Friday, May 22, 2020

Bloom Where You Are Planted Quilt

A few years ago (8 is a few years, isn't it?)  I wrote a post entitled just that

Bloom Where You Are Planted

It's one of my favorite sayings and it sums up much of my outlook on life. I get discouraged and worried about things just like ya'll, but I really do look for the blessings in each day. Yes, some days that's easier than others, but I know that God orchestrates the moments of our lives and that helps me navigate through the rough ones.

Here in the desert, it's a challenge to garden. I know it can be done if you have money to do so, but my gardening budget is pretty tight. Or maybe it's just me that's tight. I don't like to spend money. 😄
All of those plants at the nursery are always tempting but my absolute favorite blooming thing is wildflowers. A field of chaotic blooms just makes my heart sing. Back in the day, when we were still in college, DH would drive out to Arizona and Nevada and cowboy during the summer to earn money for living expenses for the next semester. Those were long summers. No cell phones back then and definitely no phones where he worked so we wrote good old fashioned letters (yes, I kept them) and we had one phone call when he went to town over the 4th of July.When he came back to school in the Fall, he brought me a bouquet of wildflowers wrapped in a damp paper towel. Thus began my love of wildflowers. And occassionally, through the years, I still receive them. And what mama doesn't delight in the wilted offerings from the chubby little hands of her exhuberant children when they come bounding in breathless from their latest adventure. The prettiest flowers ever!

So, wildflowers bring me joy and at times we have such pretty ones dancing across the pastures:


I love finding them tucked in unexpected places:


I was supposed to be spraying Cockleburs on this day, but I was sidetracked by the blooming Thistles and entranced by the winged community tending to business:


I decided a long time ago that I wanted to make a wildflower quilt and it took me a long time to gather fabrics, I'd just pick up a piece here and there and I'd cut a few squares from each one. I just wanted a simple patchwork quilt. This quilt has been a long time coming. I started it in 2016 and as I stitched the squares together, I didn't pay any attention to fabric placement. I just added prints that made me smile:


The blue may look like it doesn't belong, but I had to include Bluebonnets


By the time I felt like it was finished, it was 100 x 100:


And I just let the flowers bloom where they were planted:


At one point I found this gingham backing and I thought it was perfect:


It took me a while to find a binding, but I found this green print at One Quilt Place in Fredricksburg and it plays well with all the others so it made the cut:

                                       

Jackie quilted this pretty floral across it using a light sage thread that is perfect:


I took some of these  shots when I drove through the Texas Hill Country in February before it was bound.


It took me a month to bind it and then I wrestled with getting a full shot of it. The barn is the only spot tall enough.


This might be my favorite quilt yet!


There's a Bird of Paradise out in the chicken yard that I did not plant that blooms magnificently every year:


I never water it, yet it flourishes in the dry, arid desert...where it was planted


It's a good reminder for me to remember to bloom where I am planted and to always remember that God is the master gardener.


18 comments:

Dorian said...

Awww... a lovely post. I, too, love wildflowers the best. And my honey still brings me some, occasionally :) I have lots here at the house too, and my young one enjoy's picking them here and there to bring to me too. And I love your quilt too. I've thought about doing a quilt like this too, but never have gotten around to it. I put flowers in most of my quilts though :) Have a great day!

Rebecca said...

Wow...
Lovely quilt and the name is perfect for the construction and the prints!

Anonymous said...

❤️ love this quilt, and the message!

linda said...

Just beautiful. I would love to do something like this. Thanks for the inspiration.

Tired Teacher 2 said...

I love the quilt and this post. I wish more people would search for blessings in the midst of life’s struggles because they are there in abundance. Enjoy your gorgeous quilt!

Janet O. said...

This is a delightful post! I love the philosophy, and the quilt. So very pretty. :)

Sandra said...

Beautiful quilt made even more beautiful because of the story and memories behind it.

sandi s said...

I love your post today!! I too look for the good in what is going on. Sometimes even when something awful is happening you have to know that things will be better. I have Faith that God is guiding me all the way. Your quilt is so beautiful, I just love it! Hugs,

Lindah said...

What a lovely quilt and a lovely post. They both speak volumes. Both kinda defuse some of life's stress. I like it! (And how did you ever find all of those beautiful wildflower prints?!)

Carol in Texas said...

What size are your squares? I love your quilt....and the idea that it grew little by little. I look forward to each of your blog entries. We are on a small ranch in central Texas with just 60 animals. Your life amazes me! Carol in Texas

Julierose said...

Just an amazing and beautiful quilt--I love all those floral prints...
and the sheer simplicity of it is awesome...nice work on this--
~ ~ ~ waving my Memorial Day flag Julierose;))))

Gwynette in NW Arkansas said...

Looking at your lovely quilt and reading your thought process was a peaceful experience! So glad you are getting to quilt. The flowering bush is definely a lovely thing to look at. Take care.

Shelly said...

Beautiful post -- beautiful quilt -- beautiful flowers!

Jenny said...

Your wildflower quilt is so pretty, congratulations on such a lovely finish!

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

A beautiful post--during these trying times, this was peace and serenity. I tell my gardening friends God is the gardener

The Joyful Quilter said...

Congrats on your floral I-Spy quilt finish. It's simply spectacular!!

Janna and Mike said...

Can't get your blog about the chocolate cake to load--that's a tragedy!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Oh I love it! the title and the sentiments!! the floral fabrics are just so pretty all put together like that!

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