For the Birds.

Hi everyone today is my turn to show what I have made for this hop. When this hop was first put forward I knew I had to take part. One of my husbands hobbies is bird watching and (so long as it isn't freezing cold) I go along on his expeditions. Like a lot of folks we have feeders in the garden but we live in London UK and our garden is very small without larger trees to provide cover for our feathered friends and so visitor numbers are not as high as we would like.  As a result we tend to go to our favourite local venueThe London Wetland Centre at Barnes if we want to watch birds locally. 

The site of the Centre was created from four disused Victorian reservoirs and opened in 2000. It occupies more than 100 acres and is home to many birds that you don't see elsewhere in London. It's a great place to see gadwall, shoveler, great bittern, pintail, lapwing, water rail,  sparrowhawk, sand martin, kingfisher,  and great crested grebe. As it's virtually on the doorstep we visit often.

As well as visiting the centre we also enjoy bird watching whilst out on our hikes. A bird you will see frequently along London's rivers and brooks is the Grey Heron. 

Of course you also see birds not native to the UK. These Black necked swans are native to South America but will have been bought into the UK to grace the parks and rivers of country estates.

So now you want to know what project I made. Well it changed several times whilst still in the planning stage. Originally I bought the green FQ with the birds on it to make a bag for my husbands mini binoculars that live in his car (yes he does pull the car over if he sees an interesting bird).

I then thought I'd make a tote bag for our bird watching expeditions, big enough to hold the flask, bird books and whatever else we need. However after a chilly evening waiting for the rooks to arrive at their roost in Norfolk I decided a bird quilt for the car was needed. That way I could have stayed a little warmer. Unfortunately you can't run the engine as the noise disturbs the birds and therefore the heating doesn't work. Did I mention I really like warm weather bird watching?

Next I needed a bird block. One of the blogs I read is Kates Quilting Blogspot and just when I was looking for a block she posted about the April Block lotto which was for a bird block and was just perfect. I wanted all the birds to have fabric with bird patterns for their wings and I knew I wanted owl fabric for my backing.

The Blocks were fun to make and soon my top was finished. The top is square and measures 53 X 53 inches.

I managed to find some owl fabric for the backing that I just love.

The quilt isn't completely finished yet but the quilt sandwich is made and the quilting has started. Unfortunately supervising final year degree students dissertations has taken up most of my time  this last week and will continue to do until they submit their work at the beginning of June. No one else had time so I agreed to take the students last week and for now sewing has to take a back seat.

If you want to see the block lotto pattern you can find it here. Having used the pattern I will be sending an email of my finished quilt.

So now you need to visit the rest of today's participants. There's sure to be lots of lovely bird projects to see.

http://www.intheboondocks.blogspot.com

http://mychellem.blogspot.com

www.thimblemouseandspouse.blogspot.com

www.quiltingandsewingarts.com

http://Sewgratefulquilts.wordpress.com

www.aquiltingsheep.com

http://tricia-ramblingsofaquilter.blogspot.com

http://sewmanyyarns.blogspot.com (you are here)

www.moosestashquilting.blogspot.com

http://bethstrand.wordpress.com

http://quiltoo.blogspot.com

http://teatimecreations.blogspot.ca/

http://secretlystitching.blogspot.gr/

Thanks to Madame Samm and Mary for organising the hop and cheering us on our way. I've really enjoyed creating this quilt and I'm looking forward to using it to keep my knees warm on bird watching trips next winter. Thank you for visiting and I hope you'll visit again soon. Once you've visited everyone today I hope you find some 'me' time for sewing

Lyndsey