Wednesday, November 3, 2010

An Inspiration Block, or Two . . .


I've got the borders on Nottingham Star, hopefully I'll be able to take a picture today so I can show it to you tomorrow, I'm very happy with it.

As soon as that last border was on that quilt, I jumped into my normal end of project routine of cleaning, dusting, vacuuming and straightening my sewing room so I could move on to my next project. Unlike last time, when I was all up in the air, willy nilly, this time I was a girl with a plan and on a mission!

So here's what will be filling my time for the month of November,

Mocha Trail

A Graceful Stitch Design by Denise Sheehan.

Nicole, at Sisters Choice, started on this quilt sometime last year. I was immediately attracted to the caramels, creams, and chocolates, whoops I mean browns, of her quilt. Between the name and the colors, this quilt makes me hungry!!

I didn't have any of those colors in my pathetic stash, so I bought the pattern and started looking for fat quarters anytime I would hit a quilt shop or show, which wasn't very often.

So time went by, I think Nicole got distracted and put her project aside, and I had a project box that has some nice creams, great browns, and no caramels. I was beginning to think I was never going to have the fabric I needed to make Mocha Trail.

Then this landed on my doorstep,


and Mocha Trail immediately popped into my brain.....this family of fabrics gave me everything I needed for my project, creams, caramels and browns..... how perfect was that!


And as if that fabric wasn't yummy enough, French General also created these lovely wovens in the same palette!!

But Maison De Garance, by French General for Moda had something extra.....REDS!! You know me and my love of red....

The reds in this family are luscious, although, in all honesty, I rarely meet a red I don't like.

So what's a girl to do, pull out the reds and use them for another project, save this family of fabric for a different project, or

add a new dimension to this project by working in the reds......



That was an easy choice for me, I'm working in the reds.
Here's my 9 patches inspiration block.

And here's the star inspiration block.


This star just happens to have a red center and dark brown points, but I intend to use all the fabrics in my bundle for the stars, I'm going caramel, brown and red scrappy center and points.

So here's what I've got so far,


and honestly, I don't think this fabric can make an ugly block. I'm looking forward to seeing how many beautiful combinations I can come up with for that star block.

The 9 patches block will not change, it will have the same red fabric and brown and cream 9 patches for each block.

I think I'm going to name mine Red Hot Mocha Trail, did you ever eat those Red Hots cinnamon candy balls as a kid, they were a such a pretty red, and they made your tongue burn and eyes water when you ate them, which didn't stop me.....I wonder if they still make Red Hots, I've not seen them in years.......sorry, I'm really distracted with the food part of this project....

So a funny thing happened when I asked Nicole where she stood on her Mocha Trail project and if she wanted to sew along.....she got her blocks out, thought about me adding red, and decided to jazz up her trail too, but she's not going red....pop over and see what Nicole's doing with her version, it's amazing, clever and trendy, very Nicole!!

I've gotten a few comments lately asking about how much fabric to buy for a project. This is something I struggle with too, being a new quilter and all. Plus, I want to have just the right amount of fabric, running short would break my heart, too much breaks the bank, so from now on, I thought I would talk about the amount of fabric I used for my projects. It will be nice to have it documented for me, and maybe help you as you hit the quilt stores. So more on that tomorrow, but one last thing.....

You know those browns and creams I was collecting for Mocha Trail, that's the fabric I used for Nottingham Star!

Don't you just love happy endings!!!


25 comments:

  1. Outstanding!! The reds really make a huge difference in this pattern. The original looks great but the added colors brings it up a notch to Fantastic! Great choice!

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  2. I love red and I love stars. Your star block is just gorgeous! You always make such fantastic choices.

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  3. It looks great, Thelma! I bought a fat eighths bundle of M de G but haven't figured out how to use it yet. And I can't wait to see Nottingham Star!

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  4. I too love red and this quilt your are making! I'v been catching up on your blog post today...it has been awhile. Cooper is adorable as ever!! I tell ya....I do come for the quilts but pets get me every time! Enjoy the day!

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  5. I love the reds. And anything with French General is a winner in my book!

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  6. I love reds and browns. Your quilt is going to be fabulous!

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  7. I just love the how the reds look in that quilt pattern. It's going to give a totally new look to that quilt. I love love it! I just love that you are incorporating those gorgeous wovens. It'll be beautiful. That's a great idea to include the amount fabric you use! Nice!

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  8. That is beyond beautiful. I really like the pattern and the fabric. Great combo.

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  9. The two blocks are stunning; I like your color combination. It will be fun to watch you and Nicole make this quilt at the same time.

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  10. Ooohh, Thelma, this is going to be awesome! The inspiration blocks are fabulous. I have my stacks of creams, browns & caramels all ready to go for my Mocha Trails, (have no idea when I'll get to start it!), but I'm going to love seeing Nicole's and your versions!!

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  11. Oh that's going to be a stunner when you get it done!

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  12. Those fabrics are gorgeous. I love the pattern of the quilt. It will look stunning when finished

    Love and hugs Gina xxx

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  13. Absolutely beautiful - can't wait to see this one finished!

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  14. LOVE your fabric choice, but then you can't go wrong with this French General line can you? It's beautiful!

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  15. Love your color choice. The red is fantastic with the browns.

    We have a HUGE container of atomic fire balls on our kitchen counter at all times. We buy them by the VAT at Sam's because everyone in my family is addicted. We put them in our mouth and then complain the entire time about how hot they are. :-)

    Red Hot Mocha Trail makes me think of my favorite coffee....Cinnamon Spice from Dunkin Donuts.

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  16. A happy ending, indeed! I love your Mocha Trails with the red. Very pretty.

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  17. Perfectly aligned checks! A woman after my own heart. Love it.

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  18. Your new quilt is going to be outstanding!

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  19. I love what you're doing! Can't wait to see the finished quilt!

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  20. Such a dedicated girl! I do like your choices, mm-m, hmm! pokey

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  21. I can see why you and Nichole are kindred spirits; you both have great taste in fabric. I do like the pop of red in your blocks, and I think your quilt will just sing.

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  22. Gorgeous-- I love A Graceful Stitch patterns and this one is just spectacular! Love the little twist to the nine-patch too. Your bundle of fabrics are beautiful... this one is going to be a winner!

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