Blue Me Away

(affiliate links to my designs)

I think it's been a long time since I created any new Spoonflower fabric. Kind of fitting, I guess, since I haven't had time to sew anyway. And I already have so many Spoonflower cheater panels in my stash I haven't even begun to put together as quilts yet.

I did finish a new floral Spoonflower cheater panel AND baby quilt last year for my then newest little neighbor. I incorporated photos of pink flowers in my garden. I've wanted to create a similar quilt top using my blue flowers ever since.

I tried my hand at a blue flower collage back in 2017, and I had a couple of yards printed by Spoonflower. I thought it might look cool as a dress or skirt, though. Not a quilt. Haven't finished that project yet either. Perhaps that yardage now can become the quilt back to go with my newest Blue Heaven cheater panel, once I'm able to get it printed.

I wanted to jump for joy when I finally finished my newest panel. It has many more flower photos than my previous flower fabrics. I think the blue flower collection will make a stunning quilt. I get so excited every single time I look at it. My chicory is in full bloom right now, and I think it's just about the prettiest shade in my garden. Of course, I would say that about my delphiniums, too, if they were blooming right now!

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It Works!

I read I might be able to get a second bloom from my lavender if I clip the blossoms at the base of the leafless part of the stems. I also have way too many volunteer larkspur I absolutely love but don't want to go to seed. And a ton of mosaic vases I created from recycled jars. Perfect combination, don't you think?

I clipped more lavender over the weekend and noticed bunches of new tiny emerging blossoms in the areas I clipped a couple of weeks ago!

I could do this all summer long!!! I love the way my hands smell after I clip. I love being right down in the lavender. I love the way the clipped lavender still smells two weeks later. I love having fresh flowers in the house. And I love that clipping the lavender makes the bushes more full!

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Wordless Wednesday

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Wordless Wednesday

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Wordless Wednesday

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Going for the Greens

With changes in all kinds of circumstances at home, I needed to be creative in my garden plans this year. I decided to give planting indoors from seeds and then transplanting outside in May or June another try. I punched holes in the bottoms of 12 clean yogurt containers, then slipped them into hole-less containers for proper drainage. I filled each with soil and dug out my stash seeds.

I used up all the tomato seeds (five varieties) in my stash. I didn't even know if any of them would grow. I think only one package was from last year; most were from up to a decade ago. My baby tomato plants might now be sold for at least $2.99 apiece in a garden center! Look how much money I'm saving!

I could not believe I didn't have a single pepper seed anywhere. I actually had to order fresh seeds. That cost almost as much as buying a couple of mature pepper plants in May! (And I should have enough seeds to last at least five years!) My new seeds arrived Saturday, so they're a bit later start than the tomato seeds, but I've never had trouble growing peppers from seeds. I'm not worried at all.

I, meanwhile, have been planting all my potato eyes all winter long, and I've been planting the bottoms of every onion I've used for the last year. Last year's seeds from onions I allowed to go to seed are coming up, also, and, tee hee hee, onions deter critters. A couple of carrots went to seed last year (as did some cilantro, basil, oregano and dill), and the seeds are beginning to sprout in the outdoor raised-bed gardens, even though we got more snow last week! My herbs perturb bunnies, and that's a joy to my soul. My volunteer rhubarb from last year is already making a raised-bed garden appearance, and it's keeping bunnies away from that box. The lavender, mint and sage are all starting to show fresh new green, and they deter critters. My indoor microgreens have been going strong for several months now. It's going to be a fresh, homegrown salad summer!

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Wordless Wednesday

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Wordless Wednesday

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