Hi all! Hope you are having a lovely, lovely week. We got back from the conference, which was pretty good, and the air has cleared up quite a bit. I was still a bit hoarse for my presentation, but at least I had a voice! Glad to be home, though, no matter the weather.
When I got home and rested a bit, I started playing around with some colors and pieces for the Positivity quilt along, sponsored by our friends Preeti and Bernie. You can find all the info and directions for making this year's quilt right HERE.
Here is the first set of blocks I made:
Can you tell these are meant to be fall themed? I wanted to use a bunch of scraps that have been hanging around here forever. These are the darker reds and the golds that I very seldom use, along with a few dark greens and even a couple purples. There's even a really dark turquoise in there. Most of them are leftovers from old quilt projects, and I just could never throw the scraps away. I pulled out everything I had that was at least 2-1/2 by 9 inches and threw it into these blocks. I think they're turning out okay.
The background, which you can''t see very well in the picture above, is this fabric:
I got this from a destash and I'm really pleased with it. The leaves are a dark blue ( I think) and it's way better than a plain beige.
Then, because I'm just never happy unless I'm overwhelmed, I also made these:
Yes, a second quilt. I know, but I had two different ideas, and two separate sets of fabric that I wanted to use up, and the blocks are very, very easy, so why not? I just have some leaves right now, because I haven't settled on a stem fabric, but the leaves are made from beige and other neutral scraps. The green background is just a faux linen tonal that I got from Connecting Threads and intended to use for a backing but didn't. I'll know more when I get them put together, but I think it works so far.
Here's an important question I have about these quilts: I wanted gender neutral colors so that everyone can have a choice of a quilt that suits them, no matter their gender. Are these gender neutral? I think they are, but then I look again and they look feminine. I'm probably just second guessing myself, but what do you think?
And here's the question I know you're asking: how do you use scraps to make these blocks? It's pretty simple-- you make shorter tubes:
I made tubes from Preeti's directions, just shorter, then cut one leaf block from each tube. My tubes are about 9 inches long. There is fabric waste, and you won't have any blocks for a second project, but it works. I think you could probably figure out how to cut the different strip lengths for less waste, but that sounds like too much math for me.
And those are my Positivity projects! You can still join in-- the quilt along doesn't end until Labor Day. And the blocks are really, really easy, too. And now you know you can use scraps, too!
Everyone enjoy the rest of the week!
Sharing at Midweek Makers and Preeti's Positivity linkup.
9 comments:
Your Positivity blocks are just great, Mari! The first batch definitely have a fall look to them. When you shared the second group, I didn't even realize it was the same block at first - until I realized that the green is the background! I've been wondering about making them with smaller tubes because I don't have any jelly rolls - so thanks for the tip. I do think yours are gender neutral - perfect!
They look good to me, and I think could be used for anyone. I hadn't thought of using up scrap strips. I haven't started this one - yet. I'm trying to keep up with two other QALs and working on a challenging challenge quilt. Still, I'm tempted after seeing your blocks!
Oooh, love the fall themed colors for your Positivity quilt. I always think green is a good guy color. It's my dad's, my bother's and My Guy's favorite color. Have fun playing with your new projects this week.
I am sure many guys would look good in pink but I have not seen many men choose pink. For this reason, pink (especially hot pink) is the only gender-specific color in my opinion. Everything else is gender-neutral. Almost everyone loves blue. Green and yellow are gender-neutral, of course. Orange may seem like a girly color but all the construction trucks etc. in orange make it a hot favorite with boys. Speaking of prints, floral is definitely girly and guys don't care for polka dots either. Looks like you are safely in the "do not offend anyone" category. Awesome progress on the blocks. Don't forget the first linky party is June 25. Hope you will have more to show by then. See you soon. Remind to take pictures when we meet.
I do see fall with your first set.
Glad you still have a voice!!! sounds like a good conference!
Neutral leaves and Autumn-themed leaves both seem gender neutral to me. LOVE that sweet leafy background print you showed and the fact that you figured out a way to use scraps with Preeti's pattern!
Both sets of leaves look gender neutral to me (ok, maybe the fuschia isn't so gender neutral, but the overall effect is.) What fun you're having! So clever to figure out how to use up scraps. This makes it a win-win.
I'm so glad you found my weekly show and tell--Wednesday Wait Loss! Welcome! We are a lovely group and the inspiration every week is incredible. Thanks for sharing your leaves. Simply love them.
I can't wait to see these all laid out together. Both will be so pretty!
https://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2023/06/147/wednesday-wait-loss-332
Love this: because I'm just never happy unless I'm overwhelmed - you are so funny.
Love both projects and thank you, thank you, thank you!! Such a loyal Mercyful Quilt maker.
And, the colors are great - perfect for loads of people. Don't think it so hard!
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