I have managed to squeeze in some sewing time this week. (Thank you Eva, for taking long naps). My Hill Country Basket blocks are coming along slowly. I like the block pattern, but the fabrics are a bit dark now that I am living with them. There will be a lattice separating the blocks, which I think will lighten things up a bit. And you know what? If after making a few dozen blocks I am not feeling the love, I will make this quilt a bit smaller.
But do you see that block to the right of the basket blocks? That would be a Shiloh block. Shiloh is a project I have been working on since December 2010. Over the months I have made quite a few of the blocks for this quilt and love it to pieces. Due to various circumstances, it always got put back in the project box and left to languish.
Well, yesterday when I was listening to the Dark Angel of Quilt Block Discontent whisper in my ear that the Hill Country Baskets colors were too dark, I heard another voice pipe up. "Remember me? Shiloh? You always loved working on me, and said my colors were perfect. Maybe you should pull me out of the box and work on ME for awhile. Life's too short not have your heart sing when you sew".
So I did.
I think you will love the baskets after you get it together. The rich dark colors of the fabric are beautiful especailly for fall decorating.
Kansas Trouble is my favorite fabric line...
Posted by: Patt Anderson | September 28, 2012 at 08:08 AM
I agree that once you put the lattice in it will give those blocks a different 'look.' Meanwhile, work on the one that makes you happy rather than dreading a project you're spending your valuable time on!! We've all had 'those' projects and why waste the effort if it's not fun?!
Posted by: Jan | September 28, 2012 at 08:39 AM
Those projects where your heart sings are the best kind. I love the Shiloh blocks! Are they all out of Arnold's Attic?
Posted by: Lisa D. | September 28, 2012 at 08:51 AM
Listen to that Shiloh! It sure knows what it is talking about!
I'm glad to see you back! It hasn't been the best week in blogland, so I'm happy to see you back on Friday.
Posted by: JoAnne McPherson | September 28, 2012 at 08:57 AM
I think your basket blocks would look great with alternating unpieced blocks in a light print and quilt the basket in those blocks - that would really lighten it up.I love the colors! I agree with Patt that it will be great for fall decorating.
Posted by: Jackie H. | September 28, 2012 at 08:59 AM
I think those baskets are going to make you very happy when the lattice is added. On another note, I, too have decided that if I'm not loving a quilt-in-progress, I move on to something else. Life IS too short, and I have waaaay too much fabric "stashed" to spend time on something I'm not enjoying.
Posted by: Kathleen G | September 28, 2012 at 09:22 AM
Your basket quilt is going to be Amazing ! Keep going !!!! You can still work on Shiloh and before you know it it will be a finish too
Posted by: Sue Babich | September 28, 2012 at 09:32 AM
Good for you! Shiloh is beautiful. I think the sashing will make those baskets perfect. They are so pretty!
Posted by: Diane | September 28, 2012 at 09:52 AM
Sometimes you just need to step away. I am really loving the baskets but maybe they just photgraph better than they are in real life... they are photogenic? LOL!
Shiloh is a love for me too. My daughter made it as one of the quilts in her dowry of quilts and everytime I go visit her she puts it on the guest bed for me to cuddle under. It is so beautiful.
Hope you have a great weekend!
BTW: I got my Halloween kit yesterday and you were right, the fabrics are GORGEOUS!!!
Posted by: Sandy M | September 28, 2012 at 10:03 AM
I agree Nicole! I was a bit of a stickler making sure that I always started my projects in order but it meant that often I was doing a project because I felt I had to instead of doing one I loved. After giving a pile of "Snippets" fabric that I had fallen out of love with to a friend who is completely in love with all things American Jane, I felt so good - sharing the joy of fabric and simultaneously being able to move onto something new that I loved. Shiloh looks great btw x
Posted by: Gertie Pye | September 28, 2012 at 10:14 AM
Oh! Shiloh has just the perfect range of colors to work on this autumn! I'm so glad you heard Shiloh calling to you.
As for the Hill Country Baskets, perhaps mixing in some medium background colors or those "magic fabrics" that the Little Quilts ladies speak of on page 9 of their All Through the House book from 1993. Those magic fabrics are black, all types of plaids and stripes, bubble gum pink, purples, browns, mustard golds, and tan. Note, these aren't solid colors, but tone on tones and prints.
You know me, the scrappier, the better!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | September 28, 2012 at 12:51 PM
I love your Country Baskets just as they are. The baskets really pop on the rich dark background. A lighter color for the lattice will help balance the lights/darks. I would look for a color value somewhere in between your darkest and lightest colors in the quilt. I am confident that you will make the right choice when the time comes. The Shilo block is very nice. I don't find it more appealing than the Baskets, but you are likely gravitating to these blocks because of the lighter colors. Maybe it would help to switch back & forth on each project. Do what makes you happy.
Posted by: Ellen in Oregon | September 28, 2012 at 02:01 PM
Love the Shiloh block. I recognize that fabric because I made my sister a quilt out of it-Arthur's Attic or something like that I think. I have been having trouble getting my sewing mojo back after not sewing this summer. I think I am about to start some new Christmas stockings for something new and fun to do.
Posted by: Chris | September 28, 2012 at 03:19 PM
Yay - you got to your machine this week! I love both projects you are working on! The baskets could be kind of country Christmassy.....not sure how you decorate for the holidays... or it could be a cute table runner/topper too if you just need to be done with it! (what's for dinner, by the way? LOL ;oD
Posted by: Bari Jo | September 28, 2012 at 04:28 PM
I don't think your basket blocks look too dark at all. I love those dark, rich colors. Really like your Shiloh block too. I'm like Kathleen, if I'm not loving something I'm working on, I move on to something else. Too many projects I want to make & too much fabric to use. Sometimes I go back to it later, sometimes not. I bet you're going to love that basket quilt when all is said & done though!
Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Sherry | September 28, 2012 at 05:40 PM
Nothing like a change to lift your spirits, Nicole! Nice choice!
Cheers!
Posted by: Candace | September 28, 2012 at 06:29 PM
Love Shiloh! Those colors are sooo yummy! You always have such great taste :)
Posted by: Anita | September 28, 2012 at 06:47 PM
I love that line "life's too short not to have your heart sing when you sew"! I am going to quote you on my Slow Sunday Stitching post if that's OK with you?
Posted by: Quilter Kathy | September 28, 2012 at 08:43 PM
You should always listen to the voices that lead your heart to sing!
Posted by: Dawn | September 28, 2012 at 08:53 PM
A change in project can be invigorating! Your baskets do stand out really well with the dark backgrounds. But I agree with you that a lighter sashing will brighten up the overall effect and tie everything together. It will be lovely!
Posted by: Donna | September 29, 2012 at 04:49 AM
So glad to hear that you had a party, and that you pulled out a project that makes your heart sing. That's the spirit! Hopefully those blues will ease away, and you'll be back in the sunshine soon.
Posted by: Debbie R. | September 29, 2012 at 11:44 AM
lol, i did the same thing yesterday...i wasn't feeling the 'love' so i put one project away and pulled out an old friend. So glad i did! ;p
Posted by: ina | September 30, 2012 at 11:03 AM