Thursday, March 13, 2014

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.  

.   

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 14th


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

56 comments:

Michelle said...

Oh my, your quilt is so cute. I love it, truly special.

Judy B said...

What a wonderful tribute to your Aunties and they look like they are having sew much fun! Thank you for sharing.

Carla said...

Dancing Spring in Ruffles is so much fun and is a very happy tribute! You are so creative and those ladies certainly come to life in your quilt. Great!!!

Anita said...

A gorgeous display; I love those tough ladies! Well done!

charlotte said...

Sew very cute. What wonderful details and a beautiful memory.

Shirlee Fassell said...

OMG it's the cutest ever ... love the ruffles .. the shoes .. the hats ... your mother is going to be so surprised!!

Elizabeth Coughlin said...

Your quilt is not only creative and beautiful, but it's also full of memories and meaning for you. Great job!

Dorian said...

Very creative! That is really cute.

Thearica said...

Your quilt is so adorable!! Great job!

Sharon B said...

Your ladies are adorable! You really pulled the ruffles off in a fun way.

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

LOL...I love this! You are so good with your ladies and their ruffles.
I so enjoy seeing what you will make.

legato1958 said...

I love your little fun tribute to your aunts!! Lots of beautiful details to enjoy in it!

Susie

Kay said...

Thanks for sharing your fun piece, i especially love the garter.

Missy Shay said...

You are so talented, I love this picture you made!

Sparky said...

hi Jane,what a delightful tribute to aunts….oh yes kicking in the air for spring, I am so with them too….love the ruffles of course

Leah said...

Love your ruffled ladies!

Shari said...

Just lovely...your mom will surely love it! Great project!

Doris Rice, The Quilting Queen said...

What a special momento you've made here and it's a hoot! I bet your aunts were too.

Linda C said...

What a sweet quilt! I bet your mom will be happy to have it and tell everyone she knows how it came to be. Quilt guilds get first crack at it thought, be it a show or a guild show and tell. Well, right after us blog hoppers, I guess, LOL.

StitchinByTheLake said...

How cute is this! I love them kicking up their legs. :) blessings, marlene

Vroomans' Quilts said...

What a cute and sweet tribute piece.

Margaret said...

What a great way to use ruffles. I have to say it is beautiful.

Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio said...

How fun! Which one is your mom? She will love this!!!

Sherry said...

Wow is the first word I thought of when I saw your project. You are a very talented and creative lady. Thanks for sharing.

Linda said...

Adorable! What a fun little quilt! Your mother will be so proud of it, I'm sure!

Purl Buttons said...

Whimsical and fun. Just right when spring is around the corner. You are one creative sewist.

Vickie said...

What a wonderful art quilt ! Your Mom is going to cherish this ! Good luck in the quilt show...it is deserving of a blue ribbon and then some !

mabear said...

I love your ladies!!

Mary said...

I love your Aunties. What fun to be part of that fun.I love it. Sweet memories. Thank you for sharing a special memory.

allthingzsewn said...

Very cute and great memory for your mother

MoeWest said...

I love it! You did a wonderful job designing these ladies! They look happy to see spring. Your Mom will really enjoy it!

Terry@ a quilting blog said...

This is just the cutest little quilt…love those ladies with all their bling…your mother will love it!!!! Thanks for sharing :)

Amy said...

That is just too cute. Your mom is going to love it. A beautiful tribute to your mom and aunts.

Gmama Jane said...

That quilt is simply AWESOME! The family connection is what makes it so unique. Great job
Gmama Jane

Sheila said...

I love it Jane , such a wonderful tribute to your aunts , your mother will be so pleased !

Unknown said...

Wow! I love your quilt! And your mom's family was HUGE! I thought my grandfather's family was big at 13!

Calicojoan said...

Now that is just adorable! I know I would love em all!

Marcy said...

Amazing. You are sew talented. You need to sell that pattern. All of us older quilters--and maybe some younger too--would love to make this quilt. Love it!

LJ said...

This is just fabulous, Jane. I can almost hear some can-can music egging them along!! You did an amazing rendition of your aunts - I had a few aunts that would have joined in on the fun!! I love all the ruffles and the other details you added...glitter, bows, pearls, feathers...such fun!

Suze said...

Your ruffles just made the quilt! Your mother will be thrilled when she gets this jewel. Thanks for including the tad of family history. I laughed and laughed at the garter. I remember one grandmother wearing a garter - it was very thick elastic. She had polio as an infant and was paralyzed on one side of her body. She was amazing. She did everything but drive. She couldn't wear a girdle and hose. She rolled the top of the hose in the garter. She didn't have fancy garters like your aunt. Thanks for participating and sharing your personal memory and a great, great quilt to inspire all of us.

vicky myers said...

The quilt is gorgeous:)

gpc said...

Look at those sassy ladies, lol! So cute! :)

Createology said...

This is such a loving and fun tribute to your mother and your aunts. Fabulous tribute to Spring and Ruffles. Ruffles are Fabric's way of Smiling. Thank you sew very much for Hopping...

maggie said...

Wonderful! I can almost hear the music as they kick up their heels. Just wonderful.
cheers
maggie

maggiemine42@gmail.com

Carolyn said...

I ADORE your little quilt! It made me smile to see your aunties kicking their heals, and the way that you embellished each one. So creative and cute! LOVE...

LittleHouseontheDairy said...

Such detail!

Nancy said...

What a lovely tribute. Your piece is GREAT. Oh, what fun I bet it was to make. And I see your aunt crocheted ruffled doilies! Reminds me of the work my grandma did. Thanks for sharing.

Janarama said...

What an awesome tribute to your mom and aunts. Your mom will LOVE it. It's beautiful and you did a fabulous job!

Janarama said...

What an awesome tribute to your mom and aunts. Your mom will LOVE it. It's beautiful and you did a fabulous job!

Regena said...

okay, that quilt is darn cute!!

jan said...

Oh my goodness- those gals are adorable. What a hoot!
xo jan

Heidi [Banks of Frog Creek] said...

Great job! A fun way to use ruffles :)

Kristen King said...

This is great...and my husband's grandmother was named...Effie! :)

Britt-Inger said...

So wonderful and a great tribute to your aunts.
Thanks for sharing an awesome wall quilt.

Marian said...

Amazing, I totally love it. It's obvious she was a very special Auntie.

Pam in IL said...

Love the ladies and the ruffles!