Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Don't Leave a Puppy Home Alone All Day

You know what happens when you do, right? That puppy gets into everything, making a big mess... and is usually so proud to show you her results. In this case I was the puppy. Yep.

While visiting my quilting sister (QS) in Colorado this summer she foolishly left me home alone with the lame excuse of work. So I cleaned a bit, read a bit, then noticed the stack of fabrics she'd set aside to donate. According to QS, they didn't go together. Hah, says I.

I'd previously sent her a copy of Sujata's Cultural Fusion Quilts but... she hadn't started on any. Of course! She needed an example. I started cutting. By the end of the day there were 120 squares and some blocks were sewn. Over the week I finished sewing all the squares and suggested she sew it into a philanthropy top. QS gave me the snake eye. Where's the gratitude? Into my luggage they went. Last week I sewed them up. It's major clean up/clear out mode at my house.

Rocky Mountain November quilt

They look well together, IMHO. The fabrics remind me of late fall in the Rockies: the bright foliage is gone, some snow, blue skies and lakes, brown and evergreen hillsides. This has been my recurrent point -  your fabrics will go together. You already curated them when you bought them.

Rocky Mountain November detail

Because of the size, it's now a Veteran's quilt. Thanks, QS.

Quilt Details
Size: 90"(H) x 75"(W)
Pattern: Windmills from Cultural Fusion Quilts

Enjoy the day,
Ann

38 comments:

LA Paylor said...

here's me only having puppies pee on things! I love what you made. I has the feel of abstract mountains and I love the mountains! I want to go look for this book now, because this looks like a freeing kind of block to make, where each one is a bit different and it's fun to mix the results. Right up my street. LeeAnna

Quiltdivajulie said...

Love the analogy -- great quilt top and it is sure to be appreciated!!

Julierose said...

This is so amazing--what serendipity--it's funny how something just connects in one's brain and off you go--great job hugs, Julierose

Mel said...

You are a miracle worker/scrap busting queen! Very impressive...and fantastic quilt!!

Sue said...

Glorious, of course those fabrics go together! Love that pattern to, it is on my "to do" list. Very pretty.

Susan said...

That's a beauty! Makes me want to pull those colors and make one too

Ann said...

Oh, Cole is much more clever than that. I bet he had more mischief as a puppy.
I thought this pile went together so well it was something she'd pulled for a quilt. It amazed me she thought they didn't match. I could understand being tired of the fabrics; they are all from different quilts she made. Anyway, this was the block that seemed easiest. It really shows off different fabrics well. I always like the results.
I look forward to seeing yours and Cole's!

Ann said...

Thanks, Julie. These are her favorite colors. I think this is a wonderful veteran's quilt.

Ann said...

Thanks, Julierose. It is funny how one person sees a pile of discordant discards and another sees a quilt.

Ann said...

Haha, Mel. You are the miracle worker. I love your creative quilts. And your quilting! (I can bust scraps.)

Ann said...

Thanks, Sue. It's a good book. Someone mixed up several of Sujata's ideas with some string piecing and made something very original. I keep meaning to walk that plank but so far have just used the patterns for quick gifts. They all turn out wonderfully.

Ann said...

Thanks, Susan. I know you; you'll pull an even better set of colors... and probably have 10 complete by next meeting!

Mystic Quilter said...

What a treasure find - this is a wonderful quilt and is beautifully Autumnal.

Monica said...

LOL, does QS not read your blog? But, I understand, I wouldn't want to finish someone else's idea either.

Anyway, I think blue and brown look good together, and the restricted palette makes those tans glow. It's a wonderful quilt. Great eye, great job!

Glen QuiltSwissy said...

Bad Puppy! That is why we have crates! LOL

Kaja said...

You really would think those fabrics had been chosen to go together, they work so well. Absolutely proves the point about unconsciously curating as we buy/acquire fabric.

Ann said...

Thanks, Maureen. Autumnal it is.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

A great finish! I always love blue & brown together, and adding a few warm golds/orange really sets the autumnal tone!

Ann said...

Yes, she does, Monica. This is my retaliation for the snake eye. ;-) And she'll pay me back again.
I like the way her fabrics worked out.

Ann said...

Don't give her any ideas!

Ann said...

Thanks, Kaja. It's easier to see other people's color palettes than our own.

Ann said...

Thanks, Linda. I think it will be a great Veteran's quilt.

Janie said...

Great balance of light, dark and scrappy.

Lara B. said...

The fabrics look beautiful sewn into one quilt - like they were meant to be Ann. They reminded me of a lake in the woods. I love your thought: "Your fabrics will go together. You already curated them when you bought them."

Ann said...

Thanks, Janie.

Ann said...

Thanks, Lara. It is amazing, isn't it? We each have our own color sensibility and we are all a bit different.

audrey said...

It looks like it was meant to be. I think you're right that it's easier to see others color palettes than our own. We get a little critical of the details if we're not careful! And what a fun little project getting to play with someone else's fabric pieces!

Stephie said...

I took one look at this top and thought, ooh that doesn't look like Ann - and now I know why! They're a great set of colours and prints, but so different from your own collection - perhaps more muted and quieter? One thing that's definitely 'Ann' though is the fantastic use of colour value - pretty unmistakeable I think! Great top - what do sisters know ;)

Ann said...

It was fun to play with her fabrics. I was amazed she couldn't see how wonderful all of these would look together. But they were her leftovers from several projects. I guess leftover and overuse simply
Tired her of these.

Ann said...

Isn't it fun to play with someone else's color palette? And their fabric!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

i saw this title and thought 'oh no a puppy ruined some fabric' so I am glad to see that was not the case. What a beautiful top!

Ann said...

I hadn't thought of that. Just that I was so excited to show the results to my sister. I'm glad you and I like it.

Sujata Shah said...

90"? You have got to be kidding me! Wow! I love this post! How cool is it to go to your sister's and make a quilt top? Love the colors and and your take on this block! Sparkling with contrast... Gorgeous!

Ann said...

Thanks, Sujata. That's what I measured and it's gone. It was fun to make the blocks while she was at work. I really enjoyed using the leftovers from her previous tops. This is a fun block; I love how it looks.

Cathy said...

Well, I don't know of any fabrics that don't go together! Awesome quilt! I'm sure some veteran will love it and feel the fabrics go together too. Wish I had a sister that sewed let along had a pile of fabrics to give away because they didn't go together!

Cathy said...

Oh, I forgot to say it was a doggone good idea!

Ann said...

I think you're right- but sometimes it takes many others to get two to look good together. I have the best sisters!

Ann said...

Thanks, Cathy.