What an image.  I picture someone with a sledgehammer beating the holy-bedickens out of some poor flower all in the name of art.  Actually, this image isn’t far from the truth but no sledgehammer is involved.  It is a true craft that will result in some lovely work; the pounding part will make it something that kids will enjoy and the family can work on together.  Flower pounding will also, in a very unique way, create something that allows a flower to “live” forever. 

Who might flower pounding appeal to?  Right off the top, you can tell it is a natural for quilters.  It would also be suitable for decorating around the home; framed prints would be an option as would placemats or bookcovers.  I think this is a craft that would reveal many possibilities the more that it was used.  With the right paper, I believe the images could be used to create stationery as well.

The idea that intrigued me with flower pounding was the eternal nature of one simple bloom.  To capture that essence in a fabric may not be possible any other way – as it is directly from the flower to the fabric, the natural colors will be exhibited in a manner that is elegant.

I would recommend if you are interested in this craft that you read all you can about how to create the fabric and how to care for it.  The books below would be an excellent addition to your craft library.  And if you are thinking of Christmas gifts, which would be a lovely breath of spring in December, remember your flowers are available now!

Flower Pounding - The Basics

Check out Flower Pounding by Ann Frischkorn

Check out The Art and Craft of Pounding Flowers by Laura C. Martin

Every year about this time crafters get extremely busy finalizing their entries for various state fairs.  There are few honors higher than winning a state fair ribbon for a craft.  Many magazines feature state fair winners in special issues and if you are lucky, the patterns for their projects are available in those magazines.  I generally think of this for crochet and sometimes knitting and usually with incredibly beautiful afghans.

If you have a creation in a craft and would like to enter it into competition into a fair, it is time to get the entry submitted.  It isn’t very difficult and could be wonderful exposure for you should you wish to go professional with your work. 

Go to Google.com and type in the state fair you are interested in.  Each fair, of any reasonable size, has its own official site.  Then go to the section that addresses competitions, find your category, and read the rules and regulations.  These are usually in .pdf files so have your Adobe Reader installed.  Applications are often available on the sites as well. 

Give it a shot.  It could be fun.  And even if you don’t win anything, you will have a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  Well, until you do it again next year!  And I can promise you will meet new people and make some forever friends.

Much of the joy in crafting results from the community that is formed by crafters.  Do you have a crafting community where you live?  Do you know other crafters?  They don’t have to be crafters that do the same exact craft as you; in fact, it is more interesting if crafters pursuing various interests know each other as well.  Of course, finding groups of people who do the same crafts is valuable as well because of the available information and experience.

I found a Web site that is for people who live in a city in Texas.  You may live thousands of miles from Texas and be unable to participate, but this is a great matrix to form a crafting community for your own area.  This particular set of clubs is formed around the passion of quilting, but imagine it with knitting, crocheting, painting, stained glass or any other craft; better yet, imagine it with a bunch of different crafts. 

Take a look.  I think you will like what Stitchin Heaven is doing.

Stitchin Heaven’s Quilt Clubs

Quilting is a very popular craft.  It is probably so popular because there is so much you can do with it.  You can crazy quilt, machine quilt, hand quilt, applique or use one of many techniques.  Each quilt always is an individual because of the time and love the quilter puts into the work.  This Mountain Landscape Quilt is a beautiful and fairly easy quilt to make; it would make a lovely gift for someone or for yourself.

I like this pattern because it is a simple one.  Reading it did not overwhelm me with details I have no idea how to do.  It gave suggestions and it talks about what I need to know in order to finish this piece.  The pattern is free; all you need to do is have the materials, the dedication, and your imagination!

Mountain Landscape Quilt