There’s everything magical about flowers. They are sunshine to the mind, food for the soul and inspiration to the eyes.

Though my birthday is yet a few weeks away, I decided to treat myself to something frivolous, luxurious and oh-so-worthwhile - a monthly flower bouquet! I told myself I would buy flowers more often after moving to the Netherlands (which is the cut-flower capital of the world), but I haven’t. Not at all. So, now, they’ll come to me via a monthly Bloomon subscription. It’s a Dutch company that specializes in home delivery of seasonal, responsibly grown flowers.

Well, I couldn’t be happier with my first bouquet! Here it is a full week after arrival, and - look - it’s still so fresh and gorgeous. The quality is amazing. If you’re in the area and want to try a bouquet, use code rachelhaus to get a free vase with your first order, plus earn me free flowers. Really!

What serendipity that I happen to be sewing with all the flowers, at this very moment. Or maybe no coincidence really - I’ve had flowers on my mind! Two weeks ago, when I pulled all my best floral fabrics onto my work table, I was already anticipating the floral bouquet that was coming soon.

I had also recently received this package from Tales of Cloth. Together we’ve created hexagon rulers for my upcoming Honeycomb Stars pattern. Rulers plural because the pattern will include two sizes of hexagons - a small scale hexagon (like my original quilt) to make a throw-sized quilt and a large scale hexagon to make a king/queen bed size quilt.

Of course, I’ve started cutting already! I’m using the big hexagon (4” finished sides, 1/4’ seam allowance) for my frolicking floral fabrics. Don’t you love how it shows off these prints? This scale is fabulous for showy fabrics. The Tales of Cloth rulers are working perfectly! FYI, these rulers will be available to ship directly from Tales of Cloth to destinations worldwide, and also from Florida-based Dragonfly Quiltworks. If you know you’ll want one from Dragonfly, drop her a line so she can order enough for everyone.

There is a flower specimen that suits each blossoming hexagon perfectly. And these are the week-old blooms again, remember!

I feel so lucky that I must test this larger scale version of the pattern. It’s going to be positively lush! I’ve just begun sewing my dark value prints and triangles, so now the Honeycomb Star pattern emerges. Can’t wait to see it come together with the darker shades transitioning to light on the bed!

If you’re interest is piqued, save space for the quilt-along which begins in October! The pattern is entirely machine sewn with pretty much the same number of patches for the throw size quilt as for the king/queen due to the change in scale.

Yes, there’s everything magical about flowers and patchwork, if I do say so myself.