Friday, November 4, 2016

RSC16 week 45

THE LAST LEAVES

Our autumn weather here in WI has been Indian Summer weather.  As the trees change color and the leaves fall, I have noticed something.  The last leaves hanging on the trees seem more colorful than any before.  I stared for minutes at an orange-yellow mix on a maple.  The color was so intense it soaked into my spirit.  The only thing approaching it in my small world is batik fabric with light shining through. But "Only God can make a tree."  
    
16-PATCH MEDALLION WIP

I needed an extra 16-patch block to make my idea of a medallion quilt using my RSC collection.  So I mixed the brightest orange in my stash with turquoise, a very happy combination.


That is my farewell to orange for this year, which has been a very good one for my quilting endeavors.

CENTER BLOCK FOR MEDALLION

I asked advice from Mari at the Academic Quilter for the center block, because she has done wonderful large blocks with excellent tutorials.  I wanted a 16-inch block in a star pattern.  Mari kindly found a lovely pattern, which she enlarged to 16 inches for me and included complete directions.  Thanks so much, Mari.  P.S.  Thanks also, Mari, for previewing this photo and pointing out that the top left 4-patch is turned in the wrong direction.  At least no ripping will happen tomorrow if I'm careful.


The pattern she sent me used red and blue.  I made the backing pure white for a patriotic star and easily got it to this design floor stage, using Magic 8 HSTs, squares and rectangles.  Most pieces came from my jelly roll strips.  

Now is the hard part, deciding how to enlarge it and include the twelve blocks in RSC colors.  This is my first medallion quilt, so anything goes at this point, trial and error.  That is the frustrating but fun part, designing within the limits of the sizes and colors.  Stay tuned.

ANOTHER TINY QUILT

This sweet little Sunbonner Sue is definitely a minimalist version, 4-1/2 by 6 inches.


The quilt is done in that odd 1930's green, with the dress printed with daisies.  Both fabrics have faded.  The simple quilted squares are stitched in matching green thread, which has remained darker on the back.  
The binding is machine stitched onto the front and hand stitched on the back.  This tiny treasure is in great condition.

With the beginning of November we start to feel the pressure of holidays coming up and so much to do.  I hope we can all make good choices this year to prevent getting stressed out or sick.  I must remember that friends and family are most important and they deserve my love and attention.  One gift more or less does not matter as much as the hugs and warm smiles.  

Have a good time checking out the fun goings on at 
Rainbow Scrap Challenge at



11 comments:

  1. Those oranges do make a great pop of color! Beautiful

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  2. Your center star is looking great! And I love that Sunbonnet Sue--so precious!

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  3. love the phrase, the color soaked into my spirit! It's true... just absorbing the colors...

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  4. Oops!! The "arrow" on the right side of the Star Medallion needs some attention, too. That GORGEOUS orange and turquoise 16-Patch will be a wonderful addition to your block collection!! Enjoy...

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  5. That star is going to make a great center for your 16 patches! Have fun getting it all laid out!

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  6. Good luck on the medallion. I made my first one this year and had fun.
    My grandmother used "that green" on almost every quilt she made in the 30s...Irish heritage, I guess! I like it.

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  7. Gorgeous center! Can't wait to see this medallion grow! (I'm becoming a very big fan of medallion quilts!)
    I'm sad to see orange go, though. Such a luscious color!

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  8. th medallion quilt will look som good with this centre block, npt done a medallion myself. Your otange scraps have workes ell too, loving the mini mini Sun Bonnet Sue quilt

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  9. Thanks for all the great positive thoughts today! Have fun with your medallion - the challenge of making everything work will be worth it!

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  10. I love your fabric combination in your 16 patch block and your star block is looking lovely Paula. You are doing a great job.
    Smiles
    Kate

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  11. A medallion quilt will be fun to watch. Thanks for sharing your center block with Oh Scrap!

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