"Buttons and patches and the cold wind blowing,
The days pass quickly when I am sewing"
~Author Unknown

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Farmer's life.....

With our work in the garden these last couple of months, it feels a little like a farmer's life here. Jos and I pulled out old wire fencing along the side of the garden this week. We still have the back section to pull out and that will look much neater. Worked was delayed in one area when Jos discovered Mrs. Tiggy Winkle (a hedgehog) hiding in the bamboo on one side that fences our garden off from the neighbors. We left her to rest from the shock of Jos hacking away at the roots.

Tonight it is our monthly quilt evening though so I will be inside with the other ladies being inspired by each other's work.

The newsletter is printed and ready but while I set up the extra seating in the studio, I thought I would stop in to show you this month's block from the sampler.

If you remember from my previous post (click here to read), I am already sewing my blocks together which is why this looks like a strange way to lay them. I had to lay one of the blocks on the other three which are already in place. I am anxious as I do not have many to go on this sampler before I concentrate on the remaining blocks in red colorways for a second sampler for my mother.

Isn't there something special about painting depicting farm life in ages long past? Even in the midst of hard work, there seems something joyous and serene about that life. I remember once on an Amish farm I toured that the Amish woman said they felt sorry for the English as they had too many things to worry about in their modern lives. Their Amish farm life was hard work but they just got on with life. I think that is what this hard work in the photo is saying to me.


"There are only three seasons for farmers:

before harvest, harvest and after harvest."

~ farm saying

16 comments:

Christine said...

Lovely quilt blocks!
I hope the poor hedgehog recoverd from the shock ;)

DonnaTN said...

How fun that you have your own hedgehog! They are one of my sister's favorites. Your quilt blocks are so pretty. I love the pink and brown colors, but I am looking forward to seeing them in red too.

Deb said...

I really do like your colors for your Farmer's Wife quilt. Mine is a BOM so I don't get to pick the fabrics. Your blocks are looking great.

Jenny said...

I love your quilt blocks Heidi...as always the colors are perfect together. The sampler in red for your mom will be pretty too and I am looking forward to seeing it. To think you have your own Mrs. Tiggy Winkle... Beatrix Potter would be so pleased :). What stories she could tell about your garden......Hope you have a good quilt group tonight and a good rest of the week. Hugs from CA.

Nancy said...

Oh I am so happy you left Mrs. Tiggy Winkle in peace. She might have been hunting for a pinny.
Your blocks are so nice and I cannot wait to see mine.
I hope you had a good time with the ladies tonight. Sorry I missed you when you got on to do the blog.
Love you, Mom

Pondside said...

You are so industrious!

barbara said...

Those quilt blocks are sooooooooo pretty!!!

ohiofarmgirl said...

Great blocks...love it. Dianntha

Jackie's Stitches said...

I hope Ms. Tiggy WInkle is ok and wasn't frightened by all the gardening activity. Your blocks are looking wonderful and I'm looking forward to seeing your completed quilt.

I think we all derive so much joy from the simple things in life and sometimes in our modern world, we forget that.

Anonymous said...

Your blocks are so pretty and I love the painting of the farm women. One of my favorite areas in the US is Amish country in Holmes County, Ohio.
Lillian

Linda said...

Very pretty blocks Heidi.
When I read about the little hedgehog I just smiled...made me think of Beatrix Potter and her stories...and her sweet art work...I've never seen a live one, I'm wondering if they are as cute.
Have a nice evening with your group...hugs, Linda

Mad about Craft said...

Can I just ask, are these blocks pieced by hand or machine?

I've been seeing these blocks plus the Civil war love letters and wondered how they were pieced.

Siobhán said...

Beautiful quilt blocks!

I have yet to see a hedgehog here but hear they are plentiful.

Tammy said...

Poor Hedgehog ;)
Your quilt blocks are very pretty Heidi :)
Hugs2u!

Sonja said...

Hoi boerin, de kleurenkeuze van je quilt is weer helemaal mijn smaak! Nu moet ik nog zien dat mijn boerenblokken een geheel gaan worden...
(nog ff translater zoeken voor hedghog, geen idee wat voor beest je nou in je tuin had)

Kathy Ellen said...

Love your quilt blocks...the finished quilt is bound to be beautiful too! God bless you, with all of the farming you have been doing. The farmers' painting is really wonderful...such a truly beautiful depiction, isn't it?