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Monday, May 25, 2015

May Flowers

One of my objectives for 2015 has been to finish up some of my favorite wall quilts - Calendar quilts!


I started Kim Schaeffer's May Calendar Quilt in 2012 - yes, three years ago!!!!  I traced off the pattern pieces onto fusible and chose happy, bright fabrics - and promptly forgot about it when something more urgent called my name.  Yeh, that happens to me a lot *very big grin*!


But I am happy to say I finally finished it recently and it is proudly hanging in my living room, cheering me up each time I spy it =^..^=  Kim gives her Calendar Quilt designs such cute details.....



Kim's pattern version stuck to reds, oranges & yellows for her quilt, but you just know I had to add in a little spark of blue - right?


And then I decided that a big-stitch hand-quilted "path" for the blue butterfly was a necessity to fill in some much needed quilting in that open area .....




One thing I did that was new with this quilt was to applique the pieces down as I quilted instead of before quilting.  In other words, I fused them all down in their proper positions, but instead of stitching them down as I usually would, I next sandwiched the quilt layers, and then used the applique stitching as my quilting.  It went SO MUCH quicker that way!  I also tried out a few of my decorative machine stitches around the flowers.  I just love that orange raggedy zigzag stitch around the outer part of the center!


I wasn't happy with the blah look of the yellow flower petals, so I got out my colored pencils and added a nice orange "blush" to the edges and tips .....


And after adding a black-and-white rope trim around the center of my red flower, I needed something to cover up where the two ends met rather messily.


Now I ask you, what could be cuter than this little caterpillar???


My usual choice for a binding is darker than the quilt to add a "frame" around it, but for this one, I fell in love with a simple, spring-like yellow and blue plaid, cut on the bias ....


A binding finish to share at
Julie K Quilts' Binding Blitz!!!
Of course, I used lots of GREEN scraps in the background, so I'm linking up with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge at SoScrappy! 

I love changing out these quilts each month, adding a fresh new look to our home.  Each little quilt helps me to transition into new seasons and holidays.  I finished up the June calendar quilt two years ago and it is one of my favorites!


I don't seem to have a picture handy of it bound and quilted, but trust me it is :*)  I have July and August in progress, so I'll be sharing those with you soon.


My outdoor spring flowers are very happy that we have actually had quite a nice spring here in Nashville this year.


Usually we get about one week of spring and then the summer heat hits hard and fast, not letting go until sometime in October.  It's been much cooler, and we've gotten some nice rain showers too.  I sat on the porch this morning and enjoyed the soothing sounds of a gentle drizzle while watching my favorite Oriental Lillies begin to open up ..... ahhhhhhh - Life is Good!  My Guy does such a wonderful job of keeping our lawn and yard looking spectacular, doesn't he?


I'll leave you with a picture of the lovely spring flowers my son sent me for Mother's Day this year .....


It is the first time he has sent me flowers, and I have to admit I was charmed and delighted :*)  They lasted a good long while; I reluctantly disposed of the last of them just a few days ago.

Hugs & Blessings!
Teresa
=^..^=

Linking up with:

Patchwork Times - Design Wall Monday
Freemotion by the River - Tuesday Linky Party
Julie K Quilts - Binding Blitz
Quilting Reader's Garden - WIPs Be Gone
Confessions of a Fabric Addict - Whoop Whoop! 
SoScrapy - Rainbow Scrap Challenge

35 comments:

  1. Your spring flowers and springy quilts are fabulous... so much beauty!

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  2. I really like the details in your wall hangings. And yes, the little caterpillar is adorable. Our peonies are just budding out here in Canada and we are anxiously looking for rain from all the clouds that pass over head.

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  3. That is so cute and that little worm is a great finish. The ants and watermelon are fantastic too.

    I love peonies, but we can't grow them here.

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  4. Very cute little piece - love the little catapillar button, adds to the whimsy. Love the flowers, we are flowerless still.

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  5. Wonderful attention to detail on that sunny little quilt!
    Great little ant picnic quilt, too.
    Gorgeous flowers--both growing, and gifted.
    And yes, your yard looks lovely and inviting!

