Indigo Butterflies , and azaleas

 

I'm making a little butterfly quilt for my grand daughter, Charlotte, who will turn one in June.   Here she is, nine months of sweetness and joy!  We are making *hopeful* summer plans to see all all our kids.  I pray it all works out! 

Indigo, and Liberty fabrics.  Sashiko antennae.   These are so fun to make!   

I've been slowly working on these blocks for the past few months.  I drew my patterns based on a quilt my own Grandma made for me when I was about 12.  It's not the same shape but it's similar, and the blocks are twelve inches too.  Bold.  This is the third time I'm making a butterfly quilt. 

Edited to add: (I forgot I took my old blog "off line") - 

Here was my inspiration - butterfly quilt made for me by my Grandma Mary Lou in 1976:

I prepped with freezer paper and used invisible machine appliqué.  On my machine (Bernina 475QE) my settings are:

• 20 C open toe embroidery foot 
• stitch #3, vari overlock
• needle position -1 
• mirror image 
• stitch length 1.0
• stitch width 1.5 
• monofilament thread in needle; cotton in bobbin

I finished the blocks today. I need to think about settings and I know I will keep it super simple and practical. 

Yesterday, I went on a small group outing to Nezu Shrine, a twenty minute train ride, and short walk away from my place.  For a small fee we were admitted to a meandering walk through the most amazing display of azaleas!  

This tree absolutely stopped me in my tracks.  A giant ginko tree. 

These spring days are so lovely.  I'm enjoying every minute... 

xo gratefully 

Cynthia 

March Mini - Flower Power 3

 

Another little flower collage study - on a deep purple background - using just scraps I have in my little baskets.   

  

They are so fun to make... 

Layers of indigo, Japanese floral, solid, Liberty, and tenugui:  

Some Liberty, orange Tilda, a bit of kimono silk:

Thank you Wendy, The Constant Quilter, for gathering us month by month to show our mini quilts.   Everyone - Wendy has an exhibit going at the New England Quilt Museum.  See a glimpse of it  HERE.   I'm in awe of her quilts and they reflect the wonderful person Wendy IS. 

I am absolutely thoroughly enjoying cherry blossom season.  

Lunchtime selfie: 

I love the "volunteers" springing up out of the old trunks: 

gratefully xo

Cynthia 

  

Cherry Blossoms, Snowball quilt

Ahhh spring in Tokyo - so beautiful.  Sakura (cherry blossoms) are in full bloom. 

A group of artists in our park - with some dog walking onlookers, young families, etc.  It seems like everyone is breaking free, out and about (still fully masked at all times of course). 

Meanwhile, inside, I have finished Noelle's Christmas quilt top.  It's just really spare isn't it, but I'm moving forward.  I have a goal to make three Christmas quilts this year. 

 

The alternate blocks really need something deliberate in terms of quilting.  I'm going to dust off my free-motion machine quilting skills (and not be perfectionistic about it).  

 

Next step is to piece the backing.  I adore this print (Scandi 2 snowflake by Makower UK): 

On a bittersweet note, this morning the Olympic relay has started, from Fukushima.  The torch is in the shape of a cherry blossom and is made from materials used in the temporary housing built in Fukushima after the 3-11 earthquake.  

gratefully xo

Cynthia