Spring into Color

We have begun to be inspired by Spring. I have noticed much more bird activity in my yard, and the general feeling is much more energetic lately. Losing the late Winter Blahs is good. One thing that has helped is that it is still daylight when I go home from work now. Another thing that helps is that the new spring things are coming really soon to the shoppe. Currently I have been enjoying reading "The Quilter's Color Club" by Christine E Barnes. This very practical look at color for quilters not only has great photographs, but ways for you to experiment with your own stash without having to donate a bunch of fabrics to the cause. I found the explanations of why things work or not to be illuminating- sorry about the pun. There are actual projects too, and they are wonderful, I am considering possibly doing a workshop on one of them. All this thinking about color is helping to banish the now dingy snow from my thoughts and replacing it with lots of colorful new project ideas.

One of my all time favorite quilts is Corona 2, Solar Eclipse, by Carol Fallert. It is a masterful design and it uses color to create a truly stunning visual statement. Carol has just recently put up a series of photographs on flickr that documents the process of its construction. It is a rare treat to get to see the decision making process that goes into such artwork. This is a quilt that I have studied and analysed, and I still was surprised to find that the back is pieced too!! This piece won the best of show purchase award the first time it was shown, so it has not travelled as much as you would think, and you would never know that the back is stunning in its own right. I hope that this link works for you, it is really long.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/breyerpatch/sets/72157625998890775/
If it doesn't work, google Breyerpatch studios to get to her website, or ask me when you come in for handstitchers on Tuesday, or the Block of the Month on Saturday. For the BOM, we will look at Mistyfuse, a different kind of fusible web, and Mock Sashiko stitching. If you want to, bring hand embroidery things to play around with it. I'll have some things for you, but if you want specific colors bring them. You may also want a pair of small scissors. See you all soon.