Spring Broken

The best flowers are at the Keukenhof in Amsterdam. A bit out of my reach, mostly.

Tulips in Amsterdam, 2019

Keukenhof Gardens

The Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania are huge and absolutely beautiful, but still a few hours from me.

Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania

Water Lilies

The Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC are more accessible and I don't mind the long train ride although I will avoid the nightmarish parking in downtown DC. 

From 2008. My first time :-) 

So beautiful

Due to their popularity and the huge crowds (then), everyone was photobombing someone else's picture. The best pictures were taken skywards.

My favorite picture, 2008

The buds are pink but the blooms are almost white, with the faintest hint of blush.

Boating in the Tidal basin, 2018

The trouble with cherry blossoms is that they are so short-lived. One week at best and then all the petals compete to become a carpet.

With Kim, in the train to see the blossoms, 2018

Felt like winter, 2018

So I made careful plans. Checked and re-checked the "Bloom Watch" calendar for the peak bloom dates. Coordinated with friends to meet and walk and take it all in on that one fateful Saturday in April. I was looking forward to the picturesque walks around the Tidal Basin.

But then $#{% happened. The National Park Service, in accordance with CDC guidelines, implemented temporary site closures in response to the Covid-19 outbreak. I pouted and I sulked.

My hopes were dashed. My plans destroyed and my Spring Broken.

Scraps

In frustration I turned to fabric. Thinking of pink buds and white blooms, I started cutting and sewing.

Cutting and Re-cutting

Design Wall

Whatever?

Hmm...

Paul: Is this going somewhere or are you just destroying fabric?

Me: Leave me alone. 

Paul: Just checking if you are ok.

Me: Not yet.

Getting somewhere?

Maybe

Likely

After loads of cutting and sewing and arranging and reversing, something is bound to emerge? Right?

At least, my poutiness had subsided. 

Oh yes

AND, we are there!!!

Paul: Not bad.

Me: Um Hmmm.

Paul: Feel better?

Me: Yes.

I had a finished flimsy and I liked it.  It was my destroyed plans for the Cherry Blossoms that prompted the making of this quilt. I have therefore named it Spring Broken.

Not bad, indeed

This is working :-)

Red and Pink? Why not?

OK, we are there. It worked. The pouting was productive. 

I felt like I had captured the blooms (in a deconstructed way) and I wanted to add the effect of water with quilting. I turned to Rebecca. She said YES :-)

I got the quilted sandwich back, added the pink striped binding and forbade Rebecca to share the pictures of the finished quilt (the front at least). The wait is now over.

Meet Spring Broken.

Paul, the model

On the banks of Potomac

Pieced Backing

Breezy Day, Muddy Banks

Brightness = Happiness

Striped Pink Binding

Here are some close-ups to show off Rebecca's quilting.

 

Raindrops on Water

Tidal Basin, captured

Blooms and Blossoms

Eye candy :-)

Quilting Detail

I highly recommend Rebecca for your quilting needs. She knows what she is doing :-)

Pretty in Pink :-)

Peach and Copper

Spring Broken finished at 46" by 48" and I am very happy with her :-)

Spring Broken - 46" by 48"

Spring and Tidal Pool themes continue on the backing.

Backing

Labelled

There are quilters (fiber artists to be precise) who will appliqué and embroider and embellish to create a piece of art that will rival the natural beauty of the cherry blossoms. But deconstructed Spring looks a whole lot different. That is my story and I am sticking to it :-D

And just a couple more...

Hullo My Lovely

You make me Happy :-)

I will be linking with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar. 

Are you having a good spring? Did you enjoy the Spring Break? Or was it Spring Broken? I'd love to hear your thoughts - pouty or not.  

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The leftovers from the red Sister's Choice Blocks were repurposed into these little blocks.  Will be sharing with Angela's Linky Party on Saturday.

The Red Leftovers

These leftovers are growing. I hope I can get a baby quilt out of them :-)

Bonus Quilt

I wonder what color is June. Will it be orange or purple? May be it is time for teal. What do you think?