Is using color in quilts....a Mystery to you?

            I remember "back "in the day"

well, maybe not THAT far back....

Back in the late 1970's, when I first start started    

     quilting,  there were sooo few instructional books about quilting.

I don't remember any quilt books IN COLOR.  Most were with

black and white illustrations.  Some had colored pictures on the front

of the book.  But, few, if any, had color pictures inside the book.  Books

about color specific for quilters really didn't exist until several years

later.  Quilt shows were few and small.  So, it was difficult to get ideas

and inspiration with regards to making a quilt. 

There was...however large merchandise catalogues

The thought came to mind that lots of money had been paid to get

these photos to be just right...especially with regards to color.  The

catalogs would have what colors where in fashion and the proportions

of each color to another that would be "perfectly pleasing" to many

people.  Well, they wanted to sell their product right?  The Sears

and Penny's catalogs usually had bed sheets and quilts for sale too.
 

With this idea in mind, I started a 3 ring binder.
 I would cut out pictures of color combinations I liked,

even if it was an outfit or flowered sheets.  I would glue them onto

card stock adding notes as to how I might use the colors.  I even cut
out things I didn't like...with notes as to why I didn't like them. 
The 8.5 x 11, picture-full would be slipped into a page protector.

Now, that I am a "granny" gal, I tend to be out of touch with

color combinations and current styles.  Colors have so many

variations, shades and hues.  I don't have any color education or

color expertise.  But,... I can sure look through a Nordstrom catalog

and see what color combinations look great =D.  And, I'm betting

that the current catalog is using all the current, popular colors

with very inviting combinations and proportions.  

Here is a current display of some color inspirations.
This is on a closet door in my sewing room.

I can take off pictures and add new ones easily

because the scotch tape is easily removed from

the door...doesn't leave a mark.  And, yes I was

off my rocker at the time I took the picture...it's

just a wee bit tilted!  =P

==

If you look at these shoes...

You could use each individual shoe as one

color combination.  But, all three shoes look good

together.  I'm thinkin' that all these colors could

look good in a quilt with one of the colors being

used in higher proportion, i.e. lots of white background.

 ===

This is a picture taken from a gardener's catalog.

Wouldn't these colors make a bright cheery quilt?

====

What about the colors in this scarf?

Can you see some black and white geometric fabrics

with some yellows and soft turquoise fabrics

mixed in here and there?

=====

To enter MYSTERY MONDAY for this week,

with a chance to WIN

5 FAT Quarters in your choice of COLOR,

Please leave a comment

......about how YOU get inspired with

color for your quilts? 

Do you have a specific time (or two), that you used

an UN-quilt picture

and transformed those colors into a quilt?

~~entries close Saturday June 16th midnight MT~~

*must be a follower to win

==============

SOUND the TRUMPETS!!!



Last Week's Mystery Monday...

the Winner of the awesome book by

Chrissie Grace... SEW to SWAP

is

Rebekah

who lives in Southern California

You can visit her in blogland HERE

Do YOU sew to swap? ...and a book giveaway.

~~It's  Mystery to me

...what makes a good swap, but here to give us some

GREAT ideas is...a GREAT GAL!

Hi! My name is Chrissie Grace and I am excited to be here guest posting today :)I am a mixed-media artist who dabbles in a little bit of everything and an author.My fourth book, Sew to Swap, was released this year and if you like to quilt than you will love this book.

After doing a series of on-line quilt swaps I was intrigued by the modern quilt swap movement and that is where I got the idea to write this book. I had the honor and privilege of working with some of the most talented modern quilters out there today to create some beautiful quilts.

The traditional quilt swap is being reinvented by Modern Quilters. Chrissie Grace and her contributors explore the different types of swaps with 10 different quilt projects. Each project is stepped out with clear, concise illustrated instructions on making the quilt as well as setting up a swap for that particular quilt. Each project features a photographed skills tutorial that will help the reader in making the quilt project, and will increase their skill set for use in future projects. The community aspect of quilting is brought to the book by the incorporation of popular swappers and bloggers insights into this exciting realm of shared art.
Here are just a few of the projects that are highlighted in the book:

In addition to quilting, I love to create faith-based art.
I paint, sew, and create mixed-media pieces that celebrate the joy and love of God.
Come check out my etsy shop here...

Here are some samples of the items I like to make and sell :)

I am also a very proud wife and mother, and I blog about all kinds of things over here on my blog. I hope to see you there!  Thanks for your time, and have a blessed day!

Thanks Annie!  :)

Thank YOU...Chrissie!! I LUV your art works!  You know just how
to make a wonderful quote and/or loving phrase...
COME TO LIFE!
============================
K...Girls
...are YOU ready to win one of Chrissie's NEW autographed
SEW TO SWAP books?
Here's what you can do to enter to win...
Go to Chrissie's blog HERE
then, come back to my blog and leave a comment
about something you saw on Chrissie's
blog that you thought fun/interesting =)

*Contest will close next Saturday 9th midnight MT

=================



Congrats to our last Mystery Monday contest!

Bobbie

from Illinois
...and you can visit her in blogland  HERE

It's a "stash mystery"...

