Fellow Quilters,

Have you heard the expression “in like a lion, out like a lamb?”  It generally refers to the month of March, which can have wildly swinging temperatures and erratic weather.  I don’t recall specifically what the beginning of March was like, but I can certainly attest to the end of March going out like a lion this year!  Much of our area had hours of heavy rain, followed by even more hours of freezing rain.  The temperatures rose (heavy rain for hours again) but not before ice-laden trees snapped under the burden and thousands of homes were left without electricity. For the few hours that we were without power, we ran an extension cord from our neighbor’s generator to our almost continuously-running sump pump to prevent our basement (a.k.a. my sewing space) from flooding.  Many of our neighbors still have no electricity, as crews work around the clock to repair downed lines.

My local quilt guild has cancelled 3 in-person meetings this winter.  I am hopeful that this week’s meeting will be a go – we all need the connectivity that an in-person meeting brings.   The forecast is for Spring-like temps – yay!

Hubby and I strolled through our neighborhood yesterday surveying the ice storm damage and noticed some early-season bulbs sprouting in a few gardens – a sure sign that Spring is finally on the way.  Shy snowdrops and crocuses appear first, followed by sunny daffodils, frilly hyacinths and cheery tulips.  This sight inspired me to design a bright colorful block for this month’s Quilt Block Mania blog tour.  The theme is “Garden” and my Bollenstreek block has 4 common bursting-with-Spring shades of tulips radiating out from pencil-thin “leaves”.

Bollenstreek block by Patti’s Patchwork for Quilt Block Mania April

It goes together quickly and would be lovely in a 3-block Spring table runner or a pretty lap quilt.

A 40″ x 14″ 3-block runner

A cheery 46″ x 59″ 12-block lap quilt

You can download the Bollenstreek pattern here.

While you’re at it, why not check out the other 17 bloggers’ blocks and links as well, including another tulip-themed one by Studio B:

Garden Bunny by Carolina Moore
Garden Basket by Crafty Staci
Creating a Quilt Garden
Bollenstreek by Patti’s Patchwork
Wheelbarrow Blooms by QuiltFabrication
Spring Has Sprung
Oriental Lily by Inquiring Quilter
Watering Day by Robin Kinley Designs Etc.
Mushroom by Memory Barn Studio
Ladybug by Patchwork River Quilting
Gardening Days by The Quilted Diary
Texas Bluebonnets by Emerald Falls Quilts
Gardening Nutcracker by Tourmaline & Thyme Quilts
Seed Packet by Patchwork Breeze
Garden Fences by A Piece of Quiet Quilts
Watering Can with Flowers by Appliques Quilts and More
Evening Primrose by Wild Plum Lane
Spinning Tulips by Studio B

So, what is Bollenstreek, you ask?  Let me tell you 😊 (If you’ve been there, you already know 😉)  It is Dutch for “flower-bulb region”.  The Netherlands is world-renowned for their flower bulbs, particularly tulips.  From late March through mid-May, millions of bulbs burst into bloom, creating a rainbow of magnificent color across a patchwork landscape.  I have longed to see this spectacle, and this year Hubby and I are venturing to the Netherlands to take in this incredible sight.  We have rented bicycles for a day trip though the Keukenhof flower park.  Needless to say, I can hardly wait.  Stay tuned for pics!

Canadians have a special fondness for tulips.  You see, for the past 70+ years, the Netherlands has sent 10,000 tulip bulbs to Canada annually, a tradition that began as a gift of thanks from the Dutch Royal Family and the Dutch Bulb Growers Association after Canadian troops helped liberate the Netherlands during World War II.

Maple Medley PC327

Speaking of WWII, I have a new Quilts of Valour pattern – Maple Medley PC327 is now available.

It features a gorgeous Autumn-inspired tree panel and includes 4 sizes from lap through queen, including a QOV-sized throw.

Coastal Collage PC321 works well with any scenic or larger-scale print

Fresh off the press are 4 other new patterns:  Coastal Collage PC321 features Atlantic Coast’s scenic prints and coordinates and is perfect for a beach picnic blanket.

This is a super pattern for any larger-scale scenic or pillow-panel-type block.

Cowboy Blues PC326 has a barn-raising setting with a unique pieced border

Trip Around the Rodeo PC326 features the fussy-cuttable larger-scale prints in Northcott’s Cowboy Blues collection.  This fun quilt has a unique pieced border, and the pattern includes 4 sizes.

Placemat Pizzazz PC324 is a clever way to use placemats in a quilt

It’s never too early to start Fall/Halloween projects (better done than late!).  Placemat Pizzazz PC324 shows a clever way to use placemats in a quilt that’ll be done in a flash.  This pattern uses Patrick Lose’s Hip, Hip, Halloween collection and includes 5 sizes from bed-runner to queen.

Autumn Blaze PC323 is a popular pattern with 3 design options for a lap or throw-sized quilt

The stunning Autumn Breeze collection is showcased in Autumn Blaze PC323.  Pattern includes 3 design options for lap to throw-sized quilts.  Choose either a light-background version or dark-background version (or both!).  These richly colored fabrics have just started shipping to shops.

A stitched sample of my upcoming Garden Blooms PC330 pattern

I have several more patterns to finish up before my tulip-time trip, including this pretty Garden Blooms one that I pieced at a retreat a few weeks ago.  I’ll be teaching this project at Watergirl Quilt Co in Prescott, ON June 12^th and sign-ups are available through the shop.

Michelle with her lovely Seven Treasures sashiko lap quilt top

Lastly, Watergirl Quilt Co. owner Michelle finished her Seven Treasures quilt top from my class on a Hawaiian quilting cruise a couple years ago.  Doesn’t it look terrific?!?  I have just 3 kits left in stock (I sold 2 last week).

Wishing you a joyful day,

Patti