Mini-Series Monday #7
October 31, 2011 Happy Halloween everyone!
My original plan for today's quiltlet - Happy-Go-Lucky - was to copy the same fabrics as the big one.
But when I realized this episode was going to "air" on Halloween, of course I had to make it in Halloween colors, right? I mean, what self-respecting quilt blogger would pass up the opportunity to have some holiday fun with a color palette? Not me!
Now I'm not an over-the-top-crazy-in-love-with-Halloween type of person. Prob'ly 'cause there's no pink in traditional Fall colors. Too bad. ;) (Unless you've just been to Quilt Market and saw Verna Mosquera's breathtakingly beautiful new pattern made with her new line called "October Skies"!) But, not to worry. I have a perfectly fantastic selection of earth tone Japanese fabrics. So I put together what I think is a nice little grouping of greens, grays & creams with a little smattering of yellows & a kiss of orange.
But then how do I put all these together for this quilt design? I've made enough mistakes to know that an ounce of prevention ... And my type of prevention simply involves a little fun with a few sheets of graph paper and a handful of pencil crayons. :)
Here's my first idea, with all the darks as the main blocks and the yellows & oranges as the block middles.
Hmm, not sure. Not exactly what I had in mind. I was going for a "twinkly" effect but this looks surprisingly modern to me. Let's try something different - more scrappy.
I didn't have to finish coloring this one to know it made my heart happy.
And here's how it turned out.
Perfect. Halloweeny? For sure. But not I'M-ALL-UP-IN-YOUR-FACE-WITH-VAMPIRES-AND-COBWEBS-AND-WITCHES Halloweeny. (Not that there's anything WRONG with that ... I've made some absolutely gorgeous Halloween quilts that are just that!) But I can see me enjoying this quiltlet as a nice home decor accent on a wall in my house for a month or so, even though I have an undiagnosed allergy to burnt orange and dark green. ;)
The inner border gave me pause. At first I thought it would be very dark - maybe even black. But as I played around with my darks, it just seemed too ... AAAGH, you know? So I did a 180 and went so quiet and neutral that the fabric all but disappears. As soon as I laid out the quilt with this print, I knew it was perfect.
And then there was the whole FMQing business. Sigh. I really should do rocks. I'm awesome at rocks. And rocks are sorta Halloweeny, aren't they? But I don't FEEL like doing rocks! It's gonna take forEVER. "Oh, stop your whining, you Smokin' Hot Quilter Chick and just get on with it." ;)
So I did.
And I'm so very happy I took the 2-1/2 hours to do it.
I omitted the outer border AGAIN, like I did on the big one.
This quiltlet had already grown to 15" x 17" and I just didn't want it to be any bigger.
All right, the second last episode is up for next week.
We're going straight from Halloween to Christmas!
Reader Comments (31)
I love this quiltlet as much as the larger one, those colors are just so peaceful and perfect for fall.
I hope you had a fabulous time at market...when do we get to see a picture of you next to your quilt?
Love your little Halloweeny, it's a really elegant Halloween Quilt. I like Halloween but I'm also not the absolutly crazy-over-the-hat-spiderweb-and-black-cats-Halloween-girl. But your quilt is awesome a perfect elegant Halloween quilt. Like every other one of your quiltlets I'll copy that idea one day, too (my list is getting longer every week, you know that don't you;-)
Hildy
Just love it! The colors are soft and work so well together. You get the impression of fall and Halloween without the spooky prints.
It looks fabulous!!
Dear Smokin' Hot Quilter Chick, the quiltlet is fabulous. A touch of Fall to add to simple decor. Love the 'rocks' - they - hmmm - well - ROCK! :-)
You know I'm happy to stay at halloween!! I do, do burnt orange and dark green. :)
Love the halloween quilt. :)
Great pumpkins too!!
Vivienne x
Cute! Really like this one a lot! I'm not much of a fall color person EXCEPT for when it's fall. Then a love the oranges and reds and browns and yellows. Once we've celebrated our Thanksgiving here, it's gotta go! Oh, and "October Skies"? I'm sold!!! :) Can't wait to see your Market recap! Thank you and Kate so much for sharing your morning! :)
*ahem*..."Then I love the oranges and reds, etc., etc..." :)
beautiful! i'm definitely anticipating your market recap :) i was there, and it was a blast! got my flower sugar...mmm hmmm. and some yummy folk heart. i could have died at the lecien table...so many beautiful things.
