Rainbows Abound

I decided to catch up on one of the two RSC 2016 projects I'm doing with the group over at soscrappy.  Angela picks a colour scheme for each month and we can do her block or one of our own.  I've got two projects going on, each a bit of a study in gradation and value, although that was certainly never my intent! Funny how that goes/evolves.  Here's all the blocks for project #1:

June's colour was turquoise with a hit of lime.  Here are my two Whirling Star Blocks:

I'm happy to say that my neutrals/low volume scrap bin is definitely going down! I also love combining old scraps (we're talking 10+ years, with brand new scraps.

July's colour is hot pink again with a pop of lime.  Angela said think watermelon.   I think of Brianne, my eldest daughter, who is, and always has been, a lover of all things pink.

As a nod to Brianne, I was sure to get as much of the full heads of the girls in the Art Gallery Fabrics print; scraps from makeup bags I made for each of my daughters.

I love how the hot pink goes so well with the calm blues.

I took this photo June 2, of gorgeous weigela at the beachfront in Lakeside Park.  Taken with Soma's, Whims and Fancies, Wandering Camera linkup in mind, but good for the month of July's colours no?

June 13, I captured this stunning red beauty in the wonderful gardens at the Mettawas End B&B across the street from me.  I think they both fit well with the hot colours of July.

Once again at the Mettawas End B&B, yesterday, at the end of my walk, this incredible Monarch butterfly rewarded me with a pose for being so patient, phone held out, breathing slowly, taking the photo on the exhale as Soma has suggested, for a steadier hand.  I could have made a collage, but no.  This beauty deserves to be seen extra-large in all her glory:

Isn't it fitting how she chose to munch the nectar of a vibrant pink coneflower, with scarlet um...I don't know! Maltese Cross? tucked in behind? My mum grows these; I should know their name...

Yes! I managed to get a partially open shot of her wings, but LOOK at the 'boa' she's adorned with!!!

She alighted on another flower and I tiptoed a couple steps closer, stretched out my arm, and waited some more...

Rewarded!

I know some may think I'm flaky, but those moments and that reward, and now looking at what I was able to capture, I get choked up with emotion.  The beauty, the inspiration, the glory, and the fragility of our environment amazes, humbles, and worries me (to the point of feeling frantic if I dwell on it).  I hope that I tread lightly on this blue/green planet.  Planet.....  Jupiter! Success! I was so happy to find out this morning that the mission has succeeded and that Juno has arrived at Jupiter!  I am preparing to be awed in a new way.

I'll be linking up this coming Saturday at soscrappy. 

I will be updating this post later today with the other ongoing Rainbow Scrap challenge, the Rainbow Rose with the Modern Quilters Ireland. This is Week 5.  We had to add borders.  So I should have a flimsy complete and ready for quilting by day's end!

Well, not quite by day's end...days have a way of calling their own shots, LOL.

Stained glass effect into the setting sun the next evening; strong breeze!

and then in the shade on the patio:

I only put a 2.5" not 4.5" final border on. I intend this to be a wallhanging in my sewing space.  Not totally figured out the quilting yet...