turkey feathers

SOUTH DAKOTA--Pasque Flower

 

May is on the way.  Hurray for May, I say.  That's when so many of these flowers (that we've been stitching up all these many, many months) finally make an appearance in meadows, fields, and backyard gardens.  It's also bloom time for the beautiful Pasque Flower (pulsatilla hirsutissima).  This little lovely grows wild throughout South Dakota; one of the first signs of spring there.  They are common in most of the U.S. and Canada, but not so much in the south east and east coast regions, but grow as far north as Alaska, so maybe some of you are starting to see them now...these small purple harbingers, living up to its motto "I Lead", which was attributed to it when it was adopted on May 5, 1903.  This flower is also known as the May Day flower, the Prairie Crocus, Easter Flower, and Meadow Anenome.  But given all that, it actually belongs to the buttercup family--and is highly toxic.  My goodness, looks can be deceiving.   

 

COLORS:  petals--violet #552; centers--yellow; stems--gray-green #552; letters--smoke gray #645.

Cupcake Zone

Our teenage daughters never seem to need an occasion (or an excuse) to bake cupcakes, as they are want to do often, which we love, of course--but this new stand (purchased here) certainly prompted them into action over the weekend.  Nothing like a sad empty cupcake tree to stir up enthusiasm and start the beaters spinning.  Served with fresh strawberries they were the perfect dessert for our Easter luncheon on Sunday. 

 

And just fine and dandy on their own--the next day.

 

Alas, it's all just a sweet memory now.   

 

 

DELAWARE--Peach Blossom

 

I've been SO loving the different types of ornamental fruit trees that are in bloom up and down the neighborhood streets right now.  Somehow, all seems right with the world when it's in bloom, and bees are buzzing and birds are babbling from the branches.  I give thanks to God for the continuity of nature, and feel hopeful.

Peach tree flowers are the prettiest shade of pink!  These trees are generally small, reaching up to fifteen feet at the crown, with a spreading canopy of low hanging branches.  They are also relatively short-lived, ranging from 15 to 20 years, and even less in cultivation lasting an average of just 8 years.   At first, the peach blossom (prunus persica--a native of China), was considered Delaware's state flower, but a movement developed in favor of the goldenrod instead.  That goldenrod again !  Guess, you either love it or hate it....but anyway--a petition drive to keep the peach blossom ensued--lead primarily by agriculturists and school children which swayed the decision--making it official in 1953.  Delaware, which had over 800,000 peach trees growing there at one time, was nicknamed the "peach state", but a blight forced the collapse of that industry during the 1900's.  The peach flower remains as the state emblem as well.  

 

COLORS:  petals--pink #3706; centers--yellow #744; stem/leaves--greens #989 & #472; letters--smoke gray #645.

White Violets Transformed

  
Well now.  I actually have a little bit of a sewing project to share today.  It seems like such a long time since I actually made something for the house, and although it's not a huge thing, it's something.  Remember white violets on linen?  Here's what has became of that little stitchery--it has been transformed  into a new "spring" pillow sleeve, to replace winter.  At long last.  It does feel good to be looking at flowers again.  In any form. 

 
This was actually one of the winter projects that was featured in my book, Embroidery Craft:: Stitching Through the Seasons, under "Seasonal Pillow Sleeve" (pages 48-49), in case you are wondering how to make it; although it's pretty easy to work out just by looking.   I found the wide gross-grain ribbon at a thrift shop some time ago.  I loved the color and was waiting for just the right project to use it--I think it works perfectly here.   Hand-carved mother-of-pearl buttons (made from abalone shells) are nice to display and enjoy on a pillow too.  Because matching ones are rarities in my button box.  So--a good way to use the "old maids".  Besides, they add charm & character, don't ya think?

Here They Come

 

Yes, I do think it's that time again.  Time to mix up the "magic concoction".  And what exactly is the magic concoction, you may ask?  Well, I posted about it way back here.  And updates and outcomes are in other posts under my Garden Love categories.  Here's the PDF link for the eco-friendly DEER REPELLENT RECIPE, if you are bothered by critters eating all your flower buds and generally treating your garden as a dessert and salad bar.  A few squirts works like a charm!  And made with just 5 simple ingredients from your kitchen, for only pennies. 

No time to loose.

Scooting out the door now . . .armed with spray bottle...to do battle.

