Color Palette Perfection : :

Isn't this the most beautiful Fall color palette? I think so!



Yesterday, while I worked on my Wonky Pinwheel Bee Blocks, I thought a lot about the things I plan to make for our new home. I've been creating quite the list! I'm so excited to finally be able to really decorate in a way that represents our taste and style. Since we've always rented and have moved sooo much, regardless of how much I may have loved the house we were living in, I knew it was just a temporary situation. Because of that I have never had this chance to plan and dream about making a house, our home.

While I pieced away, I also spent some time thinking about Natalie. She clearly has great taste and a wonderful sense of color! These colors together are so warm and inviting.



I thought of the last assigned bee blocks that Natalie chose for us. Those Improv Chevrons, probably my favorite blocks ever! And remembered I had made just one extra one, adding in a little navy and brown.



I have several, maybe a dozen or so, random quilt blocks hanging in my studio closet. I went and found that one that I had completely forgotten about, and right away thought about this pin, of an Eco-friendly Living Room via bhg.com. I love everything about it! This color palette is definitely one of my favorites, and one that both my husband and I love. I plan to use this image as inspiration for decorating our new family room.

via bhg.com

Today, I'm thinking that this Improv Chevron block might have to become a first new pillow, for our new home. What do you think?
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A Fabric GIVEAWAY : :

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It's Fabric Giveaway Friday!

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My sponsor The Intrepid Thread is a family owned and run business. In their shop you'll find Fat Quarters, Half Yards, Yards, and Yardage, as well as patterns and embellishments. Their designer fabrics include many of our favorites -- Art Gallery Fabrics, Moda, and Riley Blake Designs just to name a few! 
The owners work extremely hard everyday to bring their customers the best fabrics,
at the best prices, with high quality customer service!
  
SHOP  *  BLOG  *  FACEBOOK
 

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We hope you enjoy visiting The Intrepid Thread's sites!! 

For this weekend's giveaway The Intrepid Thread is offering a lovely bundle of Art Gallery Fabrics, 
chosen by Julie & myself with my Pretty Bow Pillow as inspiration! 
 

I also put together one of my Color Inspiration mosaics to share, just for fun and because I love a good visual of how unexpected color choices can be paired together to create something gorgeous. 
Can you imagine a quilt in these rich colors? Now that would be amazing!!
 

This weekend's Giveaway offer includes the ELEVEN Fat Quarters in pretty Pink & Yellow prints and solids, 
that make up this custom fabric bundle!! 

You can find this bundle available in both Fat Quarters and Half Yards in The Intrepid Thread Shop. 
 

Enter to win!

Here's how,
 
1. Simply leave a comment here in this post. I'd love to know what you'd like to make with these? (one entry)
2. Follow The Intrepid Thread on facebook, their blog, or sign up to receive their Newsletter. Just let me know that you did by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
3. My followers get a third entry! Whether you follow me here, in your reader, or on Facebook, just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
4. Help spread the word!! I know that many of you already do, so I thought it would be nice to add that as another way to enter! Whether by tweet, facebook, pin, blog, etc... (optional extra entry)
 
That’s 4 possible entries! Enter now through Monday morning, September 17th. Mr. Random will pick the winner and I will announce their name at the bottom of this post, here on the blog!
 
* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or an anonymous commenter, remember to include your email address in your comment so that I can contact you, should you win! 

* * * * *  UPDATE  * * * * *

Thank you to all who entered this past weekend's Giveaway!! 

 

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  From 1,640 entries, Mr. Random says the lucky winner is...

Comment #996 -- Lindsay, who said...

i think i'd make a fun crib quilt with these. such a lovely combination!

Congratulations Lindsay!!! I will be in touch shortly!

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Fabric Stash Rainbow : :

It always feels so good to find new ways to store your fabrics and craft supplies, doesn't it? I think so! Once I was home from Atlanta, the first thing on my mind was to shift things around in my studio! I was so inspired by my trip to Whipstitch, not just to get things a little more organized, but to also change HOW I organize. You could even say that I had a bit of an "Aha! Moment" while I was there. And, that 14.5 hour ride home gave me lots of time to think this through, I'll explain!

Whipstitch is a very organized, well layout shop, with fabrics mostly displayed by fabric manufacturer, collection, and designer. Which is exactly how I was stashing my fabrics, in a much messier way. While we were shopping I realized something that I hadn't before -- I was much more drawn to the fabrics I bought, what it was that made them interesting and something I wanted, when they were pulled away from their collection, laid out on a cutting table, next to a contrasting print, or even in someone's hand. So of course I decided it would make much more sense for me to divide up my fabric stash in a new way. By color!

