Today we have the second block for Mountain Laurel. This flower was introduced back here, as it is also chosen for the state of Pennsylvania. (There are a lot more details about it in that post.) Both blocks are stitched in slightly different colors. This one has more color shades in the flowers; the other has more contrast in the leaves. I'm forever experimenting it seems--but I do like them equally well. You can follow my examples, or choose the color combinations that appeal to you.
Here's a little more about this beautiful flower. The Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia), has fragrant, pink and white blossoms that bloom in May and June along roadsides and in forests. It is sometimes called, ivy bush, calico bush, spoonwood, and sheep laurel. It is one of the most spectacular looking native American shrubs, although all parts of this plant are poisonous. Because of its beauty alone, over 3,000 women urged the state legislature to adopt the mountain laurel as Connecticut's state flower, even though not everyone was fond of the idea. But supportive lawmakers received sprigs of mountain laurel on their desks, and so it was adopted on April 17, 1907.
COLORS: petals--light pink #761, and medium pink #768; buds--dark pink #899; flower centers--white; leaves #367; letters--smoke gray #645.
So, next we have block number 49--for Nebraska. (Get ready for French Knots galore!)