I'm going to make a wild guess and say, that

there are certain color groups you tend to use most often

...colors that make you happiest when you work with them.

So with regards to

 color...how does YOUR fabric stash

STACK UP?

  It was a few months ago when I began moving

fabrics with certain color catagories to lower shelves for easier

access...that I was more keenly aware of the amounts of certain

colors.  I definitely have a few favorite colors

...Blues and deep Ruby-reds

Those who know me, will tell you there is a color

...that I try, every which-way to avoid and that is

...yellow.

A few color stacks DID surprised me.  One of the surprises,

the largest single colored stack in my stash is 

...Green.

Another "colored-stack" surprise was the LACK of

...Pinks and Purples. 

 SOOOO...

To enter today's Mystery Monday to

WIN*

...5 fat quarters in your choice of color(s)

Please leave a comment about
what the colors in YOUR stash would say about you...

What colors do you have the most of?

What colors do  you have the least of? 

And, are you surprised by some color shortages?

~~entries close Saturday May 26th, Midnight MT~~
*must be a follower to win

====================

CONGRATS to the winner of last week's
Mystery Monday.

 the THREE CHARM PACKS


JOANNE  from
New Hampshire

You can visit her in blogland HERE

Three's a CHARM...giveaway...

Yep...it's Mystery Monday!

I sure wish you could help me figure it out.

A little bird


 told me that there is something REALLY FUN going on.

But, that's all the wee thing would tell me. 
There is more info...at Mama Spark's

 To WIN this Monday's Mystery...
You would need to go to Mama Spark's blog.  Then,

please, come back here to... leave a comment

with some information about the FUN that's going on.

 And, I'd LUV to hear if YOU are going to JOIN the FUN too!

*must be a follower to win

The WINNER will win...NOT one...but,

3 Charm Packs of

These are the very same charms that are part of the
FUN!

The three charm packs will be mailed to the winner with
free shipping,

from the Crazyquiltgirl Fabric shop

You might wanna check this online shop out =)

There's a very good selection of fabrics, patterns, books, etc.,

...and, you just might be surprised at the everyday great prices!

=============


I'm thinkin' it's BALLOON TIME...

...because the Mystery Monday winner for
last week is....

DENISE in Pennsylvania

You can visit her in blogland HERE

Mother?...Daughter? and 5 Fats giveaway

It's MYSTERY MONDAY!  Yep...and with
"Mother's Day" theme =)

Can YOU guess....these famous Mothers/Daughers?

Some might be hard...some...maybe easy.  But, just for fun

...give a try....take a guess. 
 Even WILD n CRAZY guesses will be accepted =)

(1)



You might know the daughter on the right...

but, who is the Mom? (left)

======

(2)

                        Mother                               Daughter                     

               ========           

 (3)

Daughter                                Mother                       

=========                   

(4) 

Mother                                Daughter         

=========          

(5) 

Mother                        Daughter 

=========

 (6)

 Mother                             Daughter

==========

To enter to WIN* 5 Fat quarters for Mystery Monday

this week...please leave a comment with your

guesses of the above Mothers and Daughters (1-6)

(*must be a follower to win)

~~entries close Saturday May 12th midnight MT~~

========

"When your mother asks, 'Do you want a piece of advice?' it is a mere formality.

 It doesn't matter if you answer yes or no. You're going to get it anyway."

— Erma Bombeck

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Big Heart Balloons!!! to.....

Last Week's Mystery Monday
WINNER...

Shez
....from Australia
You can visit her in blogland HERE

              

5 Fats giveaway...it's a Mystery to ...

...ME
and, it's REALLY  frustrating.
I need help!
(ok, I know...you already know "I need help")

I like LUV to follow other people's blogs.  There are are

soooo many wonderful people and ideas and it, well,

its just cool to check out what's going on with all the

GREATness in Blogland!

The PRO-BLEM -OH is:  with the new blogger face,

(where all of the blog owner stuff is)...

NO blogs

 that I follow are listed in the reading list.

When I click on it... Blogger just LIES to me...saying,

"You (meaning ME) are not following any blogs"

o? really?...I don't think so!

Do any of YOU have this problem? 

Is there a way to get the (LOTS) of blogs I follow

to show up... so that I can see the partial updates?

Is the only answer

...that I have to write in ALL the links

to ALL the blogs that I am now following?

To enter to win this week this week's

Mystery Monday

....5 fat quarters of YOUR choice,

any comment will do. 

(**must be a follower to win)

~~ entries close Saturday May 5th, midnight MT ~~

========================

...to theWinner of last week's

MYSTERY MONDAY...

SAMANTHA

who lives in Washington State.

You can visit her in blogland HERE

It's all in a Name...or is it? ...Mystery....??

Mystery...Monday?? O, wait...that was yesterday...

So...it will have to be (once again)

Mystery Tuesday. 

It's a bit of a Mystery to me...how a quilt shop owner

might come up with the name for their store. 

 

http://www.backdoorquilts.com/

Amish America

 

They might just inherit the name...or, maybe they had the

 opportunity to "create" a NEW name for their store.

