Needlework Tuesday: Crows

I'm almost done with my Henrietta Whiskers quilt.  I had to add the final borders before I can attach the last few applique crows.

Here's the top half, with the crows and stars pinned on.  I really don't like crows in real life - they seem to bully the songbirds out of the yard.  One of my kids told me they can recognize a human face up to two years later.  That's just creepy.  I'd hate to have a crow mad at me. 

I'm also stealing moments at my sewing machine to continue making blue stars for the patriotic quilt I started.  It's amazing to me the fabrics that I can find in my stash that I've forgotten about.  Luckily these stars only require very small pieces so I'm able to use up some of the scraps I have around. 

Stealing time to sit and sew is certainly therapeutic for me.  I learned yesterday that an old family friend passed away in his sleep.  We never expect to hear bad news, but it is so good to have comforting things to turn to to keep the mind and hands busy as we work through life and grief.  When my brother died, one of my sisters-in-law prepared pot after pot of tea.  It wasn't necessary, but it was comforting, and it was something to do in those hours of sadness.  Today I'll make tea too I think.