Pages

Monday, March 10, 2014

Radiancy

Ten days ago, I had no idea what I was going to create for the 2014 Pantone Quilt Challenge. But suddenly an idea came to me, I couldn't let it go, and the vision began to fall into place.
Doing this piece brought a couple of things together for me. I'd been wanting to do another linen + cotton quilt for quite some time - ever since the Zakka Block Quilt I made in the Zakka Along 2 years ago. And I'd also been wanting to try my hand at a Supernova a la Quilting ModernSo this became the perfect chance to do both!
As I was cutting some beautiful natural Essex for the background, I knew I wanted other bits of color in with my Radiant Orchid. During a piecing-break, I rummaged in my stash closet and realized the Newspaper Strips from Carrie Bloomston's Collage would be a perfect backing. On the floor basting, I was thinking ahead to the thread - the most brilliant Aurifil #2535 (Fuchsia) - and the quilting - a design both awesome and intimidating. And of course, while quilting, I was thinking ahead to the binding and how I could tweak the norm just so.
There was some risk in this one! The mix of colors for one. Though I'm definitely a purple/amethyst fan, orchid was a bit more "out there" for me. And adding in those bits of gold, teal, and gray . . . well I wasn't totally sure at first if they would "work". Another stretch was the improv! I've dabbled, but still feel tentative. Guided by the photo in the book, I build it as I went, piece by piece on the design wall. I confess it made me giddy! And lastly, that quilting. Oh my goodness! More than once through the process I stood back warily questioning what I was doing. But in the end, I think it suits the supernova just fine. ETA: And for the record, I was totally inspired by this quilting design by Anita Shackelford
So there's that! 30x36" of Radiant Orchid and then some. Another journey of sorts, and some very satisfying creating. Isn't that just the best?

2014 Pantone Quilt Challenge: Radiant Orchid
   
If you'd like to see my Pantone challenge projects from previous years, here's Tangerine Tango and Emerald. Linking up with Fabric Tuesday. Also linking with the 2014 Pantone Quilt Challenge.

57 comments:

  1. It certainly is beautiful, honestly I love it. The quilting, binding it all is a perfect match! Job well done! The more I look at the quilting, the more I love it, such a neat idea and creates so much movement! The only piece of information I am missing is how big is it?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the bits of teal and yellow sprinkled in there. This is beyond gorgeous Debbie!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is so fabulous....I'm wondering if you are finding working improv addicting? I found once I started working that way there was no looking back. I love the quilting as well!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ah, you've done it again! You have such an eye (and intuition?) for what works! Beautiful quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh Debbie, this is so....radiantly beautiful!!! Just gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi!!!! Wow!!!! Amazing and beautiful!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is so fabulous Debbie. Love that quilting!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love it!! Beautiful job! Kudos for being brave...it came together perfectly!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Just another gorgeous quilt! Everything about it is fun. I love the process and the product. A winner in my book!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Absolutely gorgeous quilt Debbie - really love the design and your quilting!

    ReplyDelete
  11. It's just fabulous! Such great movement with your creative quilting. Lovely, lovely!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Absolutely amazing. Another stunning quilt for sure. Love everything about it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love your vision! If this doesn't get many accolades in the Challenge...... Stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  14. A lovely wee quilt and sounds like you had a fun journey making it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love the modern look and the quilting gives a lovely structure. Great you got this wonderful idea!

    ReplyDelete
  16. It is fabulously different, and unique. I really love your colour palette and the central cream shape is so quirky. It looks like a kite festival with a few drifters flitting around the edge.
    Inspirational...
    jo

    ReplyDelete
  17. I like the whole thing, but the teal and yellow bits especially. Congrats on your finish!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great quilt! It is one of my favorites out of "Quilting Modern" and I especially like how you quilted it.

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is a fantastic quilt, I love every one of your decisions, especially the quilting.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Beautiful! Absolutely love it, and the quilting (and binding) create the perfect finish.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Just beautiful Debbie! I know exactly which quilting design you used, I've seen it on Pinterest! Very cool. Did you mark it for quilting or did you eyeball it?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Very awesome, I love the use of colour!

    ReplyDelete
  23. It's fabulous! I've been wanting to try this style of piecing as well. And I love this year's color way more than last!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Really, really beautiful, Debbie! You are so fearless when it comes to stepping out of your comfort zone. I love that!

    ReplyDelete
  25. It's fascinating to hear you speak of your hesitations while creating this piece -- because, as finished, it looks so *assured.*. I don't know if that makes sense or not, but it just looks so perfect and dramatic and beautiful and like it was meant to be.

    Thank you for sharing your process with us! Congratulations.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Love this Debbie! I'm with you on being tentative about improv piecing but yours looks amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Amazing! Love everything about this little beauty, Deb. You should be so pleased with such a beautiful finish - no need to be tentative about your improv any longer - this is awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  28. It's excellent! So much fun with the color splashes here and there, and the quilting is perfect. A+ in my book!!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. You remind me of why I love quilting - whether my own or someone else's. You should be very proud. Yay!

    ReplyDelete
  30. absolutely stunning! I love the bits of bright colors in there and the "bits" around the edges - look like they've flown off the spinning supernova with your quilting!

    ReplyDelete
  31. This looks great! I love the quilting! It reminds me of wind blowing the little orchid petals around!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Turned out beautifully Debbie. The gold and teal add just that extra punch.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I love love love how the quilting makes it look like leaves in the wind:) yay bravery!!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Very cool. I think that this is definitely a successful quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Love this Debbie and I'm glad you stuck with the quilting plan, because it rocks!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Dramatically lovely! My first reaction was seeing the radiant orchid butterflies in the background. The quilting (both color and style) is perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  37. This turned out so gorgeous!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I think you nailed it on all counts. I have no clue whatsoever how to quilt my tiny 13x17 entry.

    ReplyDelete
  39. absolutely stunningly beautiful :-)

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi Debbie! This is fantastic! I love your design and the quilting! x Teje

    ReplyDelete
  41. Great work Debbie - I love how you used the challenge as an opportunity to push out of your comfort zone not just on colour but also on design and the quilting! The results are truly beautiful - you should be really proud!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I love the super nova quilt pattern/style and love the way you've mixed in the turquoise and yellows, and the linen is such a great neutral!

    ReplyDelete
  43. It turned out really fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Nice! Love the quilting!

    ReplyDelete
  45. I love reading the story behind the creation of this! While this may have started outside your comfort zone, you have definitely mastered the technique and color. :) I love your pops of turquoise, grey and gold! It gives a nice balance to the orchid. :)
    The quilting and the bits of rebel color in your binding really tie it together, they're wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  46. It's beautiful Debbie! I think the gold is perfect and so is the quilting!

    ReplyDelete