Friday, February 3, 2017

Project Quilting Tuned Into Texture Challenge

Spontaneity is my middle name. And so when I read Kim Lapacek's blog about the challenge for Project Quilting - Tuned Into Texture - I decided right then and there I'd do it!

But where would I find my inspiration 'from the wild'? It's deep winter here, with literally four feet or more of snow on the ground. Not much to see out there.....or is there?

I started by looking out the window of my home in the Wood River Valley in the south-central mountains of Idaho. Little bit of melting going on and a nice ice dam forming. Oh, and then there was a cool rug in our kitchen. Or the blinds create an eerie glow with the light shining in.



 I decided I'd better get my snow boots on and venture outdoors. Heck, it was 5 degrees. No biggie.

I found some neat designs on the snowbank, as the snow had been melting ever so slightly, and it was a little wind blown..
 Then I noticed the tire treads in the driveway from the snowplow and the snow blower. Kinda cool.

And then I really liked the late afternoon shadow that the trees cast across the snow bank.

But it wasn't until the next morning, as I was showering, that I really 'looked' at the window tiles in the shower. They were blue, just like all the winter shots from outdoors. And the light played across the curved bricks in the most delightful way!


That's what I decided to use for inspiration in my new quilt. But how? Think, think, think.  I came up with the idea that simple is better.  I constructed this fun lap quilt - a really easy pattern, but the key to it was the background fabric.  It's an Art Gallery print, with small dots interlaced throughout and then some modernistic stick that remind me of pine trees on one of the outer edges.


The pattern is simplistic, with the blocks representing the shower tiles.  And for the texture of the piece, I used a pantograph that is very fluid and makes the eye move from one section of the quilt to another. 


This was the first time I'd used this panto, and I must say, I'm in love with it! It's a favorite from now on!




I put a soft gray minky backing on, and the texture on that is heavenly!  Don't you just want to run your hands across it?


So. There you have it! My first completion for Project Quilting. It was a good challenge to go from conception to completion in one week. Very fun!  This quilt is a good lap size at 50 x 59 inches.

Quilting with a smile,
Barb
Linking up with:
Linky Tuesday
Project Quilting
Show Off Saturday
Fabric Frenzy Friday
Can I Get A Whoop Whoop? 
Finished Or Not Friday
Midweek Makers 
Needle and Thread Thursday

12 comments:

  1. Great finish! Thanks for sharing your inspiration and journey. I love that quilting pattern too!

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  2. Love your photos of texture -- they are all so interesting. Your finished quilt just begs to be touched -- even on my computer. Please share the name of the panto -- it is really nice. Did you use a batting or just the Minky?

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  3. This is a BEAUTIFUL quilt! I love its simplicity and that Art Gallery print - I need a bolt of it! Where did you find it? Your photos of the outdoors were so beautiful....what a wonderful treasure hunt for inspiration!

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  4. That is really cool! Love the texture of that quilting design!

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  5. Oh, wow, I love that panto!! What a cool texture that gives to the quilt. It's great you found so much inspiration both inside and outside.

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  6. Love the quilting you did on it, perfect for this one I'd say! Very pretty quilt.

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  7. Love your quilt! Perfect fabric choices for your inspirational landscape pictures. Thank you for sharing such a beauty on Midweek Makers

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  8. what a fantastic finish! I adore this!

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  9. Barb, I love reading about your process of inspiration on this quilt. A peek inside your mind! That quilting looks perfect! And yes, minky backings are the best! I've read that some people don't like quilting with it but I don't get it. Why?

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  10. I really like the texture of your quilting. The backing looks great. I wouldn't have known it was minky if you hadn't said so. I am not brave enough to try to quilt minky yet.

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I always love to hear your thoughts!

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