I really can’t explain why, but I love it when I see a big old crow and he goes “Caw, Caw.” Then he may strut around a bit and say it again; this always makes me laugh.
So when I decided to make a Fall table mat, I knew it had to have some of these charming cawing birds.
The applique pieces are my own drawings, I do love to doodle. For some ideas, I googled a few key words including “garden signs.” When I saw a photo of a “No Crows” garden post, I knew I had to add one of my own to my little pumpkin patch!
I did zig zag stitching around the pumpkin applique pieces and raw edge for the birds and sign. I also straight stitched around the outside of each piece. To finish, I free motion quilted a loopy pattern on the bottom for a vine-like feeling and a kind of meandering pattern for the open space, to look like the clouds in an Autumn sky.
I drew the big crow’s feet (talons?) and sign lettering directly on the fabric with a Sharpie pen.
Oh and I made the big fella a hat that I forgot to applique on. Now I am not sure if I want to, what do you think?
Autumn was late this year, as we had a veritable September heat wave here in Pennsylvania, with temperatures into the 90’s for many days in a row. As much as I love the thought of a postponed winter, a recent cool crisp day was welcomed. Yesterday it was a sunny 69F and a perfect day to go to the Bloomsburg Fair.
I found this “Scared Crow” roosting amongst the Scarecrow contest exhibit. Dorothy deservedly took a ribbon, but the crow won my heart!
Crow info..
- A group of crows is called a murder.
- “A crow’s brain is the size of a human thumb, huge relative to its body, putting their intelligence on par with primates and allowing them to solve complex problems. –CBS News
- Crows have been known to have a penchant for shiny sparkily items, and have been reported to making off with coins, metal bits and even family jewels! 💍
Hoping all is well in your corner of the world.
~Abbie 🌟
Sparkle On! 
This is really cute, Abbie! I like him without the hat. I’m a little attached to crows too. We have a joke in our family that I have pet crows that follow me wherever I go. There always seems to be two hanging around, cackling at me. Haha.
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Thank you Wendy! I think that I will be skipping the hat.
Oh, that is funny abpout your “pet” crows! I say is crows like you, it’s an honor 😊
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Your table mat is so cute. Love the hat but I like him better ‘bare head’. We have a lot of crows in our area and when Sami, The Wonder Dog, was little I was so afraid one would come down and grab her when she went out to pee. Now that she is 32 pounds that is no longer a problem. :)
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Thank you Peggy! I think I will be leaving the hat off. Crows can get huge, I’m glad Sami is safe from their clutches now!
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I don’t get a fall at all here in Arizona so your cute fall placemat is a treat:). The facts about the crows were very interesting as well. I was wondering where my lost jewels were!
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Thank you Tracy! Fall is a beautiful season here, but I would like to be In Arizona instead of PA for the winter. I think they have a few of my jewels too! 😉
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“Caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw” (in crow that means “that is so awesome”) :-)
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C-Caw, C-Caw! (That is Thank you! in Crow) 😉
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Reminds me of the poem by Emily Dickinson
Fame is a fickle food
Upon a shifting plate
Whose table once a Guest, but not
The second time is set,
Whose crumbs the crows inspect,
And with ironic caw
Flap past it to the farmer’s corn
Men eat of it and die.
Abbie, the crow table mat is so cute!
I like the hat on the crow.
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I loved reading this poem Chela. It reminded me of the Emily Dickinson book of poems I had as a teen and read obsessively. Next library trip, I will be checking it out. Another poem of hers with a bird metaphor that I love;
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –
I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet – never – in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of me.
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“Hope”…my favorite poem…and the inspiration for one of the quilts I made.
I have Emily Dickinson’s poems on my Kindle and read them frequently.
I love reading poetry. Sometimes I write poems. My students and I would have poetry reading and writing sessions as we sat under the oak trees on our school grounds.
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You were a wonderful teacher, the kind a student will always remember.
I like poetry too. It always amazes me how poets can evoke so many feelings with their concise words.
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Thank you. I will always remember my beautiful students.
You might find my friend, Esther Cohen’s blog interesting. She writes daily poems. http://esthercohen.com/
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Thank you for introducing me to her site.
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With or without the hat he’s cute!
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Thanks Paige! Im glad you think so 😊
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Your crows are so cute! Thanks for the crow info! I’ve learned something new today…yay!
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😃 Thanks Cindy!
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Abbie: I love your design! I have a friend who “hosts” a murder of crows near her home. They have been known to steal her groceries from the back of her van. They are particularly partial to peanut M&M’s.
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Thanks Sandy :) Oh, that is too funny but not so for your friend. Who knew these crafty birds have a sweet tooth (beak?!)
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I love your crow quilt, Abbie! The crows look so expressive! (Personally, I like the big crow better without the hat.) That ‘No Crows’ sign is a lovely touch. How big is the quilt? Can’t wait to see more of your designs. x
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Thank you Sandra! I am happy you like it! It is a placemat size for our coffe table. I decided to leave his hat off, and store it in his wardrobe for now. ;)
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