Color Inspiration - Sophisticated Brights

Palette created via Palette Builder

WIP Wednesday - Modern Pineapple Quilt

A work in progress, Pineapple Quilt.  I'm attempting to make a circular sub-pattern with the colored portions.  I was inspired by a scrap quilt where it was randomly occurring in places. 

 

I combined two techniques that, I think, made this easier than the traditional method.  First, I strip pieced, working on multiple squares at a time.  Second, I cut the "logs" or strips about 1/8" wider than required and then trimmed down the width of each strip while making sure to align my ruler with the hot pink center square - either straight on or at a 45 degree angle for the corner pieces. 

 

This is sort of a cheater way to make sure that your blocks stay perfectly alligned.  I found it helpful and the tediousness of this step was offset by the strip piecing. 

Jay McCarroll Quilting Fabric Center City

I'm a little late to the party, but am completely in love with Jay McCarroll's fabric, designed for Free Spirit.  You can see the entire Center City collection here: Free Spirit Fabric.  The photo above is the "Center City" line in the "Downtown" colorway  and reminds me of a photo I took of a bit of rusty, paint peeling bit of the NYC subway (below). 

Victoria Findlay Wolfe created an incredible quilt from Jay McCarroll fabrics that won best in show at QuiltCon 2013, photo here: Best in Show Quilt.  My very favorite Swoon Quilt was also made with Jay's fabrics, take a peek: I'm a Ginger Monkey.  Jay brings a much needed bit of edge to the quilting world. 

Color Inspiration - Neutral, Masculine Palette

Photograph taken by my dad in Chicago.  I'm often in search of a masculine looking palette that doesn't bore, this one succeeds.

Palette created via Palette Builder

WIP Wednesday - Royal Purple Striped Scarf

 

A little work in progress scarf using Lion Brand Amazing yarn mixed with some Cascade 220.  Amazing yarn is akin to Noro yarn with, perhaps, more pleasing options for the person who favors cool colors. 

Fabric Card

 

Fabric Card made using technique from Denyse Schmidt's first book, 30 Colorful Quilt and Patchwork Projects, which is basically just arranging scraps pleasingly and sewing on to the front of a card.  You may want to devote one needle exclusively to paper sewing as it dulls them quickly.

Color Inspiration - Viceroy Hotel

Color palette idea based on the lobby of the Viceroy Hotel in Miami.  I would probably add a few more varieties of turquoise, one of my favorite colors. 

 

Created with Palette Builder

WIP Wednesday - Two at a Time Toe Up Socks

 

I have always wanted to be a sock knitter, and I think I have arrived.  Knitting two at a time from the toe up is glorious!  Thanks for the inspiration to try and a great book recommendation goes to Mrs. McPorkchop . 

 

This glorious yarn was purchased at Vogue Knitting Live in NYC.  It's Alegria from Manos Del Uruguay in Carnaval colorway. 

 

Ugly Fabric Challenge

At a recent quilt class I was given the challenge of using an "ugly fabric" picked out of a grab bag.  It's the floral pattern on the far left.  I pieced together an assortment of fabrics and then turned it into a pouch using this tutorial: Noodle Head Blog  

WIP (Work in Progress) Wednesday (and the Occasional Thursday) - String Quilt Blues

Here's a glimpse of my design wall with a string quilt in progress. 

Color Inspiration - Electric Turquoise & Mauve

 

I used this lovely website to create a palette from my photo, Palette Builder.

Modern Kaleidoscope Quilt

This quilt was made using a technique found in the book Magic Stack-n-Whack Quilts by Reynolds, available here at Amazon. The hexagons are made up entirely of this fabric by Amy Butler. 

Color Inspiration - Blue