Art Nouveau and Dandelions (Spokane, WA)

On The Cutting Board

This is my second time making this project.  Not too long ago, I had a problem with some of the green material bleeding onto the background and I could not get the dye out.  So, I tossed the first one, washed all the batiks, tested them, and started over again.

Surprisingly enough, this second appliqué project moved a lot faster.  Part of it was learning from my mistakes and trying a some different tactics.  Most of it was due to the material cooperating by creasing with no arguments.  Even the threads were being good by staying untangled.

Now this was the tough part...well, at least for me.  I have never added an appliquéd border.....let alone one this big.  I used freezer paper for the pattern.

Marked, trimmed, then basted to make sure the large pieces of material did not move or get in my way while I was stitching it to the background.

The first time I did both borders, I somehow got one or both off center.  Commence the Frogging!  Rip-it! Rip-it!  

I can tell you this much...if the thread ever breaks, the material is not going anywhere because my stitches are so small that I could barely rip out the thread.  It took me a lot longer to rip out the thread since I had to wiggle the ripper under a stitch without putting a hole in the material.  Often I will cut the thread a couple of stitches down and pull that out....yea, not this time.  I had to loosen the thread before I could pull it out.

All right!  Both sides are re-positioned and finally done.  I know it looks crooked.  I did not trim the outer edges of the border since I need to trim the whole block after I am finished.  

 The block is now trimmed and ready for the border.  I'm going to put this one away until we are on the west side of the Cascades when I will have more time to work with my sewing machine.

Dandelions

I know most people do not like dandelions, but I do with or without a yard.   We never allowed the dandelions to take over the yard, but we did not stress over a few of them being in the yard either.  The fields here are filled with dandelions and I think they look wonderful.

Now I know they are a weed....a very invasive weed and to the immaculate-green-lawn owner, the dandelion is the terror of all weeds.  Just get one yellow spot and it seems like overnight, they have taken over the lawn, but I can't help loving the bright sunny yellow flowers and the fragile looking petals.

The bees certainly put them to good use.  They were very busy on the day I took these photos.

Even when they go to seed, they are beautiful and so delicate looking.  They also bring back childhood memories of making wishes and blowing all the seedlings free to float into the air.

Yep, right into the neighbor's yard.  I'm sure they appreciated that!  

Was I tempted to pick one and blow?  You bet!  

            I sent my wishes floating away into the warm summer day....