turkey feathers

WISCONSIN--Violet

 
And here we have...drum-roll please....the 25th block--and we are halfway home with more lovely violets!  Four states share the violet as their official flower, making Wisconsin the third one to be stitched so far--soon to be followed closely on the heels by another (Rhode Island) next.  To see the first two, go to Illinois and New Jersey.  I'm varying the colors a bit to add variety to my quilt.  Petals have all been filled with Satin Stitch--and oh, how they shine! 

 
Here's a bit of the history for those who are interested and keeping track...On Arbor Day 1909, the school children of Wisconsin selected a flower to represent their state.  The wild rose, trailing arbutus, and white water lily were in the running, but it was the common wood violet that won hearts and twice as many votes.  But even though it was the sure winner, it was not made official until 1948, when the Youth Committee of the Wisconsin Centennial Commission, discovered that the violet had never been designated as such.  Without wasting time, a bill was prepared, and by an act of legislature the wood violet (Viola papilionacea) was adopted forty years later, on June 4, 1949.  Better late than never, I say.

COLORS:  J.&P. COATS variegated lavender six-strand cotton floss for petals; DMC #3822 flower centers & #3349 for leaves and stems.  Satin-stitching done with 3 strands; French Knots with two; Outline with three.

BRILLIANT IDEAS:

•  Due to changes on Flickr, it was brought to my attention that some people were not able to print out the patterns due to incompatible issues with certain browsers.   By changing the licensing on my pattern images, everyone should be able to download and print them out now.  If anyone is still having problems please let me know and I will keep trying.  Patterns are HERE.

 

• The advantage of saving images to a file is that you can reverse and print them out quickly if you plan to use a transfer pen to trace them.  Use tracing paper rather than tracing on printer paper--ink soaks in and bleeds and lines may not be as fine as you want them.

 

• There are many means and methods for transferring embroidery designs directly to cloth--and here is one that someone sent me recently.  If you have a glass coffee table, place a small lamp under it and turn it into an instant "light table".

SOUTH CAROLINA--Yellow Jessamine

 
And s-t-i-t-c-h-i-n-g right along...here we have the next in the State Flower Quilt series, popularly known as the "trumpet flower" (as well as a host of other names).  It has been added to the growing number of finished blocks--number 24 in fact, and that means we are nearly reaching the halfway mark.   This block went quick with just two colors, and may seem dull in comparison to some of the other blocks, with more going on, but the simplicity and single shot of yellow is the perfect counterpoint to the pinks, purples, and blues around it.  Colors I used were golden yellow DMC #3822; stems and leaves #3349; with four strands throughout, with the exception of lettering which was 3 strands. 

The yellow Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) was designated the official state flower of South Carolina on February 1, 1924, not only for it's fragrance and beauty, but because it is indigenous to every nook and cranny of the state.  It is said, "that its delicate flower suggests the pureness of gold; it's perpetual return out of the dead winter suggests the lesson of constancy, in loyalty to and patriotism in the service of the State."  (This is an actual quote from the SC legislature).  Over a hundred years ago, Mrs. Teresa Strickland of Anderson, SC penned it this way in a poem she wrote for the Dixie Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy--since disbanded, entitled Legend of the Yellow Jasmine:

"No flower that blooms holds such perfume,

As kindness and sympathy won.

Wherever there grows the sheltering pine,

Is clinging a Yellow Jessamine Vine."

The fragrance is beyond compare--the essential oils are used by the perfume industry because it's difficult to reproduce synthetically.  But all parts of the plant are extremely poisonous, especially to livestock if eaten.  Preparations made from the roots and rhizomes have been used as a central nervous-system depresssant, febrifuge, anodyne, and antispasmodic.   The spring blossoms, however, are a source of nectar for butterflies, and deer often browse on the vegetation for food without ill effect.  Knowing deer, I am guessing they only nibble the sweet nectar filled flowers.  The jessamine grows in other regions as well, from the coastal plains, Virginia to South Florida, and west into Arkansas and Texas.  

