Thursday, June 06, 2013

Lost threads...

Bad enough my cat Brownie has a thing for bits of fabric and likes to carry off quilt blocks to her hiding place behind the couch.  Now Dobby, my big male cat, has developed a thing for balls of thick embroidery thread.

I looked all over the living room today for a ball of red Valdarni No 8...I just used it yesterday.  Silly me should have known to look under the cat!

There was one problem...he didn't want to let go....note the ears and the claws...it took a lot of treats to ransom back that ball of thread!

When I wasn't trying to search and sort the leftovers from my last project I was making decisions on my next one...
The "set aside" stash with potential fabrics.
some of you may recognize the block in the back.  I have permission from Bill to use it...After collecting fabrics for the past couple of months and drafting the patterns for a couple of the blocks it really is time to start stitching!
The "go dark" option...
The oxblood red and the green fabric was amazingly easy...I had some in my stash.  Just an amusing note...I had three different versions of the green on the shelf.  The one I'm using is slightly darker than I'd like but the print is the smallest.  As the blocks are going to be reduced in size to 8-1/2 inches scale of the print is a big consideration.  The yellow/oragne and the purple/gray...now those have been a challenge
The "light with print" option
I pulled the purples that scale didn't work then paired the darker purples with the darker yellow-orange then did the same for the light.
The medium with solids
One of my yellows has a bit of a print but I keep going back to it for the color....

I considered mixing up the fabrics and making it scrappy (that would be making it more me...) but I think that would also lose some of the naivete of the original piece.  So I'm back to picking four fabrics...sheesh...

Luckily the first block I'm going to make only used the green and oxblood...buys me a bit more time for that yellow/orange...

and here is how Dobby the cat felt when he realized I had hidden all the balls of thread...the boy really needs his nails clipped!

6 comments:

Frog Quilter said...

Such a cute kitty. Having a blast in Ireland. If you leave now you,can make it for the last week... Awesome weather, no rain only sunshine and mild temps.

Janet O. said...

My Valdani balls all sit in a wooden bowl in my sewing room. Good thing Dobby doesn't visit.
What a wonderful little block you are replicating.

Merilyn said...

The applique pattern is a lovely one, I look forward to seeing how yours turns out!!! Love those purple fabrics, I have some of that purple print you featured, I just loved it!!!! I'm pleased to say that my cat doesn't get too involved with my fabrics or thread!!!!

Tonya Ricucci said...

Man, Dobster really is huge isn't he. you are going to be soooo bored only using 4 fabrics. have fun - make it scrappy!!!!

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