Saturday, May 5, 2018

The Farmer's Wife 1930s: Blocks 3 & 4


"Ann"
The Farmer's Wife 1930's Block No. 4


If you go missing too long around here, people will ask, "Did you fall in?" And my reply today would be, "A little bit." Busy has new meaning. The grass is growing by the minute. Three college diplomas were earned in the past months by a few of our children. Two of those were just this week, and were master's degrees. I am a proud mama! Kids have moved in, moved out, and buying a real moving van would have been a great investment years ago. My role as a member of a large family is changing, and there are daily adjustments. No worries. It's all good, but different. As spring settles herself down to a manageable pace, I'll be more regulated, and my posts as well.  Your comment went unanswered, you say? My deepest apologies. Just bare with me until I can catch up. I'll dig my way out of the email pile, and I'll have lots of goodies to show you, too! I keep sewing to stay sane through the chaos.


While I have only a few minutes to spend sewing some days, I've pulled out this project from my pile of unloved projects. PUPs. This one was started 2 years ago with Gnome Angel and Marti Michell, and I really enjoyed the intricate block construction. Perhaps the blocks were getting more difficult and my skills didn't keep up, or maybe the pace was too much, but I ran out of steam. Do not fret! I'm back at them working from beginning to end this time. No quilt along to mind, and I'll finish when they're all done.

The pink and green block above, Ann, was paper pieced, and you all know how I dearly love paper piecing?! No, I made up my mind I would win this game I struggle with, and I'm doing it without one bad word. How funny is it that the paper pieced block is my favorite here today?



"Alice"
The Farmer's Wife 1930's Block No. 3


Alice, block 3, was made in part using the From Marti Michell templates, and a basic ruler and rotary cutter. The cd that accompanies the book offers the pattern as paper pieced, or rotary cutting measurements. If you check out the Marti Michell website, you will find she has created pdfs to help you use her templates effectively with the patterns. Honestly, some of these blocks are tough, but there is great satisfaction when they turn out so close to size with accurate planning, piecing and sewing.

Are you ready for some sweet eye candy like this block below? Check out the past blocks in the posts below.

1930's Farmer's Wife Week 1

1930's Farmer's Wife: Week 2: Mixed Bag Monday: Open for Business


1930's Farmer's Wife: Week 4


Farmer's Wife Week 6 & Christmas in My Heart Blog Hop with Giveaways




Rose-breasted Grosbeak


One big treat I have is sitting outside, and breathing in the scent of flowering trees and plants. I shut off my phone, and instead watch what has come to visit the feeders. The suet and black oiled sunflower seeds are still hanging from winter, and I've added a humming bird feeder. All 3 are busy with woodpeckers, false canaries, and cardinals, but I now have a steady stream of grosbeaks for the first time. My picture doesn't do them just justice as they are larger, colorful birds that seem to feel comfortable staying here. The dogs can lay within feet of the feeder, and dive bombing humming birds have already laid territory to their side without the grosbeaks feeling threatened. Today they've discovered the suet, and are coming in droves! Such an interesting place to have my coffee, and lose the worries of world.

Come on, Doxie girls.





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8 comments:

Sharon - IN said...

I was so happy to see Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, hummers, White Crowned Sparrows all arrive to our feeders this week! Goldfinch, Cardinals, Tufted Titmouse, several Red Bellied and Downy wood peckers have been visiting for a while. Not to mention a few I wish would fly on over - Grackles, Cowbirds, House Sparrows. Sitting out in the evening Hubs can identify birds by ear. Enjoying Spring!

Angie in SoCal said...

I keep sewing to stay sane through the chaos - that's me here right along with you. Lovely blocks.

Linda Swanekamp said...

Congratulations to those who finished degrees! They are not the easiest thing to stick through to the end. I thought getting my masters was going to kill me (I was 42). I made myself go outside and pull weeds- all that wild garlic that threatens to overtake my small garden. Still need to sit down and sew. I think I would never be able to do the Farmer's Wife- yours looks great.

Stitchin At Home said...

Your blocks look great! Just soaking in the sounds of birds can be so relaxing.

KaHolly said...

You’ve been busy, busy, busy! You must be so proud of your children! Their accomplishments say a lot about their parents! Great PUP to pull out and concentrate on finishing! Good luck with that. I awoke in Maine this morning, out in the wooded countryside, no traffic sounds, lots of birds.....~sigh~…slept like a baby! I always love being wherever I go, but am always so glad to make my way back! Enjoy this glorious day! XO

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

The first is a block I have never seen before. It's pretty cool. The last of my kids just moved out and I have found a new peace in being AGAIN an empty nester. We feed the birds in the front of the house and it's always entertaining. My peaceful spot is in a swing by the pond in the back. Bluebirds nest there and others visit for a drink or a quick bath in the shallow end. I'm in trouble all the time because I don't take my phone there.
xx, Carol

FlashinScissors said...

I love the fabrics you used for your blocks! Well done persevering with the paper piecing, it was well worthwhile!
It’s Spring here in the U.K. and we still have our bird feeders in use (I think we have six at the moment, but it might be more .... DH does the refilling!). We love watching a wide variety of birds at our feeders: Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Blackbirds, Blue tits, Long Tailed tits, Robins and more. Our most exciting visitor this year is a female Greater Spotted Woodpecker, in past years we have only seen males at our feeders, maybe the females are very shy!
Barbara xx

Kate said...

Sounds like you've had some great family time, congrats to all your kiddos (and to Mom and Dad for sticking with them). We had our first taste of move out day this week. She'll move back in somewhere else in a few weeks. The moving van is starting to sound like a great idea!