Finally...and without further ado...here we have the last of the state flower quilt blocks: the ever lovely Lilac for New Hampshire. Whew!
And without wasting any more time, I've got all my squares lined-up and I think I am ready to stitch! Thinking it over, I've decided to use the 54 Block Layout #1, as I think this size and shape will fit best on the wall I plan to hang this finished quilt on. The PDF for the different quilt sizes and layout options can be downloaded here: QUILT DIAGRAMS #2963 if you need it. (The blocks are all laid out in alphabetical order, so even if you are using your own layout, it can still be used as a guide to save time.)
I really like this flower block. The Lazy Daisy stitch is fun to do and is effective in creating the dainty blossoms. I used various shades of lilac, purple, and pink to give this a little more dimension. Pictures from my backyard garden show a couple of color variations.
The lilac (syringa vulgarius) has purple, white, or pink blossoms that grow in hanging clusters, and bloom primarily in May. Their fragrance is legendary. The very essence of springtime sweetness. There are actually more than a thousand different species of lilac, and they can live for hundreds of years. Their nectar provides food for bees, hummingbirds and butterflies. Mine have reached the 20-foot high mark already and have spread to about 15-feet wide. Lilacs are originally from Europe and Asia, and they date back to the 1750's in recorded history. For New Hampshire's state flower, the apple blossom, purple aster, wood lily, mayflower, goldenrod, wild pasture rose, evening primrose, and the buttercup were all considered--but because the purple lilac symbolizes the hardy men and women of the Granite State, it was adopted on May 28, 1919. And aren't we glad it was too, because it is a beautiful addition to this flower quilt!
COLORS: petals--purple/pink shades of #316; centers--tangerine #3609; leaves--med. green range #3363; lettering--smoke gray #645.
I'm off to the sewing machine now. . .