I am again, streamlining the flower block posts to save time from gathering links, etc.  You can find the South Carolina--Yellow Jessamine block and pattern here.  (For more general info about the project---click on the State Flower Quilt Project link in the side bar.) 

OK...onward we march to Wisconsin!  Number 25--halfway home!!  Woot!

 

 

IDAHO - Syringa

 
Here we have the next addition to the State Flower Quilt.  One by one they are getting done! At the moment, there's a gale blowing in--I'm stitching, and storm watching (simultaneously), and dreaming about spring, when flowers like this one will be in bloom once again. 

For Idaho, it's the lovely Syringa (Philadelphus lewisii), which is actually from the hydrangea family.  The white flowers are fragrant and similar to that of an orange blossom, earning it the nickname of "mock orange".  I mentioned a bit of a dilemma in my last post regarding this flower.  What happened was, when I began researching it (to make sure I got the colors right this time), I noticed the flower heads consisted of only four petals, which is one of the things that make it particularly unique.  However, the original state flower block had tiny clusters of five-petaled flowers.  That seemed odd to me, so upon closer investigation, I discovered that a lilac of a similar name (syringia) may have been confused with syringa.  It did sort of look like a lilac.  (Click on image to see larger).

So---it was back to the drawing board. 

 
And here's the new block.  You can print it out and trace it, or send me a self-addressed stamped envelope (email me for the PatternBee address) and I'll send you the updated hot-iron transfer for it.  I've read that there is a fifth petal occasionally, so the old design is not entirely off.  But I do like the new version a lot better as far as accuracy goes, which I'm sure will be important to, and especially appreciated by our Idaho people out there who are stitching along, and know first-hand what the flower actually looks like!  

COLORS:  As always, are your choice--what I used for the petals was a pale yellow, DMC #3823; (also used this for the hawthorn) to depict white flowers on the white back-ground.  Stamens; yellow DMC #743.  To add color and "freshness", I used J&P Coats varigated green cotton floss.  Three strands were used throughout, with 2 strands for French Knots.    

Interesting facts about Syringa:  After the state of Idaho entered the union, representatives began the business of choosing a state flower.  The syringa had already been named as the floral emblem--and was the flower chosen to represent the state at the 1893 World's Expo in Chicago.  However, it wasn't officially designated until 1931.  Syringa has a wide growing range, and can be found in northern California, western Montana, parts of British Columbia, as well as in Idaho where they flourish in the central and northern part of the state, where moist soil found along streams, dry ravines, rocky areas and canyons contribute to its cultivation.  Native American Indians used the bark and branches of the woody shrub, which can reach a height of nine feet tall, for pipes, arrows, combs, and snowshoes.  The bark and leaves were also used to make soap.  Gee, who knew?

UPDATED 2/18---I forgot to mention that the State Flower Quilt pattern sold on the website will no longer include the old block--but the updated Syringa flower block.

MISSOURI - Hawthorn

This floral emblem comes in the form of a tree this time and became the official flower to represent the state of Missouri on March 16, 1923.  And although a specific variety of hawthorn is not named in the legislation, the Missouri Dept of Conservation asserts that the 'downy hawthorn' (Crataegus mollis), is the one deserving recognition.  The five-petal blossoms are cream-colored and grow in clusters, similar to an apple tree, but it belongs, in fact, to the rose family.  After the blossoms fade, it produces tiny apple-like "pomes" which can be made into jam.  These small fruits also provide food for birds and small mammals. 

The flower buds are pale yellow, opening to a pinkish white.  But white is always a tricky color to do on a white background.  So I went with a pale pink for the petals.  The centers are a rusty, brownish-pink color; original directions call for dark orange.  I took liberties and went bright yellow with bright pink stamens to add more color.  When I got it done, I decided it looked more like an apple blossom.  So much for taking liberties.

