Friday Finish!

 

Since I am working on several large projects, I like to have something that I can make up quickly. This Christmas mat is a pattern from BareRoots. I have been gifted a lot of items on top of things I have bought over the years, so trying to finish them, a bit at a time.

Last week we went to the pond, to see if we could find the eagles. None in sight this time, but I did catch a Killdeer at the water's edge.

After we went for a walk at the bike path. Would love to try my new bike there, but it is either too cold or too windy lately. Lots of Chickadees at the park.

Today we went to the lighthouse. It was windy but warmer. Lots of seagulls were enjoying, floating in the winds.

We ended up taking the back paths and found out they go a lot further in the opposite direction, so we got a nice long walk, along with views of the bay. 

Most of the foliage is gone now, but we still see pops of color, here and there. My backyard came in late, so this was last week and now they are bright yellows and falling with the wind. I hope you are all safe from the horrible storms, crossing the middle states. We have good weather this weekend, so hoping to get out for long walks and maybe a bike ride.

Final Finish!

 

This week I finished my wall hanging. I had a few touches I wanted to add, one being the stars I forgot. I also added some buttons to the flowers. Then I finished with an outer stitching on the edge. I also started a punch needle piece, that I started years ago. I had it in a hoop and left it on and crushed some of the floss areas, so I took those out and doing a bit at a time. Another project I found, is an old quilt I made a long time ago, so I just need to add a backing and do some quilting, to finish it. 

I also found another punch needle piece, the exact same one I just did with the sheep. Well, now I have two and the first one is one I like better. It is narrower and better contrast, so that I will keep to make a key rack with and the other will be fixed and sold.

Last week I was able to get a few good hikes in. One place we went was a pond walk. It goes in and out of woods, along the pond, into a farm field and back around the pond. With all the wind storms and flooding, there is also a lot of downfall.

We were sitting on the deck, overlooking the pond and I spotted this guy. A Great Blue Heron, too busy to notice me as he was fishing. 

And a few birds that I spotted; a Hairy Woodpecker, a Black Capped Chickadee and when I got home, I spotted our first Hummingbird.

Our next hike was two new areas. The first was an old road that went along fields and I did notice after, there are lots of trails on the other side, so something to explore another day. Down the road, we found another trail but no parking spots. Luckily I have a trail finder and found another parking spot, on the opposite side. 

It was a beautiful place to walk, lots of birds that I couldn't catch and it opens to a field, where you can do more birding. Another place to come back to and explore more of the trails.

On the way in, I spotted this bird and grabbed a shot, before it flew away. I had to do a lot of editing to get it to show up better, but a first for me, an Ovenbird. 

I hope you all had a good week and not too much flooding this week. Lots of areas here got flooded, so we won't be able to hike in a lot of areas, that are swampy. I also got my garden started and need to do some shopping for more plants, so hoping to get that done this week, while we have nice weather.

Friday Finish!

 I finally finished my blocks by Suzy's Sitcom. I started the blocks, years ago and never finished the rest. When she offered them up again, I did one more and made it into a wall hanging. I like having something that is longer and narrow, to add to a side wall. I hung it on the hooks to get a photo, so I can hang it later, when I decide where to put it.

Another thing I was working on, a puzzle. I have gotten some new puzzles and winter is a nice time to work on them. This one was 1000 pieces, so it took me 4 days of working a bit at a time, on and off during the day. I find it relaxing and once I do one, I can donate them to the local nursing home.

We finally seem to have gotten winter, but at the wrong time. The birds are extra hungry with the snow and cold, so the feeder has been busy. Here are a few of my snowy visitors. The metal bird is a solar feeder, so it lights up at night. I got it for decoration, I really don't want bird poo, all over it.

This Bluejay is a pig, I let him take a few and then chase him off, otherwise he will eat all the peanuts.

The Carolina Wren is coming back again, I think they were hiding out this winter.

We have had more Black-capped Chickadees this year. They tend to get pushed out, by the larger birds. I have the feeder on the porch, so I put out a bit at a time, that way they all get a turn, at different times of the day.

Today we got to spend some time on the island and did a little beach collecting. At one beach, I spotted this Red-tailed hawk. He was on the Osprey nest, scanning the fields for mice.

And this is what I found on the beaches. We came when the tide was coming back in, so the regular collectors got what was on the main beach, I found mine by scanning the incoming tide. The large green piece, was in the water, which is why I wear rubber boots.

I hope everyone has a nice weekend and enjoys some time outside. Or if you are snowed in, time to work on some new projects.

Weekend Finishes from Freebies!

This weekend I was able to get the new Wool blocks put together and done. I missed last month, so I did both and it was fun to do them and two more blocks towards a finished quilt. The block is offered by Stacy of Buttermilk Basin for our Facebook Wool Applique group.

Last month was the sewing block and this month was the kitty block. I think the kitty one would be fun to do as a wall hanging too.

I also did the ornament for last month, tonight there will be a new one, so can't wait to see what this one will be. I messed up on the bird placement, but I do like how I used a blue background on this one. They are going to look nice hanging on a swag line, next Christmas. This free ornament is offered each month by Trish of Attic Heirlooms.

Winter Birds: Real and Make Your Own!

I found this wonderful pattern and just had to make some.
The pattern for this little Chickadee can be found at Downeast Thunder Farm's blog.
I also noticed she has a new one this week, a duck, perfect for easter packages.
I used a tan wool for mine but I think a textured tan or gray for the body, would be better.
I stuffed mine a bit, before sewing it up, to give it some body.

And outside we have a lot of birds who visit the feeder. Even in the snow, they were busy eating and kicking snow off the feeder. All this beautiful snow and rain on monday, doesn't seem fair;)