NEW MEXICO--Yucca

 

"Spring", as lovely as that word sounds, has bitter days.  Today we huddle under dark skies, and more rain.  I remind myself of the old adage, "April Showers Bring May Flowers".  That's true enough, and so I'm patient.  Gladys Taber once wrote that, "if spring came all at once we would probably die of it".  Of this, I am convinced--remembering the pain and utter exhaustion following the first forays back into the garden.  So, it arrives slowly--for our sakes.  But  today, dampness mingles with anticipation because it's Friday after all.  Hurrah for Friday!  That most lovely of weekdays to some of us, anticipating, as we do, the breaking with routine for a time.  Or at least, a routine of a different sort--full of possibilities at any rate.  And pancakes!  (We seem to only cook them on Sunday mornings anymore.)      

Anyway--rainy days and pancakes aside, we now move mentally  to a warmer climate (where a wonderful and sunny spring normally arrives early and without delay), to New Mexico, #36 on the state flower quilt list---offering up the lovely Yucca (yucca glauca).  This plant was adopted as the official flower March 14, 1927 after school children voted for it to represent their state.  It is a member of the lily family, and can grow to the size of a small tree.  The yucca's beautiful white blossoms are edible, and can even be ground up to make a type of candy.  The fruits, seeds, stems, and sometimes even the roots are all edible. Early settlers who came to the deserts of New Mexico saw the lovely flowers and called them, "Our Lord's Candles". 

As I recall, Yucca's have very sharp tips on the leaves.  My "little brother" loves to remind me about the time I pushed him down a hill in a wagon, which he clumsily steered straight into one.  Fortunately he survived to tell the tale.  Again, and again--while showing off his "battle scars".  We laugh about it now, but the horror of that moment will be etched in my mind for all of eternity.  One of many that I was to experience in those growing up years with my dare-devil bro.  He was fearless!

Off to the weekend we go. . .have a safe one!

    

COLORS:  petals--white; shadow on petals--beige #612; stems--green #320; leaves--dk green #3346; letters #645.

KENTUCKY--Goldenrod

 

Number thirty-five!  Can you believe it?  That means only fifteen more blocks to go.  I'm seeing light at the end of tunnel.  Oh yes I am.  This has been a long project, I know--in more ways than one--and it's not over yet.  Nope.  I haven't even begun to sew the blocks together which are trimmed and at the ready.  Actually, I'm still trying to decide which layout I like best.  Fifty is an odd number of blocks for a traditional square or rectanglular quilt.  No matter how you stack 'em up, there's always odd numbers that don't fit, or one left over!  And you can't just add one without adding an entire row.  And then it gets too long, or too wide.  So it gets tricky if you are concerned at all about proportion.  Which I am.  Next week, I'll present the options I've come up with and you can weigh in on your favorite or throw out some ideas.  And then I'll get rolling....  

This block was fun for me because I like making French Knots.  I know.  Crazy.  Not everyone's favorite stitch.  It's fiddly.  It takes time and patience to learn how this mysterious stitch is done.  There are quite a few good tutorials on YT--I found this one to be clear and concise.  If you absolutely cannot make a knot, then tiny satin-stitching will do fine.  Try taking a stitch in one direction then stitching over it in the opposite direction for a padded effect.  For the knots, I used three strands of floss, with two twists on the needle.  It matters not whether you insert the needle back in, from above or below the thread.  Sometimes, the angle in which you are holding your piece will determine which is easier.  If you want perfectly uniform knots, always "wrap and dive" in the same direction.  I staggered mine, for a more natural look.  And just a little heads-up:  there will be another block exactly like this one down the road.  (Was that a loud groan heard coming from the peanut gallery?) 

This little flower--it gets a bad rap.  But Goldenrod (solidago altissma) has been a favorite among the state flower contenders from the start.  It was selected many times by many states--only to be replaced and/or out-voted for others in the field.  And this was even true for the state of Kentucky. However, it remained the flower of choice as a "native" plant despite it's wild flower reputation and was made official March 16, 1926.  The bright yellow flowers dubbed, 'precaution' and 'encouragement' by LOTF prevail!  They continue to grace roadsides in the fall, adding glorious spots of color to the landscape.   Be they ever so humble.    

 

COLORS:buds--bright yellow #307; stems & leaves--dk green #3346; letters--smoke gray #645. 

LOUISIANA--Magnolia

 

A few years ago, we planted a magnolia tree on the premises and it has been a delight.  In summer it produces wonderful large creamy blossoms that emit the most intoxicating lemony scent that calms and refreshes.  But another thing I love about it, is the fact that it's an evergreen.  Here in the northwest, when just about every other plant and tree goes dormant, the magnolia shines--with large glossy leaves.  It's said to be hardy to zone 6.  And they're deer proof!  What more can I say?  

