Tag Archives: maine

Color Inspiration Thursday {45}

May 7, 2015 kittywilkin 8 Comments

What a difference one week makes this time of year! Last week, we barely had buds on the trees, and this week the garden is blooming with life! Today’s color inspiration comes (finally) from my garden. Color palettes are created using Play Crafts’ Palette Builder 2.1 and my photographs.

Corresponding solids from left to right:
Bella Stone, Kona Shadow, Kona Blue Bell, Kona Graphite, Bella Eggplant, Bella Parchment

Corresponding Aurifil thread from left to right:
2605 – Grey
2600 – Dove
5088 – Sugar Paper
1246 – Grey
2468 – Dk Wine
2315 – Pale Flesh

Our magnolia trees are blooming, painting the yard with gentle whites and vivid pinks . I love that we have multiple magnolia trees, since they are usually one of the first signs that spring is truly here. Their blooms burst seemingly all in one day, another flower blooming each minute. Late last week, on one of the first truly warm days, my five year old noticed this phenomenon and said, “Mom, another flower opens every minute!”

Corresponding solids from left to right:
Kona Espresso, Bella Etchings Charcoal, Bella Plum, Bella Petal Pink, Bella Etchings Slate, Bella Barn Door

Corresponding Aurifil thread from left to right:
5024 – Dark Brown
2370 – Sandstone
2566 – Wisteria
2562 – Lilac
2325 – Linen
2345 – Raisin

I personally prefer the pink magnolias, but perhaps it’s because range of bright pinks really cheers me up after a drab colorless winter. They are a little slower to fully bloom, but I’m patient.

Corresponding solids from left to right:
Kona Blue Bell, Kona Graphite, Kona Amber, Kona Citrus, Bella Pesto, Kona Pickle

Corresponding Aurifil thread from left to right:
6720 – Slate
1126 – Blue Grey
2145 – Yellow Orange
2120 – Canary
5015 – Gold Yellow
5016 – Olive Green

My first garden-inspired color inspiration post of spring wouldn’t be complete without some daffodils. The family who owned the house before we did planted about a thousand daffodils. I’m not exaggerating, either. We have at least six different varieties, and they are everywhere: along just about every garden border, forming sunny circles around trees, even just popping up in the grass in some spots where clearly there used to live another decorative tree of some sort. This time of year, our table is adorned with vases and mason jars full of daffodils picked with glee by my kiddos.

Color is slowly popping up between the tufts of green. We even have a tulip peeking out:

And one of my favorite colors of blue hides beneath the daffodil stalks:

Spring is here!!

Design, Life

Color Inspiration Thursday {41}

March 19, 2015 kittywilkin 7 Comments

You would think that by now, nearly to April, I would have a few signs of spring to share in this week’s color inspiration. But lo, Maine has not yet gotten the memo that spring begins officially tomorrow and the temperatures have been in the teens, with a rare high of 30. So I decided to embrace the winter for a little longer, and showcase some more of nature’s frigid beauty. Color palettes are created using Play Crafts’ Palette Builder 2.1 and my photographs.

Corresponding solids from left to right:
Bella Peacoat, Bella Etchings Charcoal, Kona Silver, Bella Periwinkle, Kona Windsor, Kona Nightfall

Corresponding Aurifil thread from left to right:
2785 – V Dk Navy
1158 – Med Grey
2615 – Aluminum
2524 – Grey Violet
1248 – Grey Blue
2581 – Dk Dusty Grape

Believe it or not, this cute little weather vane sits atop quite a large cupola that we removed from the chicken coop roof while winterizing it. The snow is still a good 3-4′ deep, but the beauty of the whimsical moon pointing toward spring with sunny shadows cast on the deep snow had to make its way into a palette. As cold as it is, I personally love this palette. Blues and greys will definitely become a Storm at Sea quilt one of these days. Perhaps I’ll use this palette for planning!

Corresponding solids from left to right:
Bella Bunny Hill Blue, Kona Pewter, Bella Fir, Kona Biscuit, Bella Lead, Kona Moss

Corresponding Aurifil thread from left to right:
2560 – Iris
2610 – Lt Blue Grey
2372 – Dk Antique Gold
2335 – Lt Cinnamon
2370 – Sandstone
2905 – Army Green

A little pine branch, nestled in the icy depths. I was really hoping for a bit more green to read through, but really, the season for green is not *yet* upon us. This instead is an earthy, neutral palette, with just a touch toward green with that final Moss-Army Green.

