Friday, August 27, 2010

Orange, Purple, Berries and Red all over......

Warning - the color combinations in this post may be disturbing to some viewers.

It all started at Gwen Marston's Beaver Island Retreat in 1996.  A group of retreaters decided to have a little challenge.  We picked the color orange, that was the challenge, use orange.

I decided to do a twist on a traditional block and this is the quilt "Orange Horse Feathers."




This is the back - a funny Halloween print.

 My friend, Laurie made the label of  dancing skeletons (this ones' for you Tonya).


I had so much fun doing this one, I decided to make another one on my own.  This is the second one "Alleluia".


My friend Mary B. said she always thought "Alleluia" when she saw these trumpets - so this is what I did on the back.  Was she surprised at the time!  Shame on me, no label, must fix that!


I appliqued it by machine with raw edges.  You can see it here.  There is a cool and easy way to do this and maybe I'll do a tutorial some day.


Well, after two, why not round out the series with a third.  I decided to go a little berry crazy on this one.  Okay, a lot berry crazy!!



These are small berries, smaller than a bobbin -

 
I think I'll use this beautiful Kaffe fabric and quilt this up this winter, it's been around for years, probably 10 as a top.


Giveaway!  We've had over 100 posts - I can't believe it~
Thank you to everyone who has been encouraging and left such nice comments and helped me along the way.  I'll be adding a few more things to the basket this weekend.



You up to 4 ways to get your name in the hat:

Leave a comment on this post.

Become a Follower (if you already are, let me know).

Add a link on your blog about the giveaway (and let me know).

For a bonus chance, email me at barb.vedder@gmail.com and tell  me 3 of things the quilts have in common.  There are more like 5 things, but some are harder to detect on the computer.

If you don't have a blog account, you can email me and I'll add your name.
Good Luck!

129 comments:

peawink said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
peawink said...

Barb, I love your orange trilogy and would really like to see a picture of them all hanging side by side - but I just realized why you haven't included one .. am trying to see the "commons" now ..

Juliann said...

What a great post! I love orange and I am so inspired by these quilts - thanks!

Lori said...

You are one crazy woman! LOL What fun quilts and the tiny berries are so crazy!
Please enter me in your drawing. I'm a fan...er....follower:)

What kind of thread did you use for machine quilting? It looks so thin across the applique. I love that look and sure beats stopping and starting a bajillion times.

Meredith said...

That is a lot of orange. :) I am a follower. That really does not sound good. LOL. I actually do not have that book. Imagine that.

Anonymous said...

My friend's favorite color is orange! I'm forwarding your blog to her.
Please enter me in your giveaway.
Justine/rivervujc@comcast.net

~Niki~ said...

personally I love the colors! I'm a brights girl :)
Thanks for letting me enter! and i'm emailing you my answers.

Kathi said...

Thanks for the give-away; I'd love to have you add my name.
I enjoy your blog- always something new and fun to read.

Béa said...

I love orange, I love your blog and I am a happy follower. Please, count me in the giveaway !

9patchnurse said...

Love the berry quilts! I just got some cheddar colored fabric and now I have some ideas for it. Fall is my favorite time of year so this is an awesome giveaway! Congratulations on 100 posts. Love this blog!

9patchnurse said...

I am a follower too!

Ann Champion said...

I absolutely LOVE your orange series! You must get the last one quilted..it's too wonderful to be sitting undone. Those berries are spectacular.
Can one of things in common be that you haven't sent them to me yet? Mwahahaha!
:)

Erin in MI said...

Oh my gosh - I LOVE those quilts! They just sing to me. They are all beautiful and I would love to make my own versions of them. Where did you find the patterns for the blocks??

Karen said...

So many circles and so well made. You have certainly given the color orange a good look and a good run in the quilts. I need some orange!

I am a follower and have been for a while.

libbyquilter said...

what fabulous quilts and what great fun for a giveaway~!!~

i'm now a follower AND you're on my sidebar . . .

seeing these quilts has reminded me of one that i have partially finished . . . what a great idea for a post on my blog . . .

:-)
libbyQ

Kat said...

I'm in and I follow you!

antique quilter said...

yup I am a follower...LOVE these orange challenge quilts
what fun that tree is just great!
Think you need to run a challenge on your blog you always seem to come up with great challenges!
Kathie

Donna~~ said...

Your orange challenge is perfect for the colder weather here today--fall is in the air. What a great idea to stretch out of the normal colors.

Donna~~ said...

Just found your blog today! I'm now a follower. Love your header--too cute!

Mary Lou Casada said...

Very cool quilts!! What a great challenge. I have orange in my stash closet because I want a two-color quilt in it. The antique ones are so stunning! I may just have to pull the yardage out and stroke it while I think! :-D
Blessings!
Mary Lou

libbyquilter said...

hey Barb, shouldn't there be some orange in that basket~!?!~
lol

:-)
libbyQ

Sue-Anne said...

