April Showers

April Showers Spring Garden Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase April Showers Pattern

 

Winter showers bring wild flowers where I live in California, but the old saying about April came to mind while I was drawing this picture, which turned into a quilt pattern soon afterwards.  I love spending time working in my little garden, tending to my flowering plants.  It’s often a struggle to keep them healthy during the harsh summers here, but when rain arrives in late autumn, it brings hope of a good spring.

 

 

April Showers On Grass | Whims And Fancies

 

 

If the rain continues into April, then I know my plants are going to have a wonderful summer.  After such an April shower few days ago, I had to go for a walk in our local park at the break of dawn.  Rain drops were still clinging to the blades of grass and to the petals of the wild flowers.

 

 

Walking in Rain with Red Umbrella Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

 

I love the solitude I find in rain.  I am not confident enough to be seen sporting a red umbrella or wearing a red coat, or even a red pair of boots.   I am a jeans-and-black-T-shirt kind of girl.  My boots are always mud-stained, and I carry a grey umbrella.  However, I can never pass up the idea of a red umbrella in my artwork.

 

 

April Showers Spring Garden Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase April Showers Pattern

 

This 12″ April Shower quilt pattern is quite versatile.  I used three shades of red to make mine.  The umbrella can also be made into a multicolour one, or made with a person’s favourite colour.  I used green grass, but I can easily imagine a flowering patch in that area instead.

The April Showers quilt pattern can be found in my shop.

 

My rain-loving gardener self is very happy with this block.  It also makes me think of all the walks I went on with my husband while travelling, since those almost always require us to carry umbrellas.   Instead of turning this into a wall hanging, I am thinking of making a bag with it.  That would be me carrying a red umbrella for the first time my life.

 

-Soma

 

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please pay a visit to some of them. 

I am also joining monthly linky party Favourite Finish  hosted by  Meadow Mist Designs.

 

 

 

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Wandering Camera – Christ Church, Oxford, UK

Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

A couple of years back we finally made it to England.  What had kept me away was the predisposed knowledge that once I went to England, I would want to go back again and again.  My prediction did come true.  We did go back multiple times, not just to England, but to Scotland as well.   I would love to share our journey with you. 

 

 

River Isis, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

My first time in England had to include the City of Oxford and its architecture.  I wanted to see the city which introduced me to so many of my favourite writers.  We only had a couple of days there, so instead of rushing through a lot of the city, we decided to take our time and savour just a few places.

 

 

Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

First morning there, we walked up to Christ Church.

 

 

Meadow Building, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

We were greeted by this beautiful Venetian Gothic Meadow Building, designed by T. N. Deane.

 

 

Meadow Building, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

The pointed shape of the windows and the lancet arches reflect the style.  

 

 

The Cloister, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

I always enjoy a walk along a cloister.  These cloisters were build around 1499. 

 

 

The Cloister, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Details of the cloister ceiling.  It reminds me of the green man motif.

 

 

The Cloister, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

The cathedral spire is the oldest surviving stone spire in England and has been part of the Oxford skyline since 1230.

 

 

Dining Hall Stairs, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

We entered the Bodley Tower, named after the architect G. F. Bodley. It houses the staircase that leads to the dining hall.

 

 

Dining Hall Stairs, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

The staircase was built in the 19th century.

 

 

Dining Hall Stairs, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

The stunning medieval style ceiling, however, was built in 1638.

 

 

Dining Hall Stairs, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Entry to the beautiful Christ Church dining hall.

 

 

Dining Hall, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

The Hall is part of the college’s original foundation built in Renaissance style.  The walls are adorned with portraits and there is a large fireplace on each side.

 

 

Dining Hall, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

The beautiful hammerbeam ceiling was built by Humphrey Coke, Henry VIII’s chief carpenter. 

 

 

Bodley Tower, Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

After descending the staircase we walked in to the Tom Quad taking in the view of the Bodley Tower from there.  We will continue on to the Tom Quad on the next Wandering Camera.

 

 

Watercolour Sketch of Christ Church, Oxford, UK | Whims And Fancies

 

 

I have started keeping a travel sketch journal.  Here’s a quick sketch of a window of the Christ Church Meadow Building.

 

Camera And Photography Linky Party | Whims And Fancies

 

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please pay a visit to some of them. 

 

 

 

 

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