Sunday, May 1, 2016

Kaleidoscopes, Butterflies and Kaleidoscopes of Butterflies

ROY G BIV Kaleidoscope
80 x 80



Last year I made 8 inch kaleidoscope blocks from scraps as one of my projects for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. All 100 of the blocks came from the 2.5 inch scrap box. I used solids for the corners of the blocks.

I arranged and rearranged the blocks on the floor and couldn't come up with a good arrangement. I finally settled on arranging them clockwise starting at bottom left in rainbow color order.  I left the brown and black blocks on the outside edges. 


I quilted it on my DSM, Little Bro, with some spirals. I used a variegated gray, pastel blue, pastel pink thread on top and a dark gray thread in the bobbin.  It's what I had on hand. 


Since I used solids for the kaleidoscope corners I decided to use it for the binding also in all colors of the rainbow.  And I originally was going to use muslin for the backing but went with a more colorful option instead. 

Since this quilt was from the scrap box I'm linking up to

This finish was also my goal #4 


And, as for butterflies...


Butterfly Garden is still in my hoop. 


I have the hand quilting on three of the lengthwise sashings completed. You can't see it very well but I know the quilting is there and it's giving the quilt a nice overall texture. 


I'm quilting leaves and flowers. I'm using these stencils and marking with mechanical pencil. I'm using Lizbeth size 20 (100% Egyptian cotton) threads in a variety of colors. 

This is my slow stitching I'm slowly stitching a little bit each evening. 
Linking up with other stitchers this dreary Sunday for Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts. 


Now, did you know that a group of butterflies is called a kaleidoscope? 
I found that out last year.  

To celebrate butterflies (real or in fabric) and kaleidoscopes Ann of Fret Not Yourself and I host a monthly linky party.


I thought it was too early in the year to see butterflies around here but I saw a Silver-Spotted Skipper while I was out weeding the strawberry patch.   I knew it was a skipper but wasn't sure of the exact name. I identified it from pics in the gallery at the BAMONA (Butterflies and Moths of North America) site.    I hope to get the grandkids to help me take pics and catalog the butterflies we see this summer. 




22 comments:

Quilter Kathy said...

Your kaleidoscope quilt is amazing! And to think that this masterpiece is totally made of scraps!!
Enjoy your hand stitching today!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I love your kaleidoscope quilt, and the creative layout you decided on! There's just something about the rainbow of colors that really speaks to me. Enjoy stitching on your beautiful butterfly quilt today!

gayle said...

It was your kaleidoscope blocks that inspired me to start my mad kaleidoscope journey! Thanks!
I'm still trying to resist the butterflies, though...

Julianne said...

I love all your quilts Cathy! These are gorgeous!!

suemac said...

Love your colorful rainbow quilt.

Sally Trude said...

Beautiful. Your colors are so saturated--especially the blues. It makes me want to go roll in fabric.

Kat said...

What an amazing scrap quilt! Great job!

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

Scraps make the best quilts - and yours is truly beautiful! Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

Jeanne said...

Great use of your scraps! It's a wonderful quilt!

Quiltdivajulie said...

Absolutely FABULOUS quilt finish -- it is truly wonderful!!

Ann said...

Congratulations on your wonderful kaleidoscope finish! And a sliver skipper. I will use that site to identify the ones I see. Thanks.

Janie said...

Your Kaleidoscope quilt is fabulous, Cathy, thanks for sharing!

Jasmine said...

I love the rainbow layout. This is gorgeous.

Karen's Korner said...

Love the vibrant colours in your quilt.

Karen's Korner said...

Love the vibrant colours in your quilt.

Kaja said...

Fabulous finish. I love how you seem to get such saturated colour in your quilts. The butterfly quilt looks good too - hand stitching always adds lovely texture to a top. I'm hunting around for an excuse to make something butterfly related now.

Ivani said...

Gorgeus quilt!

Cindy said...

Oh wow! The piecing in this quilt is incredible! I love the saturated fabrics you used.
On behalf of the global 2016 FAL hosts, thanks for playing along!

Lisa in Port Hope said...

Congratulations on your finish! Is your scrap bin any less full this year?

Christine said...

The kaleidoscope quilt is just beautiful!

Ella said...

Your kaleidoscope is phenomenal!

Debbie said...

Gosh this is gorgeous!!