Lets Start the Week on a Hight Note, Just Look at Natures Gifts, a Stunning Quilt and a Cut work Project!

Monday's. Sometimes I like Monday's and  sometimes, not so much. In Summer they seem to show up very rapidly, time wise. Back-to-school ads are dominating the papers and television, I keep seeing more and more yellow buses in the streets on trial runs and there are subtle signs in nature as well. I was on my patio yesterday drinking the first of the days coffee when I remarked to Lucy that the gossamer  threads of spiders are sparkling in the trees already. I normally don't notice the dew laden webs until later in August. 

Lets talk of little pretties now, Hello there ! Well, not my Pretty but Sew and Sew member Linda has been very busy. Is this not the sweetest little number? Needle-turn applique flowers and butterflies on the cutest little lattice quilt will make an amazing gift for her Great-Niece-to-be.

As usual my photo's do not do it justice. The applique's are so beautifully done they appear dimensional. Thanks for sharing Linda.

Just look at that meticulous stitching!

Our Rose has been very creative lately as well. This is a scaled pattern designed by Rose for cut-work.

This is an early example of her skill. A linen hand towel. So nicely done.

The project in progress. Note the tracing with her hand stitched button hole stitch around the elements of the design. So many itty-bitty stitches. Lovely!  I believe the figure in the center is a likeness of her Grandson. Can't wait to see this finished.

That's all for now. This weeks questions:

• Do you ever totally stray from quilting and pursue another craft, like knitting or embroidery?
• Do you find that these dalliances renew your passion for your first creative passion?
• Do you sometimes just need to step away from quilting and regroup? 
• What do other people do (for creative outlet) who do not quilt and what can they teach us?
• Do I over-think this stuff? 

I am also a seeker of woodland fungus. I know, it's a little odd but I am fascinated by the many forms these things take. Now this one, above, was bright orange when I first saw it. The next day, camera in hand, I was disappointed when I noted that the color was fading and a silvery-blue was creeping in. It is shaped like a cauliflower in a crimped pie crust. Never saw one like this before and I am always on the lookout.   

a few inches away from the fungus, a fallen feather from one of the resident, bossy, Blue Jays!

Another passion is seeing fallen feathers. Living in the woods I have many opportunities to observe the avian community but interestingly not many feathers cross my path. It's the Gnomes you know, they come out at night and gather them, probably for talisman's.

I Don't pick them up either, lice I have heard. Do not need those little nitters crawling around!