking. I dabbled in dressmaking many years ago. Perhaps that would satisfy my longing to take up something new.
October got off to good start. The weather has been pretty good. We haven’t experienced any frost yet but there’s always tomorrow. As I understand it, the western provinces of Canada have had snow recently!!! That’s something I really miss living here in the UK. We don’t see much snow in my little corner of the northeast of England.
Speaking of Canada, I would like to wish all my Canadian readers a very very happy Thanksgiving. I hope you all get to share a meal with your loved ones in peace and with joy.
So, for this evening, this very happy and super ambitious quilt maker will be hand finishing the binding on the Sweet Dresden Lollipop quilt project. I hope you all have a super cosy evening doing something you truly love. Until you read me again,
Happy stitching ♥ ♥
Hi Lucie,
Glad that you are making plans. I’m sure you and Sarah will
create a lot of happy memories. Love the churn dash you’ve made.
I’m trying to pluck up the courage to make a Dresden plate wall hanging
for a neighbour. Trouble is I never think anything I make is good enough
to give as a gift. Well here’s wishing you and Sarah Slainte!
(Irish for good health)
Hi Sheila, the Dresden Plate block is so easy and makes such a big impact. Trust me it looks a lot more complicated than it is. And don’t worry about perfection Sheila, any effort you make will be appreciated. So go ahead and choose some fabric for a Dresden Wall Hanging. I think you’ll enjoy the whole process. Slainte to you Sheila x
Great to hear from you and glad new memories are in the making
Hi Lynn, yes the memories are coming and furious now. We have had so many interesting adventures while making our way thru life after our discard. We’ve laugher and cried loads but we get up wipes ourselves down and start all over again. We learn a new lesson every single day. Thanks for popping in Lynn x
What a lovely surprise this morning finding post from you & hearing about autumn sneaking up on UK. Yes, I too think autumn is mellow after the heat of summer. Our blackbirds love nothing better than throwing the mulch all over the place while searching for food, which is a tad annoying & quite a few of our avian visitors take a dip in the pond. The churn dash block may be an old one, but lovely to play with in lots of different ways. Have a good week & take care.
Hi Susan, autumn definitely is here. It’s the best and most colourful time of the year. My woollies are cosy and my snuggly quilts are getting great use. The crispy leaves under foot bring a spring to my step. Christmas is just around the corner you know. Thanks for popping in today Susan x
Dear Lucie, Here in Montreal, it is warm and has been like Indian Summer, you remember? I have plants still blooming in the flower beds. Imagine!
So, many thanks for your kind wishes. Good luck with your new adventure of creating, I also, am restless to use my hands for something new, must be all the different energies in the air, these days.
I am so happy to read that you are coming along so well. Hugs to your daughter.
Bless. Joanna.
Hi Joanna, it’s so nice to hear from a Canadian countrywoman. I heard about the heatwave you’ve been suffering in Montreal. I don’t suppose you can see your breath first thing in the morning yet??? I can remember those cold mornings in October and having to dress warmer. Most of all I miss the spectacular colour of the trees. We have colour here in the UK but it’s not as spectacular as in Canada.
My creating adventure has taken a turn for the positive. I have decided to start working on my next new quilt design. It’s going to be some a bit different to what I’ve done before. I’m sure to learn something new along the way.
Thanks for popping in Joanna x
Well, right now it is raining cats and dogs and a few of those black birds of yours, too!!!! lol No breath in the air yet, just too warm. Of course as those strange folk say, what global warming???? Just come here and you will feel the difference. Strange folk, strange weather. Love the birdy quilt. My bird bath has also been in use, lovely to see the sparrows fluttering about.
The colors are truly beautiful with that clear, intense blue that the sky gets. Contrast, just like a good quilt! Of course, a good pile of pancakes with, yes…maple syrup. Ha.
Well, I shall be off, now. Bless.
xx Joanna
Hi Joanna, did you say maple syrup!!!!! Ummmmm I love maple syrup. It runs thru my veins. Thanks for popping in today x
Happy Thanksgiving, happy Turkey Day…ha ha ha.
You take care and show your daughter how to REEEAALLY carve out a Canadian Pumpkin. Candles and all…
Send a photo of you, daughter and pumpkin.
Joanna.
The leaves are falling here in Delaware, and the temperatures are all over the place. I thought we might have to turn the furnace on a week ago when it got below 50 degrees f. one night; then the next day it was in the high 70’s. We had to turn the air conditioning on yesterday! I would like 1 month of no additional utilities running the meter! Thanks for the view of your corner of England. Love watching the birds in the bath! Spectacular ones on your quilt!
Hi Mary, I heard that the weather in North America has been a bit erratic lately. I wonder if that’s an indication of what winter is going to be like. A nice mild winter would do you good. Thanks for popping in today Mary x
Love your block. Here is Ohio it is 90 degrees one day and 50 60 the next. It can’t decide what to do. I love fall also. Glad to hear you will be making new memories. I have had to do that too. Make them all good.
Hi Lori, it seems that I’m in good company as far as making new memories and traditions. I didn’t realise how many other woman have been discarded or left cheating husbands until it happened to me. I”m working hard at making the best memories going forward in our new life. Thanks for popping in today x
Lucie, it’s been warm enough here in NY to have the air conditioning on! It’s very muggy and today we’re getting the leftover rain from Hurricane Nate.
Glad to see you are still going strong! I do miss your longarm pics, but I’m sure you’ll get back to them eventually.
Have a great week!
Hi Eileen, I can’t believe the weather you’re having in North America. Usually by now the air conditioning has been turned off until next spring/summer. Indian Summer? ?? I’ll be sure to post my latest longarm effort soon. I’m just finishing a custom job on my latest design. Thanks for popping in today x