Family is the Heart of Home

Welcome to another month of Quilt Block Mania! We have over 25 designers participating this month, with each offering a block for the month of October. The theme this month is 'Family'. I've designed a very modern block, Family is the Heart of Home, complete with a great family story. The little pincushion birds should be a clue.

Back in April, we were thrilled to have a pair of Western Bluebirds choose one of our birdhouses to build their nest. This was the first time I had seen this bird species in the yard, so this was quite the honor. 

Of the five decorative birdhouses we have, they chose the one above, probably because of it's easy access to a nearby fence and food sources beyond. It also gave them a great spot to keep an eye on the growing family.

Each day, I would grab the binoculars and peer at the birdhouse through the bathroom window, which is approximately 25 feet straight across the yard from the nest. 

We loved hearing their demanding chirps, which got louder when they knew Mom or Dad was close by. They would crowd the opening to get whatever food was being served. It was fascinating to watch these parents take care of their young, even cleaning out the nest.

Just how many were there? Early in their nesting stage and when I knew both parents were gone, I peeked inside with a flashlight and counted five eggs. Prolific! 

But that doesn't mean they all survived. Ultimately, 3 babies died, but 2 fledged, with one hopping around in the yard for a day before making it high into a tree. Below is a grainy picture of him, taken through the screen of another window - he's only about 8 feet away from me, sitting on cement, and taking a rest in between flight trials.

It was such a joy watching this little family, and I was sad to see them go. But I have hopes for next spring! We have 3 new birdhouses, supposedly for bluebirds, and we currently have had 3 bluebirds visiting a watering dish. The outlook is promising!

Along with the 3 houses that are meant for nest building, I also picked up this modern decorative one, replacing a log cabin birdhouse that was deteriorating. Who knows, maybe they'll choose this one instead.

And it's this new modern birdhouse that I have based my Family is the Heart of Home quilt block design upon. It has the love of the family of bluebirds represented by the hearts, 

and the given Design Seeds palette to coordinate with all the other October Family blocks for one great looking quilt.

My easy Family is the Heart of Home quilt block is both beginner friendly and fat quarter friendly. The pattern includes 12" and 8" block sizes, plus applique templates for each. See the Family is the Heart of Home quilt block pattern, in two colorways and sizes, in my Etsy shop.

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And don't forget to visit the other designers to see their Family themed blocks.

Warming by the Fire
Paper Chain Family at Slice of Pi Quilts
Family is Love
Family Quote Pineapple Block by Blockofthemodotcom
Family Pumpkin Pickin' Day
Family Crest at Always Expect Moore
Old Rocking Chair at Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
Love@Home at Stash Bandit
Sisterhood by Michelle Renee Hiatt
Glimpse of Home at Scrapdash
We Are Family by Heidi Pridemore
Family Trees at Pretty Piney Quilts
Family is the Heart of Home by QuiltFabrication
Gathering by Blue Bear Quilts
Sister's Choice at Perkins Dry Goods
Every Family Has One at Patti's Patchwork
Orange Blossom Quilt
Wonky Nesting Hearts
Family Photo Block
Celtic Trinity Knot by Appliqués Quilts and More
Scarecrow
Family Ring at Devoted Quilter
Tartan Block at True Blue Quilts
FindSewingStuff.com
Flying Geese Family by Tacy Gray
Family Heart by Amarar Cracions

Edited 11-2020

Happy Quilting!