Monday, February 27, 2012

Color Magic

I love color - the bolder the better!  This a one of my earlier quilts made with Westminster scraps and a hodge podge of solids.  It is a free form log cabin design inspired by the Gees Bend quilters.  This kind of color really inspires me and I actually lost track of time when I put this top together.  I made the top in one day (and night) because I couldn't sleep until it was "done".  It took about a week to hand quilt.    





I had a similar experience when I saw this fabric line.  It is Malka Dubrawksy's line "A Stitch in Dye" through Moda.  I had planned to order a fat quarter kit containing every print in the line, but by the time I got around to placing an order it was sold out (I blinked and it was gone)!  I really wanted to see this line, so I scrambled around online and located charm packs.  I ordered two and when they arrived I opened the package and gasped!  This fabric is unbelievable.  I immediately opened the package and lined up all of the squares on my design wall (forgot to take photos).  Wow - color magic!

At the time I was working on two other projects but I couldn't focus with all of this color going on behind me on the wall.  Since there wasn't enough fabric to do anything intricate, I put this simple pattern together.  Four-patched the 5" squares and the center stripes were made from the remaining squares cut into strips and mixed with solid scraps.  I made this quilt top in one day.  I just couldn't stop until it was "done".  The black background and sashing expanded it to approximately 70"x 60 and the backing is bright yellow.  Originally I hand quilted it with black perle cotton but halfway through I changed my mind and ripped it all out.  All it needed was light channel machine quilting.  I like it!






This line is organic and global.  It reminds me of Africa, India, Morocco, Greece - everywhere!  Who dyes and creates fabric like this?  Malka D you are a color genius!  Hopefully more stock will come in so that I can purchase some of my favorites.  This line is definitely stash worthy.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Sweet Sixteen

This cute little girl (and handsome little guy)...





Grew up (where does the time go!) and became this beauty...





Her generous parents gave her a swanky Sweet Sixteen party at a studio loft in West Hollywood where friends and family signed Kona squares with birthday wishes.  I took them home and made this...




Mailed the completed quilt to her and this was her response...




and




I think she likes it!!! 

Happy Sweet Sixteen (and Valentines Day!) Shannon from Auntie Pat!