We found this great 25 cubby shelf at HomeGoods and right away I knew it would be perfect! I pinned a few similar options here, for those of you who are interested!



For this color game I called in the troops to do the sorting for me, while I did the folding. Most of my stash consists of half yard cuts, to give you an idea on what the dimensions are here.The little bowls for pins and buttons are from here, and the "M" from here.



It didn't take long before it was full!



Of course these aren't all my fabrics. I still have my wooden crate storage for the fabrics that wouldn't fit -- my Melody Miller and linen stash, holiday prints, solids, custom bundles, flannels, home dec, Riley Blake, Summersville, Anna Maria Horner (I'll save the pictures of that stash for another day), and my Art Gallery Fabrics.



It's so nice to be able to see what colors I really need now -- purples, true blues, and black for sure! Plus I really need solids!



It's extra wonderful to see this wall of goodness when I'm sitting behind my sewing machine!



And I'm extra excited about WHAT having this view will inspire me to make!



My little space will always be a work in progress, but right now it sure feels pretty perfect!

Color Inspiration : :

Several weeks ago when I had my Handmade Giveaway and had asked what you would like to see more of here on my blog, one of the most popular responses I received was for me to share more of my thoughts on color choices and how I put fabrics together.



I've been thinking about this ever since. It's a challenge for me to explain exactly where inspiration comes from. The easiest answer would be to say "from EVERYWHERE" and that would absolutely be the truth, although not very helpful. So... I decided, the best way for me to share my thoughts and reasons for choosing colors would be to break it down to the individual bundle and/or project, in a new blog post dedicated to just that. Just as I was doing with my Color or Tuesday Inspiration posts.

Vintage Tea Time * Pompoms * Triangle Quilt * Pyrex Cup & Saucer * Fabrics
Houses Quilt * Black & White Quilt * Bedroom * Scandinavian Print
Blue Bowls * Print * Chevron Block * Catherineholm Platter

Today, I thought a great place to start would be my most recent stashed bundle that I had put together for The Intrepid Thread fabric shop.



It's a stack of golden yellows, spring greens, aqua blues, shades of gray, and black that was very much inspired by one of the things I love to collect -- Vintage Pyrex.







I love my collection and collecting things in general. The colors and prints in each of these special pieces inspires me in many ways, just as the mosaic above does -- bursting full of more kitchen collectables and quilt-y goodness! 

How about you? What's inspiring you these days? What colors are you loving together?

p.s. Be sure to stop back from my new fabric giveaway beginning tomorrow morning! Here's a peek!!

Stuck : :

I've been hanging out with my sketch stitch wips for a while now and still haven't decided on a plan for any of them just yet. I have several different ideas, but nothing solid? Above is what both the back (left) and the front (right) look like in print form, you can see how making a copy picks up both the wrinkles and the fibers of the fabric. So, I'm not sure that turning these into prints, like I had hoped, is going to work? I want to be able to see that they are stitched, rather than drawn, but I want them to look nice enough to put in a frame to hang as artwork.

So...I'm asking for your thoughts today! What would you like to see these thread sketches become -- continue on with prints? a mini quilt? keep as a focal (or make more) for a large quilt? applique for pillows, bags, etc??

I'd love your help!!  ♥ Maureen

A Fabric GIVEAWAY : :

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It's Fabric Giveaway Friday!

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  

Meet my sponsor The Intrepid Thread, a family owned and run business. In their shop you'll find Fat Quarters, Half Yards, Yards, and Yardage, as well as patterns and embellishments. Their designer fabrics include many of our favorites -- Amy Butler, Joel Dewberry, Anna Maria Horner, Riley Blake, and Aneela Hoey just to name a few! The owners work extremely hard everyday to bring their customers the best fabrics, 
at the best prices, with high quality customer service!
  
SHOP  *  BLOG  *  FACEBOOK
 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

We hope you enjoy visiting their sites!! 

For this weekend's giveaway The Intrepid Thread is offering the most beautiful bundle of designer solid fabrics! This particular bundle was designed for the Quilt Block Challenge for QuiltCon : :
"Use the colors of the QuiltCon logo to make a quilt block that reflects what modern quilting means to you. Stretch yourself and plan an interesting composition that represents your own unique voice."

 


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This lovely collection of Tile Blue, Fresh Water, Cozumel Blue, Dark Citron, Empire Yellow, Yellow, Orange, Tango, White, Ash, and Manatee high quality, designer cotton fabrics is everything you need to create something beautiful!

This weekend's winner will receive one bundle of these QuiltCon Solids including 11 fat quarters for you to use in the Block Challenge or in any other project you could dream up. I think they would make such a pretty quilt!

