I decided to be brave this week and actually join in with Whip Lash for once. I've never been much of a joiner, and I've never won anything in my life, but this weeks theme of 'Colour' was just too tempting to resist.
Obviously as a quilter, colour is incredibly important to me, but I have to admit that it's really only been recently that I've started using really vibrant colours in my work. And it's only been in the last few months that I've started using pattern in any way. I'm the opposite of most quilters - I started making quilts using only solids and absolutely, catorgorically avoided any kind of patterned fabric.
It wasn't until I saw some Amy Butler fabric at last years Quilt Festival here in the UK, that I realised that all printed fabrics didn't have to have either brightly coloured cats or dark and dingy flowers on them. And once I started blogging and discovered the wonderful Cia , there really was no stopping me! It's prints all the way now. In fact I have to remember to occasionally use a solid these days and my fabric cupboard has gone from having all three shelves holding solids, with one box of prints, to having a whole new, larger cupboard that holds nothing but prints!
I'm still generally a little cautious about using really bright colours though, (although my recent work doesn't seem to reflect that, and it would appear that I'm getting braver!), and couldn't really think of anything to make for the Whip Lash theme of 'Colour', until I started working on this quilt this morning (didn't have time to finish it last week).
And I realised just how much I've started loving orange. Even though the quilt is predominantly blue, when you're quilting you view the colours and the patterns they make from a whole new angle. And from close up the orange in the quilt just kept jumping out at me. So I had a look and discovered that I already own a ton of orange fabrics, which surprises me because it's not a colour I'm normally drawn to. Or so I thought.
So anyway, to finally get to the point - after picking a number of vintage and new orange and red prints, I came up with this cat. It's a pattern that I've made before, but it's a whole new take. And it totally sums up my changing attitudes to colour.
Unfortunately, the light today is truly awful, so I haven't been able to get a really decent photo. The wool collar isn't the purple that it appears - it's actually a lovely soft heather colour.
So there you go, my bright Colourful cat.
Arggh, the more I see these photo's the more I realise just how wrong they are! The collar just is NOT that colour! I know there are lots of people out there that love purpe and that's cool and I'm sure there are even people that would happily team it with orange. But I'm not really one of those people! In real life it just doesn't look like that, it's such a nice subtle colour. After Whiplash is over I may have to replace these photo's, because they. are. wrong! Oh and I don't have photoshop and wouldn't know what the hell to do with it if I did, so I can't just change the colour that way. - Ok I've replaced a couple of the photo's with some brighter ones.
Mr Kitty is divine! Nice work!!!
Posted by: Jessica Hood | May 22, 2006 at 09:59 PM
Love the fact that he (?) is sleeping - and such a snazzy collar.
Posted by: Ali | May 22, 2006 at 10:04 PM
She's a contender for sure!
Posted by: Alicia A. | May 22, 2006 at 10:12 PM
I love colour! mix it up and sew it together - your cat is lovely!
Posted by: katie | May 22, 2006 at 10:46 PM
Very nice kitty, love all the fabrics.
Posted by: Kate | May 23, 2006 at 12:04 AM
I love everything about this cat. It's expression is perfect and your fabric combo is genius, as usual.
Posted by: ann wood | May 23, 2006 at 01:12 AM
Very sweet! Love cats and this feels so right!
Posted by: Emily | May 23, 2006 at 01:13 AM
both of these are gorgeous. i love how you used colors. great job! can't wait to see more.
Posted by: bekka | May 23, 2006 at 04:58 AM
Sometimes our light just drives me crazy!!Certain colours just don't look right do they?All that said I do love your cat purple collar and all!!That quilt is so beautiful aswell:)
Posted by: Kristy | May 23, 2006 at 07:51 AM
I've never been a big fan of orange until we had Griffin -- and that has been his favorite color forever. I love the quilt and the cat -- they are both amazingly beautiful and lushisly vibrant!
Posted by: capello | May 23, 2006 at 02:57 PM
tooo cute I love it
Posted by: Katie C RAOK | May 23, 2006 at 03:04 PM
I can empathize on the picture colour problems, mine never come out right it seems. Still the cat is beautiful!
Posted by: ~laurie | May 23, 2006 at 03:14 PM
I actually love orange. All year accept coming june because even me can get enough of living in an orange world, so enough about foorball I need that cat in my life will you put in your shop?
Posted by: Mijk | May 23, 2006 at 03:46 PM
Love the face! You are a genius with patchwork, I swear!
Posted by: Bessilu | May 23, 2006 at 03:53 PM
Both SO beautiful! The combo of different prints and colours on the log cabin is fantastic!
Posted by: Alex | May 23, 2006 at 05:33 PM
Wow, what a cat! That's a masterpiece! I really, really love your use of colour, and the way you stitch the pieces together.
Posted by: Strikkelise | May 24, 2006 at 06:15 PM
The cat is beautiful - wonderful fabrics!! And I LOVE purple!!!
Posted by: Julie | May 24, 2006 at 07:59 PM
What a fun and cheerful little kitty! Great job!
Posted by: Creative Kismet | May 25, 2006 at 03:12 AM
What a beautiful quilt and an equally inspiring (& colourful) kitty! You have a very good eye when it comes to mixing colours and patterns - great work.
Posted by: Jhoanna | May 25, 2006 at 01:07 PM
How cute! I love the cat. adorable.
Posted by: Mary Beth | May 25, 2006 at 04:11 PM
I'm really liking orange too! I think it's such a happy color.
Your use of color is fantastic. Full speed ahead I say! ha. Love your cats and quilt so much.
Posted by: Toni | May 25, 2006 at 04:15 PM
You made editor's pick! Congratulations and keep crafting those lovely kitties!
Posted by: Chris Howard | May 27, 2006 at 02:07 PM
The cat is perfect!! I love everything about him!
Posted by: --erica | May 29, 2006 at 05:15 AM
I LOVE that cat! ^_^
There's a quilt festival?! When?! Where?!
Posted by: Catherine | June 04, 2006 at 11:05 AM