Wednesday 11 November 2015

Shenn Valley Botanical Album update




First block was the Pineapple , and Second block in the Sewalong is the Flag Iris B-2:
Block B2 - 12 inch block
I have changed the colours as I'd rather stay clear of blue or purple in my version. Are there such things as pink and yellow flag iris? It wouldn't surprise me as there are so many iris colour variations. But never mind accuracy - after all the original quilt has pink and red pineapples ...

photo from SVBAQ blog
Now for a funny thing. I thought I'd get in early last month and make the second block...guessing the next block would be the second along in the top row. Well I was fooled there wasn't I?
Anyway here is my "Second" block , completed end of October. 
I'll show you the steps as it grew - using back basting prep for needle turn applique.

Tracing the design onto the back of the background fabrics



Removing basting thread ahead of needle turn applique




So now I have four blocks. They're not stitched together, just pinned on the design board, and that yellow pineapple block will be moved away on a far corner in final placement.


There has not been quite as much time for sewing recently - hence the 'getting in early' with SVBAQ. Two weeks to go till my daughter's wedding means time spent ticking tasks off the List. Wedding talk follows so you may want to leave now. 

I mentioned last post that all the wedding flowers are to be sourced in my garden. Well - gardening being a very imprecise science - things have flowered quite differently from last year at this time.  I have the photos taken last year to prove it! Some things that should be flowering are late, and others have flowered early. My rows of white roses have flowered earlier than expected...and may well be past it by the wedding.

Several hydrangea bushes were not expected to be in flower yet - but are well on the way and should be just right for the wedding.  

So it may well be that we swap a lot of white roses for a lot of young hydrangeas - just as nice I think! and there is lots of floral potential lurking in the other beds too. 


My daughter is hoping for a relatively relaxed, natural look in her bouquet so I picked a few flowers and foliage to experiment with - perhaps something like this but maybe less roses, more foliage and more hydrangeas? 


Another thing on the List is Confetti Cones - to be filled with rose petals and dried lavender. The plan is to hang these off the end chairs along a lawn aisle between rows of white chairs - ready for the guests to pelt shower the Happy Couple as they leave the ceremony. 
So I spent a few minutes yesterday on a Pinterest search "confetti cones" ...astonished to find hundreds of pictures and dozens of tutorials! This wedding caper is clearly not a new thing - many others have been there and done that!

Started with this lot  - including dried lavender from my garden and some double sided tape.

Came up with this ...apparently torn paper gives a "professional look".

Will show the Bride this weekend and hopefully she'll be rapt. 

The succulents I am growing for favours just can't wait for the wedding. They are growing at a great rate and even started flowering. Have I given them too much tender loving care perhaps? 
No problem - they'll be even more decorative on the tables and hopefully the guests will love them too.

27 comments:

  1. You have such a gift for choosing beautiful colors/fabrics that perfectly match the pattern you're working on! So much fun to see this one emerging. Love that you're doing the flowers for your daughters wedding from your own garden. Very sweet. Hope you keep the stress way down and get to truly enjoy the wonderful event!

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  2. I just ordered the pattern! Not like I don't have enough on my plate. I really like your pieced background, may have to follow your lead. The flower arrangement ideas are all wonderful! Should be a very beautiful wedding!

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  3. I have always enjoyed pictures of your gardens. Perfectly trimmed bushes The trial bridal bouquet looks beautiful. Cute petal cones, isn't Pinterest just the best :). The applique blocks are beautiful.

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  4. Your appliqués are awesome as usual and your flowers in the garden so beautiful ! I'm sure that they are going to illuminate the wedding ! No doubt about that.....
    Good luck because I guess it must be so stressfull.... ;)

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  5. Good luck with the wedding preparations Hilda. Hope you find a little time for some sewing.x

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  6. Just LOVE your appliques! They are plain gorgeous. Enjoy all the wedding fun.

