Wake Up to Kona ! My Day!

Today is my day to "Shine" in the Wake Up to Kona Blog Hop! Actually, there are many of us shining in this hop and I think you will be inspired by all the pretty quilts and projects made from Kona Solids. 
                        

I used the fat quarter bundle of Sunrise solids. These colors are so beautiful and cheerful, how could I do anything but enjoy working with them! They are such good quality and so pretty! I used Aurafil threads to do my quilting, of course!

These colors reminded me of the Cinco de Mayo roses I used to have. (I actually still have one that I will take with me to a new house!) They start out bright orange and go through reds and pinks as the flower opens and fades.

If you've followed me for very long, you know I love to add words and verses to my quilts. I embroidered a verse on the bottom and right side border on this quilt: "The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy." Psalm 65:8. (I balanced the design by placing prairie points at the top and left side borders.) Here is my "sunrise" quilt in the golden light of the setting sun. 

I had so much fabric left over, I also made a "puff" or "biscuit" quilt using some of my leftovers. I embellished it with a few stuffed flowers.

I also received Amanda Murphy's book Color Essentials, Crisp and Vibrant Quilts. Although I didn't make a pattern from the book, there are many in it that I'm sure I will make in the future. The book is very inspirational.  
                                                   
 I now have two new colorful quilts I can use somewhere in my new house! Update: For those of you wondering where we are in the "getting back on our feet" process after the fire, we have a contract on a house. I will be posting about it after we close, which will be very soon.)
 My thanks to Mdm. Samm of Sew We Quilt and to Carol of Just Let Me Quilt for putting this great hop together! In my mind, you can't go wrong when you're dealing with cheerful colors! 
            Be sure you visit the other blogs in the hop today! 

                 

January 20

More Stars in Comanche

You are here! - Buzzing and Bumbling

Quilting Quietly

Grammie Q’s

The Quilted Cat

The Quilting Queen Online

Lauraluvsloons

                                      Sew Incredibly Crazy


                                  

Fall Color Inspiration in South Texas!

Fall is in the air, and although the trees in south Texas do not give us the show of color seen elsewhere, don't feel too sorry for us! We have gorgeous sunsets! I took this photo from my front yard. The stripes in the sky are not a trick of photography. They were really there in the sky and extended all the way to the horizon behind me.(Colors are different on different monitors, but this sunset was brilliant orange!)

I love to find color inspiration in nature. Can you see these colors used in a quilt? I also try to notice just how much of a color you see in relation to other colors. For example, there is only a small amount of the rich orange in the photo above, but quite a bit of soothing blue and cream. Here is what I pulled from my stash that could be used. I may never even make a quilt form these, but if I did, I think it would be beautiful.

Oops! Sugarplum says, "Wait a minute! There's something on this fabric. Just let me move it!

 

There! got it!

Look around at all the inspiration outside and see if you can find something to inspire your next color scheme! 
 

                                             

Quilt Inspiration from the Birds

Are you like me and find inspiration all around you? In dishes, in flowers, in art, in nature? I was inspired this morning by an event in my yard.

This is a mother Killdeer. She lays her nest right on the ground in the middle of fields and meadows.

Here is her clutch of four eggs, all with their camouflaging spots. (They are about the size of walnuts.)
She has a pretty smart trick she uses to protect that nest. When a potential predator comes near the nest, she darts away from it and shows the bright rust colored feathers on her back. 

  That's just to get your attention. Then she puts on an act like a fake "whiplash" victim! She flutters around acting like she has a broken  wing! She calls to her mate while she puts on her show and pretty soon, he shows up and joins in the act! This is in hopes of drawing the predator away from the nest and toward the parents, who appear to be easy prey.

 So where is the quilt inspiration? I found these fabrics in my stash that I think would be beautiful in a quilt. The colors I chose are all inspired by this comical little bird, her nest, and the surrounding grass.

 Hmmm......I wonder if a similar trick would work to keep me away from the kitchen? I can see it now....."Oh, no! I think I hurt my ankle! I need to just sit and rest it. Do you mind bringing my little Featherweight right here in front of my chair. And maybe that stack of fabrics I've been working on. Thanks, honey! Oh, and my rotary cutter and mat....."    
I hope you find inspiration everywhere you look today!
Don't forget to join me for the "It's For the Birds" blog hop starting on the 7th. I will be posting on the 8th.