Friday, April 4, 2014

When I Run Dry....I Stop a While and Think of You....

This time of year, everything is a bit of a slog for me...
it really is unfortunate.  Consistent with my coordinates, this time of year brings the promise of new beginnings. Yet, I am left feeling a bit blue and not quite ready for the happiness of sunshine and warm days.
 
But this week I was on a mission. No time to mire in the muck!
 
 
       
The motivation will have to remain a mystery for now, but I am excited to be sewing with a purpose...
 
 
   
I have been playing with solids {funny how that works!}
 
 
 
lots of wonky triangles on a bed of snow!
 
 
 a nice baby size quilt...now to find a backing and to quilt!

Next up...another baby quilt!  And again, solids, but a very different feel.  This was inspired by a knitted blanket I pinned on Pinterest.  Gotta love Pinterest!


  Not quite finished.
I used a combination of solids for these projects.  Some Konas, Studio E peppered cottons, Moda Crossweave and Art Gallery solids.
It's interesting how different solids can feel and behave!
 
 
I love the depth of the peppered cottons and the crossweave, but I do find they require a bit more attention.  Because of the nature of the weave, they can easily be distorted in the pressing if you aren't careful.  But you just can beat the wonderful texture they add to any project.
 
 
Robert Kaufman Kona's have such a wide range of color, there is always just the right color for any project....and who doesn't love that!  Then Art Gallery solids are so yummy to the touch! I love that they feel like expensive bed sheets!
 
I know there are oodles of other solids out there.  Tell me your favorite!  
 
And just as a little teaser....I will be posting about another amazing line of solids...Oakshott!  
 
But for now, I would love to know which solids you prefer and why!
happy friday!
mary
 
** title...So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright by Simon and Garfunkel
             

20 comments:

  1. You just can't beat Oakshotts! Yum. I have been working with Peppered Cottons lately. I love the feel, but wow, do they fray like crazy! And I love Kona. I just received a range of solids made in America. Anxious to try them out.

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  2. I feel very off this time of year also. Where I live Spring is a very dirty, muddy, dog pooped filled mess. The days are longer and warmer but I can't step a two off my driveway to do anything. Soooo .... I stand in the windows looking out and feeling antsy that I'm inside.

    These beautiful colors cheer me up! Thanks for the pretty inspiration :)

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  3. Ummm .... that was "toe" off my driveway.

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  4. Your quilts are beautiful In solid simplicity. I don't use solids a lot but I'm reLly attracted to the textured solids that there seem to more of these days, the shot cottons, peppered, linen/cotton. I hope your gray days soon pass.

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  5. I really enjoyed playing with a charm pack of Modas 30s colors recently! I have very few solids, and don't really know where to begin, if I were to just go buy some...maybe a bundle of Hawthorne Hues, or some such?! I love your wonky triangles :) They make me think of Florida and Spring Break :)

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  6. Your 'funk' is perfectly understandable! I would love to play with a range of solids. I have to use whatever I can get my hands on.... Stay focused and strong Mary.

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  7. I have yet to work with just solids....somehow that seems dreary to me. Maybe someday.

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  8. Hope you feel less funky and more inspired and motivated after these nice pieces. So far I've mostly only used Kona and have been pleased. I'd love to try some other manufacturers but there aren't any available locally and I just haven't yet ordered any online. I think that's the hard part about solids . . . finding them and know what they feel like.

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  9. Did you by chance read Loving Frank?
    I love R. Kaufmann Konas much more than Moda Bella solids! The triangle colors are so delightful…but speaking of that…I feel the same as you abt. Spring. I always get blue in Spring, especially when I was young and had to decide what I'd be doing during the summer and had to make decisions for the Fall. ugh.

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  11. I like to use Kaffe Fassett's shot cottons and lately I discovered Cotton Couture, these solids by Michael Miller feel lighter in weight and, have a very soft touch and a luxurious feeling, I can't almost keep my hands off...The colors are so soft and rich. They are wonderful to work with.

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  12. I am a Oakshot and Moda kinda girl. I like the crisp and clear colors of Moda and the Richness of Oakshot! So you are sittin pretty with my 2 favorites!

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  13. Glad the sewing is bringing you joy and those are lovely colours to play with! I'm pretty happy with any fabric that I can get my hands on ;) I like Kona but Bella solids are great too, we have Klona in the UK and it's a bit thicker and lovely to work with. I'd like to try the peppered cottons.

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  14. Glad the sewing is bringing you joy and those are lovely colours to play with! I'm pretty happy with any fabric that I can get my hands on ;) I like Kona but Bella solids are great too, we have Klona in the UK and it's a bit thicker and lovely to work with. I'd like to try the peppered cottons.

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  15. hehe I like any solids that are cheap!
    Though my current solid is a B*tch to hand sew!! Love your use of solids, so modern feeling x

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  16. I haven't had a chance to try the Oakshot Cotton yet, I am sure I will eventually, I have heard so many great comments about it. Where do you buy your Oakshot? Kona has a great extended color palette to chose from, but I found them a bit harsh in texture. I did have a taste of the Peppered Cotton and I don't like them as much as Kaffe's shot cotton, maybe it's the texture, it's thicker and has a tendency to roll. In general, I am attracted to thinner and softer fabrics. Oh geez! You got me going here...:)

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  17. I'm sorry to read that it's a difficult time of year - I hear you completely, I have my birthday, Mother's Day and what would be Mum's B-Day all in the space of a couple of weeks. Tough. Those wonky triangles are delicious, the colours look wonderful with the white. I hope the slog lessens soon and your spirits are lifted. Bethx

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  18. I don't really have a favorite. I've used Kona, Connecting Threads and some beautiful solids I purchased in Lancaster Pa. that the Amish use for clothing.

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  19. Oh my goodness, I used to listen to Simon and Garfunkel all the time in high school! I need to pull out my CDs... :) I love all these quilts Mary! You're so beyond talented!

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  20. Oh yes Oakshott hit the spot for me but I love the feel of the peppered cottons and the gorgeous colours!

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