Blush

Have you seen my Blush?

Paul the model

I made the flimsy as a part of the Pantone Color Quilt Challenge which included three categories - mini quilt, not a mini quilt, and flimsy. The extremely limited guidelines are a double-edge sword. As participants we can make anything we want - no limits to creativity. Since we don't know the judging criteria we cannot make a quilt to win the challenge. 

All the peaches

I chose to participate because I had plenty of gorgeous peachy goodness in my stash. I was in between projects. But most importantly, I wanted to play with peachy fabrics, which turned out to be a nice change of pace from Island Batik fabrics, which I absolutely love.

Making the Blocks

The block is super simple. One 2.5" square framed by 2.5" strips for a finished block of 6" square. But Blush isn't about block construction or piecing details.

Peach by Peach

Blush is about having a single-minded commitment to one color. Choosing one hue and giving it your all. Blush is about gathering every single fabric (in your stash) in one color and arranging them by value.

Value Gradation

Even if it requires you to use the same fabric from both sides, wrong side up for a slightly lighter value, as in the picture below. I did that more than once :-)

Two different blocks from one fabric - can you spot them?

Cute fabrics

Lots of arranging and rearranging.

It was a laborious task, getting that gradation from "caught in the act crimson" in the center to "the thought makes me blush" at the corners. I could not have done it without my design wall.

Design Wall

Oh, but when she was done, she took my breath away...

Blush is beautiful and she is gorgeous. Blush is my love letter to Peach Fuzz, the Pantone Color of the Year. 

Completed Flimsy

Such a show-off!

Blush makes me very happy. It was time to turn the flimsy into a quilt.

Basting

The truth is this - I LOVE to play with value.  I love gradation quilts. So who cares if Blush did not make it to the winning circle in the Peach Buzz Pantomime Challenge Whatever...

I am in love with Blush!

Reflection!

And also with Paul. 

Blush finished at 60" square and she happily rode the wooden horse.

Happiness

For backing I chose this cute cat print.  I quilted using my walking foot with my usual squiggly stitch. The binding is peach.

Labelled

From one childless lady who cannot have enough fabric cats, I wish you happy stitching!

Never too many cats :-)

And one last look. 

Bob and Blush

______________________________________________________

Angela chose Orange as the Rainbow Scrap Challenge color for August.  I had a difficult time finding orange in nature, until I looked closely.

Not quite the orange I was hoping to find...

Wait a minute...

Blanketflower

Marigold

Moss-rose Purslane

I had no problem finding orange in my stash. Here are my sunshine blocks.

Sunny Vibes

Feeling the Burn yet?

All fabric scraps came from Island Batik. It is good to be an ambassador :-)

I have now completed 63 Hexie Blocks, which will make a 70" by 90" quilt. I am contemplating 5" borders to get to a final size of 80" by 100" although that quilt may not happen for a while. 

I am working on a new quilt pattern. That blogpost is next!

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties including Angela's. See full list on the sidebar.

Peach on Earth

Although I had completed Blush, I had plenty of strips left over. It was time to play improv. 

Strips and Scraps

Pop of Green

As I pieced strips of varying lengths together, I added a skinny strip of green fabric to add a pop of contrast! What do you think?

Peach, Coral, Gold and Green :-)

Here is the finished quilt. I have named it "Peach on Earth". 

Peach on Earth, 42" by 45"

Giraffes on the Backing

Finishing at 42" by 45", "Peach on Earth" will be making an appearance in the Quilts (Throw or Larger) category. 

Here are a few closeups. 

Walking Foot Quilting

Pink Lions and Peachy Giraffes

White Binding

Labelled

There was just one more thing. I wanted a picture with a Pink Dogwood in Bloom. I scouted our neighborhood, knocked on doors, asking for permission to take pictures, promising no harm shall befall the blooms. I was lucky. Here are the best three (of 27) shots.

I will be sharing with the Pantone Quilt Challenge 2024 Linky Party hosted by Sarah Ruiz Quilts and Quilting Jetgirl's Favorite Finish for April. 

I will also be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.  

Feeling Peachy - Mica in Island Batik Fabrics

I wanted to make at least one quilt using Island Batik Fabrics, for the Pantone Quilt Challenge 2024.  

There are so many beautiful peachy hues to choose from.

Island Batik Fabrics

Cantaloupe (Island Batik Basic) from the Opulent Oranges was the closest match for Peach Fuzz.

Cantaloupe

Carrot

So many ideas and so little time. I wanted to create something simple and minimalist different from Blush (a Colorwash inspired quilt top), and Peach on Earth (improv pieced quilt).

After playing with shapes, fabrics and layouts in EQ8, I chose this design.

EQ8 Mock-Up

First Block

The design took a week, while the actual making of the quilt took but one weekend.

All the blocks

Borders!

And here is the finished quilt. I have named it Mica.

Mica finished at 26" by 28" and will be entered in the Mini/Wall category.

Mica, 26" by 28"

I will be sharing with the Pantone Quilt Challenge 2024 Linky Party hosted by Sarah Ruiz Quilts.

I will also be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.  

____________________________________________________________

In other news, I completed my yellow hexie blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  Sharing with Angela's Linky Party.

As usual, I look forward to your thoughts. 

Feeling Peachy - Blush

Few weeks ago, I had just completed a project for publication. And I had yet to begin my Funky Friends Toy. This in-between-projects time when I was particularly vulnerable, I came across the Pantone Quilt Challenge Announcement and I fell for it. HARD.

Paul: How hard?
Me: So hard that I have an entry in EVERY category.

One thing was certain. I was NOT going to buy any fabric for the challenge. I would only use my stash. It turns out I had plenty of peachy goodness, in the entire spectrum of values, in yardage, precuts and scraps. 

Lights

Mediums

Darks

I got to work or I started to play :-D

Peachy all the way

I cut squares and rectangles and made blocks. I arranged and rearranged. 

Ready to sew

On the design wall

I took a walk and saw peachy goodness everywhere.

On my walk

I checked my email and saw peachy yumminess.

Passionfruit Tea

I went shopping and was surrounded by peachy vibes.

Fashion forward kidswear

I woke up peachy. I ate peachy. I slept peachy and even dreamt in peachy hues.

My Salmon is Peachy :-D

Peachful Dreams

As I came close to completing the top, I thought about a suitable name. I should call it "A Peachful Demonstration", I reasoned. It had so many peachy fabrics.

But once I took the pictures, I decided against it. 

Finished Flimsy

Blossoming 

Blooming

Blushing

I am going with "Blush". What do you think?

Finally, my favorite picture!

She is peachy, alright!!!

Blush measures 60" square. 

I am entering Blush in the "Just the Top" category. 

Make sure you check out all the entries at the Pantone Quilt Challenge 2024 Linky Party hosted by Sarah Ruiz Quilts.

I will also be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.