Here in Colorado our crab-apple trees are in full bloom, the snow has turned to rain, and we are dreaming of sun-drenched gardens. The last freeze date is usually around Mothers Day, but it seems to be creeping a little earlier each year with climate change. So we are pulling weeds from the damp earth, and planting seeds. This year I want to plant milkweed for the Monarch Butterflies. I try to make my yard a haven for pollinators, birds and furry visitors. (Which includes keeping our 3 rescue cats indoors.) It is not unusual to see baby bunnies, fox kits, and a family of raccoons in our neighborhood, which is adjacent to open space.
A few months ago I was delighted to find these two gorgeous garden panels (above), which capture the joy that we find in our fragrant flower gardens. Whether you travel to visit verdant botanic gardens, or tend to your own back porch blooming fantasies, we know that Flowers & Quilting go together like peanut butter & jelly. From our first year of business, we knew there was a market for big splashy floral prints. Back then – 25 years ago – the flower prints were either ditsy little designs or muted colors. Part of our overnight success was tapping into an under-served niche of quilters who wanted big BOLD contemporary florals in a riot of bright colors – yeah baby!
While you are choosing seeds and plants for your garden this year, be aware that many commercial seeds from big box stores are soaked in neonicotinoids which spread a fatal pesticide throughout the leaves and stems of the plant as it grows. This class of pesticides is one of the leading reasons for the precipitous drop in pollinator populations.
Asking your local nursery or plant center is the best way to figure out whether the plants and seeds you’re thinking of buying for your garden have been treated with neonicotinoids or other harmful pesticides. Once you start paying attention to this issue when shopping for seeds, you will find there are many companies springing up that specialize in these natural organic seeds and plants.
We do not use pesticides, herbicides (like Roundup) or toxic chemical fertilizers at our home, or in the landscaping at eQuilter’s warehouse property. You may recall that we designed the building and the landscaping 6 years ago, and we chose as many pollinator-friendly plants and trees as possible, within the xeriscape limitations dictated by our city code. As a result we have a resident fox, visiting geese, nesting songbirds, and other critters living in and around our property. AND, it is a safe non-toxic workplace for our employees.
We still stock the “Love Your Mother” panels for Earth Day, Climate Marches, and dormroom decor. For us, every day is Earth Day.
To support our environmental non-profits, choose The Wild Foundation or Ocean Conservancy when you check out with your next order. That 2% donated from every eQuilter order has raised over $2 million for humanitarian charities and environmental non-profits so far, with YOUR help.Thank you.
Sharing your love of fabric…
Luana and Paul
Visit eQuilter’s Instagram, Pinterest or TikTok pages for Color and Design ideas.
Follow Luana’s Flickr Photo Pages for quilt & travel images, review our blog, or follow us on Facebook.
Check out our Video pages for interviews and show reviews.
Subscribe to Luana’s Artist Website blog for more creative inspiration.
Travel/Quilt Dates:
May 1-7 – London & Canterbury, UK
June 19-21 – Quilt Canada, Edmonton
August – World Wilderness Congress, Rapid City SD
December – Textile & Costume Tour – Italy
