Hoping April showers turn to May Flowers

58 comments
I finished quilting my sister's April Showers/May Flowers banner and I'm just getting ready to machine sew the binding and want to get it mailed off by the weekend. After all, we are getting towards the end of the spring flowers season. But you wouldn't really know it by the weather here.
Her banner turned out cute, I think, and at least she'll have it for the beginning of April next year. I love the umbrella design. It is so vintage. When I finished quilting her banner it occurred to me that I hadn't displayed my own umbrella quilt yet this season.
So we hung the larger version of my umbrella quilt in the entryway and I snapped a few pictures. I enjoy having quilts be a focal point in my home. This is one of the biggest quilts I've dared machine quilt myself on my Bernina. The quilting is simple but I'm lucky it turned out okay.
The vintage umbrella border fabric just makes me smile when I look at this quilt. And I made sure to get my giant teacup into the picture. I still haven't put anything inside it yet. I'm thinking maybe a Mother's Day flowering plant would be sweet inside. What else could I put in there?

-nanette
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58 comments

michelle said...

Wow my quilt looks great on your blog. It really turned out so cute especially with your beautiful machine quilting. I am anxious to get it and it will just have to hang all May and maybe into June. You are the best sister and are truly loved. Thanks so much.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Your large umbrella quilt is so cute and love the border fabric too!

Di~ said...

CANDY, original huh. Love the unbrella quilts!

Nedra said...

I recognized the cup right away. You mean you aren't using it for hot cocoa? I'm sure you will come up with something lovely to go inside. The umbrella quilt is perfect for Spring.

Annette said...

Cute quilts. And I love the little girls in their rain coats. So sweet!

Deb said...

could you tell me the name of the pattern for your umbrella quilt? cuter than cute it is!!!

many thanks~

Kimberly said...

Hmmm... a nice peppermint mocha would go nicely in that giant cup!

Your quilt(s) is (are) just gorgeous! So springy and cheery!

Vivian said...

I'm listening to heavy rain outside, and I just found your sweet umbrella quilts. I think that means I have to make one. They definitely say spring.

Trisha said...

I just love your umbrella quilt! It is just so cute. And that border fabric is perfect for that quilt.

The teacup would look cute with a little pansy in it. It would also be great for some yummy candy!

Lori Holt said...

Nanette-
I really like the umbrella blocks. So cute in a quilt!
I think a plant is the perfect choice. A bright orange geranium would be so cute!
lori

Karen said...

I love your umbrella quilt...very Springy;) As for the giant Tea Cup...Where can I get one?

Mel said...

I absolutely love your umbrellas!! Is it one of your originals? I would love to make it!!

Kritta22 said...

Ummm....candy!!!! Candy needs to go in that cup. And ALWAYS be full!!

HELLO???!!!!! :)

I really do like your umbrellas though.

Lily Boot said...

I love your umbrella quilt Nanette - and your sister's is especially nice how it has the black trim. I can just see them twirling in Paris!

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

What gorgeous umbrella's they are sure to cheer up any rainy day!!

Betsy said...

It is beautiful Nanette but no April showers were received here.
Maybe we'll get some May showers.

XUE said...

What an unusual pattern! I don't know if that is the right term? I have never seen any quilt with an umbrella design & this is really beautiful!

Abby and Stephanie said...

Cute! I love umbrella motifs and I have some raindrop fabric I'm saving for an umbrella project I have "bookmarked" for someday. My giant teacup is getting shade plants. It's on a table on my deck that sits under the wisteria.

Unknown said...

She will just love the quilt! The fabric around your quilt is fantastic. One of the first things that I noticed, other than the quilt itself, was your giant teacup! The first thing that came to my mind was "boy that would look cute with a plant or some flowers of some kind". So I guess I agree with you!

Rumi said...

Very cute umbrella quilts. You found the perfect fabrics for the borders!
Your teacup needs cheery flowers

Messy Karen said...

very cute umbrella fabrics. nice timing. as it's going to rain all week.

erica e said...

i love that umbrella fabric! its so perfect and cute.

Kaaren said...

Love the umbrella quilt. It's sooooo you!

How about an African violet in your giant cup and saucer? Or baby tears? And failing that, candy of course.

Cathi said...

Love that umbrella quilt! It definitely would banish the blahs on a rainy overcast day!
A small African Violet would be gorgeous in that teacup!

Thimbleanna said...

So cute Nanette! And that vintage umbrelly fabric is just perfect on your version!

Lynn said...

Darling! Is that one of your patterns? So cute.

Dresden Quilter said...

I love both of the umbrella quilts. They are so cute and whimsical. I would put wrapped chocolates in the teacup.

Mary said...

I love the quilt ... of course in your signature retro fabrics ... but I am really digging that teacup!

Unknown said...

Adorable. I love them.
Teresa

Micki said...

I love the April Showers wallhanging. It came out so cute, and you did a great job! She will love it!
Micki

Anonymous said...

