turkey feathers: NEW YORK : Rose

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Happy first day of summer! We're still waiting for the sunshine here, but in the meantime . . . what better flower block for June than the rose?

Rose are symbols of love and beauty, inspiration of many an artist and poet throughout the ages. William Shakespeare's famous line in 'Romeo and Juliet' comes to mind, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet." And from 'Bread and Roses' by James Oppenheim, "Hearts starve as well as bodies; give us bread, but give us roses."

Yes, we must indeed have roses!

I don't think I've ever met a rose I didn't like, but I'm especially fond of old roses in the garden, such as those romantic pale climbers and the rambling types; varieties of English & French roses, such as damask and gallica, with their many rows of delicate petals like icing on a cake.

The adoption of the New York state flower began in 1890, on Arbor Day, when it was put to a vote by school children of the state. Three flowers were nominated and were ranked by popularity as the goldenrod, rose, and the daisy. A year later, again on Arbor Day, another poll was taken for the two top-runners and the rose won out, but no action was taken to make it official until April 20, 1955. It then became the official flower of the state, "in any color or combination of colors common to it."

So...this flower block can be stitched in any color that you like. I did mine in the colors that were listed on the original chart. Specifically I chose, DMC COLORS: petals #444/970/945/350; leaves and stems "dark green".

Remember images should be about 4 x 4-inches to fit a 6.5" quilt block.

To get the image:: RIGHT CLICK to save it as a file, or for size options--LEFT CLICK and use the flickr 'all sizes' link.

If you are visiting for the first time, and just starting the project you can download the stitch guide and color chart here as a PDF:

STATE FLOWER QUILT DIRECTIONS

Comments

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You chose my favorite color for a rose...this is so pretty. Happy Annivesary! What a lovely bouquet of roses you received.

Posted by: Vee | June 21, 2010 at 05:44 PM

You have chosen Hubby's favorite color of rose. I'll have to show him.

Congrats!

Posted by: Mom Wald | June 22, 2010 at 03:50 AM

I always think of June as the month of roses, so this is the perfect time to introduce this square, I think.

Your roses from your mister are so pretty, as is that corner of your room. (I love your pillows.) I'm so happy for you both. A long and happy marriage is one of the things worth working for in this life.

It's sunny here today!

Posted by: Lena | June 23, 2010 at 08:49 AM

Oh, I just noticed the new banner for summer. It's very pretty too!

Posted by: Lena | June 23, 2010 at 08:50 AM