A fat eighth bundle of Barbara Brackman's Metropolitan Fair fell into my lap this week. I was so pleased to receive it and not just a little bit blown away by how gorgeous the colors in that line are. There are soft reds, mellow pinks, medium tone blues, yellowish greens, cocoa browns, silvery greys...These colors are inspirational, I am telling you.
I have a project that is hanging over my head from a wonderful class I took this summer at Buggy Barn. The pattern is by Red Crinoline Quilts, and is called Hill Country Baskets. The block is actually called "Cactus Basket" I think. Anyway, the class was awesome, the instructor inspirational, the project wonderful, and the kit that was included in the class price...not my cuppa tea.
I tried, people, really. I tried to embrace those burgundys, navys, forest greens and blackish browns. I tried. The fabrics are perfectly fine. Very fine. I've used them before, and I will use them again. But not right now. Just not what I am in the mood for these days.
Years ago, I had a quilting mentor who commented that I had been using a very dark palette over the past months. Was everything ok at home? she asked. What? Why? Turns out she had a theory that when a person immerses themselves in very dark murky colors it is indicative of their internal mood/state of mind. Dark colors = a dark mood.
Don't you just hate that when someone sees right through you? By golly, she was dead on. I was in a funk and wallowing in it, and had been for some time.
At this time in my life, I am struggling to make the best of several situations and am finding that I am so drawn to more cheerful, brighter colors in my surroundings, clothing, and quilting projects. My Hill Country Basket project has been weighing me down, and making me feel dreary, and I think it is because of the somber colors of the fabric.
So, when this bundle of Metropolitan Fair fabric arrived on my doorstep, I was energized. Super charged. I could see right away that this was what my Hill Country Basket quilt project needed. A shot in the arm. No. A complete overhaul!
I got up at dawn the next morning and started cutting into that gorgeous fabric bundle. I eliminated the dark forest greens, navy blues and blackish browns. I replaced them with the lighter silvery toned colors in the Metropolitan Fair collection and everything has changed. I can still use my backgrounds, my lattice fabric, and I believe even my setting triangle fabric and border from the original kit. But that addition of those lighter colors has changed everything. And for the better.
Hope to show you a couple of Hill Country Basket blocks next week. I am sweating over my Halloween 1904 project. Focusing, don't you know. But I may just have to multi-task and make a couple of basket blocks using my gorgeous new fabric!
What an interesting perspective and something to really think about. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as you take care of things... Isn't it great that you have sewing/quilting to 'focus' on and maybe forget some problems for a while?? Take care -
Posted by: Audrey Bretz | October 05, 2012 at 05:38 AM
Cheers and happy dancing that these glorious Metropolitan Fair fabrics have proved to be just what your Hill Country Baskets quilt needed!! This project will no longer hang over your head like that swirling ominous cloud overhead did in the movie Practical Magic. The baskets will now sing and will delightfully beckon you as you continue working on Halloween 1904.
The observation of your mentor about use of dark fabrics = dark mood is very, very interesting. I can see how that does fit. Methinks a bright quilt project needs to be my next choice.
Happy focusing!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | October 05, 2012 at 06:02 AM
I think you (and your mentor) are right, working with cheery colors can put you in a cheerier frame of mind. I hope the addition of these new fabrics is just what you, and your Hill Country Baskets project, are looking for. Cheers!
Posted by: Cathy | October 05, 2012 at 06:22 AM
That line is really lovely. I'm happy that it has inspired you to tackle that basket quilt. That quilt is just so lovely.
Posted by: Sandy M | October 05, 2012 at 06:32 AM
I can't wait to see your new blocks!
Posted by: Diane | October 05, 2012 at 06:42 AM
A friend once referred to my crafty projects as "Color Therapy" and that phrase has stuck with me. I like to have several projects going at once because 1) I get bored easily and 2) sometimes I am in the mood for a different color palette. Good luck with your new project!
Posted by: Deb@asimplelifequilts | October 05, 2012 at 06:48 AM
Yes, fabric can be therapy. If we could only claim it as a medical expense!
((((((Hugs))))))
Posted by: Jean | October 05, 2012 at 07:02 AM
So glad to see you are getting your mojo back!! Love love the Metropolitan Fair fabric. I have a bunch of fabric to make the Halloween 1904 quilt, but am now inclined to wait and see how yours comes together as I always appreciate your use of color. Onward and upward!
Posted by: Linda | October 05, 2012 at 07:04 AM
Sounds wonderful Nicole. And I agree with the effect that fabric and colors have on our mood and vice versa. Thinking of you! xo Pam
Posted by: Pam | October 05, 2012 at 07:07 AM
LOVE those fabrics! And like that you are mixing lines, too . . . . Eager to see your results!
Posted by: Nancy, Near Philadelphia | October 05, 2012 at 08:33 AM
Gotta get me some of that gorgeous Metropolitan Fair fabric collection. The colours are wonderful. I'm not so keen on bright, colourful fabric, really love my Civil War fabrics. They can be dark, but I alway like to throw in some yellow or orange/cheddar. Even light blues. That way things don't get too dark. And I'm not in a dark mood, I just love these fabrics.
Posted by: Heartsdesire | October 05, 2012 at 08:37 AM
You inspired me to bid in eBay on a precut of Metropolitan Fair yesterday, which I won. I'm hoping to gather a lot of reproduction collections together and come up with a good quilt for them. I'm not drawn to the really overall dark collections, although I think you have to mix in some of the blacks to make everything pop. This is why I really, really like the Mill Girls collection, because they have the brighter colors, but still keeps the sense of Civil War era feel. I'm doing two projects with them now - the Away from Home and Mill Girls quilt. You can see pictures of them on my blog if you want. I can't wait to see your basket blocks with Metro. Maybe that's the quilt I need to do! All the best this weekend!!
Posted by: Jennifer G | October 05, 2012 at 08:54 AM
This is a lovely collection Nicole - I haven't seen it before but I am going to check it out. It is very much your pallette but that touch brighter and more vibrant. I'm glad it has inspired you. Can't wait to see what you make out of it.
I have never bought a fat eighth bundle before but it seems to me to be the perfect compromise - all of the fabric lines but not huge quantities and half the cost!
Posted by: Gertie Pye | October 05, 2012 at 09:38 AM
Love that fabric!!!!!! Cannot wait to see it in your new blocks!! :-)
Posted by: Linda | October 05, 2012 at 09:53 AM
Your heart has to sing, always! Happy Quilting
Posted by: shelley | October 05, 2012 at 03:39 PM
Love the Metropolitan Fair fabrics. You need to do what is best for you:) Isn't it great you can always revamp as you go along.
LauraT
Posted by: LauraTawney | October 06, 2012 at 09:54 AM
I find myself drawn to very bright and clear colors, or either soft pastels, even when I'm not feeling great. I hope your issues get worked out and leave you alone to quilt in happiness and peace.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | October 06, 2012 at 01:04 PM