Tuesday, January 24, 2012

A new quilt

I did say I was going to do something colourful. I had a blast cutting out these snowballs and they all came from the stash so it's a real mix of lots of different fabrics.
This quilt was one that Lizzie over over at Broderie had been working on and then Jean over at Linen and Raspberry started one too and I was sold, I needed one of my own and Lizzie kindly allowed me to use her idea. The blue links will take you to their posts showing their quilts.
I bought a charcoal Kaffe spot for the squares and initially thought it would be too dark and swallow up the florals so I ordered the same funky Kaffe spot that Lizzie and Jean were using which is in the photo below.
Out of curiosity, I thought I'd put a selection of both spots on the wall just to note the different effects the two spots gave.
I decided on the darker charcoal spot after all,  not because one is better than the other. I just liked the contrast. Excuse the photo taken in my dark sewing room, the editing shows the fabrics a bit brighter than they are but the charcoal looks about right. I have edited out about four of the snowballs that were bothering me and replaced them.

I'm going to mindlessly hand piece this one while I'm away in New Zealand for several weeks. I'm leaving on Thursday and I get to see my family and four grandchildren so I'm a bit excited. I have some other things to work on as well so I have variety. I'll try to keep you updated if possible.

58 comments:

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

I think I agree with the Carcoal spots, it is going to look fabulous!
Have a good trip!

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Oh I have spied this one too, your version is divine! I love the snowball block and with these sumptuous flowers it is mouthwatering. The spots are a perfect contrast. Have a wonderful time in NZ xo

Shari said...

Classic one-block quilts are so divine - love your fabrics. Have fun in NZ!

Oops-Lah said...

How funny; this quilt is on my to do list now too since I saw it last week on the same blogs you've mentioned. I have tons of flower fabrics which will work well. I think I'm going to English paper piece it. But first, I have to finish the quilt I'm working on. Have a nice time in NZ

Unknown said...

This is going to be Just Gorgeous such Eye Candy you have going on Janet...Great choice on the sq's
Have a Lovely Time in NZ
cheers

antique quilter said...

OH I have enjoyed seeing this quilt on their blogs and yours is just beautiful too, oh its going to be such a happy quilt
I need to work on some bright fabrics soon, its the time of year for me to make a bright quilt !
hmmm wonder if I have enough scraps to whip up a little one!
Kathie

Tania said...

This is absolutely beautiful!!!!!! Tania

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

Oh, I LOVE this quilt - thank you for showing us it and sharing the links to the other blogs (I've already visited and left some quilty love!), I'm so tempted to start one right away but I really must get something else finished first! Have a great time in New Zealand!

Annabella said...

That is such a truly beautiful quilt - simply stunning! I love it so much and it was for the ever expanding bucket list.

Rachaeldaisy said...

Wow!! What a fun, striking and beautiful quilt!! I love all those big bloomy flower fabrics. The spot works really well in the squares. Have a lovely time in New Zealand.

jean said...

Janet I love both of the spot fabrics and surprised at how different each quilt looks with the different spots iykwim.
I do like the one you have chosen though. By the time you return from NZ you will have a top pieced. Have a lovely time with your family and that fabrics you have chosen are wonderful. We might get a bit of a thing going here lol.

Anonymous said...

well janet, what have i started from all the big blooms i had in my cupboard and the spots too !
i am glad you enjoyed putting yours together, it is such fun and i like your charcoal spots, they look good with your fabrics.
enjoy your family time in new zealand and i hope you get enough stitching time, have fun !

Unknown said...

I am in LOVE!!! I really need to make a Kaffe Snowball too! I love the spots as your choice too. This is going to be fabulous!

Terry said...

What a beautiful quilt this is going to be! Enjoy your time away with your family! :0)

Abby and Stephanie said...

Not being a fan of Winter these are the type of snowballs I love. Gorgeous, colorful, and I love the spots!!!

Mary said...

These are fabulous with the spots! I love both choices :) Have a wonderful time in New Zealand...can't wait to see this one come together.

Anonymous said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE it ! Your fabrics are divine and you made the best choice with the charcoal dotted fabric ;>)

Have a nice trip and ENJOY, dear !
XOXOXOXOXO
NADINE

Pinkadot Quilts said...

What a pretty quilt. A nice simple pattern that packs a wow with those gorgeous fabrics! Ilike the darker ones too.
Have a great time with your family especially the grandchildren!!!

Thimbleanna said...

Lookslike a great new project Janet. Have a wonderful trip - I hope you get lots of piecing in!

Shirley said...

Loved Lizzie's quilt and love yours too. Prefer the darker fabric, makes the colours pop out. I know you will have a great time away. Enjoy.

Nedra said...

I know you will have a wonderful trip! I did a snowball in Kaffes, too. Mine is more oranges and Earth tones that matched the desert when we lived in Southern Utah. All packed away in storage right now, but it's still one of my favorites.
Travel safe!

Lynne said...

Just beautiful! I'm putting this one one my to do list. Take care.

Heather said...

This one is just beautiful. It will be added to my long list of future projects!

