Not the flower – though I do have a Christmas Catus. I call it an AC – Anytime Cactus – because it decides when it wants to bloom! Sometimes it blooms around Thanksgiving (see his blooms and buds?) and sometimes just before Christmas. But, he has been known to bloom in the spring too! I keep it because it’s one of the two plants that have survived my brown thumb! Meet AC and his friend HB – Happy Bird.
AC has been with us a number of years – can’t recall just how many and he’d probably do much better if I’d repot him – but I’m afraid I’d kill him! HB was a little plant I received for my birthday in February. He actually died – but came back to life (I’m so happy)!! In that empty pot WAS an African Violet, which I love but they don’t last long! At least not here!!
Enough of the REAL flowers! LOL Before we move on, I want to let everyone know the winner of my giveaway in the Pick-a-Pumpkin Blog Hop – and here you go!
I have contacted Maryellen and her prize is on the way! Thanks to all who visited the blog hop and entered the giveaway!
Now, more about Christmas Cactus! I won a pattern called Springtime Desert from Canton Village Quilt Works. I attempted making Jackie’s version of this block but was not pleased with my results (all on me – not the pattern). So, I’ve been playing in EQ8 and recreated a cactus flower block using HST’s. This is what I came up with. In my humble opinion, it’s a little easier than trapezoids and parallelograms (no offense, Jackie)!! At least for me – and besides I love HST’s!! And while I know it’s not yet Christmas, I’m already getting in the Christmas spirit! Tree is up, a few presents purchased, just need to get my grands new stockings made – and filled with goodies! I think they like the little stocking stuffers as well as the bigger presents!
Today, it snowed!! SNOWED – in November – in Alabama!! (It was only a light dusting and no, it did not last long. ?) It is also C – O – L – D!! I don’t like cold! So being a good day to stay in and stitch, I grabbed some scraps from a Christmas placemat I made (and will be teaching the first Saturday in December at my LQS, ZigZag Sewing Studio, in Pelham, AL! The pattern was the pocketed placement Blog Remix I participated in a while back for Fat Quarter Shop. It was so much fun, I did another one in more traditional Christmas colors. And unfortunately, I did not take a picture!!) Anyway, I grabbed some of those scraps and more from my stash and cut my pieces.
Then I did some chain piecing, cutting, sizing, and restitching…
And this came together!
Stitched a little more and here is the finished block!
I really like this one! I’m not sure what I will do with this one block, but stay tuned…more to come!!
Linking up with Finished or not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts and Can I Get a Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Scrap Addict, and my other favorite linkies when they become available! Until next time…
I have a Christmas cactus that I inherited from my grandmother when she passed in 1979. It flowers anytime from Halloween to the middle of December and is always loaded with blooms. Except this year because Tu-Na Helper repotted it into a bigger pot. Time will tell if the plant survives. Great cactus block.
This really is a pretty block. I could see some Christmas throw pillows for that.
Beautiful block Brenda and I always like an easy way to make it!
Both of your Christmas Cactus’s look great! I had the plant once, and my cat decided it was quite tasty – I don’t think it lasted more than 2 months. Let’s just say that now I leave dry food out for him at night.
Terrific block Brenda. I love cactus flowers, they are so delicate and contrast so much with the rest of the plant…. I swear cacti are just messing with us every time they flower. Can’t wait to see where this block leads you. xx
Hi Brenda! Love, love, LOVE this whole post. My “Christmas” cactus which is a misnomer and really should be named “Bloom whenever I want” cactus has a bunch of buds on it. That doesn’t mean they will open, but they might! I am ever hopeful and am keeping an eye on them. I want to thank you for sharing your EQ block version, and I am going to PIN it for a later date. Maybe next year?? I’m sorry about the SNOW in November in Alabama. That should be against the law, Mother Nature. We also had really early snow, but we’re in Wisconsin. Us northerners have to expect snow anytime after September, for heavens sake. Happy Happy Thanksgiving to you! ~smile~ Roseanne
P.S. I love this font on your comments! It is fun to type and have it look like I’m writing you.
Based on the pointed edges on the leaves of your cactus plant, you have a Thanksgiving cactus. The leaves on the true Christmas cactus are rounded. I have at least 9 Thanksgiving or Christmas cacti and 1 Easter one (which, sadly is doing poorly) and yes they bloom at all different times and frequently more than once a year. I like your Christmas cactus block as well. What is the finished size of the block?
Love your Cactus Flower block and look forward to what you do with it.