We talk a lot about establishing contrast in our quilts. It can be confusing in this day of colorful fabrics to create movement and interest as each fabric dominates equally and patterns get lost. It was easy when everything was light, medium or dark but now we have to think laterally to find contrast as bright colors can have the similar values. Warm colors vs cool colors create an interesting mix. 
Life imitates art. Walking by this spot the other day we just had to stop and snap a shot. How exciting are those hot yellow boats against the cool blue harbor! It just jumps out of the background to catch the eye of the viewer. The photo is nearly all blue but the yellow makes a strong statement. 
This pile of cast off bits caught my eye as well. The color jumps around in that pile of red (warm) and blue (cool) wood bits. Of further interest is how that brown sits as a neutral, the platform on which the color play, so to speak. Although I frequently hear people say they don't like brown it has an important place in the mix. It gives strength and energy to colors just by the neutrality of its nature. Oh, to be so calm. In the back in is another great neutral, grey. Neutrals can often be overlooked when selecting from the outlandish colors we have to choose from but they are important.
Then there is value to consider.
The aqua here varies in value from light to a dark which draws the eye into the photo. Although I love to talk through these concepts they are only suggested guidelines. They are useful to get us through a planning stage or a problem stage. If a project, at that critical point of inspection, appears to be missing something these are the first two things to consider. There is usually a moment in the quilt making process when we need to stop and consider the options going forward and that critical moment is when we refer to these concepts.
John "Bob" the builder and Daredevil boy waited for me to arrive home last night, standing in what will soon be an attic storage space. Like contrast and value, storage is an important element of the game! When I moved to Australia, one of the first thing I noticed about Australian homes was a distinct lack of closets and storage space altogether. This is soon going to change around here...that is if it ever stops raining. 
And speaking of building houses...How about this! Fay has worked the concepts from Collaborative Quilting into this sweet number. I have to say it was a struggle at first. Organizing the scraps and bits into warm and cool piles was a great start to easing the confusion of so many options. Although this is an anything goes construction piece it is surprisingly tricky at the start both from establishing contrast and construction techniques. It takes some practice as thing shrink in funny ways. However, in the end, this is such a fabulous result, full of personality and most reflective of the maker. It is also a fun project to practice things like half square triangles and flying geese blocks as space fillers.
What do we have here? Well, Ali started with us last year as a beginner. This quilt works value to spectacular effect. The subtle colors have definite lights, mediums and darks.
Ali brought this beautiful quilt to us this year as a finished top. She designed it herself in what can only be described as a fearless manner. Lets all stand up and give her a clap and an A for effort!
tic toc tic toc tic toc...Speaking of effort, it is 45 minutes later. Sometimes people send me photos and I think I must remember to post it. Then 100 more emails come in, the photo gets buried and I get distracted. So, I have sifted through 3 email accounts to find:
These three gorgeous boys belong to Miss Kate, currently in Singapore. They look like enough to keep a gal busy. I am happy to report that via blogland, Kate has made contact with some quilters so we can all rest a tiny bit. We still miss her.
This photo was sent to me by Marlene Crichton who was inspired by Over the Border in book two.
Lone Star quilts are a bit of a "right of passage quilt. It takes persistence to get the points right but it is achievable (maybe even addicting) and particularly when using the Creative Grid Duo Ruler. Accurate cutting means finding the seam allowance easier for accurate sewing and a flat result.
Stephanie made this stunner in Sue Ross's class. It is another example of working color in a scrap style manner. The aqua cornerstones look great and give that spark of color that bring it all together. Check out the legs!
Speaking of Sue, all February BOMs are going out at last including Brigitte Giblin's Tesselation, Black Family Album and the Dolly Quilts! This month has been a busy one at MO. However, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel as the 2010 classes and programs roll out. I waver from a feeling of complete control to a state of complete lack there of throughout the day.
People often ask me how I do it all. I have to say that I am surrounded by the best women working in the shop. Everyone has contributed so much so far this year to make it fun, despite the oppressive heat, humidity and growth. I'd like to ask that if you see Bundle, give her a nice pat on the back for managing an enormous increase in mail order, pattern writing and classes. Imagine her, down in the luxurious (inglorious) underground offices of MO in the heat, managing the inner workings of MO despite my constant interruptions, requests and generally confusing manner. If I were her I am sure I'd have me gagged and tied up in a corner but she goes on like a wind up toy. Truly, madly, thank you for your efforts!!
And speaking of efforts, check out this guy...
Filthy, soaking wet in the rain and still going with a broom and a determination that the building site is tidy at the end of the day. Everything is in order. I could kiss him...or maybe not. It is those people we surround ourselves with that make our life what it is.
And now, what more could we ask for than a rainy Saturday...no cricket and perhaps a bit of sewing on the agenda...or bathroom shopping...Enjoy! Kathy
