Yesterday was a beautiful day! Actually it was the second beautiful day of the week, and today makes the third. After months of mostly cold days and grey skies, followed by weeks of rain, I can't adequately express how good the warm sun feels on the skin, and wonderful blue skies look to the eyes.
It was the perfect day for Hubby and me to head out to our favorite worn and weathered barn, and have a little photo shoot of this newest "non-pattern" quilt. (The results of the photo shoot also provided great incentive to give the blog a new look, starting with a new header!)
The process for creating this quilt, titled "Spring Fling", was basically just like the one I outlined in my last post, however this time, my main base for each block was a square shape, (instead of a rectangle).
I used nine squares, each cut the same way into 5 separate pieces and stitched back together with 4 different fabrics, (instead of three as I previously did). The blocks were then stitched together randomly, so some blocks are upside down, or laid on their side.
When my one daughter saw the finished quilt, she described it as "organized chaos", which I thought was a perfect description. The process of working this way is basically organized, yet the finished results yield a quilt full of energy and movement. There's a whole lot going on in this relatively small quilt, but an underling order exists. (My own little "chaos theory" wrapped up in a quilt!)
The five fabrics in this quilt were pulled from my stash and consist of a coral-red Kona solid, (used for the base squares), along with a red Kona solid, an aqua Kona solid, and two japanese flowered prints.
One of the things that I noticed during the photo shoot was how some of the lines and shapes of the quilt were similar to some of the lines and shapes of the patched barn. I like knowing that what we love, has a way of seeping into our work, even when we aren't consciously trying.
More rain is in the forecast for tomorrow, so it will be the perfect day to stay indoors and sew...
but while I'm stitching, I'll be thinking sunny thoughts of lazy warm days, blue skies and whitewashed old barns. xo
32 comments:
Coral red against whitewash. Beautiful. Love your new blog banner too. Enjoy those warm sunny days. Wicked weather is about to strike, at least in Ohio.
"Organized Chaos" would make a great title for a quilt in the "Oxymoron" series -- it perfectly describes most of my life these days. What great, wake-em-up colors here -- perfect for spring. You have a wonderful artistry, Victoria.
Diane
love the quilt and the new banner.
Oh my how I love your favorite barn. It is the perfect backdrop for this quilt! I really enjoy how you can take a few simple fabrics and make something that looks so complicated. Organized chaos is a good title.
Goodness - that banner is breathtaking! What a successful photo shoot!!!
Hey Vic-
The new quilt is beautiful and done in my very favorite colors. I really like the new header. The quilt and barn compliment each other well. I wonder when this barn was built? I love the sunshine we've had too. Does wonders for the soul :)
♥
Erin
I too love taking pictures of my quilts outside. I love the barn and quilt together, awesome. Great ideas for quilting without patterns.
This is SUCH a beautiful little quilt, and you photographed it perfectly - I don't think you could have found a better spot!
A beautiful day. A beautiful location. A beautiful quilt. A beautiful mind.
Today we'll have to bask in the sunny warmth of your photos while Ms. Spring takes a back step. But she's definitely coming round!
The whitewashed barn is amazing, I can see why you are attracted to it. The intuitive process for creation so mirrors the building and it's character and the colors whoa! Thanks for sharing two of your loves with us. xox Corrine
When your blog page came up on the screen, I said, "Ooh, she's doing something new, how fun!"
Organized Chaos is the perfect name for your beautiful quilt. I particularly like the way the reds in the prints "bleed" into the red of the solids. The borders of the blocks seem to be rather nebulous in places. Well done!
a white barn is the very best background for a gorgeous quilt! as always I love you work!
ps. and the new banner is so perfect!
Love you new header Victoria! Yes, you got the pictures on a perfect day!
I like your idea of a non-pattern quilt. It has your stamp all over.
Beautiful piece and wonderful new banner! Welcome spring! I finally, finally saw you on TV and you looked cool, calm, collected. Frankly, I thought your presentation was the most informative I've ever seen on the program. Great job!
A beautiful quilt, a beautiful barn, a perfect beautiful day with a blue sky, who can ask for anything more!?
I realy love reading your blog and I also love old buildings and I have a speciell love for old small bridges made of big grey stones.
have a wonderful spring
Karin på Ösäter
Your new quilt is beautiful, and so is the new header! The sun does bring inspiration. We've had a tiny bit here in Seattle, more on the way soon, I hope.
That barn is wonderful, and it looks like you caught it on a most perfect day, the light is beautiful - the perfect backdrop for your amazing quilt.
Beautiful! It's a great example of the whole being greater than the sum of it's parts. Stunning photoshoot location too.
Ah, vitamin D! We all need a good dose of that, hopefully you'll have some more sun filled days soon.
Your red and turquoise quilt looks absolutely stunning against the white walls of the barn. Thanks so much for sharing, so inspiring!
Hi Vic! Greetings from sunny Singapore where I am having lazy warm, hot, sweaty days & blue skies - hey! that's Dubai too! Love your "organised chaos" & the fabulous new header !
how gorgeous. I really like your method... I can't wait to try it when I get back home!
I love that too:
"I like knowing that what we love, has a way of seeping into our work, even when we aren't consciously trying."
That's a great place for a photo shoot! That super cool red quilt against that white barn...bliss! And I love your new blog header! It's so fresh and springy! I know what you mean about the sun feeling so good after lengthy periods of rain. I think you experience more rain than I do though! Fingers crossed for more of those lovely sunny days!
Beautiful Quilt & really nice photos....
love your blog's "new look" !
The barn is an incredible back drop - love it!
I love how the flower prints seem to peek out from behind the solid shapes, and what lovely photos too!
: )
I too look forward to the end of winter and the beginning of spring and summer when the light changes and brings new life. There is nothing better than than the feel of the warm sun on my skin and how I feel energized and ready for anything! I love how the sun shines on your favourite barn and highlights your beautiful quilt, it makes a lovely header.
I love everything about this. The photos, the story, the true understanding of the influences in our life, and the new header.
Love the photos! We're finally getting nice-ish weather too ;)
organized chaos - perfect! the barn and your quilt, pictured together, really do say something about how things we love have a way of relating to each other. The off-white barn quilt just affirms what an original you are... like others, I can't wait to see the red one.
Hi Victoria,
I linked to this post in my first ever blog post! This quilt is stunning - my mum loves it too. You kindly advised me about hand-quilting AGES ago, and you can see a picture of my quilt-in-progress on my blog. Thanks!
Nina.
That's a beautiful quilt.
Beth
bethquilts.blogspot.com
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