I have been having fun this past week. It was my birthday over the weekend, and I celebrated the day with my sister Kate, by going to a UFO (Unfinished Objects) sewing group. I think it may be going on a year since Kate and I attended this sewing group, of which we used to be "regulars". Kate started working full time, and I had two part time jobs, and the once a month Sunday gathering just didn't fit into our schedules as easily as it once did. But she has cut back her hours, and I am unemployed, so it just seemed right to head back to our old stomping ground and former quilting buddies. I am so glad we did! We had a blast reconnecting with our friends and working on our UFOs.
The project I chose to work on is one using primarily the Fig Tree group Allspice Tapestry, which came out over two years ago. My pattern is a medallion style quilt which incorporates borders of stars in two different sizes. For some reason, I set the project aside in favor of something else, and pretty much forgot about it until my recent sewing room clean out. Gosh, this is a very beautiful fabric group, and this project began whispering in my ear "Finish Me....."
I touched upon this topic a week or so ago, when I said that it can be a good thing that quilt designers have a "niche" so to speak, of a color palette that remains true over a period of time and a number of collection releases. As I mentioned, Allspice Tapestry is a Fig Tree collection, designed by Joanna Figueroa for Moda. Two years ago, I had a pretty good assortment of blues, browns, corals, and butterscotch fabrics to use in my quilt top. However, since Allspice was released, Joanna has come out with several more collections of fabrics that have pieces that coordinate perfectly with the older group. It isn't totally matchy matchy, but it all "goes". I pulled corally reds and my favorite butter yellow French map fabric from Patisserie, some yummy blues from her Dandelion Girl collection, and some backgrounds from Mill House Inn. Four different fabric groups that all play together very well.
So you see, if you are a fabric collector and have a favorite designer or two, you can mix up their designs from one season to the next and come up with a very congenial selection of fabrics that make your quilt top even more interesting than if you had just stuck with the fabrics from one group alone.
Making good progress on your projects. Now I am anticipating the finish of Stargazing. It will be lovely too, can't wait. I have some of that fabric line just waiting for me to start a Schnibble pattern but haven't decided which one.
I voted for Beach Cottage?!! Loved the fabric for it.
So many quilts, so little time.
Posted by: Sandy E | June 16, 2010 at 04:59 AM
Happy Birthday! I'm always drawn to dark, murky colours and reproductions but gosh I love Fig Tree- they are all beautiful and I can't wait to see this quilt too!
Posted by: Sasha | June 16, 2010 at 05:03 AM
Happy Belated Birthday!
Playing with those beauties is a great way to celebrate.
I just finished an old UFO with Allspice a few weeks ago. Fig Tree was my first "love" in the quilting world, and I still love her.
Posted by: Cara | June 16, 2010 at 05:36 AM
Love your Stargazing quilt. I started a quilt from that line a couple of years ago, which is all cut and partially sewn, but remains unfinished. I think I'm going to borrow your idea from a couple of years ago and try to do Friday Finishes. However, in my case it will be probably be every other Friday - or every third Friday! By the way, I was looking at your sidebar of 2010 finishes - 13 quilts already! That's more than two a month! You've been very productive. I don't think Elizabeth was even listed. I think I need to spend less time reading blogs and more time sewing, but yours is one I'll continue to read every day!
Posted by: Nan S. | June 16, 2010 at 05:51 AM
Happy Happy Birthday!!!
What terrific blocks and I'm loving the fabric!!
Posted by: Lori | June 16, 2010 at 05:59 AM
Happy birthday! Love the stars! :-)
Posted by: call me crazy | June 16, 2010 at 06:52 AM
Oh, happy belated birthday, I am so sorry I missed it. The wishes are no less sincere, however! Love this star pattern on these blocks, you are so good about getting those points so pointy! Best wishes for a lovely year!
Posted by: Kayte | June 16, 2010 at 06:57 AM
Happy Belated Birthday, Nicole!! Love those stars with the Fig Tree fabric - yummy!
Posted by: Denise in PA | June 16, 2010 at 07:56 AM
Love Fig Tree! Love your stars!
Which technique are you using for the flying geese..they are so perfect>
Posted by: Patt Anderson | June 16, 2010 at 08:23 AM
So you were an early June baby---Happy birthday!
Very pretty fabrics. Joanna Figueroa does put together some of the loveliest colors. I always like that plum she uses, its so warm and inviting.
Posted by: AnnieO | June 16, 2010 at 08:49 AM
Totally yummy Nicole! I'm a big star fan and these look like they are going to be gorgeous. Love the colour choices!
Posted by: Helen in Switzerland | June 16, 2010 at 09:16 AM
Happy Belated Birthday! I love the stars.
Posted by: Michelle | June 16, 2010 at 09:16 AM
A belated Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!
Yes! I always mix and match fabric collections and even mix fabrics from different designers if the fabrics play well together. My policy is to buy only 3 of any fabric collection so I just mix it up. I want each of my quilts to be unique but that's my craziness of choice!
Nicole, the speed with which you make blocks, get them assembled, and bordered is amazing! I like scrappy quilts as you do and am forever arranging and re-arranging the varied blocks before I sew them together. How do you get the blocks arranged so well so quickly??
You're a master!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | June 16, 2010 at 09:28 AM
Hope you had a wonderful birthday! I love the variety in your stars...the spice of quilts!
Posted by: Julie | June 16, 2010 at 09:51 AM
Oh another great post! Good info to share and I quite enjoy your stars!!!
Posted by: *karendianne. | June 16, 2010 at 12:42 PM
I love the stars - can't wait to come stargazing again.
Posted by: ailsa | June 16, 2010 at 01:37 PM
Love the stars and the fabrics...can't wait to see it all put together!
Posted by: sherri | June 16, 2010 at 05:05 PM
Can you tell me what is the name of your pattern and who makes it? It looks like something I might like to make and when I googled stargazing I could not find one that looked or sounded like the one that you are working on. Thanks!
I love your work! I look forward to reading your blog everyday!
Posted by: Erinn Evans | June 17, 2010 at 12:58 AM
I am so glad that you like the mixing of lines. We always leave some colors the same so that is possible. And then we try to add in a few different colors and mix it up a bit but always want it all to "GO".
Thanks for noticing and writing about it. Love your work as always!
joanna
Fig Tree
Posted by: Joanna | June 19, 2010 at 08:09 PM