Ode to Joy

Welcome March!  I'm taking joy from all that is around me. Appreciating the little things.  After all, there is a world of wonder in a grain of sand, is there not?  And after months of quiet work inside, I'm on the path that leads outdoors again.  Venturing out a little at a time, between rain storms, to see what wonders await.  And although spring is not 'officially' here for twenty more days, I am still dreaming and anticipating its arrival with each small sign. 

As I continue to work on my embroidery book, and gather ideas for new projects, I can't help but be inspired by nature as I see it emerging outside my window.  This month's new bonus designs are a reflection of that too, as "spring time" is expressed with baby animals, a bonnet baby, and flowers.  Oh, how I love embroidering flowers!  Especially when there aren't many real ones to admire.  Speaking of that, I've been busy re-designing an old "State Flower Quilt", issued way back when first-class postage for a stamp cost 2 cents. That's what it says on the envelope I found the pattern in.  Imagine that!   But I'm shaking off the dust and brushing away the cobwebs...because these little flower motifs are really just so very sweet.   I already have a quilt pattern in mind that I can't wait to start stitching these into. 

I'm wondering though, if the flowers for each state are still accurate.  Some may have changed over the years.  Do you know your State flower?  I am going to post one flower each month here on the blog for tracing.  If that sounds like fun then leave a comment.   Hearing from you will motivate me to do it sooner rather than later.  The State that gets the most votes will be the first! 

Unrelated:  My blog pal Deb, is already on her 10th Blanket Statement project, using my book as her guide to create items from one wool blanket--a big green blanket at that!  It cracks me up to see everything re-created--but with a green tint.  She is also a proud new grandma, and that blessed event has taken her to another level of adorable crafting altogether.  See all her copy-cat challenge projects here and prepare to be delighted by her ingenuity, as I am.

Also...since I don't have a lot to share in the way of stitching projects right now, you may be seeing more of these photo collages (above).  I love making them, and hope this one showers you with spring inspiration today.

Comments

[Vee]

Maine's state flower is the white pine cone and tassel first established in 1895. Sounds exciting that you have this very old pattern to work with. All of your projects sound amazing to me. (Gosh, have you just gotten me to de-lurk once again with a question?! You're clever!) Enjoy March to the hilt.

[Mari Uria]

I think it sounds like a wonderful idea. Here in Texas our state flower is the beautiful Bluebonnet.

[Yvette]

I have little sprouts in my yard of the Oregon Grape. I will have to watch for flowers now that Spring is here.

They are spread throughout the Pacific Northwest. I think I need to pay more attention to them ...

That 2 cent letter, WOW! Wasn't that before Alaska and Hawaii became states?? LOL before 1959 or there about.

[Carrie]

What a wonderful idea! I have an embroidered quilt that my mom and grandma made me for my high school graduation in 1989 that has the state bird and the shape of the state. I would love to make a lap quilt to match with the state flowers! The state flower of my beautiful state of Minnesota is the Showy Lady Slipper.

[Susan, IL]

I love the idea! The Illinois state flower is the native violet - how I love to see them pop up in my lawn in spring. I love all birds and flowers and look forward to tracing them for various projects. I'm looking forward to your new book as well.

[Jan]

Here in Pennsylvania we have the mountain laurel. According to what I just read, it was a choice between the mountain laurel and the azalea. I was about to say I had never seen a mountain laurel but now realize I probably have but thought they were azaleas, which they do resemble. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/mountainlaurel.aspx

[Dawn-Rene Becker]

What a wonderful idea. I'm voting for Oregon, please! I have Oregon grape here in my yard to remind me of 'home'. (Good thing it will also grow easiyly in Washington.)

[Michele Smit]

What a fun project! My vote is for Michigan - state flower is the apple blossom. Perfect for Spring! :)

[DianeM]

Here's what I copied from 50states.com....
New Jersey State Flower
Violet
Viola sororia
"The state flower of New Jersey was originally designated as such by a resolution of the Legislature in 1913. Unfortunately the force of resolution ended with the start of the 1914 legislative session, leaving the violet with uncertain status for the next fifty years. In 1963 an attempt was made to have the Legislature "officially" designate the violet as the state flower, but the legislation apparently failed. In 1971, at the urging of New Jersey's garden clubs, legislation more specifically designating the Common Meadow Violet (Viola sororia) as the state flower was enacted."
*So even designating a state flower has politicians in a tizzy...lol!
Smiles, DianeM :)
P.S.- Since I was born & raised in Rochester, NY I'll let ya know that their state flower is the rose

[Erin]

Ooo, a state flower quilt sounds like a lot of fun! Thank you for doing that! The California state flower is the California poppy.

[Cgirl]

I vote for the lovely Bluebonnet. Fields of beautiful blue brighten Texas every spring.

[Deb]

Thanks for the mention...you are so kind!

One of my treasures from my mom is an embroidered/outlined shape of the USA with each state flower stitched in the state of its home.
Should you be interested, I could send you a photo of it. Mom made it in the late 60's or early 70's.

[Elizabeth]

What a great quilt idea! I would love to stitch a quilt of the state flowers. My state is NY and our state flower is the Rose, which surprised me, because I thought it was the Trillium! Trillium is native to the woodlands around here--roses are not! Oh well!

[~Vicki]

This is great! Thanks so much!

[Company Embroidery]

Love the poem in the card and the flower as well. Thanks for the cool work!

[Mrs. H]

Our state flower in Kansas is the (yellow) wild sunflower, hence Kansas is called "The Sunflower State".

[gina kahle]

i am requesting Idaho.the state flower is Syringa.