Playing with Color

I love playing with color, don't you? To pull bits and pieces (and bolts) of color off my shelf or from a stack of fabric to see which colors look 'right' to me is one of the best things about quilting.


If you follow my FaceBook page, you might have seen a status in which I was irritated with my computer monitor. That's because  I ordered some wonderful new fabrics for a project inspired by my daughter's water color painting (blogged about in a post titled Design Time) and they were all wrong in person.


They're perfectly lovely fabrics, mostly from Art Gallery Fabrics, which are so fine woven and smooth. But just not the right color for this project. The new fabrics are all on the left side, above. I pulled more fabric from my stash and began sorting, mixing and matching, adding and pulling fabrics as I went.


Above is the semi-final selection. There's only one fabric from my recent purchase, the rest came from my stash! If it weren't for getting such yummy fabrics, I might have been frustrated. I'm still not sure about the greens. The bottom fabric is a natural linen that I will use as the background of the center medallion. I will probably have to find a few new fabrics or at least more of a few of the same colors as I  definitely need enough for at least one more border.


My daughter and I have been playing with color again, too. We went on a mother-daughter date to Barnes and Noble and Joanne Fabrics. She was so stinking excited! She even brought some of her own money so she could buy something of her own at Joanne's.


We each got our own very cool coloring books at B&N. Each have some creative prompts in them. Hers has some great little drawing tips. Check out the page below in her book! Very Zentangle-esque.


My book is my very own, long awaited copy of Johanna Basford's Secret Garden (Link goes to her book on Amazon). I've written about her blog before and the inspiration it gives me. Her drawings remind me of applique I'd like to do and the lines of her work inspire my free motion quilting too.

Johanna Basford

It will take me a long time to finish up all the pages in this lovely coloring book. I am looking forward to coloring sessions spent with my girl. (A certain little kid 'helped' with one flower below.) I think coloring helps with learning what colors go together and how to make a pleasing combination from a limited range of colors.


I used a combination of Derwent Inktense pencils and Prisma Color pencils for my coloring. I have to keep them sharpened well, as this book has very fine details. I wanted to use my neglected set of Gel pens, but they have been neglected so long that I can't find them.


Isn't her work fabulous? See more on her blog, where she's celebrating the success of her book and showing off her best work yet- a new baby! She has this coloring book available in several languages and formats too . I see quilts on every page. I'd like to share some of her work with you too.


 I also bought a postcard version of Johanna's Secret Garden. To enter a drawing to win one colored postcard from me and a blank one to color yourself, leave me a comment below, making sure that you aren't a no-reply blogger (Google it if you're unsure what that means, comment on your own blog to see if you have become a no-reply blogger- Is your email associated with your emailed comment?) or make sure your email is in your comment. You may also email me privately to enter (my email is on the About Amy page). Since this is just 2 postcards, anyone on the planet can enter! But if I can't easily email you, I won't enter you. Sorry.

Edited to add: The winner will be drawn next Monday, November 24th.





28 comments:

  1. The coloring book looks so neat! Thanks for the chance to win such a wonderful gift.

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  2. I love that Secret Garden coloring book! I think I will head to B&N, pull out my colored pencils and plan a coloring session with my granddaughter. thanks for the inspiration!

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    1. You're quite welcome. It's a great activity to do with a kid.

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  3. I have the Secret Garden book on my own wishlist, oooo!

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  4. What a beautiful book. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  5. Beautiful watercolour and the wonderful drawings remind me of colouring with my mum many, many years ago!

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  6. That is exactly the kind of drawing I wish I could do! Sadly, my efforts never seem to match my vision. It's definitely easier to be creative when I see something as beautiful as Johanna's work, so I'm thinking that book needs to be added to my must-have list.

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    1. I know that feeling all too well, but keep at it and reality will get closer to the vision over time.

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  7. Playing with coloured pencils like a child, sketching, colouring, dreaming of quilts to be made. Heavenly!

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  8. I love the secret garden, and bought three copies, one for me, one for my daughter and one for my neighbor. we are eagerly awaiting her next book, "Enchanted Forrest". Mine is really to inspire my quilting, but i have really enjoyed colouring in the beautiful designs

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    1. I got a peek at Enchanted Forest today. Can't wait to get my hands on it.

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  9. These drawings are so beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for sharing. giselle@iglide.net

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  10. I love to color and I don't do it often enough. This may go on my Christmas list.

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  11. thanks for the inspiration to go and color…. I really loved to fill in the blanks but haven't done it years. I will put the book on my Christmas list, also!

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  12. Thanks for a great idea to use with my grandchildren when they visit. Have fun!

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  13. I love the colors of your fabrics and the lovely watercolor inspiration. I enjoy your blog.

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  14. That is too bad the fabrics weren't the right color but.....now you more in your stash! I'm off to check out that book, I still love coloring too!

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    1. Hey, I’m always up for more beautiful fabrics for my stash. Design wise, it threw me into a tailspin and I reacted by reorganizing my studio. So I guess it worked out ok in the end!

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  15. I have this book on my Christmas wish list...I love her work. The colors for your quilt are beautiful and I am looking forward to seeing it progress.

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    1. Ah, the elusive progress....this quilt design is being reworked. I sure hope I have some progress to show soon. Thanks.

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  16. I would love to FMQ some of these designs.

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  17. What a fun giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity.

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  18. makes me want to color also
    Dahlia

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  19. Coloring books in bookstores always draw my attention but I have never bought one. But you have lit a fire under me and I will head to Barnes and Noble in a little while to buy myself a coloring book and maybe some colored pencils! What a fun way to develop my "color sense" and get inspired with designs for my quilting at the same time! Thanks, Amy!

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  20. Hi, what coloring book did you buy for your daughter? it looks to have also beautiful pictures in?

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  21. Hi, what coloring book did you buy for your daughter? it looks to have also beautiful pictures in?

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