Lucky Duck Dreams: Seasons :challenge 2, Project Quilting season 7

morning snow light

When this second challenge was announced I did what I always do when I need inspiration. I look at my photos, then I googled it and read definitions and look at images.

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It was exactly what I was imagining but was having trouble drawing out. So next I picked backgrounds from my stash to match each of the seasons.

Sofia helped me pick.

I also decided to use my Denyse Schmidt stash for the applique elements in the design. I found a great Flea Market fancy print for the trunk and branches of the tree.

The I picked out 2.5" and 5" squares to cut out the flowers and leaves. Good thing I have a giant stash of charm squares from all the swaps I have done. I got out my Sizzix Big Shot and my favorite Tim Holtz Tattered Floral die and a Westminster Sunflower/Poinsettia die.

I cut out the pink flowers for the spring red bud tree and the green and yellow/orange leaves for the summer and fall sections.

For the winter section I free hand cut some gray turned to the back side. I glued everything down with applique glue. Then I got stuck. Should I finish the top, baste and quilt? Or should I free-motion applique?

Well I was leaning that way and Kim of Persimon Dreams encouraged me so I did. It turned out great! Tomorrow I will starch it good and figure out the borders, backing, basting, and quilting. Right now it is 24" square. I really love it!

I quilted vertical wavy lines for spring and summer (thanks Laura Davies for the idea),

FMQ leaves for fall,

and snow flakes for winter. BTW the piles of snow are also a Denyse Schmidt. I just used the wrong side of the fabric. Its a great technique to use in any quilt!

All on an awesome Viking Sapphire machine a friend gave me! It was so generous of her and its amazing what I can do with a machine that actually wants to FMQ!!