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Enter to Win!

Here's how,
 
1. Simply leave a comment here in this post. I'd love to know if you plan to enter the QuiltCon Block Challenge or if not, what you would use these solids for? (one entry)
2. Follow The Intrepid Thread on facebook, blog, or sign up to receive their Newsletter. Just let me know that you did by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
3. My followers get a third entry! Whether you follow me here or on Facebook, just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
 
That’s 3 possible entries! Enter now through Monday, April 16th. Mr. Random will pick the winner and I will announce their name in a new post here on the blog.
 
* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, please remember to include your email address in your comment so that I can contact you should you win!
                                        

Good Luck everyone!!! Have a great weekend!

Color : :

Well...I couldn't wait after all! Once I got my "work" done this afternoon, I went right on to adding the COLOR!!

Prepare yourself for picture overload!











I think ??? It's finished! Well...for now anyways!

I hope everyone had a great day!

Goodnight, friends!! ♥ Maureen

Color Inspiration & An Aurifil GIVEAWAY : :

Tangerine &

Via Pinterest or

Orange House * Ruffle Curtain * Colorful Porch * Bathroom * Door

Flowers * Living Room * Bedroom * Fabrics

City * Fabric Stack * Flowers * Painted Dresser

Tangerine, oranges, and coral really are everywhere these days, aren't they? I love it! It's such a happy, vibrant color. I am especially loving it paired with purple! When putting together this new mosaic, I had to search for another colorful house. That purple one was pinned just a little less than a million times I think! Thanks Michael!!

This week, I'm loving the oranges in my stash!



So bright and pretty!



With all this gorgeous color, I thought today would be the perfect day to giveaway some lovely, very colorful threads!

I have been enjoying Aurifil threads to use in my own projects for a couple of weeks now. I can honestly say, that threads really do make a huge difference, especially when they come in colors as brilliant as these!

Aurifil sent me five Sampler Packs of colorful threads to giveaway to my readers, each having 5 spools! I'm so happy that there will be FIVE WINNERS this time!!

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Enter to Win!

Here's how,
 
1. Simply leave a comment here in this post. I'd love to know what your very favorite thread color is, besides white of course! (one entry)
2. Follow Aurifil on facebook. Just let me know that you did by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (one entry)
3. My followers get a third entry! Whether you follow me here or on Facebook, just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (one entry)
 
That’s 3 possible entries! Enter now through Wednesday, February 29th. Mr. Random will pick the winner and I will announce their name in a new post here on the blog.
 
* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, please remember to include your email address in your comment so that I can contact you should you win!
 
Good Luck everyone!!!  I will be away for the next couple of days to deal with some personal issues. I wish you all a wonderful start to another new week! Take care!!

Tuesday Inspiration : :

First, I need to mention quickly that yesterday was my two year blog-iversary! Woot!! I cannot believe that I forgot! I spent this entire month thinking about it, planning for it, and then the business of this past weekend erased it all from my mind. This happened last year, too! LOL So, hows about we celebrate on Friday with a super gorgeous Daisy Janie Tilly giveaway? And shhhh, don't tell my husband that forgetting anniversaries is perfectly acceptable around here. Our 10 year is just 3 months away and I already have my presents picked out! :)

Citrus + Melon

citrus color palette * posie gets cozy quilt * owl measuring cups * yellow lamp * yellow bed frame

* orange nightstand * fabric baskets * courthouse steps quilt * coral headboard *

yellow yarns * aqua lamp * yellow chevron pillow * marianne burr quilt

Last night I was looking at my new fabric stashings, trying to find a way to link them together, other than the fact that they're all so very pretty. Immediately I thought of citrus and melon!

This turquoise and yellow bundle is from Fresh Squeezed Fabrics. Randi had offered these in one of her Tuesday fat 8th giveaways (today's Tuesday people, go enter!) and I completely fell in love, had to have them! Such a great bundle!!



These, I imagine, have lots of you running out to the nearest Joann. Aunt Edna by Denyse Schmidt! I wasn't planning on buying them, but once I saw them in person, well I just couldn't resist. They were 30% off, but I was a bit surprised at the price increase. I only brought home 1/4 yd cuts since I already have a project in mind.



I made a crown with these pretty melon hues yesterday, too!



And finally, my Riley Blake Chevron Cottons. I'm all about chevron anything and everything right now, how about you? These will be for a pin cushion project I'll be doing as part of the RBD 2012 Pin Cushion Club in May.



How about you? What color combinations are you loving these days? Oh! And my two year sew-iversary is in March, which I really want to celebrate, someone please remind me! :)