Janet said...

What happy snowballs! I like the charcoal spots too. Have a lovely time with family!!

Lori said...

It looks like a perfect portable project. Safe travels and happy visits!!

Ric Rac and Polka Dots said...

Oh my goodness, I just love your quilt. I think I agree with the charcoal spots too, it just looks so pretty. I am working on a quilt with just traditional squares, and I am so tempted right now to throw in some corners and make it look like your quilt. Hmmmm. Oh boy, see what you started? Just when I thought I knew what this quilt was going to be, and now I'm rethinking! Oh, the joy of creating. I love it. Thank you so much for sharing!
Julie

Nifty Quilts said...

Beautiful! I love your choice of the charcoal spot. Have a great trip. We'll look forward to seeing what you make while you're away!

Darlene said...

Wow, wow, wow Janet - this is fabulous! So many fabulous colors.

Enjoy your trip and grands!

Kristen said...

Oooo! Pretty! I love the florals and those dots! Have a wonderful vacation with your relatives!

audrey said...

With some fabrics, simplicity really does make the quilt shine.:) Very striking!

Judy said...

What a bright and colorful quilt! Enjoy your trip.

Susan said...

The darker charcoal was an inspired choice! Fabulous! Have a great time in NZ!

Cardygirl said...

Just lovely Janet...I have been playing with this too...but only have a few measly ones sewn together...love yours and love your spot! Have a great break!

Sujata Shah said...

I love your choice of spots!
Have a fabulous time with your grand-kids. This quilt will be perfect to work on while you are away!

Julia said...

Love it Janet...so simple but so striking, stunning!
Enjoy your time with family.
Julia ♥

Mimi said...

What a fun quilt!

Createology said...

Love how bright and cheery this quilt is. Safe travels and enjoy making memories with family and friends...

FlourishingPalms said...

It's really a simple design isn't it? But so effective! Gosh, those big hexies take center stage to make it very eye-catching. I love the fab choices you made, including the charcoal dot. It will be a wonderful hand-piecing project. Good for you to have such a great get-away to see family in NZ. I think you do this every year, don't you? Have a safe and enjoyable time.

Susie said...

After seeing this on Lizzie's blog the other night, and now your blog, I'm sold!! I just love it too!! Gosh, far to many projects on my mind!! I do love your colour combination!

Dixie Howard said...

What a fun, happy project to work on while you are on holiday with your family! Love your fabric choices, as usual!

Sue-Anne said...

Isn't it amazing the difference the little spot makes to the overall quilt! Love your choices in fabrics!

Have a wonderful time in NZ with your family.

Sarah said...

I can't believe how different the quilt looks with the two different spots. Wow! I love the choice you have made though. Beautiful Janet!

Sewjournal said...

I think you made the right choice. The darker fabric really makes those snowballs pop. Have a lovely trip to NZ.

Carrie P. said...

Oh, I like that a lot. I think snowballs would be a great way to use scraps.

Janet said...

THANKS!!! for the flicker pictures for panels 2 and 3. I studied the ones for panel 1 pretty closely and wasn't sure what I was going to do for panel 2.

Miriam said...

Loooove all those fussy cut octagons! :)

Enjoy your time in New Zealand with your family.
Travel safely.

*karendianne. said...

Have a great time away with family - first of all!!!

I really love your blocks and the squares you selected. Perfect. Your fabric stash is amazing. Luscious beauty.

Barb said...

Wow! what a great collection of fabrics. The darker color really sets them off beautifully.
This is such a happy project!
have a wonderful visit

Lisa said...

Janet, love it! It's so you! I agree the charcoal looks striking with it. Have a wonderful time with your family, and I'm sure you'll have lots to tell us about the trip.

Nanette Merrill said...

They look like a box of delicious candy.

imquilternity said...

Ooooh....I absolutely love this! It's so colorful and wonderful!! I think the charcoal spots is a wonderful "neutral" fabric to use as setting fabric. It really makes the colors pop right out.

LuAnn said...

I really love the quilt Janet. I love my Kaffe fabrics and sometimes wonder what I'm saving them for....maybe it is one of these snowball quilts.

Esther said...

My vote for the darker charcoal spot fabric - they make the beautiful colors from your stash fabrics really pop. Safe travels to you!

tepee said...

I love the snowball quilt. What size octagons did you make? Kaffe Fassett uses 6" in his, but he also uses triangles sewn together instead of squares. I like the squares. I contacted Liz and she said hers were larger than 6", but she didn't say how much larger. Did you English paper piece or just use running stitch?
Where in NZ? We have family there.
I wish it weren't such a long trip.
tp

Jan Marie said...

I love snowballs and I would not have thought to use the strong dots with your prints but I like it lots. Can't wait to see it completed.

Stina Blomgren said...

WOW....:O)))))

anne said...

Ooh I love this quilt too. Can you do a tutorial or have a quilt along as I would love to make one. Please please please:)

anne said...

Love love love this quilt. Can you share how to make or even a tutorial on how to sew it all up
would be great. Please please please:)