Pantone-Challenged

It's finally time to link up our Marsala quilts for the 2015 Pantone Quilt Challenge. I've kept an eye on the flickr group, but have been looking forward to seeing more!

Finishing at 34"x46", my Sizzling fits in the Quilt Category (shortest side must be at least 30"). If you missed her reveal post a while back, you can read it here, complete with lots of photos and all the nitty gritty details.

While Marsala got a bit of a negative rap when it was announced, I'm a fan, and I bet after seeing the challenge quilts, you just might be too!

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 Modern. So 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?

   

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.

Random, Random, and More Random

Hope you are enjoying the "31 Inspiring Quilters" series at sew mama sew! I added a tab to my blog with a running list of the bloggers being featured, just in case you missed any. And of course, there's many more to come!

I think I mentioned that the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild's Binary Challenge Exhibit is going on now at Island Quilter on Vashon Island, through February 6. I'm not sure when I'm going to get over to see the exhibit, but there's a couple of great posts up about the show from two of our guild members HERE and HERE. I think you'll see at least one quilt you'll recognize!

Did you hear about the 2014 Pantone Quilt Challenge: Radiant Orchid sponsored by On the Windy Side and playcrafts? 

There's several categories, lots of terrific prizes, and even fabric suggestions, which I love. I'm hoping to join in and just for fun, made a Radiant Orchid pinterest board, so I can keep track of my favorite fabric possabilities. Actually, I invited Rachel/Snippets of Sweetness to pin too, so don't be surprised to see selections from both of us.

I've been wanting to make a 'brown quilt' for a while. This may just be the palette to inspire me. Don't know what pattern yet, but I'm mulling.

Ok, so who's obsessed with Economy blocks??

I've only managed a half-dozen, but plan on using this as a leader-ender project for a while once I get past my current quilting deadline. Looking through my bloglovin' feed this morning, I see posts from Katy/Monkey Do, Rita/Red Pepper Quilts, Nicole/Mama Love Quilts, Svetlana/s.o.t.a.k handmade, AND Amy/During Quiet Time with a bit of a variation, but all about their Economy blocks! So obsession? I'd say so.

Lastly, my friend Louise/I'm Feelin' Crafty is a contestant on the latest round of Project Run and Play!

I've followed this series before, and even though I'm not a garment-sewer, seeing their entries is alot of fun! I'm hoping some of you will follow along, and root for favorites! Read all about Louise here, and the other contestants in recent posts.

*Edited to add* Just caught wind of another Triple-Zip swap! Sign-ups are open for round two at Quarter incher! And just a reminder, the tutorial is always available through the Tutorials tab above!

Hope you have a great day!

Linking up with Really Random Thursday.