Winter Oranges mini-quilt for swap

I finished my mini-quilt for Jean, my partner from the Flickr group Swap 'til you Drop. The theme was Sweet, Sour or Savory. 

 

Winter Oranges

14" square

Fabrics:
Kaffe Fasset
Loni Rossi
Michael Miller Fairy Frost Solids

King Tut variegated thread for quilting (90/14 quilting needle)

Overall I really like it. Love the colors and the swirliness of it all and I enjoyed combining photography, paint and quilting. Still very much in learning mode on the free-motion, but it's becoming more fun and less terrifying.

Particularly thrilled with how the stenciled blue/green swirls worked. After all the piecing was finished it just didn't sing for me. It needed that something extra, and the idea of painting came in that proverbial flash. Before I could talk myself out of it I grabbed a stencil, foam brush and acrylics and took the plunge. Nothing like paining on your finished top to make you feel like a tightrope walker without a net!

I had my doubts mid-stream, but it makes me happy. Here's what I like about the stenciling:

- Adds visual interest.
- Breaks the boundaries between the discrete areas - adds motion and improves eye tracking.
- Carries the green/aqua color around the composition.
- Frames and complements, but doesn't overwhelm the photo (a little maybe, but not disastrously).
- Offers compositionally meaningful and natural free-motion quilting lines.
- Grows organically out of the swirls in the two patterns on each side - not "tacked on".
- Strengthens the circle theme and adds curves.
- Texture of the pounced paint balances the smooth surfaces and loosens the vibe.

Took photos in afternoon sun that emphasize the quilting. The colors really are this vibrant in person. I just love orange!

I went a little too far with the stitching in places, but I'm pushing myself to be brave and get an intuitive feel for free motion. Quit while you're ahead is a logical attitude for a lot of things, but this isn't real life - it's play. For me, it's more exciting to take chances rather than stick with safe choices dictated by a fear of messing up. Yeah, I might regret the result, but I've decided not to dampen the impulse. That's one of my New Year's Resolutions. Think I should print a bumper sticker? Quilt like no one's watching. That would mess with people's heads in traffic!

 

Comments

[Megan]

omg--you always inspire me, Nancy--the way you marry fabrics and color--the whimsy and joy in your work just blows me away. How can you bear to part with this one??? Thanks for letting us all peek into your process...

[Alison]

I'm a huge fan of you pushing yourself, it's fabulous and it gives me hope that I too can do the same for myself. Love the future bumper sticker "Quilt Like No One's Watching", this will become my New Year's proclamation!

[MichelleB]

I love it! I love all of the quilting, too. Fabulous.

[alisonb2]

I like it too! Thank you for sharing how you went about it. I am pleased you have the courage to step outside that comfort zone. It takes a lot to say 'OK here goes!' and to do it. Brilliant!!!

[Amanda Cathleen]

that would be a fantastic bumper sticker! Beautiful quilt, really fabulous! I love the painting, the colors everything! Great job

[quilting forum]

I love it! I love all of the quilting, too.

[pam]

wow, great job.

[Jody]

Beautiful as always! I've really been into orange lately - this quilt is just gorgeous!

[Mardel]

Oh my goodness, the colors, the texture, the colors. Your color sense always inspires me, even though I don't manage to comment often.

I have nominated your for a Kreativ Blogger award.

[Julie]

It is beautiful and you all over. I love the colors. The dark blue and gold are outstanding together. Makes my yellow and blue quilt look quite faded in comparison. I think it is perfect, and you just keep on doing what your doing because it is exactly right. :o)

[Jennifer]

GORGEOUS! (yes, I'm yelling)

[kristin]

This is just gorgeous. I need to take some chances with my (amateur) quilting!

[Tracey]

As usual, absolutely breathtaking Nancy.

[Lisa]

Those colours work so well together, and your quilting is great - so much texture.

[Patricia]

"Quilt like no one's watching." What a great philosophy! I am very taken with this piece! Love the painting, too...