IN WHICH MY GOLDFINCH SPRINGS TO LIFE AND I THINK ABOUT NATURALIST'S NOTEBOOKS.
Block 2 of Sandra Liechner's Naturalist's Notebook is completed. Here are some detail shots.
The only method to complete these blocks is to break them down into the individual elements of each block and look at that alone and complete it-they are not so difficult and then, presto, before you know it, you have a lovely Goldfinch.
I searched high and low for some time to find the right background. The original background was similar fabric and I felt this was an important design element for these birds as the series is a "Naturalist's Notebook" which of course is a written record. It reminds me also that I have my own Naturalist's Notebook which I began in 1975 when we lived on our zen farm.
My notebook and a couple of my favorite bird books
I am not sure if Missouri just has many many wonderful birds and I just never noticed the California birds when I was growing up. Maybe our farm was quiet and serene so one noticed more. Whatever the reason, Missouri is filled with wonderful birds. In my Naturalist Notebook, I began recording all the birds I saw, when I saw them, and what they were up to. I have a page for each bird so I can record sightings made at different times and places and seasons. A record of my life for over 40 years.
I have begun the next block in this series-the Purple Finch. We have these all year as well as the pretty shrub the bird is pictured on.
I believe
these are the same flowers as in the block. My purple finches love this shrub but no matter how long I sat there with my camera, I only came up with a female finch. It is also a favorite of the bumblebee who also has a place on this block.
We have had a special year for bird sighting at our bird feeder this year. In spring we always have some transients on their way to greener pastures. This year for the first time (I saw anyway) we had a blue grosbeak and a pine siskin.
Isn't this a lovely bird?!!!
He was scuffling along the ground looking for fallen sunflower seeds. It was thrilling to see him. I took lots of photos.
On the right is a pine siskin. They are about the size of a goldfinch. I did not take this photo-just cloned it off google images.
Above is a Rose breasted grosbeak. Sorry I chopped of his head. He has been a spring visitor for several years now. He is a cousin to the blue grosbeck and a lovely bird with the most perfect coloration.
AND NOW.......YOUR MOMENT OF ZEN!
This is an airplane bone yard where old, unloved planes go to wait for their fate. While they wait, they make a very pleasing image for us to see. At first glance this looks like an ancient hieroglyphic. This image has rhythm, great color combo, structure and depth. I love accidental beauty in the world. It is so reassuring.
Happy quilting until we meet again!
I am linking up with:
Slow Stitching Sunday, Bambi's Blog, Making Monday, Em's Scrapbag, Esther's Wow,
Midweek Makers, Whoop Whoop, Finish or Not!, and Off the Wall Friday.
Midweek Makers, Whoop Whoop, Finish or Not!, and Off the Wall Friday.
Amazing, beautiful work, love your choice of colours .🤗
ReplyDeleteYour gold finch is amazing. Love the visitor to your garden.
ReplyDeleteYour block is just lovely! It looks like a painting! You are doing such a wonderful job. Life is more enjoyable with birds around, especially in the spring.
ReplyDeleteYour block is just stunning! Are the stems and bullion stitching done by hand!
ReplyDeleteJust such a beautiful block and I do love your background fabric. We have Gold finches here but not the other birds that you show. It is so lovely to see the diversity of the world. I love the airplane picture - I am thinking a beautiful stitch repeat for a border pattern here.
ReplyDeleteI do love the idea of your Naturalist Notebook - what an amazing record! We are seeing the decline of many birds here in Europe and a record like yours would be invaluable. We love our birds - just wish I could get photographs as good as yours. xx
Your Goldfinch quilt block is simply stunning!!
ReplyDeleteI am in utter awe of your goldfinch block. The detail is just exquisite! The tiny little ladybug is sublime!! And I have never seen that bright blue grosbeak before -- he looks like some spry and enterprising crafty person must have chased him down and PAINTED him that color!
ReplyDeleteYour birds are wonderful! What a super project!
ReplyDeleteSo nice that you can enjoy the birds --both in stitching and in your yard!
ReplyDeleteThe goldfinch and the purple flowers are exquisite. Your workmanship always amazes me. I like the background text. Did you write it or is it purchased fabric?
ReplyDeleteThe goldfinch block as a stand alone piece is a stunner. However, learning about your fascination with birding took it too new heights. Oh, and that blue grosbeak - now that is a treat.
ReplyDeleteYour goldfinch is beautiful. Wow. I am looking forward to seeing that purple finch. I love the bright blue bird that you photographed. Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteYou are stitching such a lovely block and doing fine work. The background is perfect and how clever to relate it to your books. The bird photos are amazing. What a treat to have a pretty blue grosbeak stop by for a visit.
ReplyDeleteIt is just so amazing I don't know where to start. Your goldfinch looks like it could fly off the fabric, and so does the ladybug. That's the kind of piece that moves quilting into true art.
ReplyDeleteYour applique is SO beautiful! Backgrounds and fabric choices are perfection.
ReplyDeleteYour work is so exquisite and detailed and I see that you love to capture birds in nature as do I :)
ReplyDeleteWow! What gorgeous blocks, and lovely photos of the birds. Where is that airplane graveyard?
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post.. the photos of three kinds of birds... stitched, flying and feathered...gorgeous!
ReplyDelete