Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Rainbows Abound

I decided to catch up on one of the two RSC 2016 projects I'm doing with the group over at soscrappy.  Angela picks a colour scheme for each month and we can do her block or one of our own.  I've got two projects going on, each a bit of a study in gradation and value, although that was certainly never my intent! Funny how that goes/evolves.  Here's all the blocks for project #1:

June's colour was turquoise with a hit of lime.  Here are my two Whirling Star Blocks:
I'm happy to say that my neutrals/low volume scrap bin is definitely going down! I also love combining old scraps (we're talking 10+ years, with brand new scraps.

July's colour is hot pink again with a pop of lime.  Angela said think watermelon.   I think of Brianne, my eldest daughter, who is, and always has been, a lover of all things pink.
As a nod to Brianne, I was sure to get as much of the full heads of the girls in the Art Gallery Fabrics print; scraps from makeup bags I made for each of my daughters.

I love how the hot pink goes so well with the calm blues.


I took this photo June 2, of gorgeous weigela at the beachfront in Lakeside Park.  Taken with Soma's, Whims and Fancies, Wandering Camera linkup in mind, but good for the month of July's colours no?
June 13, I captured this stunning red beauty in the wonderful gardens at the Mettawas End B&B across the street from me.  I think they both fit well with the hot colours of July.

Once again at the Mettawas End B&B, yesterday, at the end of my walk, this incredible Monarch butterfly rewarded me with a pose for being so patient, phone held out, breathing slowly, taking the photo on the exhale as Soma has suggested, for a steadier hand.  I could have made a collage, but no.  This beauty deserves to be seen extra-large in all her glory:
Isn't it fitting how she chose to munch the nectar of a vibrant pink coneflower, with scarlet um...I don't know! Maltese Cross? tucked in behind? My mum grows these; I should know their name...
Yes! I managed to get a partially open shot of her wings, but LOOK at the 'boa' she's adorned with!!!
She alighted on another flower and I tiptoed a couple steps closer, stretched out my arm, and waited some more...
Rewarded!
I know some may think I'm flaky, but those moments and that reward, and now looking at what I was able to capture, I get choked up with emotion.  The beauty, the inspiration, the glory, and the fragility of our environment amazes, humbles, and worries me (to the point of feeling frantic if I dwell on it).  I hope that I tread lightly on this blue/green planet.  Planet.....  Jupiter! Success! I was so happy to find out this morning that the mission has succeeded and that Juno has arrived at Jupiter!  I am preparing to be awed in a new way.

I'll be linking up this coming Saturday at soscrappy

I will be updating this post later today with the other ongoing Rainbow Scrap challenge, the Rainbow Rose with the Modern Quilters Ireland. This is Week 5.  We had to add borders.  So I should have a flimsy complete and ready for quilting by day's end!

Well, not quite by day's end...days have a way of calling their own shots, LOL.
Stained glass effect into the setting sun the next evening; strong breeze!
and then in the shade on the patio:
I only put a 2.5" not 4.5" final border on. I intend this to be a wallhanging in my sewing space.  Not totally figured out the quilting yet...

22 comments:

  1. I love the women in your blocks and am excited too about Juno making it to orbit!

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  2. Lovely RSC blocks Sandra. Your pictures of the monarch butterfly are amazing!! We had lots in NZ but none in UK and I love to see them - your patience was well rewarded - stunning!

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  3. Those girls in the Art Gallery fabric are really great and add to the blocks you made; I would have worked hard to cut them nicely, too! I am excited for the science that is going to come from Juno. I remember when it launched (I was working at NASA KSC and saw the launch). :)

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  4. I am always amazed at the beautiful pictures you are able to capture of nature and animals. But when you are able to be in-sync with your environment, I think it helps. And you, my friend, are one of the most in-sync with their environment people I know. My dad was the same way and his photographs always showed it. I love how the blocks for the scrap challenge are coming along. Will that continue until December?

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  5. Those blocks are stunning, the turquoise one my favourite. And Monarchs, we have them here in summer, providing there are the plants in plenty for the caterpillars to feed on.

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  6. Interested to see what becomes of these blocks

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  7. Wonderful photos of the flowers and great shot of the butterfly. Your quilt is looking very nice.

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  8. Wonderful photos of the flowers and great shot of the butterfly. Your quilt is looking very nice.

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  9. Love your stars Sandra. And the snaps of the butterfly are gorgeous.

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  10. I love all the little animals around our home. Just sitting outside and watching the little guys fly or walk around reminds me how wonderful all of it really is. Maybe we are just both the right kind of flakey! Love the blocks and the nature photos.

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  11. Amazing photos! Your RSC is coming right along and is going to make a lovely quilt.

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  12. Sandra: If you are flakey then so am I. Hoping for some rain as I type this.

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  13. What beautiful pictures Sandra... absolutely amazing.... stunning😀 xx

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  14. You have made some beautiful pictures and captured some beautiful moments of time! I could look at those pics all day...

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  15. I tried finding that fabric but failed. Those galz with pizazz add another dimension of interest to your blocks. The monarch is the crowning glory of this post - pun intended :-)
    Hugs,
    Preeti.

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  16. Your Whirling Stars are beautiful, and your butterfly is beyond beautiful!

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  17. I love your star blocks every time I see them! They really are pretty in pink! Thanks for sharing your beautiful flower and monarch photos, too. I loved them!

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  18. Love the fun neutrals in your blocks!

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  19. An excellent post -- I, too, enjoy mixing my wide range of neutrals in blocks. Somehow just seems more interesting to look at later. Beautiful sentiments and flower photos, too.

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  20. Your star blocks are a great group with nice gradation in centers. What a nice tribute to you'd daughters with their favorites. Thanks for sharing the gorgeous butterfly and the colorful blossoms. My favorite is your Rainbow Rose, a real beauty that needs nothing extra added. Keep up the good work!

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  21. Magnificent pics if the flowers and butterfly!

    And always LOVE the stained glass effect, especially this sunset one!

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  22. Your blocks (and pictures!) are beautiful!

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