Below is a list of Quilt Shop Names...and, the list is just a

 to get YOU started...thinking!

Three Ducks on a Roof 

Forget-Me-Knots

Sew Unique Quilt Shop

Dream Crafters Quilt Shop

Speckled Hen Quilts

Patchwork Plus

OK Quiltworks

Prairie Quilts

The Pink Poodle Quilt Shop

The Bunk House

Waterwheel

Roundabout Quilting

 Quilted Angel

Tea Time Calicos

Purple Frog Quilts

Tater Patch

Rumpled Quilt Skins

What do YOU think?...did I make up any of these quilt store

 names?  Or are they all real store names?  And, I'm thinkin'

it could be great fun if YOU might list a few Quilt Store names.

....Maybe you have an "original" idea for naming a quilt store.

 OR,...maybe YOU've heard of some fun and/or unusual

store names in your quilt shop travels? 

To enter to win
 this week's Mystery Monday (Tuesday)...

please leave a comment
 with at least 5 Quilt Store names...

they can be real or just REALLY original (clever, funny, etc).

~~ entries close Saturday, April 28th, midnight MT ~~

~ must be a follower to win ~

=====================================

YEP!! It's back flipping...for last week's

Mystery Monday WINNER!!

ANGELA

You can visit her in blogland HERE

5 Fat Quarters giveaway! Mystery Monday

You've been called

...LAST minute to join in a weekend retreat

weekend retreat with a famous quilt teacher.  You

are NOT told who the teacher is. You don't

want to turn it down because it's "all expenses paid"

The glitch is...

you only have ONE hour to pack and get ready for

your ride to the airport. 

There will be no stores of any kind for miles around.

 A sewing machine, scissors, rotary blade, ruler and

cutting mat will be provided for you. 

You are only allowed your purse and ONE carry on  piece

of luggage.  Taking up some room in your one piece of luggage

...you have been asked to bring 2 yards of 4 different fabrics

 to trade with other students.

The MYSTERY for today is...

What would you try to fit into your one piece of carry-on

luggage and your purse? 

To enter to WIN

the 5 Fat Quarters in your choice of colors...

 Please, leave a comment and name at least 5 things

 ...that you would pack for the retreat.

You can list more than 5 things if you want! 

...remembering that it must fit into what's allowed as

  "carry-ons" for an air flight.

Think...important, crazy...funny, whatever might come

to your mind, that YOU would "NEED" during a

weekend quilting retreat. ...Have fun =)

~~Entries close Saturday April 21st midnight MT~~
*must be a follower to win*

======================================

YEAH....SO HAPPY to announce last week's

Mystery Monday winner...

Marjorie

from Canada

and you can visit her in blogland HERE

 

Mystery Monday...on Tuesday...5 Fat Quarters giveaway

In the middle 1970's when quilting began a revival of

sorts...there were no rotary cutters, special quilting marked

rulers...and no cutting mats.  There were only a handful

of books...none, that I recall, had any colored pages.

It could be a MYSTERY to some...how quilting could've

been all that fun...without many of the modern tools that are

  now used to make quilts. But, to me...back then, it was still
great fun to make quilts!  It was learning something new.
It was taking classes and meeting other great quilting friends.
And sharing creativity with family and others that we love.

One of the early books in print was

Trip Around the World, a New Approach

by Blanche and Helen Young

If you notice, the second paragraph...talking about sharp

scissors?  It mentions Gingher scissors.  They were a bit of

 "revolution" in the early 1970's, as they would cut thru 6-8

layers of cotton fabric at once.  Wow! We didn't have to cut

each strip separately.  We can mark the top layer of a stack

of fabrics and cut thru them all at once!  A FAR CRY from

cutting each square out individually!

Inside the book were thin cardboard templates for

different size of strips, different size quilts. 

There were notches that eventually would mark where
to cut squares.  But, no squares were individually cut.

You can see in this illustration, the scissors are
cutting thru several layers of fabric. 

(this particular shape was for Sunshine and Shadow)

One interesting idea to separate the rows and keep

the fabrics in order to sew...was to use toilet paper

strips to lay between the fabric stacks. 

I used this book and method to make my very first quilt.

They were quilted by hand.  I'm sad that I can't share pics of

them.  But, our 37 year old daughter has the first one.  And,

our 34 year old son has the second.   Maybe I can get pics and

share on a later post.

Blanche and Helen wrote many of the early quilt books.

A picture of Helen Young Frost (standing) and her mom

Blanche Young

Their Lone Star quilt book

 .... was also quite revolutionary

in the way it was cut and sewn.  Much quicker method

than cutting all the diamonds.

====
 

This is how I remember Blanche...I took

a class from her in the early days when she was in

Southern California teaching.

So...this is leetle walk in the "olden" days of quilting. 
(P.S.  I'm sorry this post was late)
===============

To Enter Win this week's
 Mystery Monday,
please...leave a comment...
--Any quilting experiences without rotary cutter, mat and ruler?
If so, what was your method?  (must be a follower to win)

======================

This is a big note to last week's Mystery Monday

IDA from Texas

You can visit her in blogland....

HERE