Doing something that not everyone understands.
I have long thought that the lowly Dandelion is much maligned as a flower. It is one the prettiest yellow flowers that exist in nature and it’s bloom is so sunny, velvety and bright.
I found this on the internet about Dandelions and if you want to read more about the Dandelion you can here.
- While many people think of the dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) as a pesky weed, herbalists consider it a valuable herb that can be used as a food and medicine. Dandelion is a rich source of vitamins A, B complex, C, and D, as well as minerals such as iron, potassium, and zinc. Dandelion leaves are used to add flavor to salads, sandwiches, and teas. The roots are used in some coffee substitutes, and the flowers are used to make wines.
- Traditionally, dandelion roots and leaves were used to treat liver problems. Native Americans also boiled dandelion in water and took it to treat kidney disease, swelling, skin problems, heartburn, and upset stomach. In traditional Chinese medicine, dandelion has been used to treat stomach problems, appendicitis, and breast problems, such as inflammation or lack of milk flow. In Europe, it was used in remedies for fever, boils, eye problems, diabetes, and diarrhea.
- So far, there have not been any good quality scientific studies on dandelion. Today, the roots are mainly used as an appetite stimulant, and for liver and gallbladder problems. Dandelion leaves are used as a diuretic to help the body get rid of excess fluid.
- Hundreds of species of dandelion grow in the temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. Dandelion is a hardy perennial that can grow to a height of nearly 12 inches. Dandelions have deeply notched, toothy, spatula-like leaves that are shiny and hairless. Dandelion stems are capped by bright yellow flowers. The grooved leaves funnel rain to the root.
Dandelion flowers open with the sun in the morning and close in the evening or during gloomy weather, just like ME.
I was still piecing many of my quilts when I made my first fused art quilt – Dandelions.
Because I used the natural colors of the Dandelion I wanted to use a color behind them that would really make them pop and wow. The purple was a beautiful choice.
Dandelions greet me almost 9 months out of the year when I go into the woods near my home. My little woods is a natural old oak savannah so everything that grows in there grows up out of a bed of old dead oak leaves. Therefore I had to put the Dandelions on a bed of oak leaves. I like the idea that the leaves are not “brown” and dead looking. I feel as if the oak leaves are giving LIFE to the new Dandelion plant that is popping up out of those leaves.
I like to put borders on my quilts. I am influenced in my choices by liking traditional album style quilts. Many of those traditional quilts have flower or leaf borders. My border of oak leaves is just a little more modern.
Dandelions was the first quilt I made into a pattern. Since the original quilt was large at 40” x 50” when I made it into a pattern I called it Petite Dandelions. It seemed appropriate to me at the time.
- This little quilt is made with one yard of my Rainbow stripe fabric.
- You use different sections of the fabric for all the different parts.
- I used the pink to purple part in the middle of the fabric for the background behind the dandelions.
- I used the green end for the border fabric, leaves and stems, and I used all the other colors for the colorful oak leaves in the border.
- And of course I used the bright yellow for the sunny dandelions themselves.
Darling Dandelions is the pattern that is in my book Fun Fast Fusies. I used the wavy decorative blade to make the two tone leaves in the middle of the quilt behind the more abstract looking Dandelion flowers.
Are you a Dandelion? Doing what everyone else thinks is out of place? I like that I am a Dandelion.
Be sure and check out Laura’s Nancy’s Notions E-book tablet keeper. It is her turn to reveal today.
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