Dorothy's Flower Garden Quilt

When tragedy strikes, we all have different ways of dealing with it.  For me, one of my first instincts is to make a quilt.  (Remember several years ago when my Granddad died, and I made memory quilts for my nana, mom, and uncle with his old shirts.)  I also love making quilts for friends and family on happy occasions.  I just love the idea that something hand-made by me lives in so many of my friends' and family's homes.

So when I received the news my mom's best friend (and mother to one of my best childhood friends) had been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer, I knew I wanted to make something for her.  Dorothy has been my mom's best friend ever since I can remember.  They had kids the same ages and every one of my siblings was good friends with at least one of her kids.  She supported my mom during quite a few of our family crises and even years later as an adult, she was there for me and my own family at some important times.

I found the "Friendship is to people what sunshine is to flowers," quote online.  Turns out the original quote was about smiles to humanity...but the friendship idea fit the quilt better.

Layout and Pattern for Dorothy's Flower Garden Quilt

I've had lots of questions about the pattern for Dorothy's Flower Garden quilt, so I thought I'd share the the pattern.  Thanks to Fairfield World for providing the batting and pillow forms for this project and compensating me this post.  Pattern was designed using Electric Quilt 7.  All opinions and ideas are 100% my own.  If you want to know more of the personal story behind Dorothy's Flower Garden, you can see this post.

The paper-pieced flowers which so many people love are not my own pattern.  They are from a pattern called Year of Flowers paper-piecing patterns by Regina Grewe.  Regina's patterns are excellent and I highly recommend them.  Well worth the money.

Besides questions about the flower patterns, I also got a LOT of questions and comments about the background fabric I used for the flower blocks.  It's a Vintage Flower Seed Packet Texty Fabric by Lakehouse Dry Goods.  I got some of mine from Modern Quilter on Etsy and some from Pink Castle Fabrics.

I have a modern quilter's heart, but also love more traditional patterns so I wanted to take the paper-pieced blocks and put them in a more modern setting, so I opted for blocks with the sashing just on two sides and with them rotated different ways.

So the finished setting looks like this...

The great thing about this pattern is that it can work with lots of different projects...block of the month projects, paper piecing favorites, orphan blocks, and more.

11 Ideas for the 4th of July and the Weekly Block Party Link-Up

We've been thoroughly enjoying our summer so far with family reunions and roadtrips, so I need to get busy this week getting ready for July and all things patriotic.

Fried Sand Dollar Recipe | Red, White, and Blue Rice Krispie Cake | Rice Krispie Flags | Perfectly Plump Pillow Corners | Patriotic Berry Popsicles | Strawberry Blueberry Patriotic Trifle | Patriotic Porch Makeover | Mason Jar Sign | Blueberry Ice Cream Cake Recipe | Americana Painted Flag Blocks | Berry Stuffed Donuts | Red, White, and Blue Frozen Yogurt Bark | Patriotic Cheesecake Parfaits | American Eagle Wall Art

It's time for another Block Party hosted by Making the World Cuter | Rae Gun Ramblings | Keeping It Simple Crafts | Pieces By Polly!

Polly here from Pieces by Polly.  

You can also find me hanging out here:

Now let's see what you've been up to! Be sure to read over the guidelines…

15 Strawberry Recipes and Craft Projects and the Weekly Block Party

There's just something great about a super sweet strawberry. The ones at the grocery store have been calling to me so I rounded up 15 awesome strawberry recipes and projects!

15 Minute Buttermilk Waffles | Personal Strawberry Pinata | Spinach Strawberry Salad | Felt Strawberries

Strawberry Oatmeal Smoothie | Dairy Free Strawberry Tart | S'mores Stuffed Strawberries | Fresh Fruit Popsicles

Strawberry Napoleons | Strawberry Pineapple Popsicles | Strawberry Shortcake Cobbler | Strawberry Mint Lemonade

Strawberry Roll Scones | Felt Veggie Garden (they are technically radishes but they could totally pass for strawberries) | Strawberry Poke Cake | DIY Strawberry Jam

  Marissa here from Rae Gun Ramblings. We are are in full on Summer mode here in UT and to mean you can't do Summer without strawberries. It seems you guys feel the same way because our last few link parties were chocked full of strawberry goodness. I hope you enjoy all the fabulous strawberry features and here are some more great posts to keep your Summer awesome!

10 Minute Pillow Case VIDEO Tutorial | How to Do Nail Stamping | Everything You Need to Know About Facebook Live

Now I’m so excited to see what YOU have been up to. Link up to the Block Party and be featured on all four blogs! Making the World Cuter | Rae Gun Ramblings | Keeping it Simple Crafts | Pieces By Polly

Be sure to read over the guidelines…

• We’d love it if you pinned the image above of Strawberry Recipes and Crafts!
• Link to a specific post, not your home page.
• Don’t add links to promote giveaways, other link parties or your shops.
• Visit and comment on at least 2 other links in the party.
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An InLinkz Link-up

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Let it Grow! 10 Fun Garden Ideas and the Weekly Block Party Link-Up

This is my kid's last week of school, I know some of you have been out for weeks, but we're just waiting to actually get our summer started over here! We just planted our first garden at this house and will be sharing our fun garden beds soon. Now we are working on completely overhauling our front yard. I've been scouring the web for some fun garden ideas and you guys did not disappoint in last week's block party!

Let it Grow! 10 Fun Garden Ideas

12 Summer Boredom Busters and the Weekly Block Party Link-Up

So sorry for the late start to the party this weeks folks...I was out of town...

For most everyone, school is out for the summer!!  We still have one week left but the weather makes it feel like summer!  I know we all could use some more ideas on things to make and do this summer!