This week, I learned to pin butterflies - real pins, real butterflies! My job at the moment involves curation & identification of all sorts of insects. So I have added the skill of pinning specimens to my rather eclectic list of achievements! Aren't you proud Mum?
Speaking of Mum, she is visiting at the moment. A quick visit to the patchwork store, some 3 Sisters 'Glace' charm packs on special, and a great pattern from Moda Bakeshop has yielded at least the beginnings of a table runner:
The plan is that it will grace Mum's dining table for family Christmas. The pattern is called 'Plates for your Table' and you can find it here. It is designed by Kim at bitty bits & pieces who has posted some great free patterns for Moda. We modified Kim's instructions to suit two charm packs, instead of using fat quarters.
And speaking of my work, I couldn't help but photograph these beautiful blooms outside my building.
It is Liriodendron tulipifera, or Tulip tree.
Annie Flowergarden has been showing us some gorgeous photos of her blossoming spring garden, which inspired me to snap these shots.
The centres of these flower cups are quite mesmerising. They look like there should be fairies living inside I think! Mind you, any fairy would be living a dangerous life outside my work. They would probably get frozen, pinned, classified & archived for posterity!
a woman of many talents.........you must show me that new skill............
ReplyDeleteoh and love the flowers on the tulip tree.......and I am sure if you ask Fairy Girl she will agree there are fairies living in them.........
nice table runner..........
Your mum's plates look great...I always wondered how to pin butterflies!
ReplyDeletewah - real butterflies? I've always dreamed about doing something like that. On the other hand: they are so lovely, fragile, soft and bright..... a good job!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are very skilled to be able to pin butterflies, just let me say that it is something I could not do and not learn as I am terrified of all insects.
ReplyDeleteI bet the table runner is going to be gorgeous, please show us when you're all done. Beautiful flowers as well.
ReplyDeleteI have a tulip tree in my side yard and I love it in the spring! Right now it's bare and getting itself ready for winter.
ReplyDeleteSo fascinating story... I almost saw one tiny fairy climbing between the stamens;)) The beginning of the tablerunner looks gorgeous! I'm anxious to see the finished one;)
ReplyDeleteCompletely lovely post!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links to my project on MBS. It's so fun to see it done in different fabrics and I love that you modified it to use charm packs. Moda sent me the fat quarter pack and I've loved using every bit of it. I'd love to see your mum's table runner when you're done. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so glad to see some Glace being used! My layer cake is still waiting to be cut into (although I have chosen a project to make) but it's nice to see somebody really having sewn with this gorgeous fabric range!
ReplyDeletePinning butterfly specimens seems to need an awful lot of pins! I always thought it was just one through the thorax, but now I know better!
The dresden plates are beautiful! So are the flowers...wow, so unusual.
ReplyDeleteThe pinned butterflies kinda freak me out. :S
Love the pattern you linked, thanks so much! Have a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteOH your desdens are just beautiful, love the fabric. I am definately making these at some point, Kim's are the first instructions on them that make sense to me.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Gail
And I'm working on a fairy garden tomorrow! Maybe there are fairies in those most beautiful of blooms. I love your runner. Gorgeous things you share with us!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Oh I so want to make those gorgeous Glace Dresden Plates. Ann :)
ReplyDeleteOh no, leave the fairies alone please. I love the tulips trees. That will be one gorgeous tablerunner for mum! Happy stitching..Karen
ReplyDeleteLove the blocks, they look fantastic. The flower is also amazing. You are a girl after my own heart, stitching and gardens.
ReplyDeletePoor little cabbage white. The tulip tree flower is amazing I have never seen any thing like it. Nice table runner.
ReplyDeleteWow! You must have skilled hands to pin a butterfly so well! I love the plates for the runner; I hope you will post pics of the finished product!
ReplyDeleteJennifer :)
the tulip tree flowers are wonderful aren't they and such great photos, thanks for showing us! nature is amazing!
ReplyDelete