I can finally unveil the super secret challenge quilt. This challenge was put together by an incredibly talented quilter named Barbara in our guild. She comes up with our annual challenge every year. Last year was "Ode to String" and my String quilt in reproduction fabrics with a "touch of orange" came out of that challenge. I posted a picture of that quilt in June.
This challenge was called "A Painter's Palette" and was offered to 8 members of the guild with no idea what the challenge was other than it was a wall hanging and it would be due in December. Each person who took the challenge was given an envelope and in it was a picture of one of Monet's impressionist paintings.
The challenge was NOT to reproduce the painting in fabric but to capture the essence of the painting in your quilt. Any color used in the quilt had to be found in the painting. The difficult part for me was once I saw the painting, I had a hard time coming up with an idea. The challenge was given out in June and come October, the flames were at my fanny to get started. I found a super pattern called "Frames" by Maple Island Quilts. Since this was to be my "masterpiece", I thought it was perfect.
The challenge was NOT to reproduce the painting in fabric but to capture the essence of the painting in your quilt. Any color used in the quilt had to be found in the painting. The difficult part for me was once I saw the painting, I had a hard time coming up with an idea. The challenge was given out in June and come October, the flames were at my fanny to get started. I found a super pattern called "Frames" by Maple Island Quilts. Since this was to be my "masterpiece", I thought it was perfect.
I used the Stitch and Flip technique to make the flowers. I made about 15 different flowers and then spent about 2 weeks auditioning the flowers on the quilt. I'd add some, step back, subtract some, move them around. Too much yellow, not enough red. I almost drove myself to madness!!! All the fabric, other than the flower frame, was hand dyed by me at a workshop our guild held a couple of summers ago. My original idea was to bead the flowers but when I went to the drawer with all the beads. I found this embellishment kit I had bought at a show and the boa yarn was in it. I put the yarn along the edge of the flowers and the beading idea went right out the window.
I really loved this challenge because I had to come out of my comfort zone. It was also nice to be working on something really bright and springy at Christmas. It was a nice break from the holiday hustle bustle.
6 comments:
Ooh I love it! You are right, it makes a real welcome change from all of the Christmas colours we are seeing now. The yarn is perfect for round the flower petals.
What a perfect interpretation of the challenge!
This is neat idea and great result.
It's a good thing to step outside your comfort zone occasionally. Nice interpretation of the painting. What a fun challenge.
You did a great job interpreting the painting. Nice job.
What a great idea! I agree, around this time of year, I start to long for bright, cheerful colors.
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