May's Teapot Block

It didn't take me long to once again relax and enjoy hand stitching this block for 2010 Tea and Coffee Related Quilt Along.

I had lucked upon a great treasure at a garage sale a few years ago, and just couldn't resist this ladies beautiful items, including an adorable teapot. The teapot shaped like a watering can was my source of inspiration for my May tea block, however I wanted the flowers IN the pot instead of ON the pot. Once I made the first flower, I allowed my creative juices to 'grow' the others blossoms! Alas, I still want to embroider more stems but I will add these in a bit.

I used three different techniques in creating my bouquet. The large middle flower is actually my version of petal play as I fused both sides of the petal pieces. The three pink flowers and the blue centre for the middle flower are yoyo flowers. The three dimensional effect is lost in taking the photo as it looks more 'real' in real life. I hope you enjoy my design.

Take care.

(c:

QUOTE:

Count your garden by the flowers,
Never by the leaves that fall.
Count your days by garden hours,
Don't remember clouds at all.
Count your nights by stars, not shadows.
Count your years with smiles, not tears.
Count your blessing, not your troubles.
Count your age by friends, not by years.

The bunny teapot is my own 'goofy' design...sort of surprised me when this idea 'hopped' into my head.
(C:
(...sorry for over exposed photo; if you click photo, photos will display larger).

The top cross stitch is a mystery stitch along I started in 2008. This mystery project was Pam Kellogg's design, and I am very excited as I am almost finished this project. I substituted the butterflies for the honey bee and ladybug in Pam's original pattern, as I have a very sentimental and symbolic LOVE of butterflies and wanted to convey this in my stitching.

Have a wonderul weekend everyone.
(C:

QUOTE:

“Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you”

My First Block for 2010 Tea and Coffee Quilt Along

I forgot to add the button before taking this picture without button. Yes, I designed this...even did the writing. It was't that easy to do everything with needle turn applique, but I really started enjoying it after my 'mystery' quilt I sewed New Year's Day was finished. I first intended a bird to be sitting on top of the gift teapot, with the bird tying the ribbon, but when I enlarged my original pattern for the teapot, I also enlarged the bow, and did not leave enough room for the bird...of course I had to rip and make new smaller bow. My husband liked the 'Christmas' bird, so I chose a dove to fly instead of sit on the package..(C:....but then there was not enough room above the teapot but I added the 'peace' writing. Now I have found a theme for my blocks as each month will have a different 'theme'...guess what the theme for February will be? January's block is a surprise...still need to be inpsired but ideas are starting. I have lots of ideas for 'summer' blocks so may do summer block next, but then who knows how many times I may change my mind.