Corresponding solids from left to right:
Bella Moda U Brown, Kona Mushroom, Bella Lt Blue, Bella Mauve, Kona Blue Jay, Kona Slate

Corresponding Aurifil thread from left to right:
2630 – Pewter
2370 – Sandstone
2560 – Iris
2566 – Wisteria
4140 – Wedgewood
1310 – Med Blue Grey

Shhh don’t tell anyone that these magnolia buds are on the tree all winter long. I’m pretending it’s a sign of new life! Spring! Blue skies at the very least are peeking through. The warm sun shines, and surely, SURELY spring must not be too far behind. Right!?

What season are you experiencing right now? Are you eager for the next, or enjoying the current weather? I find it easy to enjoy winter until those first teaser warm days. Then my mind is on planting seeds, raising chicks, digging in the earth, and spending our days outside. Our entryway may be full of potting soil in the very near future!

Design, Life

Color Inspiration Thursday {30}

December 4, 2014 kittywilkin 3 Comments

Sometimes, just sometimes, your iPhone photo comes out better than the ones you take with your “real” camera. This week was one of those times. I had a blast outside photographing beauty after an ice storm, and put up a quick Instagram photo just for fun. I came home and uploaded the photos from my camera, and while I got some shots I’m happy with, the particular photo I posted on Instagram wasn’t even close to rivaled. And so, this week, the final photo is indeed an iPhone photo. C’est la vie.

All color palettes are created using Play Crafts’ Palette Builder 2.1 and my photographs.

Corresponding Kona cottons from left to right:
Graphite, Evergreen, Black, Old Green, Dresden Blue, Blue Bell

This palette elicits peace and stillness. Maybe it’s the fact that the fine pine needles are trapped, frozen still in the ice. Maybe it’s the presence of calming light greens and blues. Either way, I could see this palette in a little boy’s baby quilt, or a lap quilt for a rustic living room.

Corresponding Kona cottons from left to right:
Steel, Crimson, Iron, Brick, Cayenne, Sky

Corresponding Aurifil thread from left to right:
2625 – Arctic Ice
2245 – Red Orange
2845 – Lt Juniper
2345 – Raisin
2355 – Rust
2710 – Lt Robins Egg

The botanist/naturalist in me loves this photo, since it is such a classic example of red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) in winter. The opposite branching and bright red bark are dead giveaways to the species. I also love the shades of red paired with light blue and greys that appear in the resulting color palette.

Corresponding Kona cottons from left to right:
Steel, Charcoal, Coal, Windsor, Amethyst, Shale

This is my favorite from my Canon Rebel XT photos of this particular ice-bejeweled Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota) remnant. I love the movement and the muted, subdued tones. But lo, the photo I took with my iPhone captures the light better and thus shines even brighter:

Corresponding Kona cottons from left to right:
Dresden Blue, Blue, Charcoal, Indigo, Amethyst, Regal

Corresponding Aurifil thread from left to right:
5008 – Sugar Paper
2560 – Iris
2606 – Mist
2785 – V Dk Navy
4140 – Wedgewood
2783 – Med Delft Blue

This photo glistens, doesn’t it? I love the resulting palette, too, although it is no secret that I’m a blue girl. Okay, and a magenta and turquoise girl. So maybe I’m just a color-in-general girl. Either way, I love this palette. I think I may actually use this palette for a future quilt. I need to make a Storm at Sea quilt one day, and these blues and stormy grey might be just the perfect shades.

What color do you find the most in your quilts?

Design, Life

Color Inspiration Thursday {29}

November 28, 2014 kittywilkin 1 Comment

Happy Thanksgiving to those of you in the US (belated, since I spent yesterday with family instead of at the computer)! I have so much to be thankful for this year, and always. Top on my list is always family, immediate and extended, near and far. I am so blessed to be supported and loved by all of my family and wish we all lived closer together. Yesterday I was also particularly grateful for the gorgeous snow AND the fact that we didn’t lose power! Coming into a warm, well-lit house after playing in the snow is so very comforting.

This week’s color inspiration comes from some snowy scenes around our house, since we accumulated a good foot plus of snow overnight.

snow in maine — BEFORE: View down our driveway Wednesday afternoon.

snow maine — AFTER: View down our driveway Thursday morning.

Color palettes are made using Play Crafts’ Palette Builder 2.1 and my photographs.

Corresponding Kona cottons from left to right:
Titanium, Shadow, Mushroom, Mocha, Mahogany, Cinnemon

I love the smooth flow of colors in today’s palettes. Whites and greys fade to the little pops of color that poke through the snow.

