Colour

The bit I find hardest about quilting is choosing colour combinations, even within a line of fabric. Sometimes I think two fabrics will go together, I stitch them up, and it just doesn't work. It's hard to visualise how the fabrics will look in a particular block before you've seen it.

I'm trying to pick 18 Central Park fat quarters for Swoon, and I'm finding that I'm really drawn to the purples and blues, but not so much a fan of the greens.

This is the first combination I had, but thought it might be too much yellow.


I subbed out one of the yellows for a brown.



Thoughts? Is there too much or two little of any of the colours? Do the combinations work?


Update: my latest combination...I think this works a lot better.

Swoon

Who doesn't love Swoon? This quilt has been popping up all over the internet since the pattern was released...and it's next on my list. I've had a bundle of Central Park stashed away and I think this might just be the right combination.

Sugar Twist is all quilted up (with no thanks to my stubborn machine) and ready to be bound....the end is in sight!

Road Trippin'

This week I went on a bit of a road trip around the state, with interviews scheduled in a couple of distant country towns. It was nice to check out some new places, and spend a little time just chilling under a tree.

But as much as I love being in the car, singing along to my music, road trips are really made for more than one person. And being rung before I even got home to say I didn't get one of the jobs was pretty sucky.

On the upside, I've started quilting Sugar Twist. My plan was to get it done by today, but my little road trip of 800km kinda got in the way.

I also had the October Maker's Market today; despite pouring rain for the past couple of days, the weather gods turned on some gorgeous sunshine today. After posting a pic on Facebook, I had quite a few people enquiring about my Dr Seuss cushion, but one lucky lady snapped it up very quickly!

I also managed to pick up some heirloom tomato plants, just $1.50 each! There's a purple russian, a black krim, and an ox heart. I've never grown any of these so I'm looking forward to a yummy summer bounty.

Baking a Rainbow

They've become all the rage on the internet, and felt it was time I had a go....it's a Rainbow Cake!
I used the recipe from over here; a single quantity for the two layers, though I would have been better doubling it.

So, I started with the mix divided over 6 bowls.



Added my colours; I used the gel dyes, though I really need to get a Red Red rather than the Christmas Red, which comes out quite pinkish. You can also add more gel to make the colours more intense.

Then I layered the mix into the pans. I worked from red to purple in one pan, and purple to red in the other. Use 2/3 of the mix for the first three colours in each pan, and the remaining 1/3 for the last three colours in each.

Six empty bowls of cake mix to lick!

Straight out of the oven.

Stack one on top of the other, using a thin layer of icing to join. Then ice... the pink peril! Not my neatest effort but its a good test-run.

The moment of truth!

Supper!
Gone!

Now I just need to find an excuse to bake a 6 layer rainbow!

The Week That Was

Such a busy week, but so little crafting!

I basted Sugar Twist, and it's been sitting beside the machine ever since.





Did some experiementing in the kitchen...

...chicken tacos with homemade tortillas...





...and spinach ricotta dumplings with tomato.







Tried out a new cafe; Mart 130, which is in an old tram stop.

Had a job interview in the country

And played around with Ruby.

What did you do this week?

Ruby by Bonnie and Camille for Moda

She's arrived! And a little earlier than I expected too! I have approximately half the range, with a mix of gorgeous reds, pinks, greys, greens and creams. I also have all the charm packs, layer cakes and jelly rolls.

Pop on in to Bella's Patchwork to check her out, as well as all the Thimble Blossoms patterns to go with the range.

New York

Finally getting my act together and getting my New York photos uploaded....these are just a tiny selection.

Fifth Avenue; home of awesome shopping, including Tiffanys.

FAO Schwarz, awesome toy shop. Love the guy on the door too.

My favourite part of Central Park; Fountain of Bethesda.

Strawberry Fields, Central Park.

Times Square at night, just as busy as during the day.

One of the reflection pools at the 9/11 memorial.

Washington Square.

The best caramel sunday ever! From Serendipity (apparently made famous by the movie of the same name, but I haven't seen it). And yes, I ate the whole thing myself (minus the cream)...yummy butter pecan ice-cream. In the background is my friend's frozen hot chocolate.

The Empire State Building just after the sun has gone down, taken from the Top of the Rock observation deck. We went up before sunset and watched the city lights come on.

Pizza at Grimaldi's in Brooklyn; this is their "small" six-slice pizza. Hate to see what the large looks like!

Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge back into Manhattan.

The Flatiron Building; one of my favourites along with the Chrysler Building.

I have heaps more photos, but there is no way I could possibly load them all up, especially as Blogger only lets me do 3 at a time... hope you enjoyed!