Hi All! Crazy busy here over on the western side of Washington state these days. There has been so much happening. Julia moved up here just a few weeks ago. My mom and dad were successful in selling their California house and just moved up here as well. The family has been working on helping them with unpacking which means no sewing time.
I did get some progress made on my quilt top before all of this began however. I am very happy with it. My plan is to use the Dresdens I made some time ago, as well as a few new ones, for the flowers. This is a time saver for me which is so helpful. Time is just not plentiful these days!!
I am experimenting with the placement of the Dresdens. They won’t be sitting right on top of the stem. If you look up on the left side, you’ll see a partial Dresden. I want to put a cone shape center at the top so it looks like a partial bloom. (Does that make sense)? I am loving how this is coming together. I borrowed some bias tape makers from my sister and will make stems with it. I want them to be narrower than the stems I made for the leaves. I may use a few slightly different fabrics to add some variety to the flowers.
These are sunflowers Ray and I planted in our backyard this year. They are blooming profusely. My favorite flowers by far are sunflowers and peonies. Anyway, see the pale yellow, partially open blossom? That is what I am trying for with the small, partial Dresden. In another week or so I should have the Dresden’s finished and will be able to baste the quilt.
OK – time to see some quilt tops!! Remember we will be giving away a number of quilt patterns for entrants in this week’s link up. If you don’t know how to link up or just want me to share a photo of your quilt top, please email it to me. Can’t wait to see what the quilts are looking like at this point! Thanks so much for participating in the 2023 Positivity QAL!!!
Linking up with Oh Scrap!
Bernie, this will be nice when all flowers are on. My first thought was, that the unfinsihed dresden left side is a butterfly who is at the flowers. Send you good vibes and power to finish. How nice that now your parents are moved and near to you. Summer greetings over the ocean!
Hi Eva: Thank you for the note! I think the addition of a butterfly or two would be great fun. We have quite a few (actual) butterflies in our yard this year.
My parents are very happy and settling into the new house now. Mom has her 88th birthday today and we will be together to celebrate. It is really wonderful to live close to the again. Do your live parents nearby?
Enjoy the summer. We have a warm day today and then it is supposed to cool off – perfect!!
I thought that tiny Dresden was a butterfly. Maybe you could use a bright orange and add one with your flower dresdens. It’s too hot to do much of anything here but I pick at projects abit. Family dies come first fir most of us. Thanks for sharing.
Susan – the idea of a butterfly is wonderful. I am going to do it for sure!
I hope the heat lets up for you. No fun to be stuck inside all day long.
The partial flower and those Dresdens are such a great idea for your quilt. It is really pretty Bernie. I love your sunflowers. I grew them in south Texas (on the acreage), and they were giant. I miss being able to have the space to grow them here. I don’t want Hubs to have to weedeat around them – lol! Where in your yard did you plant yours?
Hi Linda – Ray left one side of the back yard open and we have let the grass die off. He planted veggies back there and some fruit trees. We put the sun flowers on a patch in that area. Next year I will plant even more since they grew so well and so easily. I am just loving them.
I love the Dresden Plates added – it really makes it
Thank you Karen. I can’t remember why I made these but they were sitting there waiting to be used. This sure seems like a great way to use them! Have a lovely day.
This is going to make a beautiful quilt, Bernie! I love the flowers at the top. It looks like you’ve made great progress on your Positivity quilt, in spite of everything going on. I, unfortunately, am just the opposite – have not touched my blocks in awhile. But promise I will keep going as I can!
Diann – we will be so happy to receive a positivity quilt from you whether it is in 3 months or 13 months. We are grateful for all of the quilts!!!
Oh, Bernie, have fun with your year-round reunion! I know this plan was a long time coming. Nice to have Julie in-state, too. I love your sunflowers–both the Dresdens and real ones. I do like how you are positioning that one sideways blossom. And butterflies are always fun.
Hi there!! Definitely – this has been a long project! But Mom and Dad are up here and settling into the new house really well. Julia starts her new job tomorrow! All sorts of things happening around here!
I did make a Dresden butterfly today and it is so darn cute!
How wonderful to have Julia and your parents settling in nearby. It looks like you are having a lot of fun with this when you can sneak in the time, and the dresdens are going to make perfect flowers!
Thanks! I made some different bias tapes for stems this afternoon but now I can’t figure out how I want to place the Dresden’s….. Time to stop and see what it looks like tomorrow.
Love it with the Dresden plates. I totally get what you are envisioning. As to quilting here- nope. It’s summer and I am busy with a paint brush!
I get it Bernie! Summer certainly calls us in all different directions! Have to take advantage of the great weather for other projects and activities!