Tale Of Two Shires

 

 

Summer is definitely here, but it feels like Spring in our garden.   Despite the heatwaves we have been having, all the plants in our garden are bursting with flowers.  The pink and purple flowers reminded me of the field of wildflowers we saw during our trips to the UK.  Inspired by a couple of photos that I had taken during our travels in England, I finished an acrylic painting and a quilted mini wall hanging.

 

 

Heather In Yorkshire Moors Painting In Acrylic | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Seeing all the flowers growing in the garden gave me an urge to start painting this Yorkshire Moor scene.  Acrylic as a medium is very new to me.  Before this I had only done one small tree painting in acrylic.  Not to be overwhelmed by the size of the painting, I worked on it in little sections.  I made innumerable mistakes, covered them up with a neutral base paint and repainted until I was happy with it.  I learned too.  Overall, I think I spent well over 12 hours on this painting. 

 

 

 

 

I  fell in love with Derbyshire while visiting earlier this year.  This photo I took while standing on Stanage Edge made me think of Pride And Prejudice.

I am very happy to have brought back wonderful memories with me of both beautiful Yorkshire and Derbyshire.

-Soma

 

Linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  They are great source for new inspirations.

 

 

 

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A Flower For Jane Austen

A Flower For Jane Austen - Pride And Prejudice Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

 

During March and April, California is usually ablaze with wild flowers.  Even the desert comes alive to put on a spectacular show.  I can’t count the number of times we drove out mile after mile to go see the wild flowers in the desert.

I sketched this flower through the window such a long time ago.   With wild flowers in my mind, I couldn’t help but finally finish the flower quilt pattern so I could stitch the block.  To me, it almost feels like a painting.

 

I love purple flowers, it’s no surprise that I chose a purple flower for my block.

 

 

Coast Purple Larkspur Flower | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Purple Larkspur is my most favourite wild flower, I think it looks like a little pixie hat!

 

 

Stanage Edge Derbyshire England | Whims And Fancies

 

 

The colour made me think of Regency purple.  I love Jane Austen.  I am currently reading a book that is set in the Regency Era.  As I was also in Derbyshire not too long ago, standing on the rocks of Stanage Edge, my mind easily drifted toward the scene of Ms. Elizabeth Bennet standing there in the film version.   Hence, the name A Flower For Jane Austen was born.

 

 

My Maine Coon Cat In A Box | Whims and Fancies

 

 

My kitties need a few more quilts.  I am definitely going to use this pattern to make a new quilt for them.  I found this old picture of my enormous Maine Coon cat who has now given up his tiny boxes in favour of quilts.

 

 

Greek Letter Quilt Patterns | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase Greek Alphabet Pattern Set

 

Before I continue though, I really need to make a couple of pillow covers.  A couple of years ago I worked on this Greek Alphabet quilt.

 

 

Greek letters alpha beta quilt patterns | Whims And Fancies

 

 

After finishing the first two letters, I changed the quilt layout which required me to order more fabric.  In the meantime however, the dye lot of the fabric had changed.  I had to therefore redo the two initial blocks, which meant I ended up with extra blocks.  I finished making the quilt a long time ago, while the extra blocks got stowed away in the cabinet.  I don’t like having too many WIPs, so my goal for this month is to turn them into pillows.  Now that they are on my sewing table, I am really excited to get started. 

 

I will be linking up with

 
 
 

A Flower For Jane Austen - Pride And Prejudice Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Once I finish the pillows I am sure to come back to this block again.  Lovely Kim was showing off her gorgeous hydrangeas and yellow roses together in a vase.  I might have mentioned to her once…twice…many times how much I love them together.  When I opened my design file, guess what I found in there – the same colours together!

 

 

A Flower For Jane Austen - Pride And Prejudice Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Before I start on the kitty quilt, I may just have to make myself a mini wall hanging from this pattern.  What do you think of circular quilting? 

Enjoy some flowers this weekend if you have the time!
-Soma

 

I am also linking up on Life Thru The Lens, Through My Lens, Our World TuesdayWednesday Around The World, Seasons, and Friday Photo Journal along with other linky parties on my Events And Links page.

 

 

 

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