 
One thing you should know before planting one though, is that magnolia grandifloras tend to develope surface roots over time that can crack sidewalks, driveways, and concrete patios--so location is important.  We put ours (above) in a corner of the front yard where rain and ground water is abundant, as it drains down the slope.  Magnolias do well in rich soil such as this, but will tolerate occasional drought; they just won't grow as quickly.  I took this picture of our tree yesterday--it was planted three years ago (as a sapling) and seems to double in size each year--and will eventually reach a height of 25-30 feet tall.  I'm counting the days until I can spread a quilt underneath it and have a summer picnic.  (It is raining again today--so that will be awhile at any rate.)

A bit of history:: The magnolia was adopted as Lousianna's state flower July 12, 1900, but in 1941 a society was formed by a group of Louisanna Iris enthusiasts, and they proposed legislation in 1950 to replace the magnolia blossom with the Iris.  The Iris supporters contended that  the Iris could grow anywhere, and that the magnolia was not a native plant.  Their argument did not stand however, and the magnolia remains as the official representative.  (The Iris went on to become the state wild flower  however, so everyone was happy.) 

 

 

COLORS:  inner petals--peachy-pink #353; outer petals/bud--cream #746; center--yellow #744; leaves--lt olive greens #471 & #800; letters--smoke gray #645.

ARIZONA -- Cactus Flower

 

Are you ready for another flower block? OK then.  Today we have cactus from the Arizona landscape.  I love the desert in spring!  It's truly an awesome place, for this is the time when everything comes alive and the heat index is still relatively mild so you can cover a lot of territory on foot (the only way to experience and really appreciate what's out there), without worry of heat stroke.  But in any case---don't forget your hat. 

Native to the Sonoran Desert in the southwestern US and northern Mexico, the saguaro cactus is an iconic symbol of the region.  Slow growing, and commonly living between 150 to 200 years--it can take up to 75 years just for an "arm" to appear.  The flowers grow forth from the ends of these upshoots with the entire cactus reaching heights of fifty feet tall.  It blooms in spring through May and June, producing a beautiful waxy, lightly scented flower that attracts bees, and which later develops into a red berry that provides food for doves migrating from South America.  The flowers open during the cooler desert nights and close during the midday heat.  (Click photo to view larger.) 

The saguaro cactus blossom (camegiea giganted), was adopted as the state flower for Arizona in 1901 but was not made offical until May 16, 1931.  The saguaro cactus is slow at propogating making it a candidate for the endangered species list-thus it is illegal to remove or harm them in the State of Arizona.

 
COLORS:  flowers--ivory #746; center--variegated yellow/orange; buds--greens #3348,3346,472; needles--reddish brown #839; letters--smokey gray #645.

See ya tomorrow with #34!

ALABAMA -- Camellia

 
Hello ladies...here we are today on a rare "sunny" April Monday morning in the northwest with the first installment of flower block week.  Are you ready?  I hope so, because my ever willing assistant (yes, we bribe her with chocolate nuggets frequently), and I--have been working overtime pulling this together.  No worries though--its all goodtimes and the entries are short and sweet.  Like their colorful subjects.  So without further ado . . . we bring you today's sweet little gift: 

Ooohh--the camellia!  Another one of my very favorite flowers.  We are seeing them in bloom all around our neighborhoods right now.  These tender beauties actually originated in Asia and are part of the 'tea family' of shrub evergreens; though they now represent the state of Alabama as a true heritage plant.  However, it wasn't always so.  In 1927, the 'goldenrod' was chosen as the state flower and was recognized as such for over thirty years.  Then along came the "ladies of Butler County", and they were not as fond of it.  They considered goldenrod a wildflower and thought the camellia japonica L. more appropriate, as it flourished in the warm southern climate.  Invariably, the decision was changed and in August 1959, this new state flower was designated.   

Varieties and colors vary from white to red with shades of pink in between--but red remains the most commonly hailed as the state pick.  For color inspiration feast your eyes on these.

Camellia Japonica, Red
"Unpretending excellence"--from: Language of the Flowers Almanac

 

COLORS:  petal outline--mid-rose #760; inside petal lines--dk pink #761; stamens--yellow #3078; stems/leaves--#470 - 471; letters--smoke gray #645.