Botanical Beauty block #7

 Welcome back for block 7, Laurel Wreaths.

You will make 2 of these this month.

Laurel leaves were part of my WLL quilt along

back in 2020 and HERE is the blog post

about the original quilt.

Since then, I have been playing with

other layouts. This is one of the layouts

that I have put into repeat as a fabric

design too for that exciting someday...:)

The symbolic history of the laurel is one of 

triumph and achievement since the 

original Greek Olympics and you 

can read more about that HERE if you choose.

I find it a nice easy simple shape especially for 

beginner hand appliquers.

The best way I have found to make them even

is to fold my freezer paper in half, 

trace half the leaf to my freezer paper, 

refold then cut on the traced line. 

This gives me a symmetrical

leaf to trace to fabric.

I hope you find some other fun 

uses for this fun leaf shape!

~Keep Stitching~

Botanical Beauty block #5

Welcome to block #5, Tulip Star.

I designed this block about 10 years 

ago and planned to do it in red, white, and green.

Here is the center of the original.

It is soooo close to done:) and instead 

of finishing it, I have created a 

small wall hanging pattern and 

now included it in my Botanical Beauty Sampler. 

It has been enlarged and shrunk down 

depending on my feelings for that project.

I am loving the red, white, and blue!!

So, now imagine making multiples of 

this block and setting them together

as shown above.

What a gorgeous patriotic quilt you 

will have and they sort of look

like fireworks:)

IF you are new to our quilt along,

the FULL pattern is available as a 

PDF digital download HERE.

Etsy offers tips for printing digital patterns.

Please be sure to print ACTUAL SIZE.

All templates have a 1" square for accuracy.

This is a single-copy purchase for a single user!

Copies may not be forwarded or copied to 

be shared with others!

The pattern is required for the QAL.

My accompanying posts and videos

will not provide any measurements.

I will be providing technique

tips and history tidbits.

The QAL is taking place in 

my FB Group, 

Robin's Rocking Needles

 with blog posts

adding additional information.

Make sure all your notifications

are turned on so you don't miss anything.

If you aren't a member yet, please 

answer all 3 questions an agree to the 

rules in order to be accepted. Thank you.

SCHEDULE

Looks like a lot but time flies when we quilt:)

February 2025: Pattern Release

February '25-April '26: 1 block per month

May '26: Finishing Instructions

June '26: Time to get it quilted

July 2026: Show that baby off to all 

who will want to see to celebrate 

our country's 250th birthday. 

HAPPY QUILTING:)

Spring in Illinois

 Spring has Sprung here in Illinois. 

I forgot how much I missed 

the change of seasons and the green 

of everything coming back!

We now have lovely red patio 

chairs and a great view when 

the weather permits.

It is the perfect spot to do 

some hand stitching:)

Inside things were at a stand still

until I could get some cabinets to paint

for my studio. Here they are....

Wait until you see the lovely red

they will become.

The Leaves Of Change QAL

is still progressing in my FB group,

Robin's Rocking Needles here.

This is 4 panels done on my

scrappy version:) I am really 

loving how it looks!

I spent Memorial Day getting

my QOVF Take 5 blocks done.

I chose to do 5 Ohio Star blocks

since that is also the National

Block Drive block this year.

It was the perfect day to honor

those we have lost in service.

I have been enjoying some long

walks out in nature and right 

now the Cottonwood trees are

letting loose their fluff.

I love it!

It also brings back childhood

memories from when we lived

in Kansas. The family farm

had huge Cottonwood trees on it

as well as huge Mulberry trees.

Cotton is a staple in my life!

I wonder how much I would

need to bat a small quilt:)

I hope you are enjoying

your Spring. 

Let me know what you are 

doing in the comments.

Gardening?

Quilting?

Hiking?

All of the above?

Whatever it is, enjoy it with all 

your being!

Keep Stitchin~