New Orleans House Project

Friday, August 22, 2014

Friday Flamingo Fun!

Growing up in Florida, I was exposed to souvenir kitsch at an early age.  Back in pre-Disney days, Florida tourist attractions were smaller and had more local flavor.  Being a kid, I was always drawn in by souvenirs offered in the ever-present gift shop - seashell figurines, carved coconuts, postcards and snow globes - so many unlikely items to catch the eye!  
Musical pink flamingo snow globe


Years later, my nursing school roommate and I took great delight in bringing each other "tacky tourist" gifts whenever we returned from visiting our respective Florida home towns.

My delight in Florida souvenirs eventually focused on pink flamingos.  Such a beautiful bird and such a wonderful souvenir subject!
Pink flamingo nodder clock


  Eventually, Dear Husband built me a cabinet to house the smaller flamingos.

And the stuffed flamingos are on top of my quilting bookshelf.
So far, I only have one flamingo quilt though.

This quilt was made as part of a guild challenge.  We were to complete a UFO without buying any new fabric.  I had already made the attic window blocks featuring flamingo fabric, so I used the leftovers for an inner and outer border and found a coordinating print in my stash for the binding.  
I hand quilted sunbursts in the attic windows.
 And pink flamingos in the outer borders!