All three quilts look fantastic Barb. I love the orange!!!

Janet said...

I sure enjoyed seeing your orange berry quilts!! They are so fun and full of the unexpected. :0) Those are very small berries - you must have a lot of patience! I have to confess I'm a bit afraid of orange and use it muted and fairly sparingly. These bold quilts are wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Hi Barb, Sensational is a word that comes to mind (perhaps that should be in CAPS!). I would love to see them all together after your little give-away is finalised. Count me in! (PS I'm a follower too.)

Miriam said...

Wow!! All those tiny berries are amazing!!!
I love the birds on the last quilt.
I looove that KF fabric!
I have never really loved bright orange; softer coral oranges are my favourites.

I have been a follower for a while.

Congratulations on 100 posts!!!!

Thimbleanna said...

Congrats on 100+ posts. Your quilts are fabulous and the one from Beaver Island, especially so. We went to BI in 1990 and the quilts that we made from the challenge all look like something icky compared to yours!

Crispy said...

Yep they are orange all right LOL. I'm already a follower and I'll go do a quick post on my blog right now.

I'm such an ignoramous, I can't see anything alike but I'll e-mail my guesses LOL.

Crispy

Anonymous said...

Great blog and I was fortunate to take a class from Gwen Marston several years ago in Wilmington which I really enjoyed.
Keep blogging.
Connie H

Pat said...

WOW...love those vibrant colors. Congrats on your blogging milestone. Crispy sent me and your giveaway looks very nice. I am signing on as a follower right now!

sophie said...

Wow! I love all the berries in all three quilts, but the last is my favorite. The bird applique is wonderful, too.

sophie said...

Ps. I just became a follower of your blog. You make beautiful quilts and I know I want to see more.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

I saw this posted on Crispy's blog and had to come over - what fun I've had exploring your blog. I've become a follower too - this is such fun.

taliana said...

I'm not a fan of orange, but the quilts are cool. I especially love the label on the first one. :)

i've added you to my google reader (I came here by way of Crispy).

Melanie said...

I feel like I've been to a quilt show thanks for sharing...Throw my name in the basket---Fall is my faborite time of year!!!!!

Melanie said...

I'm a follower.....

Winona said...

Those quilts are outstanding. I never use to like orange much, but since I have been quilting I find myself using it quite a bit, just not as much as you. (grin) I have become a follower. Winona

Holly said...

Oh, the colors of these quilts are amazing. And the berries are so tiny. Just love them!

Nancy Sue said...

Congrats on your 100th post. Cheers to being on your way to 200! Thank you for the generous giveaway!
nsue21702 at gmail dot com

Nancy Sue said...

I follow your blog now, that I have found it :)

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh man, I'm in! And I"m a follower.

I LOVE the first and third ones! But I"m a sucker for berries! And I love that halloween fabric on back!

Barb said...

I became a follower! So happy to do so, just found your blog today!

Barb said...

Love the quilts and love the backing on each of them! I especially love the skeleton tag! Thanks!

Sandra said...

Love the orange quilts, I'm working on my 2nd reproduction of a 1880's cheddar orange star quilt.
You can see the original and repro http://starleyquilts.blogspot.com
and there's a link there to my antique quilts. Please enter me in the give-away and I'm a follower too.
Sandra

Vicki said...

Love all three! Can't go wrong with cheddar. Do you remember the Beaver Island theme? Could have been one of the years Jan and I attended. Wouldn't it be fun to all go again on the same week!!!!!

free indeed said...

Disturbing is right! Wow! This is so out of my comfort zone; but I love to be 'pushed' to expand my horizons! lol.

Jacqui said...

I love the orsnge quilts since I have a daughter who loves orange. As always an inspiration. Please add me to the group as a follower as well. But I agree a bit of orange would look super in the basket!

dawson.tracy35 said...

I am a follower!

Tracy Dawson
dawson.tracy35@yahoo.com

dawson.tracy35 said...

Wow what fun bright quilts! They are amazing! My daughter would love to have one like those, she is a halloween junkie!

Thanks for a great giveaway!
Tracy Dawson
dawson.tracy35@yahoo.com

Wendy said...

Well, I must say you have inspired me. What a great way to challenge ourselves. They're all beautiful!

paulette said...

WOW! Great job on the quilts! Thanks for the chance to win this lovely give away!! Paulette

Lori said...

I blogged about your giveaway:)

Brenda said...

Congrats on your 100th post! Please enter me in your giveaway.

Deb said...

I just love your orange quilts. They're so eye catching and love the fun halloween fabric on the back of the one.

