Monday, March 14, 2022

Aurifil Color Builder Challenge - Innamorato

The March challenge is sponsored by Aurifil Threads.  Here are the simple guidelines to complete the challenge.


Create a piece inspired by your assigned Italian destination. It could be a city scene, a landscape, or something you associate with the location.

  • Size: 20” x 20” or under

  • Must use each of the 3 thread spools from the Color Builder box, how the thread is used is up to the maker!

  • Utilize thread painting, some type of appliqué or a combination of the two



I chose orange for two reasons. 
1. I like orange :-) 
2. I had leftover orange fabrics from the Farm Fresh collection that would match perfectly with the Aurifil threads.

The following picture is provided by Aurifil for the Tuscany Orange Color Builder Thread set.



Such a beautiful sky in my favorite colors, I knew what I wanted to do.  Using the techniques learned in Gloria Loughman's class, I could create a landscape showing off those gorgeous sunny vibes.

Fabrics


Work in Progress


I layered Island Batik Foundation Pumpkin as the base on top of the Hobbs Cotton Batting before adding the tiles for appliqué.  A 90/14 Schmetz Needle was perfect for securing the appliqué to the base.  


Time for Thread

Hills and foreground were added. And then the tree. 

For the Hill

Tree Foliage



It was coming together nicely. The beautiful Island Batik fabrics and the gorgeous Aurifil Threads had captured the beauty of the Tuscan sunset. 


Almost there?



But something was missing. 

Looking at this gorgeous landscape, I knew I wanted to be there with Paul, exploring vineyards, walking hand in hand and soaking up the sun while basking in the warmth of his presence.  

Paul: It looks lovely.
Me: Hmm...
Paul: You don't seem happy.
Me: Something is missing.
Paul: What?
Me: The soul.
Paul: Huh?
Me: WE are missing. 

Adding a couple in silhouette would complete the picture. But not any couple. It had to be us. I rummaged through our pictures to find a suitable one.

Nah - too much going on

Nope - It will look like a blob

Same problem

When we get our pictures taken, the impulse is to get closer, but those pictures will not look good in a silhouette. I realized that we need to be close but not touching.

I could make this one work

I traced the outlines as two separate bodies. There was nothing romantic about that. And cutting out the silhouette was no fun either. I am sure my nose and chin are smooshed.  

Once completed, I stepped away to admire my handiwork. 

It is us!!!

Picturing the Future

I had goosebumps. Mission accomplished!

I was there. We were there. Someday we will be. 

Sitting in the living room, watching TV and eating dinner, I found myself looking into the studio area, staring dazedly at the picture of us. Paul noticed that I was not paying attention to "Resident Alien" on TV.

Paul: You are silly.
Me: Nah, I am crazy. About us.
Paul: I am too.
Me: Look at us.
Paul: I did. It is beautiful. 

Since I am in love with Paul and I love this finish, I have named it Innamorato, which means "in love" in Italian. I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar. 

A few closeups.




Disclosure: The fabrics, batting, thread and needles were generously supplied by the following companies: Thank you, Island Batik, Aurifil Thread,  Hobbs Batting & Schmetz Needles.







41 comments:

  1. Your quilt, and and your wonderful story are so beautiful!

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  2. What a beautiful idea for your Tuscany project. The silhouette of you two really makes it sing. xo

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  3. This is a WOW! my reaction when you added the tree. It is even better with your silhouettes.

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  4. This is so romantic! I love everything about it. Adding your silhouettes is the perfect touch. Have a lovely day.

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  5. This is an incredible piece of art! I admire your creativity!

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  6. Interesting process, Preeti. FABULOUS end product!!! Thanks for sharing your creative process with us. Your addition to the nearly finished quilt was inspired!

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  7. that is a really great piece! I love how you made it and it is perfect design.

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  8. Awesome background! And then the silhouettes!!! Wow!!! Better than a photo!!!

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  9. Oh, my, what amazing work! Congratulations on bringing the picture from your mind's eye to completion.
    Connie

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  10. Absolutely gorgeous! Mission accomplished... a tribute to beauty, nature and love!

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  11. Oh, WOW! You are the best ambassador, Preeti. The quilt is stunning.

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  12. Inamorata is glorious--I love your tree and your two figures came out perfectly--very evocative...hugs, Julierose

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  13. Stunning. You've outdone yourself.
    Pat

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  14. Wow! Your finished piece spoke to me in so many ways! Absolutely gorgeous...congratulations and thank you so much for explaining how you creatively came up with it.

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  15. A quiet little honeymoon picture with a blazing sunset. Memorable.

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  16. Adding you and Paul was exactly what the quilt needed to be complete!

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  17. What a beautiful side story and gorgeous quilt, Preeti!! I'm not a huge fan of orange, but I absolutely LOVE this! You are so creative!

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  18. Wow, your quilt is amazingly beautiful! You are such a poet, Preeti ;)

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  19. Hi Preeti! What a fun challenge and an even better interpretation of it. WOWEE. The IB fabrics coupled with the Aurifil threads - ooh-la-la. I have to agree with you; it was absolutely missing something with your silhouettes. Your fabric choices and placement are just spot on, and I certainly do hope you get to visit and stroll through the vineyards. I've always wanted to take a hands-on cooking class in Tuscany. Gorgeous and great job! {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne

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  20. Oh my, how gorgeous! The colors - the entire piece - is simply stunning. You keep hitting home runs!!

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  21. It is beautiful and it is another window into your amazing journey in life.

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  22. Just amazing, you captured your love for each other in this piece.

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  23. You hit this one out of the ball park! Just lovely!

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  24. Oh my goodness, you captured the moment so beautifully. Here's hoping you can both take that trip sometime in the not so distance future.

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  25. I thought it was fabulous without the silhouettes but then when you added them it was perfect. I love Gloria Loughman's tile technique.

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  26. Another beautiful quilt long with another beautiful story. Thank you

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  27. Beautiful! I love the combination of orange with purple, and the mix of geometric and organic shapes.

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  28. That is beautiful, Preeti! I love the colors and the way you made the sunset. Adding you and Paul in was the icing on the cake! Hope there is a special place in your home for you to hang this one!

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  29. Absolutely gorgeous! The addition of your silhouettes is so well done! I,too, hope that some day you will be able to enjoy Tuscan sunset!

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  30. Oh so very beautiful!!! I love that you added your silhouettes! Clever!

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  31. Love the beautiful story, love the beautiful quilt!

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  32. So,so beautiful. I just love it!

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  33. My gosh, one of the most beautiful quilts I've ever seen. Love your color combination and method. The silhouette of the two of you was the key to perfection!

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  34. Fabulous! I really love the colors of the batiks and how it catches the essence of a sunset. Your design is amazing . Thanks for showing the process and the soul added really does make it complete.

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  35. Lovely! Gotta try that landscape technique sometime. Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.

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  36. Oh, Preeti -- this is just amazing on so many levels! It's uncanny how those silhouettes are unmistakably, undeniably not just any couple but specifically my friend Preeti and her beloved Paul. The scale, the composition, the diagonal movement of the sky. This is me just gushing now. I cannot believe you came up with something so incredibly special from the simple prompts of "Tuscany" and "orange."

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  37. Your post grabbed me from the very beginning, with that fantastic photo of your scrumptious fabrics and the gooseberries(?). The landscape you created is so gorgeous, and adding the silhouettes of you and Paul took it over the top! I'm in awe of your creativity!

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  38. Absolutely spectacular! And your silhouettes are in the perfect location. Wow!!!

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  39. This is gorgeous! All that applique! Wow! It is very impressive.

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