want some colour today?

It's a long weekend here in NZ

and I've been sorting out my next steps with two long-term projects. 

The bramble blooms QAL ... is all about wonderful improvisation! Full disclosure here - Improv + applique are not really my strongest techniques but I'm enjoying the challenge! I started out with a plan and a colour scheme for my sunflower block, and it's now No. Where. Near. my original thoughts. 

I guess Audrey would say something like "let the quilt take you where it wants to go" - I more inclined to call it "going rogue." 

The idea is to use fabrics from our stash, to make a unique one-of-a-kind creation. Audrey's latest prompt was to add a border with repeat applique motifs to the centerpiece, with quarter-triangle style cornerstone blocks. I began by working out from my improv sunflower centerpiece, taking it one bit at a time to see what happened next. 

I decided to try a coping border first. I tried four different fabrics, and finally settled on this early AMH print in plum. It helps frame my floral design and brings in a little of my accent colour. The coping strip also gives me some wriggle room for adding the next wider border. So far, so good.

And then that next border? I spent a bit of time trying to figure out border fabrics & applique motifs, but it felt like I was getting nowhere. I'd looked at these fabrics for so long, too long, I needed a break, and so I sat out in the sunshine to think about it 🌞

After playing with a few shapes, I decided to just go ahead and add a few borders and see where I ended up. And the repeat applique, hm-m-m- - well ... you'll see.

Here's a few colourful progress pics from the design floor ...

My 'sunflower blooms' are quirky, colourful and definity unique. 

Each new decision feels like a relief ... no, no ... more like a little touch of fabric magic!

*******

Next up ... the 'positivities' sampler quilt sewalong, a year-long project from Rachel at stitched in color. At least this one has a decisive design plan to follow LOL! 

My friend Glenys & I are both joining in, and we've chosen our background colours. After thinking about what fabrics I had here and which direction I wanted my quilt to go in, I decided to 'go green', a soft green. And Glenys is going with peach. 

I've sifted through my scrap baskets & chosen an assortment of blending & a few contrasting pieces. This weekend I made a start on January's block, 'expansion' (still in segments as final joining doesn't happen until later).

May the usual creative chaos continue!

Linda