Sunday, September 23, 2018

Who Would've Thunk it!!

Yes indeedy!! Who would've thunk it......Applique with a capital 'A', is actually enjoyable. I have avoided the "A" word for most of my quilting life. Why, I don't really know. I suppose I thought all those itty bitty, pointy leaves and minuscule petals of flowers, especially those that appear frequently in those Baltimore beauties, were just too tricky to coerce into anything that half resembles a  flower, or a leaf, or a butterfly, or a bird......you get the picture. Yes, I don't know if the tips of my leaves  are the sharpest they should be and yes, I don't know if some of the curves of my flower petals are the curviest they could be but do you know what, I am having the best time coaxing teeny tiny smidgens of fabrics into blossoms. I am loving this growing pretty fabric flowers caper.

This week my magical, mixed packet of seeds have germinated into Pansies and Tulips. More flowers for my big girl quilt have begun to show their happy faces.

Pansies for your Thoughts...........


Tulips for true love...............







Mmm......looking at all these pretties showing off in a lovely frame, me thinks a framed bouquet of appliqued floralicious delight could be rather spiffy! Goodness gracious me.....my imagination will just not stop imagining! =)



Thus far, I have chosen to applique using the freezer paper method. I have found this method to be the easiest as it enables me to finger press around each shape. When I peel off the paper template I dab the  turned under fabric with my glue stick here and there and then iron the fabric shape. I find this gives each shape a crisp, defined look, fabulous for those leaves with sharp tips. After manipulating over 100 petals and leaves I am getting the hang of this finger pressing caper. I have developed a soft touch with my fingers gently easing the curves, thus avoiding sharp indents that should not be there. I find this painstakingly slow, but oddly enough I don't seem to mind at all.


I have yet to stitch the flowers to the background though there has been a little hand stitching. I have stitched individual petals to form each flower and then join these to the stem with the leaves. When I do begin to stitch the flowers to the background it will be easier to arrange and then stitch the completed flower. This is probably not the way 'those people in the know' applique, but it suits me. It would be torture to stitch each little petal, each little leaf to the fabric background separately. Also the finer embroidery details are yet to be stitched. I will do this when I 'plant' the flowers on the quilt.

Whilst my applique flowers have been slowly growing this week, as I look out my windows I see signs that Spring is about to explode onto the scene. The Daffodils, those pretties that provide a spectacle towards the end of Winter are beginning to fade. I always feel Spring has arrived when I see the buds on the pendulous branches of the weeping cherry trees explode and cascade waterfall-like down to the ground. They truly are a spectacular sight.





Though mornings are still chilly it won't be long till I can be found relaxing on the swing seat by the pond, reading a book or two, or perhaps  stitching flowers to my big girl quilt.






Appliqued Daffodils, Pansies and Tulips. Next week I think I might attempt some Water Lilies, after all, the star of  the garden is the pond my husband has created. I can see the Water Lilies spilling out of the magical packet of mixed seeds as I type. How exciting!! Who knows, perhaps when next you visit my little Spring world the real stitching will have begun. Perhaps, just perhaps my applique flowers will have begun to blossom on the quilt. But for now, I will just keep having the best fun Appliqueing with a capital "A". As always, thank you for visiting my blossomy, little Spring place.

Until the next time.........



Linking this week at Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts......well because....it is Sunday and my stitching this week has been slower than a snail's pace. =)
AND....also at Soma's Wandering Camera at Whims and Fancies


56 comments:

  1. Hi Kim what beautiful work my friend,such pretty flowers. Wow I love the spot where you cab sit and swing ,such a pretty spot xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. You live in a beautiful place and your artwork is really stunning and unique.I love visiting your wonderful blog.Thank you for your kind comments in my little blog.Have a lovely Sunday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are most welcome. It is a delight to visit your place and see what pretties you are showcasing. Thank you for visiting. Enjoy a beautiful week! Kim Xx

      Delete
  3. I loved when you put the tulips in the frame with the pansies at the bottom. That looked lovely! I envy your early Spring. We are going into Autumn and it always makes me sad. Your swing is lovely! Have a wonderful day!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is so beautiful! The ribbon on the frame is so pretty and feminine, too. You have lots of beautiful photo's... love the afghan draped over the swing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh that frame is out of this world!!!! I love it. I love the flowers and ribbon also. lol. What a pretty place to sit and find some peace...lovely crocheted blanket, gorgeousness all around.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow you have a project ahead of you, lovely garden swing to sit and be surrounded by such beauty.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A mammoth project!! But....sitting in my garden swing in front of the pond, appliqueing the days away, should make all those hours go by rather quickly and pleasantly. Thank you for popping by my place, Deb. Kim Xx

