2019 Color Challenge Finish

A few weeks ago we started a small project in the basement... it involved dismantling a workbench to make it smaller and moving it, and then creating a shelving unit along that wall and enclosing half of it for fabric storage. 












Sometimes you just have to make a big mess before you can get the mess cleaned up!

I had fabric in several places... the guest room closet, a cabinet in the finished portion of the basement, a dresser in the basement... and don't forget the large cardboard box and a large storage bin.  

As I moved and unpacked fabric into the new storage area I found some fabric that I pulled for use as borders and backing of this year's color challenge quilt.

Since Jen's inspiration for the color challenge centered on flowers, it just seemed like kismet that there would be fabric called "The Language of Flowers" that had not only flowers, but vintage postcards and envelopes in the background.

If you missed any of my monthly posts about these blocks you can catch up by searching for 2019 Color Challenge (there is a tag at the end of the post).  

Each month I learned a bit about each flower... as some of them I was not really familiar with... like spider mums, and glory of the snow.  And there were a several that I had no idea even existed!  Like the Bells of Ireland (that are not native to Ireland), Love in a Mist, Sundaze Ablaze and the Jade Vine.

As I shared what I learned, I also shared what the flowers may mean if used in a bouquet that was meant to send a message...  like pink carnations meaning "I'll never forget you", marigolds = passion and creativity; purple lilacs mean love while white lilacs allude to youthful innocence and let's not forget the red rose that means love.  Flowers... A lost language... See??? The Language of Flowers fabric was meant to be!!!

Since the border taken care of, I moved onto the backing...

The "Flowers of 50 states" was a panel I located while moving fabric.  Now, obviously, it was not large enough to be a stand alone backing, nor was it square enough...  I returned to the new fabric storage cabinets and located some fabric that had words printed on it... words of encouragement and positive reinforcement...

It made me think... we often speak words of encouragement to our children or spouses and family and friends... but what sort of words do we speak to ourselves?  Are we as encouraging?  Are we as kind?

Often times, sadly, the answer is no.

I recently I was putting SEW into houSEWork and made a new ironing board cover using some "word" fabric that I found during the recent fabric move... more encouraging words!  I spend a lot of time in my studio alone... I could use these reminders!  Keep a thankful heart... gratitude... start the day with a song in your heart... take courage...

     I finished off the backing with a little more word fabric and got it sandwiched... it sat for a few days as I pondered how to quilt it.  

As a sampler quilt I thought that I might quilt each block separately, but I wasn't really excited about that... It sat some more...  

I considered straight line quilting... but that is so S L O W... I really wanted to do some free-motion quilting.  Stippling?  Yes!  But then Dave was starting another project... this one in our bedroom... **sigh**  and I just couldn't focus like I needed to for stippling... Loops it is!

I really do love it!  And that two color binding offers just enough of a break...

I don't have a recipient in mind for this quilt, but whoever happens to get it will be wrapped not only in love and prayers, but words of kindness and encouragement!

Leave a comment about what sort of encouraging words you need to speak to yourself!  I'd love to hear from you.

Smile often and quilt happy!

Melva

Melva Loves Scraps - Home of the Pieces From The Past Sew Along

that features vintage Kansas City Star quilt blocks!

Linking with:

BOMs Away at What A Hoot Quilts

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

What I Made Monday at Pretty Piney

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts
Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication
Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter
Put Your Foot Down at For the Love of Geese
Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation
Creative Compulsions at Bijou Bead Boutique
Can I Get A Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie
Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty
Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More
Friday Foto Fun at Powered by Quilting

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts