A Tiny Taste of Spring

This last weekend we finally had a tiny taste of spring. The sun came out from behind the clouds and it got HOT. Our indoor thermostat reached 80 and it was even warmer in the front yard. We went for a bike ride, worked in the garden and made ice cream. I even managed to get a sunburn. I'm not complaining though. I needed the sun after all the rain and cold. Sadly, it didn't last. We're back to RAIN and COLD. There is even snow showers in the weekend forecast. Snow in late April in the Puget Sound area is just WRONG!!! I know, I know, I shouldn't really complain. We don't have all the crazy weather that most of the country faces every year. A little drizzle is nothing compared to tornados, hurricanes and floods. I know we have it good, but when has that ever stopped a girl from wanting more. Okay, I'm done with ranting about the weather. At least I don't feel guilty about staying inside and creating.

This first piece was an experiment with adding a little silk organza over my other quilted fabric. I have a whole mess of interior designer samples from my mom's friend. I figured it was time to pull some of them out and play. I tried adding some bits of green velvet, but I quickly learned that velvet doesn't work for raw edge applique. The top of the piece was chopped. To balance the piece I added the stitching and wire swirls. I titled it "Patience" since it is still waiting for that touch of color. This piece is about 3" x 5".

I played around with the flower stitch foot for this piece. A spring in the first foot broke, so I had to wait for a new one. I like the beads better in person. After looking at the photo, this one needs a little work. It is about 5" x 8".

For this piece, I tried making some traditional blocks that I cut up into quarters. When I pieced them back together everything blended together. The center of each block was lost. I added the squares of organza to provide some definition. Then of course they needed something on top, so I added the flower and beads. Oh, and this one is about nine inches square.

And finally, my very favorite piece, "Spring Showers." I love the bright colors contrasted with the green. The flowers were created from some fake flowers that I folded into eighths. I found a necklace at the Bainbridge Island Rotary Auction and Rumage sale last year made from painted metal beads. I love these big, round beads. They made perfect centers (or bases, depending how you look at them) for my flowers. I only wish that I had more like them! I then added the seed beads as if they were being poored out of the flowers. I just love how it all turned out. This one is about 8" square, and I even have a shadow box frame that is a perfect fit. I have a feeling this one is going to live at my house for a long time!