I’m not sure why, but once Valentine’s Day is over, I immediately start thinking of spring. No matter what the groundhog says each year, I know we have several weeks of winter to go. Still, I can’t help being excited for warmer, sunnier days ahead. If you know me at all you know I love to garden, so by this time of year I definitely start to get the “itch” for that. I have a lot of fun looking through all the different varieties of flowers and plants to choose from – and of course, I always have trouble narrowing it down and deciding on what to plant and where!
Winters are typically pretty long here in WI, so most of us are ready to see it go by the time March rolls around. We typically start seeing snow in mid-November, and expect it on a regular basis through March – and even into April sometimes. Back in 2018 we had a mid-April storm that dumped over two feet of snow on us!!! Kind of a bummer, but I will say that the snowshoeing was the best it had been all winter! I truly believe that you have to learn to find joy in the snow and look on the bright side of the season. Otherwise, it can feel like there’s no end in sight!
A sure sign of spring and summer being on the way is the fact that we are hard at work on the final details for this year’s upcoming blocks of the month, our summer block of the week, and all the freebies we have in store for you. Planning, planning, and more planning! Speaking of block of the week, I am super proud of my quilt, “Wildflower Garden,“ which will be a block of the month in the near future (full kits are ready now). There are two versions of this beautiful floral quilt – scrappy and contemporary. The scrappy version features bright colors that really pop against a light background (the one pictured below was stitched by my friend Kathy Decker – who you all know from last week’s awesome t-shirt quilt tutorial – Thank you Kathy!).
What a beautiful quilt! If you’re looking for something a little less bright, the contemporary version has a more limited color palette with aqua, coral, tope, some black and a little bit of gray.
My good friend and award winning master quilter, Linda Hrcka from The Quilted Pineapple in MI, is currently working on quilting the contemporary version of “Wildflower Garden“ for me. She has done all my custom quilting for many years, and for good reason. Her work is absolutely phenomenal – I get goose bumps when I see it! In case you missed it, she was my featured special guest last week on “Stitch with Lisa Bongean,“ where she gives us a sneak peek of her studio, and takes us step-by-step through her quilting process. She also touches on some of her favorite tools, techniques, and thread preferences. I’m happy to say “Wildflower Garden” is literally on her machine as we speak, which we are both really happy about. She says, “This quilt is super elegant and beautiful. I couldn’t ask for a better palette to work on. I asked Lisa to send me something with a light background so you can really see the quilting… This quilt is a real stunner! I’m so lucky I have this to work on.” …and I feel super lucky to have you working on it Linda!
If you missed Linda and I on “Stitch with Lisa Bongean“ last week, don’t worry. You can still watch the replay by hitting the link below! I also feature some really neat new items that are now available to the public for purchase on our website. Up until now, most of these “new” items have been exclusive to our wool box subscribers and retreat/workshop guests, so I’m really excited to be able to tell you that they’re now available to everyone! These new additions include our Winter Wonderland Wool Trees, my quilt “Cottage Garden,“ my Sunflower Penny Mat, the “Posey Party“ table mat, the “Bee Catcher“ caddy, my “Dogwood Days“ table mat, the “Give Thanks“ table runner, and bunch more! You can find all of these new items listed on our website by clicking the link below!
Alright, that’s it for now everyone. I will see you all again this week! Make sure to watch, “Stitch with Lisa Bongean“ this Thursday at 1PM CST. I have some really cute St. Patrick’s Day ideas I can’t wait to share with you, along with our usual announcements and shop talk!
Remember, be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a prize! Let me know if you plan to enter the Red & White Challenge and if so, have you decide on what quilt to enter? Are you planning to enter one or two? I can’t wait to see what you have in store for me! See you soon! ~Lisa
How beautiful is the wildflower garden quilt! You have wonderful ideas that you share, so grateful! Not entering the red and white quilt contest. Too far away. Waiting patiently for spring also! Thank you!
I placed an order Friday night for one of the ‘new’ items in missed! Not sure when I’ll get to but didn’t want to miss making that beautiful mat@
What gorgeous quilts !! I have registered for the Red and White Challenge, now to just finish ;-D
Also looking forward to spring and all the new adventures waiting…..
I am planning on entering one quilt, I am getting 45 and life to go ready!
Both “Wildflower Garden” quilts are gorgeous but I think the brighter colors appeal to me more! I’m trying to decide about entering the Red & White Challenge. I tend to overthink and panic!
Go for it Debbie, I believe in you!
Love the wildflower quilt is it wool applique or cotton?
Hi Barbara! Thanks for your question. Both Wildflower Garden quilts are done with wool applique!
I’m excited to be able to enter a red and white quilt! It took me a few weeks to really find a pattern that excited me. Hope it turns out as well as I can picture it in my head. Thank you for this opportunity. Wish I lived closer to be able to see the display
Your blog post with colorful spring flowers is just what I needed today! I’m ready for Spring to come as well. Even though I know that in Wisconsin we get snow in March and April I’ve packed up all my snowmen and put them away! Time to bring out colorful blooms that remind me of springtime.
I would love to do the red and white challenge but have to many other ones I’m trying to finish.
Wildflower Garden is spectacular!! The applique and the quilting!!!
Sorry, not entering the red and white challenge this time.
I too am counting the days until spring and planting season. I am a huge flower gardener.
Right now, we are experiencing an atmospheric river, meaning lots of rain! Spring cannot come too soon for me. Love the Wildflower Garden Quilts – both colors are amazing!
I love it when it rains a lot in spring. They use a lot of sand and salt on the roads during the winter here, so it’s nice to have that washed away!
I am thinking of entering the Red & White challenge and and leaning toward a miniature quilt! Love your Redwork Gatherings collection!
It’s been a snowy day! I, too, am ready for Spring!
Hi Pat. Spring is definitely right around the corner! I wouldn’t mind winter sticking around for a little longer, if only we could get some nice, fresh snow. I’d like to hit the slopes a few more times!
Hoping to get a quilt submitted for the red and white challenge. Pattern is picked out, have part of my supplies, ready to start in a few weeks! Now to clean off my cutting table….lol
I just finished a red and white quilt for my daughter for Christmas. I will definitely try to get it back from her to send it in.
YES! I’m busy right now designing a pattern for my red/white quilt!! I plan to make a miniature quilt as well. What a great idea for The Gathering!
I have a red and white quilt that is currently at my quilters. I’ll have to get busy and get my registration in. Maybe I’ll get busy create another quilt-I have lots of scraps to work with.
I did your red and white Merry Christmas tiny blocks a few years ago. loved it. And I am wild about the wildflower garden quilts.
Awesome Judy! You should enter your red and white Christmas quilt into the Red & White Challenge!
Lisa, will you be at Paducah in April this year.
Hi Lee. Unfortunately with how busy we are, I will not be attending this year. I’m hoping to make it back in 2023! ~Lisa
I have a Red & White kit from PG, but not sure if I’ll get it done in time for the challenge! We’ll have to see!!
I registered for the Red and White challenge when it was first announced. I plan on entering one quilt, but that is to be determined!? I love red and white quilts, it’s going to be hard to decide what to make. Love the Wildflower Garden quilt!
I love Spring and I like the idea of the Red and White Challenge 🤔 Would love to come for the Spring retreat but not able to make the dates. Definitely will look forward to your next one.
We hope to see you at The Gathering soon Tammy!
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