Corresponding Kona cottons from left to right:
Slate, Titanium, Cloud, Cadet, Pepper, White

Corresponding Aurifil thread from left to right:
4140 – Wedgewood
5008 – Sugar Paper
2560 – Iris
1248 – Grey Blue
2785 – V Dk Navy
2024 – White

Another smooth flow of color with the gorgeous blues of the sky, both reflected in these dripping icicles and in its own fluffy clouded beauty. I love cold, sunny, snowy days. The sun makes everything glisten and glimmer!

Design, Life

Color Inspiration Thursday {28}

November 20, 2014 kittywilkin Leave a comment

Today I am taking a trip down memory lane for our color inspiration. I admit, I was waiting for the perfect frosty morning to take photos for today’s color inspiration and the day simply did not come; it was cooooold but no gorgeous frost. So, I headed to my photo archives and found a few suitable seasonal nature photos from a family camping trip in November of 2010. My husband and I took our baby Maddie camping in a yurt in Jefferson, Maine, and had a lovely time. Here are some snapshots. Color palettes are made using Play Crafts’ Palette Builder 2.1 and my own photographs, as per usual!

Corresponding Kona cottons from left to right:
O.D. Green, Sky, Iron, Steel, Evergreen, Palm

See the world in a drop of water. I love the smooth grey-green of this palette, and the reflections dancing in the raindrops.

Corresponding Kona cottons from left to right:
Coal, Sable, Black, Medium Grey, O.D. Green, Titanium

Another raindrop photo; can you tell I like to take photographs of water showing off its awesome surface tension tricks? This palette holds all of the muted earthy tones found in mud. Mmmm!

Corresponding Kona cottons from left to right:
Chestnut, Black, Slate, Ochre, Paprika, Mahogany

A warm and cheery scene from inside the yurt. My husband holds my peacefully sleeping daughter during nap time, and our hunter-beware clothing dries above the wood stove. This was a cozy camping trip for sure! I like the range of colors in this palette, and I think they play well together.

Corresponding Kona cottons from left to right:
Moss, Black, Caramel, Spice, Gold, Cinnamon

Corresponding Aurifil thread from left to right:
5013 –Asphalt
2692 – Black
2930 – Toast
2385 – Terracotta
2930 – Toast
4012 – Copper Brown

I love this palette. I don’t think I will tire of the bright pop of fungi growing on a tree. The flow from black-greeny-grey to the range of coppery yellows and reds creates such a smooth aesthetic. This might be my favorite palette from this group.

Just one more photo to complete my trip down memory lane: my husband and daughter enjoying an awed experience with the lantern at night. I can’t believe this baby girl is almost 5 years old! We definitely will need to think about another yurt camping trip, maybe this winter!

Design, Life

Color Inspiration Thursday {27}

November 13, 2014 kittywilkin Leave a comment

Flash back to fall! All color palettes are created using Play Crafts’ Palette Builder 2.1 and my photographs.

Corresponding Kona cottons from left to right:
Biscuit, Earth, Forest, Ivy, Spice, Gold

While I’m resigned to the fact that winter is here, I’m still cherishing the little bits of life that still brighten our garden. This little ladybug was relaxing on one of our almost-ripe pumpkins a couple weeks ago. The muted tones of the resulting color palette speak volumes of fall. Many of the corresponding Kona cotton colors also scream fall: ivy, spice, gold… Yum!

Corresponding Kona cottons from left to right:
Evergreen, Gold, Coal, Paprika, Pickle, Ivy

Corresponding Aurifil thread from left to right:
5013 –Asphalt
2330 – Lt Chestnut
1246 – Grey
4012 – Copper Brown
2910 –Med Olive
1318 – Dk Sandstone

While beginning to put my gardens “to bed”, I was overjoyed to see a few last Calendula flowers holding on, with bright sun-ray petals dancing circles around them. Those last flowers in fall make me so happy! There’s something about the intricacy and color play that naturally occurs in flowers that makes me marvel at the ever-present beauty in nature. Color is everywhere!

Design, Life

Color Inspiration Thursday {26}

November 6, 2014 kittywilkin 1 Comment

It’s too early for these snowy palettes, I know. Tell that to Mother Nature in Maine. Last weekend we got buried by nearly 18″ of wet, heavy snow. Many trees still had their leaves, so the heavy snow put much of the state out of power from fallen trees and downed power lines. We were without power for just over three days, and life kind of had to slow down during that time (obviously!). I certainly didn’t do any blogging, and did just a bit of hand-sewing and knitting between keeping the wood boiler stocked, the generator running smoothly, reading stories by candlelight, and otherwise entertaining the kids. We are the fortunate ones; many homes in my town and the surrounding towns are still without power, five days later.