      Delete
  7. Your pictures gorgeous and so full of colour. I love the decoration of the stitched flowers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Alice, for your beautiful comments. Kim Xx

      Delete
  8. Such a wonderful photos from your garden. Daffodils... I am looking forward to spring came to Norway, but I have to wait until April next year. Now we have autumn. Your flower application is so lovely and pretty. Also det quilt and the crochet carpet you have in your garden are beautiful. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh dear, that is a long wait for Spring to come to your place. I would imagine Autumn is beautiful in Norway, though. Thank you for delighting me with your sweet visit. Your lovely comments, Birthe, have put a smile in my day. Kim Xx

      Delete
  9. Your applique flowers are looking great. You are off to a wonderful start :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your flowers are gorgeous. I look forward to seeing them assembled into your quilt. We are heading into Autumn here with a long Winter ahead. Your stitching spot looks quite inviting.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lovely flowers! Nice place to sew also. We are heading into cooler weather here in the uk, but that's ok after a long hot summer it's rather nice!

    ReplyDelete
  12. For someone who has only just started applique, you are coming along so well! Love those gorgeous blooms. It is Spring over here in New Zealand too, of course, such a wonderful time of year.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your pansies and tulips look real! Your yard is so joyous with all the daffodils. We are heading into fall but that's ok I love to hand quilt in the cooler months

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love those tulips and all those pansies! So much wonderful color. The real daffodils are spectacular, too.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your flowers are looking SO, so beautiful dear Kim. And that pond area ... WoW! that is gorgeous & I could just sit myself down there with a cuppa & a good book to read & spend the day there! I am interested in your freezer paper technique as I just purchased a metre of it last week.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your flowers are just beautiful! Oh, I could use your touch in my teeny tiny sewing room. I love your colors and ribbons and flowers...and where you live!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Such lovely flowers, Kim, must be nice to try a new medium and do so well. And I quite like slow going when it comes to crafting (at least some of the time :-), very meditative.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  18. I adore your swing seat! So glad you showed a close up as I was wondering how the shade was made. The flowers in your garden are beautiful as are the flowers for your quilt - I just love the way you photograph your work. Have a great week. xx

    ReplyDelete
  19. Beautiful flowers all ready to appliqué...they are stunning Kim. Love the photos of your garden...Tassie 'does Spring' so well! 😍

    ReplyDelete
  20. I can see your imagination went on with all those beautiful flowers!
    Your method with the freeze paper is good, the way you make them are perfect and beautiful.
    Nice that Spring is with you, after a great summer it rains here and it's cold, this morning only 8 degrees, brrr;-(
    I love your floral world dear Kim!♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My imagination ran away with me, didn't it. =) Oh dear....8 degrees is just a wee bit cold for me. I don't envy you, your cold weather. I rather love my Spring floral world, too, lovely Loes. Kim Xx

      Delete
  21. Hi KIm, love your flowers and photos of your garden, can’t wait to see some more as you progress.
    Best wishes Kay c

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kay. I am getting a kick out of fashioning these flowers. Kim Xx

      Delete
  22. I, too loved the framed tulips with the pansies - such an incredible textile art Kim! Would make an incredible gift!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you for the lovely visit to your garden!!! Both the applique one and the spring-has-sprung one!

    ReplyDelete
  24. This is going to be so gorgeous, Kim. I love your charming sewing bench too. I hope you can enjoy it soon.

    ReplyDelete
  25. How I love seeing your flower garden growing indoors and out, Kim!! My, but your appliqued quilt is going to be gorgeous with a capital "A"!! Your delight is contagious, and I'm looking forward to seeing the progression. Enjoy your week of playing with your flowers. xx

    ReplyDelete
  26. Your appliqued flowers are stunning! I adore the pansies, in particular, because they're such sweet little things!! The shot of your swing, with the crocheted throw and the quilt, is charming! :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Spring has sprung inside and out. How lovely.
    The applique flowers are so pretty. I love the idea of them framed too. The tulip and pansy composition inside the ornate patina oval frame looks so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, everything is shouting Spring down here; it is rather glorious. Thank you for your sweet comments, Dixie. I hope you enjoy a beautiful week in your lovely part of the world. Kim Xx

      Delete
  28. Your Appliqué is beautiful! Love your huge garden too ;)

    ReplyDelete
  29. I knew you could do it! Your flowers are looking fabulous. I love that you keep challenging yourself with techniques and then you master them so beautifully. Your outdoor flowers and pond is looking so inviting too.

