Lines from Lauri: Once there was a snowman … or two or three or more …

Here we are at the close of January. Those of us living in the Intermountain West have had an unseasonably warm month. I'm starting to get the urge to get out and work in the garden, however, I am also aware that February and March have the potential to bring their share of snow and colder temperatures.
With the lack of snow outside, we have had to rely on snowman-themed decor on the inside to remind ourselves that we truly are in the midst of winter. When I put the Christmas decorations away at the close of December, I like to fill the void with winter decorations featuring snowmen. Two years ago, I began working on a wool appliqué snowman quilt. After completing the individual blocks, piecing the top together, and having it quilted, I am thrilled to have this quilt hanging in my parlor.
For someone like me who doesn't like to sit without anything to do, working on the individual snowman blocks was a lot of fun and kept me busy on airplane trips. I also enjoyed building my skills in working with wool. Here are some up close pictures of the individual snowmen featured in this block:

Here is one wearing a warm winter scarf and another juggling some snowballs.

These next two blocks feature a snowman with a broom and another with hearts, perhaps for Valentine's Day.

Here we have a snowman with a birdhouse and another wearing mittens and enjoying falling snow.

These final two blocks feature a mama and baby snowman and a snowman with a bird.

The center block features the name of the quilt, "Warm Winter Blessings."

I was absolutely delighted with the exquisite work that my quilter did to make this such a wonderful quilt. The pictures really don't do it justice but here are a few close ups to give you an idea of the detail. Here is a look at the snowflakes that she stitched into the light blue sashing strips between the blocks.

This next picture of the back of the quilt gives you an idea of the overall detail with the off-white snowflakes outlining the snowman blocks, stars and snowflakes in the inner border, and the feathering in the outer border.