Greetings! This is a little late, but it’s due to me, not to the designer or the staff. I hope that you all had a good time with April, and are looking for a change of pace for May. Here’s our second block, designed by one of our veterans, Barbara Chojnacki of Six Gables. Barb’s design has a contemporary flair, and gives us the opportunity to use all the colors of spring in your block. If you don’t have a piece that’s just the right pop of color for what you want, maybe this is the time to swap with friends.

It’s Not Your Grandmother’s Flower Basket Designed by Barbara ChojnackiSix Gables Designswww.sixgablesdesigns.com  Simple shapes give a fresh, contemporary look to this basket block.   Materials:100% cotton, tone-on-tone, marbles, or hand-dyes suggested:9” square white or off-white for background6” x 8” rectangle for basketsmall scraps - medium or dark green for leaves, bright and dark red for flowers, light green or yellow for center of large flower clear monofilament thread or cotton thread to match appliqué fabric 1/4 yard lightweight paper-backed fusible Directions:     Trace three spiral blossoms and one each of remaining appliqué pieces onto paper side of fusible (pieces do not need to be reversed). Following manufacturer’s instructions, fuse to back of fabrics and cut out.      Turn background fabric on point and peel backing off appliqué pieces. Arrange pieces as in photo, or in any other manner you find pleasing. Fuse to background.

   With clear or matching thread, work a small zigzag or blanket stitch around each piece.