Apple Blossoms in Wisconsin are a Sure Sign of Spring!

I am taking time to enjoy the colors around me on Easter weekend and of course enjoying time with my family.

Our lawn is covered with dandelions too... amazing for April in Wisconsin.

This is the little path that leads to my quilt shop in the lower level of our home.

I added several apple blossom and spring photos here.
Take time to enjoy your family this weekend.
Happy Easter!
Marcia

A Quilter with a Green Thumb - Maybe... Maybe Not ?

I bought two Amaryllis kits right before Christmas, thinking they might bloom sometime between Christmas and New Year's when my Mom was visiting.  My Mom love flowers and I thought it would be cool to have Red Amaryllis blooming in my living room.

I took them out of the box and followed the directions.  This is the way they looked when I started them.  One was already sprouting out.

Cool ... maybe I will have blooms by New Years! Or at least one bloom!

This is the way they looked on December 29th.  One was growing and one wasn't.

Well, at least one of them is going to bloom. It will look really cool next to my other plants.

Well... New Year's came and went and still no blooms.

On the 8th of January it started to open.

This is how it looked on the 10th of January. I took pictures during the day as I watched it change.

Then the next day!

And the next day!

These were taken on January13th. 

And this is the one that is not growing...It looks perfectly fine but nothing is happening.

The Red Amaryllis does look very nice with my green plants on the table by the window.

Up close of the bloom.  This could be a beautiful red texture fabric to use in a quilt.

That's one nice bloom!  It really could inspire a very pretty thread painted quilt!
I think it was worth taking a picture or two or three everyday.  Hope you enjoyed the view.   
We are suppose to get 7 inches of heavy snow today.  It started snowing early this morning.  I think I will just stay inside and enjoy the flowers! It's a good day to sew in the dining room and enjoy the view of the snow on the evergreens.  Yes, I have to quilt too, but I also need a few Minutes for Me of sewing on the green donation quilt. 
Have a wonderful day!
Marcia


Linked with:
My Christmas Cactus is Blooming Post - Dec. 15, 2011
African Violets in Full Bloom - Dec. 6, 2011
Tootsie Time: Fertilizer Friday - Jan. 20, 2012
A Southern Daydreamer: Outdoor Wednesday-Jan. 18, 2012
Lisa's Chaos: Macro Monday - Jan. 23, 2012 

A Quilter with a Green Thumb - My Christmas Cactus is Blooming!

I was given this Christmas Cactus last fall (2010) from a friend.  

She was bringing her plants in for the winter and had several cuttings from her Christmas Cactus and shared it with me.  She said it probably wouldn't bloom for awhile as it was just repotted. 

She also mentioned that it was probably too much light up in the window and it would not have enough dark hours.  I liked it up there and it looked pretty as a green plant. I watered and cared for it for a year as a pretty little green plant.  I enjoyed it even if wasn't going to bloom.  That was OK with me!

The first week of December, I noticed that there were little pink buds on the tips of the plant.  Cool!  It was going to bloom!

This was the first bloom.  
It was cool ...but I didn't remember what the blossoms looked like. I thought that was the bloom, but later that day it opened up more!

 

 There are more buds.  More blooms to come. It may be in full bloom by Christmas!

I am not sure if I have a green thumb.  I think it is the weekly watering and the south window.
  
My Christmas Cactus makes me smile. 
May you enjoy all the blooms in your life...
Marcia


Linked with:
A Southern Daydreamer: Outdoor Wednesday - Dec. 14, 2011
Tootsie Time: Fertilizer Friday - Dec. 16, 2011
Lisa's Chaos: Macro Monday - Dec. 19, 2011
Savvy Southern Style: WOW Us Wednesday - Dec. 21, 2011

A Quilter with a Green Thumb - African Violets

In my home, I have several potted plants.  Recently I have been given some beautiful blooming plants.

Today I am sharing this beautiful African Violet. A friend gave this violet to me in July.  She had just separated a large plant and put them into individual pots.  There were no blossoms and she didn't know what variety it was.

This photo was taken the end of September. It was just starting to bloom. I was so happy. 

Look at it now!  It is still blooming and getting fuller with more blooms appearing every day!

I could have cropped out the Aloe plant, but I will be sharing about it soon, as I am taking photos of a bloom on the Aloe.

Here's a cute little violet bud!

 You can see the soft texture of the leaves.

 Tons of buds --- yet to bloom!

When my camera is set on Macro, it is amazing what you can see!  I think there might be some dust on this leaf.

I moved my plant to the table to take some photos for my December Tablescapes.  It is for my Lunch Looks Like a Quilt to Me Blog, where I shared photos of A Denim Blue Tablescape. 

I love it in the center of the table.

This is a close up of the place mats that I made using the scraps from my Blue Denim Quilt.

 Love the delicate yellow centers of the bloom. 

I have a strong feeling that the African Violets will inspire a quilt!  I wish there was more time in the day!

I am taking daily photos of my Christmas Cactus, as it starts to bloom. I will share it next week. Here's a sneak peek of the first bloom.

May you be inspired by the world around you too!

Enjoy your day!

Marcia

Linked with:

Blue Christmas Quilt - Nov. 28, 2011

Lunch Looks Like A Quilt to Me: A Denim Blue Tablescape - Dec. 6, 2011

A Southern Day Dreamer: Outdoor Wednesday - Dec. 7, 2011

Tootsie Time: Fertilizer Friday - Dec. 9, 2011
Quilting in My Pyjama: Favourite Things Friday - Dec. 9, 2011
Lisa's Chaos: Macro Monday - Dec. 12, 2011