Friday, August 10, 2018

A Valued Finish

There are just some quilts that are pure entertainment!

And today's finish was one I found intriguing and enjoyed every step of the process. It is no secret I love a challenge so using scraps to play with color values was fun, fun, fun!



I started out making these blocks using some scraps a friend had given me.  The inspiration came from a quilt Linda (at koka quilts) was working on.



 Today, I am ready to share the finished quilt.

I must have taken a hundred photos of this quilt but none of them do it justice.  Or maybe they do because this quilt is one that I questioned myself through every seam.  But rather than give up, I continued forward and just let the quilt evolve.

Is the contrast enough? Is the background too busy?  Was it wise to add the neutral center squares?  Can you even tell I added half diamonds to the border?

Question after question.




 And I think that is what is so intriguing about this quilt.  You have to look at it a bit more to see the patterns that are there.  




Ninety percent of the scraps in this quilt were gifted to me as a stack of unloved pre-cut squares.  I did add a lot of the background fabrics but I pretty much depleted everything I was given.  I feel a big sense of accomplishment that I turned what I had into this quilt.



Because I like this quilt ALOT!
(And it is because I don't know if I like this quilt AT ALL!)

But I do.....I really do...I think.




In case you want to know, I used  one of my oldest stash pieces on the back.  I think it works but I question this choice too.

But those things all just make me want to laugh and hug this quilt more.   :)





Linking Up:



44 comments:

Shannon said...

I LOVE it!!!

Sarah said...

I like it a lot. It draws your attention and makes you look at it more closely.

Libby in TN said...

I understand how you feel. It's very soothing in a chaotic sort of way.

Anne said...

I agree. It doesn't look like much at first but then it draws you in and holds you. Isn't it nice to have something work when it shouldn't have?

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Well, I LOVE your quilt and I'm hoping you'll write a pattern for it because I want to make it right now! Lol! I think it's just beautiful! I've always wanted to make a low volume quilt - yours is such perfect inspiration.

Quilting gram211 said...

Yes, this is definitely a quilt to be valued. I love it. And isn’t it wonderful that you had fun doing it. I think that is what quilt making should be.

chrisknits said...

I think it stunning! I love the medium squares in the neutral centers, just an added pop of interest. I think it looks like faceted jewels shimmering on a white table. It's gorgeous!

Kathy E. said...

You might question this, but I'll tell you that it's gorgeous! I love quilts where my eye wanders all over, enjoying bits and pieces, and patterns and pretty fabric. This quilt has it all and I'd be overjoyed to create one! I just might do that, but I'm sure I'd question every choice too. So extra sweet that you used up scraps too! Now go and enjoy this beauty!

Tami Von Zalez said...

I adore the low values with the pops of color. Some quilts seem to be trending with such saturated color (Tula Pink comes to mind), there is no place for the eye to rest.
Just have to pin this one - it is very nearly what I like to call Wallflower Quilts, they don't scream for attention, they are quiet and lovely and restful.

Ramona said...

Your quilt reminds me of in impressionist painting. It’s beautiful because you have to study it to see the design. I love it!

beth s said...

So pretty! I want to make one just like it!

Pamela said...

I love this quilt, too! It shows that scrappy quilts don't have to bold and bright, they can be subtle and thought provoking, too.

ChezVies said...

it's a gorgeous quilt!!

Cathy said...

Good think you continued on! You would be minus one wonderful quilt if you hadn't. Might have to say you made a value judgement!! Congrats on the finish.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

A beautiful quilt Cynthia! I love the way you have explored this idea more, it's so subtle & ethereal looking!

OhioLori said...

Absolutely Beautiful!! Is is a wonderful quilt!! You did grrrrreat job!! NO second guessing..it is Awesome!! :)

Ellie said...

Love it! Subtle but far from uninteresting!

Jeannine said...

I love it! I think it's wonderful. Makes me want to make one myself! Add it to the list.

Rochelle aka Bella Quilts said...

This is a real beauty and I love it. The soft background neutrals, the pops of color and the whole thing just dances! Tell us more about the size of the blocks, the finished size of the quilt etc. And the back works well with the front. Love it.

The Joyful Quilter said...

I absolutely ADORE this quilt!!! Love, love, LOVE the random half blocks around the border. That was the first thing that jumped out at me. Honestly, I didn't notice the neutral diamonds until you pointed them out. They work, though.

EYSchmitt said...

This is lovely! It is obvious that you made careful choices all along the way and every choice you made serves the subtle beauty of this quilt. Just beautiful in its careful complexity.

Laura said...

I love it!

Lynn said...

Oh I think you're very clever with your choices. The backing fabric looks perfect and the quilting really enhances it. Subtle is always a good thing and a pattern that makes us look and search often, great stuff.

Marianne said...

I like it. And would love to see it in person where I bet it's just stunning.

Pamela Arbour said...

It is beautiful. Great job!

sewyouquilt2 said...

That quilt is gorgeous!
WOW when you were making the blocks I didnt see this coming. LOVE IT

Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty said...

I imagine this was a fun one to make but can see how it takes a little faith, how you just need to plow ahead and trust that something cool will result. And it did!

BTW: You're a lucky lady to be gifted all those Lizzy House fabrics. So. Jealous!

Jayne said...

Wow!! I love this quilt! I know exactly what you mean about the questions while making a quilt...and I'm so happy you plowed through and finished it! It's just gorgeous.

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

I love it! 😍 And the half diamonds on the border are a great addition!

Barb Neiwert said...

So, once you look beyond the composition of this quilt (it's totally lovely, btw), I can see how it would look when you're all bundled up in it - just a sea of soft, calming hues. Absolutely perfect!

Louise said...

I think it's unanimous! We all love it :)

Quilter Kathy said...

I love it too! It's brilliant and using value to create subtle designs adds so much to this quilt!

Ann said...

I like Linda's and yours is lovely, too. It's a good change to make such a subtle quilt.

Candace said...

It's beautiful! Kudos to you for the way you arranged the values, and the neutral centers are a fabulous element!

Mystic Quilter said...

It is wonderfully intriguing with secondary patterns creeping in and I love it - a lot!! It all works well!!

Kate said...

I love how the darker middles bleed into the surrounding backgrounds. It's a subtle quilt, but it turned out beautifully! Congrats on a visually stimulating finish.

Janice said...

I love, love , love this quilt!! It is interesting and intriguing.
You should trust your instincts because this quilt is amazing.
Great job!!

cmgsewell said...

This is gorgeous! I love your color choices!

Cathy said...

Are you kidding, lol?!? That is a totally amazing quilt. The piecing and coloring are layered and textural and, well, sly. The quilt doesn’t reveal all its secrets in the first glance. It’s fantastic! And I bet it looks just as interesting in black and white, or with a red viewing lens (for value). Great work, Cynthia!

Nicole said...

Well done! I love this a lot and you did a great job.

QuiltGranma said...

I think it is PERFECT! Love it, and wear this baby out, then make some more, or don't wait THAT long...!

momto1 said...

I love it, for the very reason you mentioned: it makes you take time to look for the pattern, to see how it's constructed, to see how the various elements play off of each other. Taking that time makes the viewer appreciate the scrappiness of it, and the effect of the different values on the pattern. It's a wonderful quilt.

Julie said...

Lay your doubts aside. The quilt is wonderful!

Sandy Panagos said...

I like this quilt A LOT, too! Everything about it is cool - the fabrics, the way the blocks flow into each other, the straggle blacks on the edges, and the backing is perfect! Well done!

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