Warm Orphan Ombre

Created for Project Quilting 16.2 – Ombre – Challenge 2 of Project Quilting season 16.

I have never used a true ombre fabric, but I have made many quilts that use this effect. Often it's a rainbow theme floating across the quilt. That was my first thought here.  I actually started on a few blocks, but it didn't feel right. Too boring. Looks like I made a few new orphan blocks...

AHA!!! Orphan blocks! I have a couple of baskets of them. You know, all those blocks or parts of blocks or any pieces that got sewn together and not used. I had been messing with them a couple of months ago and stuck some up on my design wall, but was uninspired. I ended up sorting them by warm and cool, then putting them away because I wasn't feeling it. Maybe I could make something from them that would work here. Now, the rules for Project Quilting do say your project must be started and finished during this week. Yes, I know. I consider my orphan blocks to be pieces of fabric I previously made for myself. They have been sitting in a basket waiting to be used in something special. Much as my ONE ROOM of uncut fabric is waiting to be used. The biggest goal of Project Quilting has always been to inspire creativity. So, I think this is legal. If not, oh, well. There are no prizes and if there were I wouldn't be eligible because Kim, our brilliant Project Quilting creator, is my daughter-in-law. :)

On to my process. I started by placing blocks on my design wall starting with lights in the top left and going darker diagonally across and down. I had a few blocks that were half dark and half light. Didn't really fit anywhere in the layout. Some I cut and used only part or used both parts in separate areas of the quilt. I got close to the dimensions I wanted and started sewing together in sections. I added fabric or cut pieces from the remaining orphans to make things fit, squaring up each section. I didn't hesitate to just trim away a quarter or half inch or whatever of anything that was a little long. I love this process. It's kind of like putting a puzzle together, only, in the case, I can just cut something to fit.

In the end, I now have a small lap quilt that used half the orphans in the warm basket. I consider that a win and am inspired to go at the cool basket next. 

Created by Diane Lapacek in rural Poynette, WI.
40" x 58"

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Go For the Gold

 Created for Project Quilting 16.1 Mythical Creatures

I have to say, this challenge was a challenge for me. (I guess that's what it should be, right?) Mythical Creatures? Not my wheelhouse. So, I did the smart thing and searched for mythical creatures. And I came across the leprechaun. I grew up a Donahoe and, although I was 1 of 13 children and my parents seldom left the farm, we always knew Dad would take Mom out to celebrate St. Patrick's Day every year. So a leprechaun seemed like a good inspiration for me. Leprechauns are said to bury pots of gold at the end of the rainbow. A workable inspiration  and a great memory of when my family with Mom, Dad, all my siblings and the grandkids would spend a weekend at Joy Lake camping each summer. There was a year when we had a rain shower and a wonderful rainbow. The kids ran through the campground looking for the end of the rainbow and the pot of gold. Great memory! So, I made a rainbow. And put gold at the ends.

Created by Diane Lapacek in rural Poynette, WI.

20" x 40"