I'm with Hildy - it's elegant Halloween! Not a big orange person either but my hubby is so I've grown acustomed to it.
Lovely!!! and love the stones!!!!
Welcome back (and thanks for keeping us company - the letters are beautiful!)
Smokin Hot is right! Can't wait to see next weeks!!!
Your quilt is fabulous! I love how it turned out.
Rocks? On Halloween?? Isn't that what CHarlie Brown got when he went trick-or-treating?? I have to say, I like it! Rocks be damned! ;0
Hope you had the most awesome time in HOuston AND I hope someone showed you the Twitter ropes. ;0
xo, me
See, I told you that you were my "rock" star!
Love your little quilt and enjoyed your narration of your design process!
Love your use of color in the fall quilt. The rocks look great quilted on it. Perfect choice for a fall decoration.
It turned out great. And great rocks too.
I saw that pattern from Verna on another blog. Oh, love it too.
Ohhh this is perfect... so perfect! I am with you on the mellow for Halloween decor! Love your pebbles! This is so fun to watch you reveal each mini Monday! GREAT job! (wow 2.5 hours to quilt a mini with pebbles...note to self...IF I ever get good at pebbles... don't do a large quilt with them... hee!) Hope your time at market was wonderful! Can't wait to hear all about it and live vicariously through your posts! :O) Bari Jo
Oh that Halloween quilt is just right! Sot and pretty. I have no idea where to even begin to do rocks!!! Maybe you can help us all! Anxious to hear about Houston!
what a great little quilt! perfect coloration. :)
I've really enjoyed these posts! Thanks for doing them and I look forward to more.
Hi Smokin' Hot Quilter Chick ;)
I love this halloween quilt of yours! I didn't like most halloween quilts but yours really hits the spot. The rocks FMQ looks great on the front and also on the back! Looking at your works really inspire me to start on my own quilting (first quilt with no classes taken before) though i've been procrastinating so far as i've no confidence and am worried that i'll 'destroy' my lovely fabrics! LOL. Looking forward to seeing the Xmas one next week! I'm sure it'll turn out fabulous as well! :)
Wow, I haven't commented in a while, but I have been reading. If I comment every time I'll just be repeating myself I'm sure. Something like blah blah blah pretty! Blah blah gorgeous! Blah blah SO CUTE! You know, that sort of thing. It always applies to what you make.
Anyhow, I love this little quilt. I was prompted to comment this time so I could share what I thought of the back - it looks like little pink flowers popping up between the pebbles on a garden path. Anyhow, I think it's pretty :)
That is lovely - perfect colours!!
Oh, beautiful. What a lovely treat to come back after I sneaked away for a few days.
Absolutely gorgeous.
Your "Halloween" quilt is breathtakingly awesome! Fantastic use of colour. And the rocky quilting looks stupendous. Amazing!
Hi there. I love LOVE your halloween quilt. The quilting is perfect too! I read back a few posts on your blog and laughed out loud at times! Love it.
After viewing your sewing through Camille's book, I purchased the book. :o) I love your choice of colors and design. You have such a fresh and pretty look about all you do. :o) Thank you for sharing all of your creations. You are such an inspiration.
Sincerely, Trish
Love how it turned out. I don't know how I missed this earlier,e xcept to say I blame thenew google reader, it's not my friend.
Well I went to Anne's Patterns and to pick a fav. is hard .I just ordered Candy Cane Lane and Snowbound two days ago.Also joined a block of the Month for Merry Merry Snowmen so I am going to have to pick Merry Merry Snowmen. I love your blog. I joined it .I just got highspeed and I AM HAVING SO MUCH FUN AND SEEING QUILT SITES THAT I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET BEFORE
Any of the prizes would be great but seeing them is good too.
Hello to a fellow Canadian where I live there are lots of Maple trees right now they are bare but were beautiful.
I love Allie the Scottie pattern. Just too cute! Hope I win Miss Henrietta too.