The 'Wild' Flowers! series was developed out of a desire to create dimension on my quilts in a whimsical, innovative way. After taking a class in paper-piecing with Barbara Barber in 2008, the first ‘Wild’ Flower quilt came to be. The whimsical flowers have dimensional 'open' centers. The three larger pieces in this series which are referred to as "Really ‘Wild’ Flowers!” quilts have extended titles which include “Seasons.” The Fourth 'Seasons' quilt is currently in the construction process and should be finished by late 2022. Stay tuned!
2008 'Wild' Flowers! 33 x 44.5
Originally a Robert Kaufman challenge quilt, this is the first in my whimsical 'Wild' Flowers! series. I developed these 'open-centered,' dimensional, fantasy flowers with the desire to create something unique and different from what I'd ever seen before back in 2008. The flowers, including the buds on the vine and all the leaves, are paper-pieced and hand appliqued. The three flowers are machine appliqued. Itt is predominantly quilted with a garden theme of pebbles, leaves and ferns.
2009 Really 'Wild' Flowers! 55 x 54
The second quilt in the series, but also the first of three larger "Seasons" whimsical quilts with the extended title of "Really 'Wild' Flowers!" Designed to be bright and cheerful emphasizing dimension, color, and texture. The 'flowers', buds, and leaves are paper-pieced and quilted with a nature theme of flowers ferns, grass, and pebbles.
2010 Little 'Wild' Flowers! 28 x 36
As the third piece in the series, my desire was to explore different dimensional shaped flowers beyond the round ones I made in the first two quilts. These three flowers are the result. I added pieced prairie points facing inward towards the center of the main body area which is uncommon to where I had personally always seen them - around the perimeter of a quilt.
201 1 Really 'Wild' Flowers! Second Season 62 x 65
The second of the three larger quilts in the 'Wild' Flowers! series. I expanded the designs of my whimsical flowers with unusual shapes and layers. I added pieced prairie points and vines with dimensional flowers. This quilt went missing after the IQA Houston show in 2011. I still hold out hope that one day it may suddenly be seen or found by a very caring person and returned to its rightful home. If you see this quilt in any location, anywhere,please do contact me.
2014 'Wild' Flower Fiesta! 28 x 43
This quilt was designed to be cheerful, colorful, and festive - it's a party! I did extensive beading and like the effect and glitz it adds to this piece. The flowers, stems and leaves are appliqued in such a way to remain very dimensional in order to create a layered look. I hand stitched the rim of the pitcher and used long stitches rather than quilting on the top portion to keep it from laying flat on the quilt. The gold 'coils' spiraling outward are bobbin-quilted with Razzle Dazzle thread.
2015 Really 'Wild' Flowers! Third Season 41 x 61.5
This banner shaped quilt is the third of the 3 larger pieces in my ‘Wild’ Flowers! series. It has my signature 'open-centered' flowers, and pieced prairie points. It was designed to emphasize texture, layering, color and movement. Embellished with metallic thread, beads, Swarovski crystals and various sizes of pieced prairie points. Construction methods include machine piecing, machine and hand appliqué, paper piecing, and domestic machine quilting.