The Sewing Mom

Gardening and Quilts

18th April 2008

Gardening and Quilts

posted in a little bit of everything |

It’s definitely spring in Texas. We’ve been having severe thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, and temperature extremes that tell us that spring has indeed arrived.Besides bringing ever changing weather conditions, spring is also the time for gardening. Weather it’s vegetables or flowers, I think of quilts when I think of gardens, they really are quite similar. First, you must make a plan or layout of your design. Where will your different colors go, what works well next to each other. Then you begin putting your pieces together, making sure your seams or rows are straight and your stitching and soil is good and strong. After finishing all the piecing, add the backing to give it softness and warmth and in the garden you may add fertilizer for the same purpose. Then, barring any weeds growing or pieces not lining up, sit back and enjoy what you’ve created.

Of course, just like in quilting, some gardeners have more of a green thumb than others. I for one am better behind the sewing machine than behind the shovel and trowel. While I do plant a few things on my own, I’d prefer to visit the Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center in Orange, Texas where their professional gardeners have laid out formal eco-friendly gardens in a beautiful pattern for our enjoyment. Their expert design and construction has earned them the U.S. Green Building Council’s Platinum certification for LEED®-NC.

These gardens provide a sanctuary to over 300 species of plants and wildlife. In addition, there is an adjacent bird blind allowing visitors to view nesting birds. If you get hungry while visiting, there is a cafe with delicious food.These botanical gardens are located in Southeast Texas between Beaumont and Lake Charles, LA. If you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth a visit. After all, Shangri La means a place of beauty and peace.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 18th, 2008 at 4:34 pm and is filed under a little bit of everything. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

There are currently 7 responses to “Gardening and Quilts”

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  1. 1 On April 18th, 2008, Ellen said:

    Our weather in my area was so bad last night. It rained so very hard for about an hour. We didn’t get any hail though and I am happy about that.

    Ellen’s last blog post..Chili’s Southwestern Egg Rolls

    posted on April 18th, 2008 at 7:50 pm

  2. 2 On April 18th, 2008, Mike New said:

    I wish it was spring time here in Utah! The one day it was supposed to be like 78 degrees here it was windy and freezing even though the sun was finally out. It’s time for the heat to head out way.

    Mike New’s last blog post..Giants Win Third Straight! Beat Cardinals 5-1!

    posted on April 18th, 2008 at 11:56 pm

  3. 3 On April 19th, 2008, Malaysian Fabric Heritage said:

    It is good to welcome the spring again. Just like the quilt patch, the weather reflects the many facets of of life’s up and down we are either thankful for or face with courage.

    Every time you sew a quilt, remember the final end piece and the journey of piecing the patchwork together. Life is such, much like the seasons and weather. Good year ahead.

    Malaysian Fabric Heritage’s last blog post..Evolutionary Kimono

    posted on April 19th, 2008 at 2:13 am

  4. 4 On April 19th, 2008, lynne said:

    Ellen – I was wondering if your area got that storm. We got a narrower strip of the storm here, so it didn’t last as long. It was pretty scary watching that storm head our way though!

    posted on April 19th, 2008 at 6:07 am

  5. 5 On April 19th, 2008, lynne said:

    I believe piecing quilts and gardening provide so much peace to those who do these things which is why we find them enjoyable! :-D

    Thanks for stopping by and for leaving a comment! I hope you’ll return.

    posted on April 19th, 2008 at 6:09 am

  6. 6 On April 19th, 2008, waterrose said:

    My quilting thumb is much better than my green thumb…especially here in the desert!

    waterrose’s last blog post..Artist Series – Sewphisticate

    posted on April 19th, 2008 at 10:20 am

  7. 7 On April 19th, 2008, lynne said:

    It’s got to be hard to have a green thumb in the desert! I love flowers and I do try to plant them, but they never seem to outlive the season!

    posted on April 19th, 2008 at 7:36 pm