Monday, May 1, 2017

Kaleidoscope of Butterflies 16

My mother and I spent the day at the Dallas Arboretum. It was a bit early for many flowers and a hard rain and wind storm knocked the petals off the tulips. But we saw these moths busily mating.

Moths at the Dallas Arboretum

Monica at Lakeview Stitching says it's good luck when you see a white butterfly first in the spring. Do moths count? She's also making a charming Moth in the Window quilt. Take a look.

The Red Maple Rill is always gorgeous. Here's a view from the back side with the little waterfall and creek.

Waterfall near Maple Rill, Dallas Arboretum

This funny old woody was covered in flowers. Everyone lined up to have their pictures made with it. Peace out.

Flower Powered, Dallas Arboretum

Another scrappy Mini Trip Around the World in my perpetual attempt to reduce the scrap bag. And another Debater needs a quilt. Here's what I have so far. These blocks were made in a different way than I've seen others use. Most were made with expanded strips sets {directions here} but a few were individually pieced with leftover squares.

Scrappy Mini Trip Around the World blocks

Enjoy the day, Ann

InLinkz removed because it was hacked.

17 comments:

KaHolly said...

Your Around the World quilt will be a stunning finish! Scrappy really speaks to me! Thanks for the butterfly plug! I don't have a butterfly post prepared, but have given them front row center in past posts in hopes of raising awareness. I divide my time between Tx and Nova Scotia, so enjoy them in the best of two worlds. I've planted Swamp Milkweed on my northern property to encourage the monarchs. I visit the Metroplex for a week or two once a year, having lived there several years ago, and have always enjoyed visits to the arboretum. There's a nice one in Ft. Worth, too. Enjoy your day! ~karen

Monica said...

Well, my mom thinks my "butterfly" was a moth too, but either way, it counts in my book! Thanks for the shout out! I am now spoiled for choice with butterfly projects, but it will be a couple more days. Love the flower powered car! And I still love all those blue greens in the quilt. Are they all prints, or are there some batiks too?

patty a. said...

Your mini TAW quilt is so pretty! I am looking forward to planting seeds for flowers I hope the butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds will like. I won't be seeding for at least two weeks as the weather is going to be only in the mid-50's. Mid-May might work.

Kaja said...

I really like TAW a lot done your way. Not much sign of butterflies in the flesh here yet, sadly. Too cold and wet again.

Karen in Breezy Point said...

That car is a hoot! Your trip quilt is going to be awesome--love it so far!

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Your TAW is looking amazing!

Helen L said...

Beautiful pictures of the Arboretum! The Red Maple Rill is especially beautiful!

Ann said...

What fun to travel north/south with the seasons. Last year I traveled so frequently I saw three different cherry blossom seasons. A real treat.
My milkweed is slowly coming back. I forgot to harvest the seeds last fall. They blow around easily but I think the neighbors weed them out. Mine are the only ones until the wetlands.
I haven't been to the Ft. Worth arboretum in years. They have great public spaces; always fun to visit.

Ann said...

Since you're counting it, I will, too.
The fabrics are both printed and batik. My sister usually gives me some of hers. She's better at packing the leftovers and sending them off. I spend way too much time trying to use all the bits.

Ann said...

My neighbors have loads of hummingbirds but they aren't hanging around my house since the other neighbor cut the old pine. It was the perfect nesting site for them. Too dense for cats to climb.
I hope you have loads of pollinators this summer.

Ann said...

We've had wild weather this month. First cold and rainy and now hotter than August. Hoping for another change.
I frequently have strips or half strips and wanted to figure a faster way to make TAW. I like laying them out individually but it sure eats up a lot of time. There are more surprises with the tube method - both fortunate and odd. But there's time to make adjustments to future blocks.

Ann said...

It was quite the tourist attraction. A long line of us waiting to snap photos.
I want to get the quilt done and mailed. I'd better get busy then.

Ann said...

Thanks, Linda.

Ann said...

They are all Japanese maples but turn colors at different times. This was not the best flowering season but the foliage was fabulous. Love spring greens with these reds.

Janie said...

Lots of fun photos, thanks for sharing and thanks for you and Cathy hosting Kaleidoscope of Butterflies. Your Mini Trip Around the World looks wonderful.

Ann said...

The landscaping at the arboretum was superb even though there weren't many flowers yet. I hope more people are planning gardens to welcome pollinators. So much to do; just need to take steps.

Monica said...

It was definitely a butterfly -- saw another today!