Summer Garden

On such a winter's day, I'm wishing for summer heat and of course, lots of flowers! Here is my latest small embroidered piece, Summer Garden. The fence is a snippet from a photo of my mom's garden from many year's ago. The opening is 4.5" x 4.5" and the mat will fit a 10" x 10" frame.

Maybe I'll do some trees in my next one . . . 

Enjoy

• Garden inspired hand embroidery patterns (eye candy)
• Embroidered Gardens & Landscapes on Pinterest HERE & HERE 
• A variety of Hand Embroidery ideas / patterns on Pinterest HERE 
• Embroidered Knot Gardens, Royal School of Needlework on YOUTUBE 
• Vegetable Sampler free pattern 
• Hand Sewn Garden Embroidery   

HOT!!

HOT!! That's what it was like here in St. John's today. Back garden thermometer registered 31C and that was in the shade. I don't know if it broke the record from 1948 or not. It's now 9:00pm and it's still 25C.

Several of my stitching group (we call ourselves the mini guild girls) took me out for lunch. Thank you so much. It was lovely. (I'm moving to Nova Scotia on the 16th).

My garden is still in bloom. According to the old wives tales, the abundance of dog berries, means a long, snowy winter. It's too early to even think of that since last winter was extra long and the dog berries were scarce. Go figure . . .

I've been slack sharing links these days but hopefully, when we move, I'll get back on track.

• Free Canvas Book Bag tutorial  
• Summer Bag - this is interesting   
• Convertible Knit Hat / Cowl (easy for a beginning knitter)   
• Winding Yarn (why didn't I use this method the other night!!!)

Enjoy!

Tuesday

My studio shelves are empty! Lots of filled boxes on the floor.

Have a look (no, not my studio) at some of my plants instead. The warm weather has been very kind to my garden. It usually takes care of itself as we don't usually be home in the summer. I will have to do some weeding this week before my sister, Joan, arrives! It will be nice to have her home again for a bit.

Morning Walk

The weather is gorgeous! I had an early morning walk today before it got too hot. These wild roses were along the roadside.

Rose inspired work:

• Wild Rose Applique Quilt Block
• Vase of Roses 
• Roses in my Garden     

 Enjoy!
      

Playing Catch-Up

Well, it seems the plants in my garden are playing catch-up. The spring plants are in full bloom. Have a look!

• Flower Power Mug Rug (start HERE for more)  
• Mug Rug Spring on Pinterest   
• 3-D Flower Mug Rug Tutorial 
• Fiesta Flowers Wall Hanging 
• Spring Flowers Wall Hanging       

Enjoy!!     

Frogs in the Garden

My sister loves lawn ornaments! Let me introduce you to three of her frogs:

 

Frogs in projects:

• Mug Rug   (templates at the end of post)
• Pinterest HERE , HERE  
• Stuffed Frog Free pattern   
• Bean Bag Frog 
• Frog Prince  

Enjoy!     

Stepping Stones

My brother, Don, besides stained glass, also makes Stepping Stones for the garden. I've received a couple as gifts over the years. The heart shaped one belonged to mom. They have survived many winters!

Spring Has Sprung - in my Garden!

The sun is shining!!! Yes, that's a wonder as St. John's has had its fair share of RDF (Rain, Drizzle, Fog) this spring. And it's been cold so it's a wonder that any spring flowers / shrubs have survived.

 This old fella has survived another winter too. No, I didn't bring him in out of the weather!

Maybe things will begin to look up this week (weather wise).

• Flower Quilts / Blocks on Pinterest HERE, HERE  
• Applique HERE, HERE,
• Fabric Flower Patterns HERE, 
• Hexagon Flower Mug Rug   
• More Mug Rugs HERE,  HERE, 

Enjoy!

Lots of Inspiration

There is still colour in my garden. In fact, today could have been any day in August with 25 C! Although I did notice the leaves on the red maple are starting to shrivel on the edges. I guess it's a sign that autumn will soon be here.

Quilters and stitchers are already into making Halloween and Christmas projects. Me, I just want to stay in summer. However, the Christmas Craft Fair preparations are keeping me busy.

These climbers are blooming in the holly tree.

I just love the greenery

Home

Well, we are finally back home after over two months away. I must say, we had great weather. This is the first time we got back home during August in several years. As a result, I managed to see some of my garden in bloom. My brother did send me photos during the summer but it is not the same as been there. This is just part of the side gardens. Have a look!

In Full Bloom!

A few days ago, my tulips looked like this:

 
Today, they are in full bloom.

• I did a search for quilts with tulips. Check it out HERE.
• Amish Tulip Quilt
• Patchwork Tulip Block
• Twinkling Tulip
• Folk-Art Tulips
• Tulip Quilts - Pinterest
• Tulip Time
• Spring Tulips
• Tulip Garden
• Tulip Quartet
• Applique Tulip Quilt

I hope you enjoy all these links devoted to tulips!

Garden Snapshots

We have been having record temperatures the last few days. In fact, Sunday, October 19, it was 21.3 C and broke the record from the late 1800's. At midnight, it was still quite warm, which is not the norm for this part of the country.

 

The colours in my garden are quite gorgeous! I use the colours from nature in my work.  

My new Valdani Threads will be quite useful in my next small pieces.

 



Taken just after midnight on October 19 /14







 

From My Garden

Sometimes I don't have to go far to get inspiration for a piece of art. My back garden still has lots of colour. Have a look!

Don't forget to visit The Needle and Thread Network this week. Lots of great blogs! I just added my link.