Blooming May

 

May Day, Mother's Day, Cinco de Mayo, Derby Day! For Mel: "May the 4th" [be with you/ Star Wars Day, lol.

May seems to be crowded with celebrations, induced no doubt by the prospect of spring's arrival, and dreams summer days ahead. Maybe the ugly locust tree will have leaves by Memorial Day? This an old weeping cherry, trying hard.

At the present time, I am not out and about most days, and my supply of fresh flowers has been sadly meagre. [Hence the sometimes use of faux; and my silly distress about snide opinions on IG. Better silk than nothing]. But I was rummaging around the internet and discovered this amazing Tulip farm in mid-New Jersey. 8 million tulips! Holland Ridge Farms, NJ here

Another closer [but not close] has two million, Waterdrinker Family Farm here. Also beautiful, both had pictures that looked like Holland at its most beautiful. But farm number one had an intriguing side venture: fresh cut tulips, overnighted to one's home. 

Twenty buds for 19.99. Worth a try?

The shipping [free] was a bit odd, as they came via JFK Airport.

Um..once they're at JFK they are already here, do they wheel the boxes into some airport hub, then back onto a truck, no plane involved? Or did my tulips fly to far destinations and back again? No problem, as they arrived next morning, fresh and perfect.

A very exciting delivery, whatever could be in that really small box?, I thought. Oh. Oh my!  Not colors I'd choose. In fact the least likely combo I'd choose. So a negative. It would be nice if they let you choose or suggest what would be preferred. I perked them up with a little colorful quilt atop my grey striped table runner.

I was also auditioning the service for May birthdays and Mother's Day gifts, but their last bouquet was shipped April 30.

Yes, I was hoping for red, pink, or stripey---but I think they're lovely. Note, they lasted a week and there was enough for two bouquets.

Cost is the same as supermarket tulips, free shipping. I'll try their sunflowers in August too.

Now pour us some tequila, it's Cinco de Mayo, a strangely American celebration, but who cares. [sadly this is just an internet pic and not reality.]

love

lizzy

gone to the beach....

PS this week's art attempt. I literally threw the watercolor in the bin, it was a mess. If I feel better I may try again. Use of her photo of "Circus Tulips" kindly allowed by Jane at 

@snapdragon.life

And Sankaty Light, Nantucket, as I wonder to myself if perhaps it's time to start work on my Lighthouses Quilt again, as it brings back Mothers Day visits, rare and cherished and far fewer than should have been, memories.

                                           

In search of more cut fresh flowers, here's a recc from a friend. Ranunculas to swoon over. Very expensive, farmed in California.  They come as cut flowers, or you can add a vase etc.  I would def loosen up the look, but the flowers are stunning. My friend sends the ''bouqs" as corporate gifts....Bouqs Co.HERE / their photo

And here is a smile! LouLou in the Tulips   LouLou the Pug, in Netherlands tulip fields. She is so adorable.

Happy Mother's Day

Back from the Quilter ! Binding Choices and Other Quilt Project

 

Hello, hello on April's final day this year. Out like a lion, April thinks she is March, all blustery and cold.

blue bird [indigo bunting] in my friends' secluded backyard

What a thrill it always is --- the big box arrived from my quilter the other morning. [Lori C / Quilter's Imagination]. So fast! I think she did both quilts in just one week, and so beautifully done as always. Note the gorgeous Baptist Fans on this eye-popping beauty.

Now to choose bindings. Always good to audition with phone photos here on my big screen. It's so often a surprise to me, the final choice. I don't know how other quilters can choose and cut bindings ahead, I just adore this final step in the process.

This is my Antique Block Challenge quilt. I still am not showing it completely till it's all done, but you --and- - I  can see enough.

I was sure I'd pick the red and almost did go ahead and cut it.

 

Then other ideas in the stack of new fabrics clamored for their turns. How about cheddar?

I was amazed at how much I love the grey mushroom sprig.

No to the red and tan lozenges, no to the dull mustard matchstick.

Which do you think I chose in the end?

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Lori C also beautifully finished this wild and colorful antique top. You'll recall its wonky piecing.

Amazing that the careless construction doesn't show at all on the front. She knew perfection did not matter once hidden. I planned to use a double pink, but considered the green backing fabric too. The green on the left is a repro from Annette Plog for Marcus Bros. Isn't the match great.

                                      

I like pink better than I like green so pink it is. [pink also from Annette Plog, Petite Perennials lines]

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Lori C also enclosed this beautiful stack of 10" cuts called  Prairie Dry Goods by Pam Buda.

I never see Pam Buda's fabrics to buy when I shop online and I really am impressed, love them all. I immediately had ideas for this fun gift, but perhaps will let it simmer and not jump in too soon. Repro fabric lovers may enjoy seeing the entire line, one source listed below.

Prairie Dry Goods

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I enjoyed using Hourglass squares on my Antique Block Quilt [ABQ, as I call it], so I'm making a few red and cream squares at the end of each sewing session. To surround the redwork Giraffe in Egypt block. (Head start on next year's challenge?)

And last, inspired by blog friend Nancy who always sets a monthly goal in her quilt projects, I have been setting a goal for my Winter Marsh project each month, kind of like a solo quiltalong. April plan was to make ''a stack'' of scrappy Flying Geese, 2" x 4" sewed, for spacers and sashing/ borders.

These are untrimmed!

I made about 30+; suddenly stopped because I realized I need large pieces of fabrics for the Stars. The Geese need a 5 1/2" square for the method I use, really consumes a lot of fabric quickly.

So for May I will try to make the 8 smaller stars. Then probably set the project aside til next winter? I always write myself notes when I stop sewing for the summer, and by next January I know I ll have NO IDEA what to do next. Below is a copy I made of the basic design, for notes.

Laid out on my bed, not sure I love it anyway. Maybe a long summer nap will improve things?

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Here is Mo my little boss, wondering why our deck sewing circle is not happening yet. [A sewing bee comprised of just Mo and me.]  Mo loves cold weather, he'd sit outside for sewing hour in January if I would do it.

                                                 patiently waiting

Have a great weekend!

love 

lizzy

gone to the beach.......

too windy, joints too painful, but we did some garden peeping instead.

www.quiltersimagination.com    here