Back to square one.  I started over, and stitched another one truer to the actual colors (first picture).  What do you think?  Which one do you like the best? (Click on small image to see larger.)  I'm going to stick with the top choice.  

DMC Colors:  For the flower block (shown first), I used very pale yellow #3823 which looks more cream-colored on the white background; flower centers #922; stamen #728, and leaves #469 & #989.  #645 for letters.  Three strands overall; 2 strands for flower names and French Knots.   

 Stitches Used:  Outline Stitch for continuous lines; Back Stitch for letters; Satin Stitch for fills;  French Knots for dots.  If you are unfamiliar with the stitches used--take a look at the stitch guide on my website here...you can print it out for reference.  For the serrated edges on the leaves I find the V-Stitch (also called a Zigzag Stitch), is quick and effective.  You will vary the stitch length for leaves, but it is the same principle.

 

Next, moving on to the block for Idaho, I got another surprise--and not a good one.  As I began to research the State Flower Syringa, I found something amiss and alarming. 

 
To borrow a line from 'Miss Clavel', "Something is not right!"  And it wasn't.  So, now I'm in the process of redoing that block.  I'll explain it all later, once everything is sorted out.  We are working out the bugs as we go along it seems.  :o)

For all the information about the state flower quilt project and how to download designs--go here.

 

Smooth Sailing

 
Good News:  Your prayers and good wishes regarding my "computer escapades" seemed to turn the boat around.  Plus a lotta help from my friends.  I have to give the Mister and Ryan, a co-worker,  much credit too.  It was their quick thinking and ability to patch the old girl back together; I don't know how they figure this stuff out.  It can be so complicated and tricky sometimes.   But the main thing is, QB is back online and humming.   Again, I appreciate everyone's patience, and hope you enjoy the free pattern sent as a little "thank you."

So what's next?  The Hawthorn for Missouri, that's what.  I had a little extra time on my hands yesterday and got started on it and am nearly finished now.  Will post it soon.

 

 

Relunctantly Relocated

 
No.  I haven't moved away--or left the country.  I'm still here, just sitting with a new perspective.  Across the room from my usual northern exposure.  The east facing window to my right is flooded with sunshine today.  It's a marvel of marvels, I tell you--especially nice after some dark wintry days.  And maybe just a bit blinding. But I'll take it any old which-way it comes streaming in.  I'd go outside and bask, but it was only 32 degrees the last time I checked, so I'm going to take a rain check on that just now. 

However, the sunshine, as wonderful as it is, is not the reason I am sitting at this end of "PatternBee Headquarters" today.  (That sounds very official, but really this is just a small room at the far end of the house--where I run things.)  Most of you know that, but I still get the occasional email or letter addressed to "Dear Sir" or "To Whom It May Concern".  I don't know why, but that always makes me laugh.  I lovingly refer to this biz as "a one-horse operation".  Which suits me just fine.  Where else, I ask you, can you saunter in to work in your jammies and slippers?

No, the reason I am over here today is because, yesterday afternoon, without a hint of trouble or warning, the "Queen Bee" crashed.  She's the one with all the pattern files.  She carries the motherlode.  Ironicially, we were in the process of upgrading the hard drive; it was to be done this upcoming weekend.  Now we are doing it sooner than planned, in a much more frenzied sort of way.  If you know what I mean. 

So if you are waiting for a PDF or print transfer or any response to questions from me, there will be a teenie weenie delay. Of course, if it is going to be longer, I will let you know and send refunds if necessary.  But if you don't mind the inconvenience--I LOVE YOU!  I'm totally hugging you right now...and Thank You for understanding.

Also...the new February Bonus Designs: "Hearts Galore" is done and ready to upload, but again I can't do it with "Pinky" (my lovely little laptop here).  Once it goes up on the website, that will be a sign that things are up and running smoothly around here again.  Let's hope so anyway!