pink

Art Cards 2011/14 – Wild Side

| terriaw

My theme for this week’s art cards was based on the color combination of electric blue and hot pink.

I started out with these bright colors, and then did a whimsical illustration as a fun way to express the wild side I try hard to keep hidden inside. I know, I should set her free more often!

I made another card to reflect on some of my favorite things, especially things coming up in the spring and summer seasons.

Just some simple ideas and illustrations this week expressed with fun colors.

Stop by our Flickr group to see what Michelle and Sandra have been doing on their fun art cards.

Pink Cross Blocks

| terriaw

Did you see my pink cross blocks in the newest issue of Fat Quarterly?

I was so excited to be able to contribute to the designer challenge, which was to make a cross block using only solids.

When I heard about the challenge to make a cross block, I was vacationing in New York City, where I am always inspired by the architecture. I saw different shapes of crosses in the bricks of those ornate facades. Not just one upright with a horizontal bar intersecting it. Crosses with flair on the tips, like the maltese cross.

My first instinct was to make a block with a cream cross on a brown background to match the architecture of those beautiful buildings. But I’m all about color, so that combination felt a little boring. Then I remembered that Pantone recently named Honeysuckle as the color of 2011, writing that it is a color of courage, confidence and vitality, “a brave new color for a brave new world.” That was exactly the feeling I wanted when I looked at this block. So I pulled pink solids from my stash and found the one closest to Pantone’s honeysuckle, pairing it with a hot pink. Just to satisfy my curiosity, I made a second block with the colors switched. I just knew it would look different!

The editors of this issue did an excellent job creating illustrations for the tutorial I submitted to make this block.

If you’re not already a subscriber to this e-magazine that gets delivered to your inbox quarterly, I encourage you to get this issue. It’s full of great ideas for quilting and sewing with solid fabrics!

Color Palette – Ribbons

| terriaw

I was happy to hear that Brandi was offering to continue with the color palettes as a weekly post on Friday. Today’s theme is ribbons and trims.

photo from Martha Stewart

I have been slowly building my stash of ribbons and trims, so I went surfing to find a picture of ribbons and trims that spoke to me. I probably wouldn’t make one bag or quilt with all of these shades of pink, but it goes well with many other colors, especially black and gray, so any of these ribbons would make a great accent. I also love the variety of ribbons that are featured, satin, organdy, taffeta, picot-edge (my favorite), velvet (my second favorite), wire, grosgrain, metallic, and more.

I know, some girls refuse to like pink, but I like it, so this palette was fun to play with!

One For Me

| terriaw

Thank you for the patchwork love lately! I appreciate all that positive feedback. It really gives a girl a boost of confidence to keep pushing on.

I had some patchwork left over from those custom bags I made last weekend, so I decided to make a small zipper bag for myself. (it’s about 5 inches high by 8 inches wide)

pink bag with black embellishments

This one has some embellishments that I’m crazy about, including this awesome black and silver patch on the front. Then I framed that patch with rhinestone trim. A girlie bag has to have some sparkles!

black embellishments on pink bag

I also added a black chain for a handle, which was a first for me but definitely worth the effort to figure out how to make it work. I think it really dresses up this little patchwork even more.

black chain handle

Another small detail – a tiny black fleur de lis patch sewn onto the back.

fleur de lis patch on back

I really pushed myself with this project, setting off the pink fabrics with unexpected details, making the contrast more striking.

pink patchwork with black details

How fun combining the girlie pink patchwork with these black embellishments! This one is for me!

Valentines Day Table Runner

| terriaw

I finished my Valentines Day table runner, which I pieced together and quilted last year, but I never finished sewing on the binding. Now I can count this as another finished project for the year!

It’s simply uneven strips pieced together, with a border around them. Our buffet table measures about 17 inches deep and this new runner is about 14 inches, so it fits nicely. I love this combination of colors – brown with red and pink.

I appliqued the hearts with my old sewing machine, which never cooperated when doing applique or zig-zag stitches. I ended up hand sewing over the spotty machine stitching because it skipped every couple stitches.

For the binding, I pieced together a combination of the leftover fabrics, which looks cool as you wind your way around this runner.

I’m so happy I stuck with this project, and finally finished it! It adds colorful cheer in our living room, especially this time of year when things look so drab outside. It’s actually the only Valentine’s Day decoration we have in the house, except for that bowl of red and pink MnMs.

Speaking of Valentine’s Day, I have to give a shout out to thank my friend Vicki for sending me a surprise Valentine’s Day package!

She is famous for her whirligig pinwheels, so I feel honored to get a towel with a red-and-white-pinwheel-band through the middle.

I will be wearing this adorable heart brooch for the rest of the week!

Fall Fabric Swap Goodies

| terriaw

I was so excited to receive an airmail package from Australia – from my partner for the Fall Fabric Swap, sponsored by Marvellous Mouse Designs. Yay! Woo hoo!

Each participant in this fabric swap was connected with a partner and given instructions to send her a total of one yard/metre of fabric made up in any increment.

Check out the loot my partner sent me:

I feel so lucky that Karen who lives in Australia got my name. She included a flower piece of the new Pop Garden fabric collection by Heather Bailey, a striped piece that might be from Sandi Henderson’s Farmers Market fabric collection, and other pieces of pink and green that will look great together, perhaps in a log cabin patchwork block, which is what I have in mind with an embroidered friendship message on the other side.

The goodies don’t end with these great fabrics. She also included this adorable fabric basket:

and this cute pattern for a glasses case (I love the embroidery on the flap):

and these notions – trim and buttons:

My swap partner also included a notecard with a letter handwritten inside telling me about herself. I love it! It’s like having a new friend on the other side of the world. It made me feel a little sheltered that I don’t know much about Australia, but it also got me excited to make a new crafting friend and a chance to learn more. Thank you Karen!