It's Auckland anniversary weekend here in NZ, and luckily it's a lovely long weekend as I got totally distracted today. This was so not on my latest 'to do' list, but I just had to keep making these blocks.
Inspired by Kathy from materialobsession and her use of contemporary fabrics with traditional designs, I've been experimenting, mixing and matching bright fabrics from my scrap basket ...
I'm machine piecing these 'queen of the may' blocks. I started out tentatively mixing things up a la Kathy style and the more I made, the easier it got. So then I began to play more ... with more fun fussy cutting ... and more quirky fabric combos from my stash ...
A floral here, a spot there, and lots of prints on prints on prints everywhere ...
I noticed not too long ago that Wanda from exuberantcolor has also been playing with some happy colour too. She's making some vibrant blocks for her 'color works' quilt from Kathy's Mixing Quilt Elements book, follow the link for a little peek.
And what about the block backgrounds? I hear you ask. Well, after making up a few, I did start playing with options. Maybe a variety of neutral plaids, spots and stripes ...
Or maybe something quite different, like a yellow? Traditional cheddar quilts always seem to catch my eye. Using a yellow background on something, even though it’s unlike anything I’ve ever done before, has always appealed ...
or maybe even this :)
The jury is still out on this, but yes... totally distracted {again} today.
Oh, and I don't know about you, but my stash has always been low on green fabrics. Not sure why, I just don't actively buy green. However, not so long ago Glenys passed on a few Amy Butler 'greens' to me and I was able to put them to good use here ...
... is there a colour you tend to shy away from too?
Linking up with Cynthia for 'oh scrap' here
and with Sandra for here for DrEAMi a new linky party this year
for sharing those 'I-gotta-SEW-this-and-sew-it-NOW' moments
and with Sandra for here for DrEAMi a new linky party this year
for sharing those 'I-gotta-SEW-this-and-sew-it-NOW' moments
24 comments:
Linda, these blocks take my breath away! They are amazing. You have been inspiring me to use more prints on prints in my scrap quilts. I need to get braver :)
I am so happy you are sharing with Oh Scrap!
These blocks are gorgeous!!
Gorgeous fabric combinations. I love the way the points come and go against some of the busy fabrics.
This is looking really good!! I like everything about these blocks, the pattern, the fabric combo ... I love where this is going!!
So colorful! Love the mix of patterns and colors. It's going to be a gorgeous quilt!
I absolutely LOVE your blocks! I'm glad you said it was a BOM because I have most of Kathy Doughty's books and didn't remember the Queen of May block.
And I shy away from orange. (I think I saw too much of it and it's various shades in the 70s).
Thanks Cynthia! It’s a lot of fun playing with these vibrant prints! It’s taken me a while, but I’m learning to let go a little & just throw in fabrics, even the most unlikely ones! And, even if one block isn’t completely to my liking, I’m hoping that once all together, it’ll be one exciting mess!
{That’s the plan anyway!}
Those are so marvelous and colorful. So glad I came here from Oh Scraps.
Oh wow! These are fabulous looking! Great fabric combo's!
Great looking blocks! Lovin' your flare for color and pattern! I need to find my inner child and play more!
Thank you. I must say I've learnt lots by studying the quilts in Kathy's books, the way she combines fabrics is inspiring, so modern & adventurous.
These blocks are looking great, you are very good at curves. I quite like the plain cheddar background. ai love colour but probably tend to not use yellow or orange very often.
Oh, these look fab, Linda! I do love the VFW as the background
More lovely blocks. Lots of pieces and a great selection of fabrics. I don't use a lot of brown. In fact it's not really a colour I have in my stash. Lots of blues and pinks, some yellow and a little green.
The more of these you make the better this whole project looks. I have a busy sort of mind so loved that last yellow background with the print. I used not to be drawn so much to yellow, but I have changed my mind about it.
These blocks are wonderful.
These are just jaw-droppingly gorgeous! I need to go get a towel now because I've drooled all over my keyboard...
Loving your QOM blocks so much!!! Such fun and fabulous fabric choices!! You know, it never even crossed my mind that you could machine piece them.
Oh! Your blocks are just gorgeous. You're not distracted, you're very focused! ; ) Coming up with just the right combinations must be challenging and fun. I love the yellow background, especially the yellow floral. I'm sure you'll find just the right thing when it's time.
Wow! I can totally see why you would be dropping everything (including dusting and vacuuming and cooking lol) to make these beauties and just PLAY! I sucked in my breath at the yellow background, surprised myself because that is WAY out of my comfort zone, but they look terrific on it! Thank you so much for linking up with my very first linky party and this, my friend, fits the theme of the party to a T!!
Wow so many pretty blocks. I see why you were distracted. Love all the pretty fabrics you are playing with.
Oh I'm late reading my blogs, and look what I've been missing! These blocks are stunning Linda, play on!!
Material Obsession still carries this set of templates! 'Queen Of The May'
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