9/22/2016

My Road Home Quilt Row

I am happy to be able to reveal my row for The Road Home Row Along


What an undertaking! Marian of Seams To Be Sew and Amy of Sew Incredibly Crazy worked for many months organizing and scheduling the designers and then gathering sponsors. 40 designers, from all over the world, creating quilt rows representing HOME to each of them. Thanks and more thanks to both of you. And a big thank you to the many sponsors who have supplied the giveaways for the duration of this Row Along. The giveaways can be found below.

The link to my free row pattern is HERE. Read a little more to learn why I choose these representations for my Road Home.  

I have lived in Michigan my entire life. I was born, raised and attended college on the east side of the state, a very large metropolitan area. I moved to a rural area on the west side of Michigan, about 30 miles from the shores of Lake Michigan, when I began teaching. I have traveled throughout Michigan and have enjoyed making memories of the places I have gone. What I have especially appreciated is the flora and fauna that can be seen around the state. I chose to create appliques that represent some (I had to limit what I chose) of the wildlife I have seen as I travel to and from "home."

My row has appliques of a white-tailed deer, a green darner dragonfly, apple blossoms, a robin and dwarf lake iris--these are just some of the "state symbols" for Michigan. We see deer in our own backyard and are watchful when driving as they can run into or across the roads at any time. (Twice in my driving, I have had cars damaged when a deer jumped in front of me.) 

I live near and travel through The Ridge, the area where all kinds of fruits and vegetables are grown, especially apples (my favorite) so, I included the apple blossom, our state flower. 

Our state bird, the robin, migrates north and announces Spring's arrival as they eat and hop on lawns and build nests. I included the green darner dragonfly because they are found along and near much of Michigan's waterways darting about eating insects. 

The official state wildflower is the dwarf lake iris, which I have seen when traveling during the summer in the Upper Peninsula. It is a small, rare flower, that grows in low wet spots near beaches, not on them. It is "found only on the coastlines of northern Lake Michigan and northern and easter Lake Huron, a small site on the southern shore of Lake Superior, and a few isolated islands of the Great Lakes." 

The state motto is: if you are seeking a pleasant peninsula, look around you. The native Ojibwa people called this area mishigamaa  which means, "large water" or "large lake."The French named it MichiganMichigan is surrounded by 4 of the 5 Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie. Michigan is two peninsulas; one is shaped like a mitten.  In fact, when we show someone where we live, we point to a place on our hand. 


We can also show the upper and lower peninsulas with both our hands. When I was a kid, the car license plates were green and white and said, "Water Winter Wonderland" on them.

I have learned to appreciate all we have in Michigan and try my best to insure these wondeful flora and fauna are here for future generations. 

Thank you for visiting today. I hope you find a way to incorporate these appliques in one of your next quilting projects. I will respond to comments left (if you leave an email address) as soon as I can. I know there can be many.

Below are the Rafflecopter entries for the giveaways. And below those, the links to the other designers posting today and the following weeks. 










72 comments:

Marian said...

I'm so happy you joined me again for the new Row Along. EQ Seasons was so much fun and now with the Road Home RAL it's been just as much fun. Your row is so lovely and the shapes you added are perfect to represent Michigan with.

Quilt Art Design said...

Very interesting! Love the row! Thanks so much.

Sewgirl said...

You did a great job with all your appliqués! Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

My son-in-law is from the upper peninsula. He will love your row as much as I do. Beautiful.

Betsy said...

I love your block. Appliqued is my favorite

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Like your block a lot. It's a different take on the row by row and I think using Michigan Symbols is so very creative. I live in Northern Indiana...about 4 miles south of the line near Edwardsburg.

Joyce Carter said...

Your row is very beautiful. We have all of those things where I live, too, even though I live in a different state. I love watching the deer that come through our yard, but I don't like it when they suddenly dart out in front of you when you are driving. Thank you for sharing your row today.

Patty said...

Lovely row - the dear is so sweet.

rosemaryschild said...

Your block is amazing! I visit my daughter in Michigan in the summer, the weather is just wonderful, & it gives me relief from the heat in south MS. Thank you, Susan

Cindy said...

I love your row, it has many of the things I see around me in my state too! Jadahlgr at Yahoo dot Com

Cindy said...

I love your row, it has many of the things I see around me in my state too! Jadahlgr at Yahoo dot Com

works4me said...

Another great row. Your choice of representation is terrific.

Calicojoan said...

I just love this row. Thanks "sew" much for sharing it with us. Who knew that you used sign language or should I say hand language to show where you live if your in Michigan! :-)

GranChris said...

I really like your row. Birds make us sing Happy.

Quilting Tangent said...

Pretty nature row, looks like a fawn discovering nature.
24Tangent@gmail.com

Needled Mom said...

That is a great rendition of Michigan. You did a wonderful job depicting each one. I love the apple blossom.

Elizabeth Coughlin said...

So pretty! That's so cool how hands can show us the shape of Michigan!

legato1958 said...

What a beautiful row block for your state! The applique' is so life-like!
Susie

Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts said...

Thanks for all the info on Michigan which I never knew! Your block is well thought out and a good representation of your state.

Laurie W. said...

Your depictions are so realistic looking. Thanks for sharing your row!

Kathleen said...

I love the use of your hands to describe where you live!
And your row is beautiful.

Teri Rodriguez said...

Well done Nancy. You never disappoint! Your row is a wonderful representation of our beautiful Michigan. I can't imagine living anywhere else. Thank you my friend for the wonderful writing that should certainly encourage others to visit our beautiful state. See you soon my friend! Teri

Sally said...