At our house, snow downed an entire apple tree, a few big branches from another apple tree, and snapped quite a few branches of my favorite magnolia trees in our front garden. Our chicken coop outdoor run was completely smashed, and many other tree limbs are down. I certainly have some yard maintenance damage-control ahead of me, and I think I’ll be wielding a handsaw (or a chainsaw if I’m lucky enough to find a neighbor or friend to lend me one and give me lessons) more than a sewing machine the next few weeks. But still, Color Inspiration Thursday must go on! So here, your unseasonably early, autumn, snowy color palettes for today, created with Play Crafts Palette Builder 2.1 and my photographs.

Corresponding Kona cottons from left to right:
Titanium, Chestnut, Moss, Graphite, Avocado, Bonsai

I really like this gentle, earthy color palette. It’s such a simple photograph: prematurely fallen leaves on a mountain of snow, but the greens make a strong showing, balanced nicely by the greys and dark brown.

Corresponding Kona cottons from left to right:
Pewter, Shadow, Cappuccino, Mahogany, Coal, Paprika

Corresponding Aurifil thread from left to right:
2610 – Lt Blue Grey
2600 – Dove
1285 – Med Bark
2360 – Chocolate
1246 – Grey
2355 – Rust

Even after getting completely pounded by the snow, the leaves dance daintily on the snow. These red and orange leaves are particular favorites of mine, although the palette reads heavily in the greys and browns, with just that splash of Kona Paprika. I love the Aurifil names for these colors, too: Dove, Medium Bark, Chocolate–what’s not to like about chocolate!? I definitely would use this palette for a lap quilt for my living room.

Don’t worry; we did enjoy the snow, too.

My children enjoyed playing in the snow. Here they are, mid-storm, making the most of it!

Round two. The snow continued to come down, and trees began to droop. I wish I had thought of knocking snow off branches at this point!

Here are a few more glimpses of the aftermath of our crazy November 2nd blizzard here in Maine:

snow landscape maine — Morning has broken. The morning after the storm. No power, day two.

snow storm damage in maine — My poor snapped magnolia branches. There are many more like these two.

snow storm damage in maine chickens — The chickens, three days after the storm, are finally beginning to venture down their leaf-strewn, snowy path.

snow storm damage in maine leaves — Lots of snow, lots of destruction, but still beauty abounds.

Design, Life

Color Inspiration Thursday {25}

October 31, 2014 kittywilkin 1 Comment

My hope for all of these color inspiration posts is that someone gets their creativity spark ignited and creates a gorgeous quilt or other work of art based upon one of my palettes. Since I and many of you are quilters or other fiber artists, where better to let inspiration strike than the fabric shop? This week’s color inspiration comes from Alewives, a gorgeous fabric shop in Nobleboro, Maine. Palettes are made using my photographs and Play Crafts’ Palette Builder 2.1.

Enjoy some color inspiration eye candy:

Corresponding Kona cottons from left to right:
Steel, Geranium, Rich Red, Crimson, Garnet, Thistle

Wooden spools, assorted ribbons, and a lovely palette of pinks and purples.

Corresponding Kona cottons from left to right:
Terracotta, Cinnamon, Mahogany, Lipstick, Paprika, Salmon

Corresponding Aurifil thread from left to right:
2350 – Copper
2245 – Red Orange
5024 – Dark Brown
2215 – Peach
2355 – Rust
2220 – Lt Salmon

One of my favorite spots in Alewives is the collection of fat quarters in the center of the store. Arranged by color in awesome vintage wooden bins, these fabric bits beg to be touched, gazed upon with wonderment, and then (naturally) purchased. Yum!

fabric eye candy — Fabric eye candy; how gorgeous is this fat quarter display!?

Corresponding Kona cottons from left to right:
Bark, Med Olive, Med Juniper, Arctic Ice, Peach, Toast

Another gorgeous glimpse of the fat quarter bins. I could see this palette making its way into a lovely gender-neutral baby quilt. Or a soft, autumnal lap quilt or table runner. Or just about anything!

Corresponding Kona cottons from left to right:
Bison, Wine, Cinnamon, O.D. Green, Kelly, Spice

I loved the color and fabric choices for this quilt display. Isn’t it wonderful when you walk into a shop and are not only swooning over the fabric, but are also are inspired by the quilts displayed around the shop?! I think the match of Kona Kelly to that darker teal is off, but you get the idea! Aurifil matches it as 2285 – Med Spruce, which looks like a more accurate match along with the 2850 – Med Juniper match for the Kona O.D. Green.

To see a few more glimpses of quilty beauty from the Alewives shop, visit my post Color for Quilters & the Maine Modern Quilt Guild. If you are ever in or near Nobleboro, Maine, I’d definitely recommend stopping in to Rhea’s shop. Tell her Kitty sent you!

