Snow in October

Yesterday, it happened.  After a warm and sometimes even hot Fall, it got cold outside.  I had to put on my warm jacket when my husband and I went to our local farmers' market in the morning.  When I was coming home from doing an errand before lunch, it was raining and then, for a few minutes, there was some snow mixed in!  Yikes!  I was not expecting that!

Speaking of snow, I added some more snow to my counted cross stitch picture this week.

This photo was taken in the car on our way to my MIL's house last weekend.  Last night, I managed to get some more snow done.

This is a slow process!  This week, I will be spending lots of time waiting, so I anticipate getting lots of stitches added to this picture.

Speaking of snow...I went and picked up my Christmas quilt at the quilter's house yesterday.  Here is a sneak peak at the quilting--you will never guess how it is quilted...

Yup...snowflakes!  Would you believe me if I told you the snow theme was not intentional for this post?

I trimmed my Christmas quilt last night and cut the binding.  I hope to get it sewn on to the quilt by machine today so it is ready for hand sewing.

I am linking up to Kathy's blog with all of the other slow stitchers.

Slow Stitching and My Christmas Quilt

For many months now, I have been working on blocks for Lorna's Holly Jolly Christmas quilt.  She released a block pattern every couple of weeks and I managed to keep up with making the blocks. A couple of weeks ago, I fixed the one block that I did not like. This week, I cut out the sashings and borders and put the quilt top together.  This picture was taken before the last two rows were added.

I love how the blocks look with the dark grey Essex linen background.  I pieced the backing and added a label. Today, I took everything to Cathy, my long arm quilter. 

I have some red and white striped fabric picked out for the binding.  I will show the entire quilt when I get it back from Cathy.

Today, for the first time in weeks, I did some work on my counted cross stitch picture... I outlined the second snowman and now you can see that he is holding a tray with a bird on it.   I will be spending some time in the car tomorrow so I hope to do some more.  

I will be linking up with Kathy and the other slow stitchers on Sunday morning.  

A Blue Partridge

I made this Partridge in a Pear Tree block for my Holly Jolly Christmas quilt back in March. It has been on my design wall since then. I decided early on that I did not like it--the colours did not go with the rest of the colours in the other blocks. I was not keen on the idea of taking it apart and changing the colours of the partridge and played with the idea of making an alternate block instead. In the end, I decided to make a blue partridge. I took the block apart and remade the bird.  I am much happier with the blue partridge...

The "blue bird of happiness" co-ordinates much better with the other blocks!

I have an idea on how to change my tree block so it fits in better as well.  This will happen next and then I will put the blocks together into a top.  My quilter, Cathy, is ready to quilt this one up as soon as I get it to her.  It will be done in plenty of time for the Christmas season.