After that lovely respit in the woods, I'm back in the stitching room again, so to speak, and getting excited because the finish-line is coming into view with the completion of the 49th block. I know. Can you believe it? How are you doing? Just getting started, keeping up? Maybe you finished already. Since the pattern is also offered as an iron-on transfer and as a PDF from my website, I know many of you have already pushed ahead and have wonderful quilts to show. And others are close to finishing. If you have a blog, and you've posted pictures of your state quilt there, or intend to do that in the future, please leave a comment about it--so we can pop over and see your quilt. I'm also thinking it would be fun to create a special page of blog links--kind of like a 'virtual quilt show' including everyone's quilts from all across the country. (If you don't have a blog, you could post your quilt pix to flickr or photobucket, or something similar, anything I can link to.) Please let me know what you think of this idea. I haven't worked out all the details yet, so if you have some ideas to share, please do!
OK then. Back to glorious number forty-nine here. This is a simple design with only two colors for the flower. But yes, French knots galore...I warned you, remember? This is the second block for goldenrod, Kentucky also claims it. You can see that one here for comparison. Both blocks are slightly different in design, but the same colors are used.
And thanks to my 'trusty research assistant' (Miss Ginger), we have a few more facts about this flower for you today: The Goldenrod, (solidago gigantea), is a perennial herb that grows up to two or three feet tall. Many species are native to Nebraska, where the golden flowers bloom from July to October. It was chosen as Nebraska's state flower in 1895 to "foster a feeling of pride in our state, and stimulate an interest in the history and tradition of the common wealth." And later, Ida Brockman, who was a daughter of representative John M. Brockman, made a comment about the goldenrod saying, "there is probably not a nook or corner of the state where one or more of the numerous species of goldenrod is not found. Nothing could better represent the hardy endurance of Nebraska's pioneers." Amen to that.
(And if you have time, check out the The Prairie Ecologist for photos and information dispelling many common myths about this plant.)
COLORS: flower buds--bright yellow #307; stems & leaves--dark green #3346; lettering--smoke gray #645.
Stitch On!
SoooooOOOooo pretty! I need to get an embroidery hoop and get going on some stitching. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | August 04, 2011 at 07:45 PM
Lovely!
Posted by: Jenn : ) | August 05, 2011 at 02:35 PM
A lovely one for sure even with all those dastardly French knots. My eyes will be unfocused for days. Yes, I discussed and posted a virtual quilt. Very virtual as I only had my State of ME piece and a piece of transferware to offer as contrast. I told how I plan to do it and I have just this morning decided to lay the quilt out in order of statehood so Nebraska will be the 37th one that I do. I'll begin with Delaware. It takes me about three days to do a piece if I work on it every evening so I believe this will be a fall and winter project.
A big thank you to Miss Ginger!
Posted by: Vee | August 06, 2011 at 08:00 AM