I've just become a follower. So glad that I found your blog.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Congratulations on your 100th post! I love purple and orange.

QuilterLaura said...

Wow, those are striking - great names too!

WvHmmngbrd said...

Wonderful quilts! Thanks for the chance to win!

WvHmmngbrd said...

I'm a new follower!

qltmom9 said...

Gorgeous! I love the colors.~

Lucy~

qltmom9 said...

I am a follower.

Lucy~

Anonymous said...

SUCH NEAT QUILTS!
THANKS FOR SHARING!
BLESSINGS,LINDA

jldouglas@wispwest.net

Taryn said...

I am also a big fan! Wow, I am impressed that you took the orange challenge so far. I love berries so I am most impressed that you stuck to your color theme AND did all those berries. The basket is really nice. Where did you find that?

Tonya Ricucci said...

you're a crazy woman with all those berries! fun twist on the Princess Feather and whooohoo love that backing and label! congrats on your 100th post, but no need to put me in for the giveaway.

Gayle said...

Orange is such a versatile color - love it! Thanks for the chance to win your giveaway!

Anonymous said...

I looove the colour combo and the applique stunning.

cheers
Christine

Anonymous said...

Oh yes I am a Follower of your blog and always enjoy your posts.

I am going to post about your giveaway right now.
Thank you for having a giveaway and sharing your quilting journey.

cheers
Christine
Down Under

Kim D. said...

Love all the beautiful quilts, the tree is my favorite block. Thanks for the chance to win your book and fabrics.

Kim D. said...

Where's my manners -Congrats on your 100th post. I just became a follower.

jofridsquilt said...

congratulation on your hundred post. I have just become a follower. Lovely blog. Have a nice weekend. Jofrid

Betsy said...

Your quilts are so beautiful. Thank you for the chance to win.

Betsy said...

I became a follower and added you to my blog roll. I look forward to reading your blog.

Jocelyn said...

What a great giveaway. Thanks for entering me!

Karen said...

I love your orange berry quilts. They are unusual, but beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Are you going to hang the 3 quilts together when you get the last one quilted? Bet it would be stunning?

Enjoy your blog.

Charlotte S.

Rita Martine said...

Wow! Your work is exquisite! I'm not typically partial to orange, but I DO love what you've done here.

My friend Crispy sent me here, and I'm going now to sign up to be a follower. And I'm also going to link you to my blog, but it may take a bit, as I'm not very quick with how to do it. I struggle each time I do...as I can't remember from one time to the next how I did it. Any help from you or any of your followers would be very much appreciated!!!

Rita Martine

Mary said...

Series quilts are so much fun! Love all the berries - don't love making them, but love seeing that someone else did.

Mary said...

I am now a follower!c

Kathy in FL said...

Love the orange! I've always wanted to make a Princess Feather quilt. Maybe I'll get to it one of these days...

Carol Sc said...

Having attended a few of Gwen Marston's retreats, I am familiar with the challenges she presents. Quilts are wonderful --- and the colors blinding.

SheilaC said...

Your quilts are gorgeous!! I just found your blog and have been looking through the posts....

love your use of color :)

Thanks for the give away

SheilaC

quiltmom anna said...

What a nice book and congratulations on your 100th post. The time does go fast. I certainly will become a follower- I love getting to know new quilters to me.
You can find my blog here:
http://quiltmomsjourney.blogspot.com/
Regards from Western Canada,
Anna

quiltmom anna said...

I am now a follower- thanks for the opportunity to win such a nice giveaway prize. I hope you meet many new quilters from around the globe..
Regards,
Anna

Anonymous said...

All three quilts are just wonderful! I've just found your blog and for sure, will now be following to see what you come up with next!

Ruth said...

I would love to win! I became a follower today

Twyla and Lindsey said...

Congratulations on your 100th post! So kind of you to do a giveaway. Thank you for the opportunity to win! Twyla

Twyla and Lindsey said...

I will be following your blog to get more inspiration! Have a nice day! Twyla

Michelle said...

Congratulations on 100 posts! Please enter me in your giveaway. Thank you.

Marcia W. said...

I follow you. mlwright29 (at) hotmail (dot) com

Leah said...

I love those quilts they are all awesome. My favorite are the little berries. :) I found your blog through Crispy Quilts and am now a follower, can't wait to see what you come up with next!

Marj said...

Orange is not my favorite color, but your quilts are beautiful.

Marj said...

I'm a follower!

Marcia W. said...

Love the Autumn fabrics and colors. Thank you for this giveaway. Have enjoyed looking at the 3 quilts.

Loralynn said...

What wonderfully vibrant quilts! Not colors I would have necessarily chosen for myself, but they sure turned out nicely!

Loralynn said...

