April Showers

April Showers Spring Garden Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase April Showers Pattern

 

Winter showers bring wild flowers where I live in California, but the old saying about April came to mind while I was drawing this picture, which turned into a quilt pattern soon afterwards.  I love spending time working in my little garden, tending to my flowering plants.  It’s often a struggle to keep them healthy during the harsh summers here, but when rain arrives in late autumn, it brings hope of a good spring.

 

 

April Showers On Grass | Whims And Fancies

 

 

If the rain continues into April, then I know my plants are going to have a wonderful summer.  After such an April shower few days ago, I had to go for a walk in our local park at the break of dawn.  Rain drops were still clinging to the blades of grass and to the petals of the wild flowers.

 

 

Walking in Rain with Red Umbrella Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

 

I love the solitude I find in rain.  I am not confident enough to be seen sporting a red umbrella or wearing a red coat, or even a red pair of boots.   I am a jeans-and-black-T-shirt kind of girl.  My boots are always mud-stained, and I carry a grey umbrella.  However, I can never pass up the idea of a red umbrella in my artwork.

 

 

April Showers Spring Garden Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase April Showers Pattern

 

This 12″ April Shower quilt pattern is quite versatile.  I used three shades of red to make mine.  The umbrella can also be made into a multicolour one, or made with a person’s favourite colour.  I used green grass, but I can easily imagine a flowering patch in that area instead.

The April Showers quilt pattern can be found in my shop.

 

My rain-loving gardener self is very happy with this block.  It also makes me think of all the walks I went on with my husband while travelling, since those almost always require us to carry umbrellas.   Instead of turning this into a wall hanging, I am thinking of making a bag with it.  That would be me carrying a red umbrella for the first time my life.

 

-Soma

 

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please pay a visit to some of them. 

I am also joining monthly linky party Favourite Finish  hosted by  Meadow Mist Designs.

 

 

 

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Crafted Applique And Giveaway

 

Crafted Applique

Photo by Lara Buccella

Welcome to my spot for the Crafted Applique Blog Hop.  I am a very committed paper piecing pattern designer who never seriously thought of doing appliqué.  However, when your wonderful friend has a published book about a new applique technique and includes you in her celebration, you just have to give it a try!  Once I got my copy from Lara, I read through the first chapter where Lara explains her method in full detail.  She also compares and contrasts different products, which I found very helpful.

 

Umbrella Applique | Whims And Fancies

Since it was my first-ever applique, I drew up an easy design that I could try Lara’s new method on.  I changed my mind a few times about the background fabric, but, thanks to her method, it was very easy to transfer the applique from one fabric onto another.

 

Umbrella Applique | Whims And Fancies

Crafted applique is a no-frayed-edges method, and the pieces stayed pliable without the use of fusible interfacing.  It enabled me to use a really thin piece for the umbrella handle.  I was able to top-stitch the pieces easily.

 

Crafted Applique

Photo by Lara Buccella

Lara also included seven really wonderful projects in this book along with the applique patterns.  I love the one on the cover – “Hello Mr. Ranger, Sir!”

 

Crafted Applique Book

Intrigued?  Get Crafted Applique on Amazon

Lara is offering a copy of the book for a giveaway to all blog hop participants, but I had already purchased an additional copy from Amazon as soon as it became available.  I wanted to support my friend’s first book publishing venture and offer a giveaway to my readers.  (We are saving Lara’s giveaway copy for a future event here at Whims And Fancies)

Please leave a comment here and you will be entered in the giveaway.  I will announce the winner on the 19th of May.

For more chances to win a copy of this book during this month-long celebration, visit Lara’s blog Buzzin’ Bumble for the full schedule.  You might also want to visit her site to get her new free pattern – “Call Me, Maybe”.

 

Good luck!
-Soma

 

 

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