Butterflies
I am thinking of the life cycle of butterflies. So much happens before the glory of the butterfly is revealed. Parts of the life cycle are less appealing than others. Although, I confess, I find each stage intriguing, even the less savory aspects.
In my previous post I shared my plans for the life cycle of Lola in the Linen Cabinet. It begins with a photograph. This can be thought of as the butterfly. The next phase in the life cycle journey is hidden, like the chrysalis phase. This is when I am working out how to go from photo to artwork.
Caterpillars
Caterpillars are an odd blend of beautiful and pests. Where I live we have tent caterpillars that hatch by the hundreds and munch their way through leaf after leaf sometimes to the point of decimation of the tree. Yet, I can’t help but admire the tent caterpillar’s beauty. Thread painting is an awkward time in the life cycle of my artwork. Until the thread painting is cut from the background it feels unformed, but with potential. Just as caterpillars will one day become butterflies.
Rainbow Scrap Challenge
Perhaps I will add a butterfly or three to How Does Your Garden Grow. I am certainly tempted. This is a common life cycle progression in my artwork. I think I know exactly how a work will proceed, then BAM! I am struck by a new idea that I simply can’t resist. If I add butterflies should I add a few other insects such as beetles and caterpillars?
My 2023 Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt is beginning to take shape. Unfortunately, I ran out of time before I could seam the left half of the bottom row together. I have completed all three flowers on the bottom left. Fingers crossed, that will be next week’s reveal.
I’m linking up to the following posts:
I love your Lola stitch painting. What a lot of precise quilting! Your spring flowers are just gorgeous too.
I hadn’t thought of how many flowers included in How Does Your Garden Grow are Spring flowers. Of course the iris are and they will surround a crocus. Thank you for stopping by and sharing you thoughts.
The iris blocks are so pretty! Just the right shapes so that we know what they are. Butterflies would be a great addition to your fabric flower garden!
Thank you, Diann. I had fun drafting the blocks in EQ8. The original blocks were included in Fantasy Flowers, a book published over 30 years when templates were included in the book. I foundation piece my blocks, BUT also cut the pieces from strips using paper templates. I find it minimizes the typical waste caused by foundation piecing. Glad you like my idea of incorporating butterflies into the garden.
Your flower garden is growing beautifully!!
Thank you, so much. Part of the fun of the RSC is watching the quilts evolve.
Love how your flowers quilt is coming along! The thread painting of Lola is amazing! Wow!
Thank you, Dawn. It feels like Spring in my studio and as I gaze outside the studio at the forsythia, daffodils and azalea. Lola is more attract to the birds. 🙂
The beautiful purple irises are so lifelike. Your garden is going to be so special. I especially love your thread painting.
How very generous of you to say, Jenny.
Lola is coming to life very nicely, your thread painting is beautifully mastered. Adding bugs in the flowers is a great idea 😉
Thank you for sharing your work in progress, and linking up.
It’s always a pleasure to hear from you, Frédérique. You and others have encouraged me to add some insects to my garden. So, when I manage to finish the color of the month for RSC early, I will start thread painting some insects to embellish the quilt.
Love the purple irises!!! Butterflies would definitely fit into your garden in a natural way! Your Lola thread stitching is absolutely beautiful!!!
Thank you, Nancy. One of my goals when I designed How Does Your Garden Grow was to leave plenty of open space for quilting. Now that open space is beckoning for some critters. Glad you agree.