Dancing Spring in with "Ruffles"

I can't believe it is the last day.  How times flies when you are having fun.  Today is also my day.

Lets all give a BIG thank you to Madame Samm and Amy Warner for coming up with this "Ruffly" idea and putting it all together for us.  

I must say, I am not a "Ruffles" person.  I was not raised with fancy things.  Only practical, plus I had a big brother.  So when I got older and did get something a little fancy....he would tease me.  Then I had boys, and only grandsons.  Well, lets say this was a challenge.  I wanted to make something different. 

Then it hit me. We had such a cold winter, everyone can't wait for Spring and for everything to come alive again.  For the trees to bud, flowers to bloom, birds to, well, you get the idea.   I remember one day when my 2 aunts and mother were having fun in the yard at Easter.  So I decided to make them kicking up their heels and celebrating.  So I set the scene with a sky and some green grass.

OK, I drew my girls and now I need to make ruffles.

I don't know if I made them correctly, but I did this:

 I cut 1 inch strips, then with small dots of glue and my iron, I folded each end in.

Next I used a basting stitch on one end leaving lots of thread for pulling.

I then pulled to make my gathers.   

When I had all my applique on, I did some embellishing also,

I painted some glitter to the butterflies,

So lets see the girls, all in their Spring Dresses, 

kicking up their heels, celebrating the coming of Spring.

Here is Elsie:

All spruced up with ruffled collar, glitter glasses, those are little pearls I glued on, 

(oh, and real feathers for her hat)

Meet, Erma,

Bow on her hat and Rhinestone button on her fancy ruffled dress.

Last, but not least is the oldest sister, Effie:

Ruffled collar...oh, but she better watch, 

she is kicking so high her garter is showing

Unfortunately I no longer have my Aunts around anymore.  My mother came from a family of 17 (same mother - no twins)  She was the youngest, and turned 88 this year.  I told her how I made this and named them after her and her sisters.  She was excited!  I then mailed her a picture of my quilt and cannot wait for her response.  I want to take it to my Quilt Guild in April, then am going to send it to her.  She will be surprised.  

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I sure miss my Aunt Elsie, I was VERY close to her.    Here are a few doilies she made me long time ago:  

OK, it may be the last day.....

but there are some beautiful "Ruffles" out there to be seen.

Here is the list for the day:

March 14^th

Thimblemouse and Spouse

Bear Creek Quilting Company

Ipiece to Mary

The Quilting Queen Online

Miss Priss Quilts

Sew We Quilt

I had seen sooo many beautiful projects, I can see more"Ruffles" in my future.

Till next time,

HAPPY QUILTING EVERYONE!!

To get special designed quilts or to see my gallery, check out my site at: http://janesquilting.com