Note: I have no affiliation with Alewives Fabrics; I simply think it is a gorgeous, well stocked and kindly owned local fabric shop and I like to spread the love! Plus, It’s kind of awesome that their minimum fabric purchase online is 1/8 of a yard, AND that they will send you a 1/16 swatch if desired! That is hard to find with online shops! Enjoy browsing.

Life, Quilting

Color for Quilters & the Maine Modern Quilt Guild

October 29, 2014 kittywilkin 5 Comments

As I swooned over all of the Quilt Market photos flooding Instagram this past weekend, I also immersed myself in a new pool of quilters. I was fortunate enough to attend my first ever Maine Modern Quilt Guild meeting! This month, the meeting took place at Alewives, an AWESOME modern fabric shop co-owned by Rhea Butler, and one of my favorite “local” (if a 1.5 hour drive each way counts as local) quilt shops. Rhea offered a Color for Quilters class, and the Maine Modern Quilters made it the feature of their meeting. I had such a fun time, both meeting the wonderful Maine MQGers, but also taking in Rhea’s color theory knowledge and insight.

I was so impressed with the Maine MQG and how friendly and welcoming they were. I immediately made new friends and felt comfortable there, admiring other works in progress, being inspired by the sample BOM blocks made by Karen, and just getting to know my fellow Maine modern quilters. I do hope to make it to another meeting of theirs, even if my attendance isn’t regular (they typically meet over 2 hours from my home, which would require over 4 hours of driving to attend a meeting). Here are some fun photos from the day:

betsy from maine modern quilt guild — Betsy leads the meeting, guiding us through the items of discussion for the day.

Karen shows her November BOM block samples.

A color challenge: discussing whether this fabric bundle "works" or does not work, guided by Rhea. — A color challenge: discussing whether this fabric bundle “works” or does not work, guided by Rhea.

Rhea provided a lot of insight into color and its role in planning a quilt. I learned a lot about general color terminology, such as value, shades, tints, and hue, but also confirmed that I am personally drawn to tertiary colors (fuchsia, cornflower, turquoise, lime, cheddar, tangerine) as opposed to primary (red, yellow, blue) or secondary (orange, green, purple).

I discovered that Rhea has a very different quilting style than I do; she likes her quilts to be “delightfully schizophrenic”, while I am still very focused on smooth aesthetic flow and “safe” color choices. Rhea has convinced me to be a bit more adventurous though, and try some improv or unexpected color and fabric combinations. I may even try the Denise Schmidt-inspired method of throwing scraps in a bag and randomly pulling them out and sewing them together (yikes!).

Rheas quilt: delightfully schizophrenic. — Rhea’s quilt: delightfully schizophrenic.

After the color class, I enjoyed browsing Alewives‘ awesome fabric selection, and taking in the eye candy that abounds. Here are a few sneak peeks at the gorgeousness that is Alewives. Stay tuned for some more tomorrow; color inspiration will come from the fabric shop this week!

I loved the sample quilts around the store. Inspiration everywhere!

Design, Life

Color Inspiration Thursday {20}

September 25, 2014 kittywilkin 1 Comment

This past weekend we were treated with a surprise, hot, summery day. We took advantage and spent the day in Bar Harbor, enjoying the warm sun, gorgeous late summer flowers, and wading barefoot in tide pools left on the sand bar bridge to Bar Island. Today’s color inspiration palettes are a fleeting last glimpse at summer. I am saving two more for next week, after which the more earthy, subdued tones will appear (or maybe fiery autumn hues!?)

Corresponding Kona cottons from left to right:
Steel, Rafia, Coal, Lilac, Pepper, Iron

I love the wavy quilt lines left on the sandbar by the retreating tide. Speckled by bits of shell and stone, the little troughs make for fun exploration for both the eye and little hands and toes.

Corresponding Kona cottons from left to right:
Purple, Magenta, Pepper, Cerise, Violet, Thistle

I couldn’t resist this last burst of color. Do you ever tire of gorgeously colorful flower photos? I don’t. I sure hope you don’t either!

Here are a few more shots from our sand bar adventure in Bar Harbor:

I am holding onto the last hot days of summer (when the rare treat day above 70 happens), but I do love the crispness of autumn, too. The other day my four year old daughter went outside and said, “I love this season, mom.” I replied, “Oh, you do? Why do you love it?” and she said, “It smells so fresh outside! Do you remember this season, mom? Do you remember?” I do remember, and as much as I love summer, I’m happily anticipating the turning leaves, crisp, fresh air, and earthy-root veggie stew season that’s upon us!

What’s your favorite season?