Beautiful row, thank you!

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

So sweet. All the things that come visit us in our yard.

Seacoast Quilter said...

I've visited Michigan on one occasion and saw the Detroit area. Sounds like I need to go again. Thanks for your view of the state.

Sarah@123quilt said...

I love that you chose to showcase some of the state symbols. Great row!

@lutzcats said...

Sew adorable!

Jocelyn said...

What a sweet row block! Great job!

Monica said...

What lovely appliques

Lisa England said...

What a gorgeous row! I have visited Michigan a bunch of times and it is lovely. Not sure I'd like it as much in the winter though!

mumbird3 said...

Lovely row - thanks for sharing - always so impredssed with applique!!

Tonya Stewart said...

Your row is precious!

Tonya Stewart said...

Your row is precious!

Kathy E. said...

I've been to Michigan several times and have always loved the scenery and friendly folks. Yours is a lovely row, just like the state!

quilter said...

Very pretty row, thanks for sharing, and the info about how your state got its name!
cork@pa.rr.com

DebraKay Neiman said...

I really Love all the elements of your beautiful row. crystalbluern at tds dot net

bdieges said...

Love your row, especially the fawn, thanks for sharing!

Anna brown said...

lol Ty hun for your road home...I'm a yooper girl...But live in maine...But soon to be moving back to Ovid michigan area......tytyty again for the sharing.... happyness04431@yahoo.com

Laura said...

I have visited Michigan a couple of times...I had family living in Traverse City for a couple of years. I found the area very pretty and similar to my own home. I watch the white-tailed deer in my yard, too.

Linda said...

Very pretty!

Marti M said...

Thank you for the cute row by row block!

Susan said...

Thank you so much for the explanation of the parts of your row. Your love of Michigan does shine through your post. =) Thanks for sharing the row with us. Your fawn is amazing, but each of the elements are wonderful.

Allie-oops Designs said...

Love it Nancy - but then, I'm from Michigan too! I will absolutely have to make this!!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you, wonderful row!

Ladybug Dreams said...

Love your row Nancy! But same as Allie I live in Michigan also. Kinda in the middle of the mitten, almost an hour north of Grand Rapids.

Anonymous said...

We have white-tail here in Washington, but in Colorado, where I grew up, we had mostly mule deer. They are much bigger. I remember my grandpa bringing Jonathan apples for us to can from Western Colorado. There are many varieties grown in the orchards around here in Eastern Wash, Yellow Delicious is one of my favorites for eating. So, your row really speaks to me! Thanks!

wendy said...

Yay Michigan! I have also lived in Mi all my life {so far}. I enjoy all the beauty here and I do have some of the iris in my back yard. I really thought that the Trillium was the state flower. Thanks for your row!

apple blossom said...

oh, cool. I'm from MI this is a sweet row.

Vicki H said...

Pretty row. The deer is so cute.

Beth said...

What a pretty row! The expression on your deer's face is so sweet.

Susan said...

Greetings from another Michigander. Sounds like we live close by. I am in Grand Rapids. Cute row.

teachpany said...

Great row. I love the colors and designs you've picked. I need to get back to Michigan!

Pamela said...

What a sweet row! Love the deer!

WYO Di said...

Enjoyed the area information and the great row!

JANET said...

Interesting facts about Michigan. Love the hand illustration.

lkhomework said...

Your appliques are just lovely, and I can really get a feel for your love of your home in your writing. Makes me want to visit Michigan!

Lee said...

Beautiful row! Thank you from another Michigander!

tac73 said...

Lovely appliques in your row. I lived in Michigan for 20 years and really liked it.

sewlost said...

Thank you for sharing your talent and wonderful appliqués. I have friends in Holland. Your state is just beautiful.

Lynne Stucke said...

We spent a year on Michigan's UP. BEAUTIFUL in the summer; not so much so for a Southern girl during the winter! ;o) Lovely row.

Rachell said...

What a lot of great nature in your row. I bet it's just beautiful with all the water and wildlife. Here in Utah, we live at 4800 feet above sea level--and that's just the valley we live in! I like 5 minutes from a canyon, where the scenic loop drive road tops out at nearly 9000 ft, but the peak above is still another few thousand feet high! We have mule deer here, and lots of people get in car accidents with deer. I can't wait to drive the loop and see the fall colors (we're getting a thunderstorm with snow up there right now!), and hopefully I'll get to make a quilt to show off my home's fall colors!
reillyr2(at)hotmail(dot)com

LJ said...

This is such a pretty row. I have only visited once and that was to Frankenmuth and always think of Michigan and Christmas together. Thank you for the pattern.

Anonymous said...

Lovely row! I especially like the robin.
nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

Unknown said...

What a gorgeous row. I especially love the dragonfly and the iris!

Lori Smanski said...

this is lovely. thanks for sharing the row and this great history.

Jodi - usairdoll said...

Such a beautiful row! Thanks for sharing with us, Awesome job!

Thanks for a chance to win.

usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

cookie said...

We have these same nature elements where we live in Idaho. Thank you for sharing! I love your work!

gpc said...

I live just a little toward the middle of the palm. :) Love the symbols of home!

CathyQuilts said...

I love Michigan and visit as often as I can which isn't as often as I'd like. I'm from NW Ohio and my family is still there but I've lived in SW Ohio for 35 years

Michelle said...

Very pretty row! That deer is the sweetest.

Renee said...

Wow! This is stunning!