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  7. Your gardens are amazing, so beautiful. The wedding will be wonderful. Your SVBAQ blocks are beautiful! Love everything about them. Thank you for sharing.

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  8. I am loving every flower choice and arrangement. Your garden looks amazing. Would like to see more pics and don't forget the final wedding flower bouquet pic. Your quilt is lovely and coming along very nicely.

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  9. Hilda, your applique is wonderful, as usual. I especially love the pieced backgrounds you are using this time. Such a beautiful garden. The flowers will be lovely for your daughter's wedding. Lots of work involved in the making of those special days.

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  10. One of my favorite irises in my garden is very similar to your color choices. Beautiful soft tones. Isn't it interesting that you are doing a sampler of realistic flowers while planning a garden themes wedding. All lovely! We look forward to hearing more and seeing more pics! Thanks for taking the time. Maybe I will order the pattern too.

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  11. Your theme is flowers, appliquéd and real. Thanks for the tutorial on back basting applique pieces. I need to give it a try. Your garden is just a lovely place and your practice bouquet is gorgeous. No matter what is or isn't blooming it you'll come up with something equally as beautiful. Hope to see a few wedding photos in a couple of weeks.

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  12. Hilda, what a wonderful and personal touch to have the flowers and greenery from your garden!!
    Your applique blocks are gorgeous, as usual.

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  13. Beautiful applique as usual and your gardens are always so pretty. I too expected that tiger lily to be next and had the shapes all traced out on freezer paper, ready to start.

    I hope that the blooms, weather and everything else is just perfect for the wedding day :)

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  14. The wedding is coming up quickly - what a busy and joyous time ahead! Your garden looks beautiful - you have many talents! I love your applique blocks - especially your "second" block :0) I enjoyed your process pictures of it.

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  15. I think it's your precision sewing and attention to detail that makes your projects so beautiful. Your new blocks are looking stunning. As is your garden. How to you find time to manage such a lovely garden AND create beautiful quilts by hand? Love your creative ideas for the wedding, very tasteful. Hope it all goes smoothly.

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  16. I really like the bridal bouquet.

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  17. Your blocks are lovely and so delicate-looking! Thanks for sharing photos of how you prep back-basting applique. Still intrigued with this method. How wonderful that you can provide all the flowers for your daughter's wedding!

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  18. Your Iris Block is gorgeous! I love the softer color choices and the lovely pieced background.
    Your Lily block is also beautiful!
    Very happy that your garden is doing so wonderful! The flowers and greenery are spectacular.
    These will make for such elegant arrangements for the wedding!

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  19. I just love your Botanical quilt, how very Spring. You really make me want to sew this one but I have too many projects both on the go or being neglected. The different backgrounds look great and I recognise some of those fabrics. The fabric you've used in the Iris stems is just perfect! Your garden is so beautiful, how lovely for it to be the source of your daughter's wedding flowers, the trial bouquet is just gorgeous.

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  20. I love your color choice. And I like how your mind works. It would be logical to do the next in the row. Now you are ahead of the game which I suspect is a good thing with the wedding so close now. Have a lovely wedding and remember to breathe. Your work is such an inspiration.

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  21. Love your October block. It is really stunning. How amazing to do the bridal flowers from your garden. I could never do that. Apart from the fact I am not a good gardener, it would stress me out if my plans fell apart as yours seem to be doing. Good luck with the arrangements.

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  22. Loved seeing the steps in making this block!
    Your garden is amazing too!

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  23. Your color choices are just beautiful - soft and gorgeous. How beautiful and personal to source your daughter's wedding flowers from your own home. Pace yourself and don't get exhausted!

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  24. Love your wonderful flower blocks, garden pictures and wedding preparations. How creative everything looks.
    Greetings,
    Sylvia

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  25. What a brilliant blocks you have created!
    And so fine all these flowers by you, here it is winter :-(
    Greetings,
    Floor

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  26. The green stripe fabric for leaves on the Iris block works so well. Good choice.

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