    ReplyDelete
  30. There can be something very restful about slow stitching, can't there? Your flowers are already so pretty, especially the tulips (but then that's because they are my favourite flowers).

    ReplyDelete
  31. Happy [almost] Spring to you! Your daffodils are gorgeous, as are your fabric blossoms. Appliqué is NOT for me but I do appreciate others’ work. Your big girl quilt will be quite lovely when it’s finished, I am sure!! We are just beginning to feel some cooler temperature here in Missouri. The trees have yet to start changing but I’m sure Fall’s colors will be upon us soon. Enjoy your new project, dear Kim!! Zenda

    ReplyDelete
  32. Kim, I can't decide if you get your inspiration from the beauty outside your window or if nature gets her inspiration from your lovely handiwork. So beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Freezer paper is amazing stuff! Have you ever used liquid spray starch when appliqueing? I spray it into a little container and, after I've ironed on the freezer paper and cut out the shape (leaving the seam allowance of course), I use a Q-tip to apply the liquid starch onto the seam allowance. When I press it the edge stays nice and sharp. I still hear the excitement over this project in your words - and I'm excited to watch your progress too!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Your fabric and ribbon flowers rivals the ones in your garden. The framed flowers look like beautiful paintings. The swing seat looks so inviting. I can imagine you sitting there drinking the beauty of your garden and creating more flowers. Enjoy :)

    -Soma

    ReplyDelete
  35. You do have an amazing imagination and you use it beautifully with all that gifted talent!
    I enjoy coming here and visiting just to oooh and awe over the beauty your hands have created.
    Thank you for sharing your loveliness with us ♡

    ReplyDelete
  36. i wonder why you shed away from this technique, you have done an amazing job thus far and i am pretty darn excited!! the flowers look amazing framed as well and you should definitely do that as well. the framed art and the quilt in the same room will be perfection...can you just imagine how they will compliment each other!!

    today i am reminded that our seasons are opposite and i am just a tad jealous. i wish i could go for a swing in that chair with you!!!

    ReplyDelete
  37. It looks like you are coming along very well with your flowers, yes I say who cares how "they" say you should do things, do it how it feels right for you and to me you are doing everything right so far :) I do like them in a frame, that's how I have to do things I usually don't have the time to do a full quilt anymore :) Enjoy the process, no matter how long it takes. I just love the fabric you have chosen!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I just had to check where you lived after seeing all those green pastures as I knew that it could not be the mainland. What a lovely area. You have some gorgeous projects on the go.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Kim - congratulations on your applique achievements. This is not a technique I have ever done, so I know not of what I type, but it looks truly marvelous to me. And all the better for that stunning frame!!! It always fascinates me to see the opposite season flourishing on blogs from half-way round the world - our leaves are turning and your daffodils are framing your garden and its surroundings in such a delightful way. Glorious!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Oh sweet Kim! Such a joy to visit your lovely “spring”! We are In autumn here, but our September rains have made it look like April!!

    Oh such a relief to know that someone appliqués like me! I haven’t been partaking lately as other projects of creativity have consumed my time, but I do find appliquing quite fulfilling!!

    So sweet of you to stop by for a visit! Your sweet words cheered my heart!

    Blessings and hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Your appliques are lovely, you are certainly creating a treasure here. When I look at your swing setting there beside the pond . . . Oh, I could easily spend a lot of time there with a good book. It looks to be a marvelous spot for relaxing and enjoying the fresh air.
    Have a wonderful weekend and happy stitching.
    Connie :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. Beautiful stitching as always, I love seeing your creations. What a lovely big pond, it must be teeming with wildlife and such a pleasure to sit by amongst all your daffodils xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Cheryl. Yes there are oodles of critters in and around our pond. 'Tis the most pleasurable place to while away an hour or two. Thank you for your sweet visit. Kim Xx

      Delete
  43. Ah the gorgeous fabrics became your flowers. Brilliant! I always enjoy a stroll in your lovely garden.

    Thank You so much for linking up on Wandering Camera, Kim!

    -Soma

    ReplyDelete
  44. Beautiful flowers and tulips you are appliqueing. You have a beautiful place to sit and sew by the water there, your daffodils are beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Such pretty work Kim, a wonderful colourful display of flowers awaiting to bloom on your new quilt. Beautiful daffodils too.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Your flowers are gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Reading your description about finger pressing had me thinking that you're painting with fabric. You are delightfully creative, it's a breath of fresh air. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  47. As a non-appliquer myself, I'm curious to see how this project progresses. Don't worry about doing it the 'right' way. Do it your way, I'm sure it will be great!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hi there, I enjoy reading all of your post. I like to write a little comment to support you.

    ReplyDelete