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.

Workshop with Gloria Loughman

More often than not, quilt guild workshops are on weekdays and are not conducive to those of us not yet retired from our day jobs. But when the guild arranged a two-part workshop with Gloria Loughman on two weekends (9/11 and 9/18), I wasted no time and signed up for it.  

I bought the recommended pattern and downloaded the instructions. I watched the videos and read the downloaded pattern sheets. That was in July. 

Come September, I am buried deep in Island Batik October Challenge.  It has been rather all-consuming.

Improvisational Piecing

Iberian Lynx Silhouette

So when the Gloria Loughman workshop started at 3:30 on Saturday afternoon, I joined on Zoom but continued working on the Iberian Lynx project (Island Batik October Challenge). 

The workshop was terrific. Gloria is an excellent teacher with lots of examples from her work. She would explain a few things and then give 30 minutes for sewing, while she was available to answer questions, give feedback and make suggestions.  

Me: I am so torn.
Paul: What's up?
Me: I really want to work on this "Light up your Landscape" project.
Paul: So why don't you?
Me: I am in the middle of something else.
Paul (looking at the class materials): With all those light and dark colors, it is neat. 
Me: That is exactly why I want to dive in. 
Paul: There are so many guns held at your head but the only hand holding them is yours.

He has a point. 

I focused the next few days (Sunday - Wednesday) on completing the top for the Iberian Lynx project (Island Batik October Challenge). Then I dropped it to make the Landscape quilt.  My hope was to have something done before the second part of the workshop on following Saturday, 9/18.

Tiles Cut

Arranging Tiles

Brick by Brick

Completed Sky

From Thursday through Saturday afternoon, I focused on the workshop project.  When it was time for Workshop - Part 2, I was fully focused. No distractions. 

Choosing foreground

I showed my progress to Gloria. She approved. I worked on the different elements of the landscape during the 30 minute sewing sessions.

Completed Sky Sewn!!!

Island Batik for foliage

By the end of the workshop, I was so far along that I had to finish it. 

I have named it Gul Mohar, because the yellow/orange blooms are like those of the Gul Mohar tree, common in India. 

Gul Mohar

Of course, some of you may want to get up close and personal. Here you go :-)

But truly, the effect of light appears best when viewed from a distance. 

I am loving it and I am so glad that I took the plunge. I highly recommend Gloria Loughman's workshop. She is an accomplished artist and a terrific teacher. 

Gul Mohar finished at 13" by 19", and became my Dreami (Drop everything and make it) for September. Sharing with Sandra's Linky Party and all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.