Sunday, May 1, 2016

Kaleidoscope of Butterflies and a Trip to Kansas City

The plan to quilt my kaleidoscope was waylaid by several issues. Now that it's back in working order I'm out of town. However, I did create a link button that you can pick it up on the right sidebar. I thought Kaleidoscope of Butterflies (and other pollinators) might be a one-off linkup but there's been continued interest. I constantly notice more butterfly quilts, too. How does that happen?

Link Button

Rhianon created dimensional butterflies on The Nifty Stitcher.  Don't miss Koka Quilts' post either. Linda's reinvention of a classic butterfly applique block is stellar. I want to start one this summer! Thanks for sharing, Linda.

Where have I been? Walkabout. First stop: gorgeous Kansas City. Spring was in full bloom. {Lucky me; a second spring this year.} Time to stop and smell the lilacs, something I haven't seen for years. Tucked in the corners of flowerbeds, lovely violets peeked out. They grow between the flagstones of our backyard but much earlier. Long gone now. Such a treat to have this second encounter of the year.

Lovely lilac, dogwood and violets abound

While DH worked, I played. Fortuitously, the Quilt Guild of Greater Kansas City met the first day of our visit. I took a bus and then walked through a charming neighborhood of shady trees and wide lawns. Many of the residential streets have sidewalks on one side only. This great plan means less concrete, less maintenance, more grass and I believe, more neighborliness as everyone walks on the same side.

The trees are just leafing out on these gracious street.

Tilework abounds. Many walls and towers are decorated with it and the intersecting sidewalks all had street names tiled into the concrete. Charming and useful.

QGGKC is an active and friendly guild meeting in a Lutheran church just over the state line. In fact, it's on State Line Rd. I walked from one state to another. {Yes, I'm easily amused.} The guild sets up long tables with chairs on either side which lets them work on projects all morning. My guilds always set chairs in rows. Easier, perhaps, to see the program but not as much sharing among neighbors.

My new friend, Mary, invited me to sit with her. We even met up again for a little shopping that afternoon. She was so fun and informative, telling me to walk up Ward Parkway to see more fountains.

With over 200, Kansas City is known as the City of Fountains. I only saw a small selection of these but each was beautiful. Mary told me this was Fountain day when KC begins turning the water on for the summer. Lucky me!

Fountains of Kansas City

The following day I went to the National World War I Memorial and Museum. The museum is through the doors under the tower. The layout reminds me of the World War II Museum in New Orleans with many thoughtfully organized exhibits, films, and interactive storytelling.


There were two quilts in the exhibits. The one on the left is made from tobacco souvenirs called flannels while the one on the right is a remembrance quilt of Kansas men who served in the war.

The two quilts at the WWI Museum

I also noticed this charming, compact sewing kit carried by soldiers.

WWI Sewing Kit

Although I haven't worked on any kaleidoscopes, I hope you've been more productive. By the way, there's two more days for the Ad Hoc Improv Quilt linkup. Another fun group!

Ann

16 comments:

Sophie Zaugg said...

Thank you for sharing your pictures of Kansas City. It's a bit like travelling !

Stephie said...

What a wonderful tour of the city, thanks Ann! I love your butterfly button too - now your machine's home it won't be long before you're back to it :)

Lara B. said...

Kansas City looks like a wonderful City to live in. And two springtimes is really a blessing Ann. SO glad you have enjoyed this part of your walkabout.
Your butterfly button is so beautiful, who could resist it? I have nothing to share today, but will definitely be back!

Ann said...

The people were so kind, the city was beautifully laid out, loved the fountains, and the the weather was perfect. Just sad the Royals were out of town. :-(

Ann said...

Thanks, Stephie. What a surprise that I remembered how to create a button. Woo-hoo. And I loved finding a butterfly cutout to use. Yes, the machine is back but I'm out. Ah, well. Still having fun.

Ann said...

I have a feeling it can get quite cold in winter but we certainly had a great time visiting. Next we start helping family but hope to have some time to enjoy the different cities. Thanks for noticing my butterfly button. I'm pretty please with it, especially because I remembered how to make a button. Ha!

Mary Marcotte said...

Interestingly, we'll be near KC this summer. We'll definitely have to take a walk to see the fountains. I would have missed it all if not for your interesting post since we tend to avoid cities. Thanks!

Ann said...

There's a link in this post to a map of the fountains. They are all over the city. Enjoy your visit,.

Kaja said...

This looks like a good trip; I always enjoy your travel photos. Your butterfly button is ace - I'm still hoping to come up with some good photos or a butterfly project so that I can share on this link up. As someone who regularly forced small children to dash across fields in France so that I could get a good look at a butterfly I really ought to be able to come up with something!

Ann said...

I haven't seen many butterflies recently myself. When I do, they don't photograph well for me. But I'm surprisingly interested in making a butterfly quilt. (Number 287 on the list. Ha)
Your photo collections are more interesting to me. I love the way you crop and organize them. But... we travel quite a bit. I think I'll start including more pics from trips here.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Thanx for the shout out! And, I love your butterfly button. Just haven't anything to share at present, my kaleidoscope quilt is still at the quilters!

Ann said...

You reinvigorated that vintage design. I can't wait to see it and you kaleidsoscope quilted, Linda.

Monica said...

Great photos, I particularly like that lilac! And I love this new button. I am determined to link in again next month, so, I better get to work!

Stephie said...

I don't know if you've tried it Ann, but Picmonkey is great for making buttons and graphics - and it's free!

Ann said...

Thanks, Monica. You have beautiful quilts and I know people will enjoy reading your post.

Ann said...

I have PicFrame but not PicMonkey. I'll try it.