Sunny D

Did you know that Vitamin D activates the genes that release Dopamine and Serotonin, two of the neurotransmitters “responsible” for your happiness? Me neither, but you can find anything on the internet these days! In the end, we are responsible for our own happiness.

But seriously, sunshine does provide us with Vitamin D, and happy memories (seratonin release my friends! I’m learning… ) have a funny way of making me feel warm on the inside.

I found this kit at Stitch On Needlework & Gifts on a fun adventure to Mass Street in Lawrence, KS with my two kids. As soon as I saw it, I knew I needed to make it. The “You Are My Sunshine” embroidery in the middle of the Dresden plate reminded me of my mom singing that song to all of her babies. As the oldest of 5 and a 12-year difference between me and my baby sister, I heard that song for a long time, and it still makes me smile. Mom has never thought she had a good voice, but she is wrong. It always sounded pretty and I’m sure it calmed the babes.

Since the plan was to gift it to my mom for her mini quilt holder, I sized the pattern down to fit a 12″ mini quilt frame. If you want to give the Dresden a little “3D” look, try not stitching down the outside of the wedges, but tack it with a circle towards the center. In this case, I fused it in place with the embroidery circle, then stitched it to the quilted background when I blanket stitched the center circle. Does that make sense to you? It gives the appearance of a flower with petals sticking up. The other mini with the red flower (in the featured image) was made a similar way.