Like much of the country, over the last couple weeks, we've had some hot, humid weather in central New York. (I'm good with it!)
I think this little leopard frog has the right idea. He seems to be enjoying his own private corner of the garden pond.
As a kid, as soon as school was in summer recess, my family headed to our small camp at Sandy Pond on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario.
Many a summer morning was spent searching for frogs and other water critters along the pond's edge while my sister and I waited for my dad to get home from work so we could go swimming in the lake. My mom didn't swim, and the beach was strictly off limits until Lifeguard Dad was available to ensure our safety.
We didn't have a sailboat, but we did do our fair share of water skiing and swimming.
On any given summer's day, if the lake was calm enough, there were always sailboats floating nearby or on the more distant horizon.
A few years ago, I created this Snap Sack pattern, originally sold as kitting projects to quilt shops in bulk.
One by one, I am reintroducing the Snap wall-hanging series as instant-download pdf patterns just for you.
Raid your stash for a few summer and water-themed prints and this easy wall-hanging is ready for display or for gifting in short order.
These days, with public beaches a bit too overcrowded for my taste, the next best thing could very well be a quick and easy quilty project like this one.
The pattern is called Regatta and you can grab it right here.
Then spend a little time creating at the lake - even if 'the lake' is only viewed from the vantage point of your sewing table!
Summer goes by SO quickly, I hope you take the time to enjoy all that is has to offer!
Pin Cushion #16, Shut-down Series
Number 16 looks a lot like 14 and 15. But if you look closely, I think you'll see some differences. The stitching on each one of these little puffs presents its own unique challenge. Lately, I've been gravitating to favorite stitches like chain stitch, pistil stitch, colonial knots, and fly stitch, and patterns that create a flower petal feel in each quadrant of the four-patch on top.
If I counted correctly, last week I had 24 sewn-but-not-embroidered pin cushions left to finish. That means, my complex math calculations reveal that the countdown is now at 23 left to go. I may have to celebrate somehow when I break into the teens! (Yes, I need to get out more, but doesn't everyone?)
For the step-by-step tutorial on the four-patch pin cushions, jump over to the blog and scroll down to the first Puffy Fours post from March 5 to begin at the beginning of the four-part how-to series.
Happy Stitching! Be well!
Joan Ford
Head Hummingbird
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