At Christmas time in the south, there is always hope for a glimpse of snow on Christmas Eve. Alas, we are usually disappointed, and in recent years, it has been unseasonably warm. It is not unusual to see many flowers blooming.

“Give Yourself Southern Christmas Flowers” is part of my “Give Yourself Flowers” series of art quilts. This series is a reminder that we should be good to ourselves and not wait for someone else to do it.

“Give Yourself Southern Christmas Flowers” captures the essence of Christmas in the South. A panel of bright colorful flowers dominates the 49x52 inch quilt. Christmas fabrics, music fabrics and African fabrics complete the eclectic palette that is Christmas in the south.

I pieced “Give Yourself Southern Christmas Flowers” on my Janome sewing machine, and my friend Maxine Moore quilted a flower pattern into the background with variegated thread on her long arm machine. The quilt is embellished with silk flowers, crystals, beads and buttons.

The back of the quilt is a Christmas poinsettia fabric. There is a hanging sleeve on the back for easy display and a label that documents the quilt.

This quilt is one-of-a-kind.