I am now a follower and look forward to spending more time here at you lovely blog!

Deb said...

I have an orange quilt that I'm working on right now...at least finishing the backing. I love your orange quilts! Btw, happy 100th post blogiversary!

Shelley said...

Love that Kaffe backing fabric!!

Shelley said...

I am a regular follower!

Kim said...

Orange has grown on me and I love the quilts!! Would love to win the giveaway...I'm drooling over the book! :o)

Carrie P. said...

Oh, the colors are disturbing but they sure are bright. I just love all the circles.
I am here via Crispy. Hope that I can play in the giveaway.

Carrie P. said...

I have just become a follower.

Patty said...

I have fallen in love with orange and love love love your quilts.

Diane H said...

Love the orange! Thank you for putting my name in for a chance in your giveaway - enjoy your blog very much.

Hilda said...

Hi Barb,
I'm a follower - thanks for a great blog, and special thanks for the giveaway opportunity :)

GeeGee said...

WOW! You sure pulled it off with the oranges. The quilts are spectacular!!!

Debby said...

What a lovely give-away! I hope i will win.

Greetings from Debby ,
the Netherlands

QuiltSue said...

Congrats on your "postiversary" (I just made that word up,and think it's quite good!). Please enter me in the giveaway if I'm eligible.

QuiltSue said...

PS, meant to say I have become a follower too.

Moira said...

Great looking Org/Red quilts! Love the baskets. =)

And thanks for offering the fall basket of goodies

Joanne Lendaro said...

Amazing quilts!

Shirley said...

Wow - Orange? They really do have a striking look though! All those berries???? Thats ALOT of work LOL

Shirley said...

Now a follower :)

Jan said...

Count me in on this on, please! I just signed up to be a follower...a first!...and though it seemed to register, I'm not showing up on your follower rolls. I'll come back to figure out what's up with that after I catch up on the blogs I've missed while away.
Thanks!

Lyn said...

wow those are some beautiful orange quilts. I would love to be in your give-away
thanks Lynda

Debbie said...

Love the quilts. The berries are fantastic. Love the basket and goodies.

Julie said...

I can't honestly say I love the orange, but it's been interesting. I think the trilogy would be very nice hanging together in the right spot.

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

Congrats on your 100th post! I have been tending towards oranges lately.

Debby, crowefan0517 said...

I love all the orange in your quilts. I am doing a ten month long color workshop in my guild & eveyone in the class had to pick a focus color to base the quilt on that we would be making as part of the color study. I chose orange because it is my favorite color, but boy did I get a lot of negative comments about my choice from other quilters. I didn't know so many people hate orange. How can you hate such a cheerful color?

Your giveaway basket lots awesome!

-debby, chester ny
crowefan0517@yahoo.com

Patty Nordahl said...

You have made me rethink orange. Great job on all 3 quilts and as said before I would love to see them side by side. I don't have a blog but do read yours on a regular basis. Thanks for all you have taught me.
Patty

Barb said...

Hi Patty
Thanks for you interest. I've put your name in, but you didn't an email and you are listed as non-reply.

Sorry to everyone who is non-reply. I've added there names and they will have a few days grace period if they win.
barb

catielee said...

Love your red and orange quilts. I have a red and yellow top ready to be quilted. I've been really nervous about it because it is hot, hot, hot, but now I feel more like I'm onto a posh trend. LOL

MoeWest said...

I am a new follower.

rolynwest said...

I love your orange quilts! Probably because I love orange! Gorgeous work! And your giveaway looks like fun!

Anonymous said...

My visit today was like drinking an ORANGE CRUSH! Yummy!! I thoroughly enjoyed the COLOR! Congrats on 100 post!!

Sewgirl said...

Oh...I love your orange quilts. I used to hord it before it became run of the mill in the shops. I would never have the guts to make one so allover orange as you did, but I love them all!

Knitting Auntie (aka Sharon) said...

you make me want to try using orange, and by the way you also make me want to go quilt with gwen at her retreat. qwen did a program/workshop at our guild years ago and i still remember how wonderful the time was. the little quilt i made hangs in my office, and it has orange in it...must be a gwen thing

Lynda said...

Those berries are amazing - all circular! Mine nearly always urn out a bit wonky, but hey, real berries are sometimes wonky too! What is your secret?

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

Hey barb! are you coming to the guild meeting saturday?

Your orange quilts are Fantastic! made my whole day! My favorite color ever!! (yet I've never made one!) but I have collected a couple oldies...

Monica said...

Am I too late for the party?! I just now found you and became a follower...great givaway.

Jill said...

Love the three orange quilts! What a great idea.....making three similiar yet different quilts. Congrats on 100 posts.
I am a follower.

Lisa said...

They are all great, but I love the Alleluia one the best.