Summer Wild Life

 Welcome to Treadlestitches!

As I sit here writing this morning I'm watching a parade of animal life, wild and domestic, crossing the patio.  So far there were a young rabbit, a pair of yellow goldfinches, and a neighbor's orange cat.  This robin in the tree was very angry with me when I went out onto the porch, and just kept hurling curses my way.

This is why--his (or her) family was only a few feet away, in a nest over the outside light.  (Don't worry, we never turn it on.)  The parent birds have been looking after their hatchlings, and warning us off.  We've seen the baby birds a time or two, when they stretch up to be fed.  It's hard to stay away, but we don't want to interfere.

One of the reasons for the animal/bird visits could be our raspberry vines.  They're even invading my husband's wild flowers.  

My young grandsons and I pick berries every morning.  I think we've got about one week left until they're gone.  These are a black raspberry variety, that are a shiny black when ripe.  If you pick them when they're not quite ripe, they're a dark purple.

Speaking of purple, it's purple month at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  I got these 16 patches done.  

It's been great using the multicolor prints in this project.  Some of them, like this one, would work with a couple of different solids.

I have tried for literally YEARS to find a way to use this fabric.  The background is a light blue, there are red and gold lines running through it, plus purple and darker blue splotches.  I didn't choose this print, it chose me, or rather I got it in a batch of scraps I bought second hand somewhere.  At least some of it has a home now.

I love buying quilt shop scraps!  (This could be why I get weird stuff from time to time?)  Last Saturday, I went to a Wisconsin Quilt Study Group meeting, and treated myself to a quilt shop visit on the way home.  The shop is Ye Olde Schoolhouse in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.  Want to see what was in the bag?

All this!  There were several large pieces, lots of strips, a few small scraps, and some strings.  Lots of variety, good quality reproduction prints, and a whole bag for less than the price of a yard of fabric.

More treats!  I've been thinking about the book for a few months, and finally decided to bring it home with me.  And I love Quiltmania magazine.  It's expensive (!) but jam packed.  I might need to get a subscription.

I've got a plan for these Switch Plate blocks, and my soon-to-be first grade grandson wanted to help me sort them.  He was very good at it, and volunteered to help whenever I'm putting blocks together.   I will definitely take him up on it!

To me, this looks like a colorful card catalog.  I'll show more of it as it gets done.

The past few days have been rainy and cool, but we did have sunshine early in the week.  These two always want to pose on this bench when we go for a walk in the park.  Their silliness makes me happy.

And finally, Happy 17th Birthday today to G., my oldest grandson.  Believe it or not, this is a photo AFTER his haircut.  It has been a joy to have him around this summer.  He's got me listening to his music, and his grandpa watching Korean zombie shows.

How was your week?  I can't wait to go to the linky parties and see what everybody else has been up to.  I hope you have time for all the things that make you happy in the week ahead.

Cheers for reading,

Sylvia@Treadlestitches

Linking up with:

Alycia at Finished or Not Finished Friday

Angela at So Scrappy

Cynthia at Oh Scrap