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Thursday, April 23, 2015

Through the Looking Glass

It's not that often that a final quilting project turns out exactly as I saw in my mind's eye when I began. In fact, I often have no vision whatsoever, but approach my cutting board with fabric and rotary cutter and just see where it takes me. But with my SMQG Paint Chip Challenge quilt, what I see now completed is as close to what I imagined as I could hope for. I call it "Through the Looking Glass," a glance into the mind of a modern quilter, where traditional and modern blocks live happily together.
The whole paint chip challenge was introduced to the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild by Arajane/you know what I love?, and I think everyone immediately thought it would be a great challenge! We were all given paint chips with shades of gray and blue, and some {lucky} folks got an extra little chip of citrine. The added limitation was that our creation was to be exactly 18" square.
As you can see, I was assigned to #teamgray, and I admit I wasn't disappointed one bit, though fabrics to actually match my chip weren't as easy to find as I would have expected. Here's what I finally settled down to work with:
What I started with was a faced inset oval. Then I just started making small blocks to fill up the space. (And yes, the center of that log cabin was removed and replaced!)
Eventually came the time to piece them all together, a little wonky at that.
As you can see, I made blocks that were very traditional, as well as some that were more improv - from a maple leaf that in my state of focus was made incorrectly and even a little "bacon" block as a nod to my Sizzling. I just made what struck my fancy at the time.


For quilting, I used Aurifil 50wt #2600 (light gray) and just echo-stitched the oval both inside and out. A simple "Pearl" frame was the finishing touch.

This challenge was really captivating. And as pleased as I am with the conclusion I came to, I'm equally excited to see all our guild quilts hung side by side at Seattle's Drygoods Design in June!

This is my 2nd finish from my 2015 Q2 Finish-A-Long list! Linking up with the FAL Q2 Finishes.
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19 comments:

  1. EllynApril 23, 2015 at 5:39 AM

    wow. I Had no idea where you were going with this! It's fabulous! I hope you'll share some of the guild quilts with us when the time comes

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  2. LeanneApril 23, 2015 at 7:11 AM

    This little quilt is fantastic. It is so lovely to see you stretching and becoming such an amazing designer!

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  3. Needled MomApril 23, 2015 at 7:24 AM

    That looks fabulous. I'd love to see all of the other quilts hanging together too.

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  4. www.randomthoughtsdoordi.comApril 23, 2015 at 7:39 AM

    What a fun quilt and brilliant design. Bravo!

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  5. ~DianaApril 23, 2015 at 7:49 AM

    I love your artistry! Thanks, as always, for sharing!

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  6. UnknownApril 23, 2015 at 10:24 AM

    I love this! You took something (the palette) that could be ho hum and made it uber interesting and detailed. Love it!

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  7. Terri Ann @ ChildlikeFascination.comApril 23, 2015 at 12:38 PM

    What a really neat piece. The shapes you created with such a limited color palette and quilting are interesting and lovely.

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  8. TakeMeThereTotesApril 23, 2015 at 2:42 PM

    Another winner for sure! From the fabric selection, piecing to the quilting. Just Wonderful.

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  9. TakeMeThereTotesApril 23, 2015 at 2:42 PM

    Another winner for sure! From the fabric selection, piecing to the quilting. Just Wonderful.

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  10. AritaApril 23, 2015 at 6:52 PM

    Everything about this quilt fabulous.

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  11. SewPsyched!April 23, 2015 at 7:08 PM

    I just love it!! And thank you for showing us your process! So interesting!!

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  12. FlourishingPalmsApril 24, 2015 at 6:48 AM

    What a great challenge idea! I think I need to share this with my guild. Your interpretation of it is really nice. The looking glass idea is inspired! Now I'm wondering what you "see" when you look into it. :-)

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  13. mimi'sdarlinsApril 25, 2015 at 6:39 AM

    What an amazing piece! I appreciate seeing your process, too. You should feel quite accomplished, and isn't it great to have this turn out as you anticipated :)

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  14. RachelApril 26, 2015 at 10:47 AM

    Very cool!

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  15. I'm Feelin' CraftyApril 26, 2015 at 7:30 PM

    Looks great! I haven't even started mine! :)

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  16. RachelApril 26, 2015 at 7:48 PM

    These pictures are much better than on IG. Good to see the details :)

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  17. CassandraMay 4, 2015 at 7:08 PM

    This mini looks great all quilted up! I have really enjoyed seeing your process posts, and you have inspired me to want to give the "color chip" project a try. Seeing all of the different interpretations of this project together will be so much fun!

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  18. DarcyMay 5, 2015 at 4:25 AM

    Thanks for linking up with Mini Quilt Monday :-)

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  19. Wendy @ WendysquiltsandmoreJuly 4, 2015 at 8:52 PM

    that's amazing. You've done really well with the challenging challenge! Visiting as a member of the official 2015 Finish-Along cheerleading squad.

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