Thursday, July 1, 2010

The Pointy End

The challenge for me this time was very much around finding some free time to make a quilt! My first thought was heartsease. My second thought was Johnny-jump-ups (same thing). Then, pansies. Eventually I moved on to irises. Finally I decided there would be no flowers in my quilt.
I sat.Stared around the room. Nothing. The problem, I thought, is that I really DON'T like violet and yellow together. Time to think more broadly about that purple...maybe lavender, maybe amethyst...
Wait! Up on the top shelf of the dresser! There are two little cups that I bought in a thrift shop a few weeks ago.I bought them because I love the colours together.
Here they are...



A whole heap of photos later, I had a tightly cropped image that I liked and some printed copies for a pattern.




And then, the quilt. Abstracted almost to obscurity :D and not as successful as I had hoped. Maybe next time.

13 comments:

Cate Rose said...

Gorgeous, Kirsten!

Deborah Boschert said...

I don't think it's obscure at all. I am totally feeling a cup of coffee and a sketching. It really sets the stage. That gray background fabric is perfect and I love the yellow quilted lines echoing the saucer. How did you choose the lace for the bottom?

Gerrie said...

Definitely not obscure. I love it. The neutral in the background is a nice touch. And there is some of your vintage lace!

Terry Grant said...

Oh Kirsten, I love, love, love this! The color is perfect. That tan polka dot background is the perfect thing. This crispness is why I love commercial prints and your composition is genius. This could be my favorite of this round.

And how perfect to see Diane's pencils just below!

Karen said...

This is so great Kirsten, I sometimes think when we are rushed we do our best work. The stitching is wonderful, and the composition is great.

Diane Perin said...

The amazing thing about this is how, even though you show so little of the teacup, is how instantly it conveys that it is cup and saucers. And the pencil (how odd is it that we both used pencils?!) is so strong -- strong lines, pointy shape, boldest color -- and yet, the overall presence in this is the cup and saucer. I love that and I think it reflects a remarkable eye for composition and detail. You edit and edit and have JUST the right things. Seems like you reached some peace with purple and yellow, too-- this doesn't scream "Hey, I'm about purple and yellow" but the softness of that contrast works so well here.

dutchcomfort said...

When I scrolled down to see the picture I knew it would be your quilt! Wonderful! The plate really looks like Chinaware!

Françoise said...

No, I don't think it's obscure. And I love all the different fabrics you chose for the saucers and the cup.

Joanne S said...

I agree with everyone else. A delightful piece. And that pencil makes me want to rush for a piece of paper!!!

Terri Stegmiller said...

I think it's very successful and I love love love it! I think if I would have seen these cups in a thrift store I would like to think I would have purchased them too.

Brenda Gael Smith said...

Kirsty - you are a magician. Conjuring this up is just a few days. Truly magical!

(And there is something spooky happening on Row 2 of the mosaics. First Diane and Terry choosing similar inspiration; now you and Diane!)

Kristin L said...

I like seeing how many different kinds of purple you've used, from almost magenta all the way to blue-violet, and how well they all play together. Lovely.

Unknown said...

It's a tantalsing glimpse. I want to know what is in the cup. Whose is the penci? - why have they set it down on the saucer of all places? So many untold stories.