Monday, February 1, 2016

Kaleidoscope of Butterflies Link Up

It's time for the kaleidoscope of butterflies to take flight! Cathy and I are excited to see what everyone posts. Knowing how clever quilters are, there will be many different takes on this subject.

It's a bit early for caterpillars and butterflies around here but QS (my quilting sister) kindly sent this photo. She's such a good photographer. How fortunate I am to have the BEST sisters!

Caterpillar photo by QS

I found two new places for butterfly watching.

  • Habitat restoration of Crissy Field Marsh in the Presidio of San Francisco began about twenty years ago. Western blue pygmy butterflies returned in 2008. They usually prefer the salt marshes of the east bay. These tiny butterflies have a half-inch wingspan, making them one of the world's smallest. They range through the southwestern US, Hawaii, and the Persian Gulf.
  • Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont has an enclosed nectar garden. Several benches and easy walking make this a destination for young and old.

I'm keeping my ears open for restoration or release events but haven't found any yet. However, Seedles is a California company selling wildflower seed bombs to help bee habitats. Wildflower mixes have been created for six regions of the US. Their colorful balls would be a great favor for your child's birthday or school party.

What's going on in your neck of the woods? Help us spread the word worldwide.

Lastly, my progress on the current kaleidoscope. By Day 8 the wedges are sewn. Time to create many-colored tulips, realistic or not. Some need to be purple.

Dark purple tulip added to the kaleidoscope

The bright orange is such a happy color. I also like the softer green tulip and the way it blends with the tan print below it.

Tulips across the first row

Tiptoeing through the tulips, the red is a keeper. The blues are made of two wonderful fabrics I've stored for too long. The light purple tulips are fish fabric that look like trout. I'm always amazed at the changes in this design as it's filled in. It actually loses its definition; that will come back as I sew it up.

Multicolored fabrics create a cheerful, bright kaleidoscope quilt.
Filling in the corner triangles of the kaleidoscope pattern.

For the third purple tulip, I tested the dark stripe on the left. In my opinion, it's too dark. Sophisticated but not happy. The choice on the right works much better.
Setting variation for kaleidoscope quilt blocks creates a tulip or star shape.
Two  purple choices.

This is where my kaleidoscope stands today. How are your butterfly and kaleidoscope projects coming along?

Enjoy the day, Ann

InLinkx removed because it was hacked.

28 comments:

Monica said...

It looks great, Ann! You really are proving that there are no limits with these larger prints! Now I want to start a Kaleidoscope too...

Karen in Breezy Point said...

Wow--your quilt is going to be amazing--love it!

Ann said...

Thanks, Monica. I'm sure yours will be great and hope to see it soon. Mixing print sizes is great fun.

Ann said...

Thanks for writing, Karen. I'm glad you like it.

Mystic Quilter said...

Love all these beautiful vibrant fabrics Ann!

Cathy said...

Love it. I usually sew my corners on each block as I go. Someday I will have to try this version of making one. I don't think I'll ever grow tired of kaleidoscopes.

Lara B. said...

It changes so much the more fabric you add in. I love this Ann. You are the Queen of Scrappy Goodness!

Ann said...

Thanks, Maureen. I like yours; they look like a garden. This is planned for a man so I wanted to include fish, canoe and sailboat fabrics.

gayle said...

It's beyond fabulous! I love all the color singing in this quilt.

Ann said...

I used to do it that way but waiting allows me to move them more. They sure are fun, aren't they?

Mel said...

Your tulips are such a lovely surprise! I love the phrase 'tip toeing through the tulips'--possible quilt title?!? There were so many fun fabrics included but the orange and red tulips were my personal favorites.

Ann said...

You got it, Lara. (I should have known you would.) The changes in this relatively straightforward pattern as fabrics are added constantly amaze me. Thanks for the compliment, oh, Published Author!

Ann said...

Thanks, Gayle. I sure like color.

Ann said...

Thanks, Mel. I hadn't thought of a title; that sounds good. You're too young but I remember Tiny Tim singing that crazy song.

Stephie said...

Ann your QS is a fantastic photographer if this one is anything to go by! So much detail, it's wonderful - almost as wonderful as your kaleidoscope quilt!! I love the tulips - I'd never noticed them before. I think that's the great thing about kaleidoscopes: you see something new all the time :)

audrey said...

This looks to be a great quilt to play with. Some day I'm going to try one again, this time with better matched points! The tulips give it a lot of depth and interest!

Ann said...

And won't it be fun to see where your colors take you! Take a look at Sujata Shah's Organized Chaos (in her workshops.) I saw it a few years ago and thought of tulips. She doesn't worry about keeping the circles; another different take on this design. Who'd a thought?

Ann said...

She is, Stephie. I got the tulip idea from Sujata. She has a wonderful version that doesn't worry about the circles so much. You're right; this design has many more variations than one originally thinks.

the zen quilter said...

It's great and it uses so many fabrics...I'm assuming it's a scrap vacuum - I think I need one of those...

Ann said...

You can use as many or few fabrics as you want. It would be nice in scraps, though. I hope to see yours when you make it.

Kate said...

Love the tulips in your Kaleidoscopic quilt! Lots of beautiful scraps in those blocks.

Ann said...

Thanks, Kate. The tulips are a fun variation to kaleidoscopes. I love using scraps.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

I love what you are doing with your Kaleidoscope blocks! I can see mine are quite 'controlled' by comparison! Might have to let loose a bit and make a 2nd version now!

Ann said...

They all turn out beautifully. It is interesting to see how far the colors can be pushed.

Spoolbeans.com said...

It really is reminiscent of kaleidoscope - there's so much movement ! Beautiful work!

Ann said...

Thanks for writing. I'm glad other people like it, too.

Nicky said...

Thanks for linking up to #scraptastictuesday
That's an amazing quilt in the making - and it does change dramatically as you add bits.

Ann said...

Thanks, Nicky. I added the link here (sorry I forgot earlier.) It's always a problem when adding it after the post launched. There are several kaleidoscopes developing around the world; it's amazing how different each looks.