V. here...
Such a precious pattern!! I love the 4 umbrellas- the more the merrier! The umbrellas have the cutest shape and I love the black triangle on top oh AND the rr handle!
The cute little girls on the borders with their own umbrellas- a heart stealer!!Thanks for telling me what machine you use. I am always interested. The cute little breakables next to the teapot are adorable. Love the bird with tail lid. If I had a cute dotted teacup Id put plastic Easter eggs,or just Easter grass in it (even though Easter is gone) I leave my decorations up for a long time. When I sweat if I go outside- then I take down my Spring decorations. Thanks for a great post. V.

Little Lady Patchwork said...

I love the umbrellas! But I really love the giant tea cup. I also think that it would make a great planter.

Dawn said...

Love your umbrella quilts!! The giant tea cup is darling... you received some good ideas!! I'm thinking May flowers would be devine!

jen duncan said...

OH they're so cute! Always a touch here or there that inspires me Nanette. I guess that's the sign of a REAL quilter, having seasonal quilts to hang for decor. :-) I'm not there yet, but don't count me out!

Dionne said...

I really love how they've come out. It's really neat to see the differences between yours - with strips for the umbrellas, and the one you've made for your sister, with squares! Such a GREAT banner. Inspires me to make an umbrella banner too! I'll have to live vicariously through yours.
Cheers,
Dionne

em's scrapbag said...

I love your umberella quilt. Very cute indeed. Your sister is very lucky.

Carrie P. said...

So cute and leave it to you to find the perfect border print. Those umbrellas are so cute. Love it all.

Busy Little Quilter said...

I love the umbrellas! We've had lots of rain here, so umbrellas would be perfect.

I think in your large tea cup (I call mine coffee cups because I drink coffee) would look cute with gardening tools, seed packets, a pair of gardening gloves, and maybe some cute fun fat quarters.

Sandi Linn Andersen said...

We got some May showers and they were much needed. Love your little quilt. I would put chocolate in that teacup. LOL!!

quiltingnana said...

that umbrella pattern is great...never saw it before

West Michigan Quilter said...

Oh, how I love that umbrella quilt. How clever. How beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Cute cute cute! I need an umbrella quilt today, with the Oregon rain and all... Your giant cup will look so cute displaying flowers. My animals drink so much water I think I may need one of those for their water bowl! x

Sherri said...

I love both umbrella quilts--they are precious...maybe if I make one we will get some rain here!!!

antique quilter said...

beautiful umbrella quilts , oh I would fill that tea cup up with hershey kisses :)

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Nanette, It's so nice to have seasonal wall hangings. I need to put that on my list too. Oh where do I start and finish. Love yours and your sister is going to be very happy.
Keep Stitchen'
Bonnie

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

I see I am a little late in leaving a comment but I love your umbrella quilt and the way both are quilted. Now for your tea cup, if you put a plant in it, yes that would look great, but it would have to be a plant all the time for you might get a ring by the soil from the water, yes candy is a good choice, but you are a quilter, I think you should fill it with pretty fabrics tied in rick rack to match the quilts you hang above it and/or match the season or Holiday. that is just my 2 cents worth!

Candace said...

I truly love the umbrellas, Nanette! They would certainly be appropos for our area! A plant would look nice in your teacup - but I vote for M&M's!!
Cheers!

Eileen said...

Oh it is so you!.. the colors and everything.. and yes it does have a very vintage flair. But looks so modern with the giant tea cup. Do you have flowers that you cut and bring in the house regularly? I think I would maybe use that cup as a vase.. unless it has a hole in the bottom?

Pat at Bell Creek Quilts said...

Your umbrella quilt is so cute! I was hoping to win your give away last year so I could have one, too!

Now I will enjoy yours! :)

Kigwit said...

Too cute. I love the little girls in the border. Please share what fabric that is.

dotti white said...

Nanette--that april banner is really sweet but I totally love the quilt! I live in the Seattle, WA area and we have a lot of umbrella action!!!! Is there a pattern available for that? Thanks for sharing! You are always amazing!

Sherry said...

Your sisters quilt turned out so cute & yours is just as delightful. Love that border fabric..perfect touch. My daughter bought me one of the "jumbo" teacups last year for Mothers Day & yes, I use it as a planter. I later bought one a size smaller with stripes to go next to my polka dot one. Aren't they wonderful?! Great job on the quilting. :)

Browndirtcottage said...

Sisters quilt is w-a-y cute!! It's great that you have an entrance to display seasonal quilts!!!!
Your 'giant' teacup would be great with an 'african violet' planted...just need to be in a south window....???...maybe you have a south wind???

Pat said...

I love the two umbrella quilts. MY preference for what to put in that teacup would be MANY pieces of chocolate candy (and I'd have one every time I walked by it...LOL)

MichelleB said...

That quilt is darling! I love all of those fun fabrics that you used.

limpingalong said...

Love the umbrellas!

jacquie said...

those umbrellas are fab!! so springy!
still love that cup! i've found a couple in local walmarts, but no cute colors like yours.

Simone de Klerk said...

Such a pretty umbrella quilt!