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  6. Your May quilt is absolutely adorable! I love all the detail you put in it. Now I have to find that raggedy zigzag stitch on my machine! I love it!!! I need to get out my pattern and get busy!
    Your yard is gorgeous.

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  7. Teresa, I LOVE your calendar quilt! I have not heard of these, but the two you have on your blog today are adorable! And your embellishing is perfect. Pretty, pretty flowers, too.

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  8. Two weeks is a nice long time for your flowers ... awesome that you got to enjoy them so long. I love that May calendar quilt ... the little touches you gave it make it so special! And the June calendar quilt is fabulous. Your view from your porch is wonderful ... I can see why you enjoy sitting out there.

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  9. Oh your calendar wallhangings are coming out darn cute!! I have three kits of these and the book...you've inspired me to dig them out!! THANKS!

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  10. I made both of these, but yours is way cuter!

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  11. Very, very cute. I've done the quilting with the top-stitching before too, and I really like the look of it. I was thinking about doing a little more stitching on the sunflower table runner I finished recently because I wanted a little more on the petals. Your idea makes me want to do it even more now.

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  12. This is really darling -- I love your different decorative stitching -- it really adds to the eye interest of the piece! What a fun finish!!! :)

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  13. As usual, you did a wonderful job on your monthly quilt! The personal touches you added give it great punch! Your yard looks so nice and inviting! I think we need to have a picnic on it with the ants and watermelon! LOL

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  14. you inspire me to pick up these quilts again, I did up until March I think.

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  15. Seeing your cute wall quilts makes me want to start some of my own. I love them both. Now I want to know what April looked like because that is my 'special' month. You did such a good job with all the little details you added to it, but I'm not surprised since you are such a creative person. Yes, your guy does a great job on your lovely yard. Your flowers sure are beautiful. Do they have a sweet scent? They look like they should.

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  16. That is such a fun and happy quilt!! I love all the details. Your real flowers are glorious too!!

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  17. Okay show off! I think your peonies must be on some kind of performance enhancing drugs. Truly amazing.

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  18. Cute quilt. I like the watermelon and the ants too. Your yard looks lovely.

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  19. Oh, I love those calendar quilts! I have been meaning to make some for years.....but have yet to do them. I might have to make a watermelon one in the near future.....

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  20. Your beautiful quilt has reminded me that I would like to make some of them too. I love the details and quilting you used.

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  21. Thanks for sharing...a great quilt and a great post....so inspirational!!

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  22. Love, love, love your Spring flowers quilt. I have this book too and I've been meaning to make some. I love her designs. Yours is wonderful, great color choices. Thanks for the tips!

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  23. That calendar quilt is super sweet. I love the colors and the embellishments. Can't wait to see the watermelon finished. My will you look at those roses, just gorgeous! You son has great taste in flowers, what a keeper.

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  24. Oh the details in this little quilt are just wonderful! I can see why they cheer you up! Too cute!

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  25. I love that little blue butterfly! The whole quilt is beautiful, and what a great idea to have a different quilt for each month of the year.

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  26. great three d touches!!! Love the stitching and cording. LeeAnna at not afraid of color

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  27. Cute and definitely cheerful. Calendar quilt...what a good idea! Love the watermelon and ants too.

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  28. May is a truly lovely calendar quilt. Gorgeous flowers! June calendar quilt looks like so much fun - ants at a picnic.

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  29. Such a wonderful colourful post - lovely to read this on a grey day in New Zealand!
    Your paeonies are glorious.

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  30. Cute cute quilt! I recently made a very small wall hanging, and the pattern suggested appliqueing through all the layers in lieu of quilting. It was quick and easy, and gave a little poofiness to the applique pieces. I love it. Your extra little touches are just perfect to bring the quilt to life.

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  31. Beautiful pictures. Love this post!

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  32. I really love those flowers in your beautiful lawn. Is that second picture of peonies? How fabulous the the color of the roses and these other flowers match. I also like how you enhanced your quilt with shading and extra details. Looks wonderful! I want to do a calendar set of quilts also, just haven't started yet - they do brighten a room. Thanks for linking to WIPs Be Gone, Teresa.

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  33. Teresa, the mini quilts are so cute! That caterpillar! Those ants! Adorable!

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