Quilt Reveal - 2020 Color Challenge

 I love when it's time to reveal quilts!

I enjoyed making the blocks each month and learning about the birds that 

Jen - of Patterns by Jen used to introduce each month's color. 

I think that is such a fun way to choose colors!  

These fabrics...

have turned into these two quilts.

If you followed along each month of 2020, you know that I used a group of batiks that I purchased from Once Upon a Quilt in Ft. Lauderdale 

while I was there for a workshop in Dec. of 2019.

Like I had done the previous year, I decided to make two sets of blocks. This time one set would be made with a white background and one with black. 

After making the first couple of blocks, I started thinking about the quilt layout. I have to admit that when I work with batiks, I typically use either a black or white for the background. I think those two colors just make the batiks pop and look awesome. Here are a couple of examples of quilts that I've made that demonstrate what I mean.

Compass Points - Tamarinis

Bloom - Cut Loose Press pattern

Mandalynn - Busy Hands Quilts

Prairie Star - Judy Niemeyer

See what I mean? How could I go wrong with using black and white background fabric?

I was considering making one very large quilt (these two each measure 63" x 81") and incorporate both sets of blocks into one quilt. It didn't take long before I changed my mind and decided that I was going to go a different route.

Look closely at the two quilts and you will see that they are exactly the same, except for the background fabrics. 

Every block is in the same place, framed by the same fabric, sashing stars are identical, and even the scrappy flanged binding fabrics are placed in identical order. 

(Yep! I may be a little OCD.) 

I even made the backings identical, just changing the color/fabric. 

It's hard to see, but I quilted both of these the same way as well - with a free motion loopy design. You can really see it on the white quilt, but not so much on the black one.

Because the blocks were placed randomly and not according to the month they were completed, I decided to place the scrappy flange binding in the order the fabric was used. Realizing that didn't really tell me which fabric was used first, I decided to add a little reference guide in the binding. 

Since it's on top, I know that yellow was the January color and red was December. All the other months/fabric fall in the correct order in between those two. Just to be sure that I have it correct, the flange fabrics follow the same order as the fabrics in the guide. I think this is just plain fun and adds a bit of interest.  :-) 

I like this addition to the binding and have done it on some other quilts. 

On this one, I took the opportunity to add my label at the same place 

as the binding addition.

Even though I had lots of time to get pictures of this quilt, of course I waited until it was a windy day. It's always so much fun trying to take pictures when it's windy. Jack is feeling better, which is a good thing because and he and Lynn were pretty darn quick at stopping the rack from being blown over. 

I had a couple of other great helpers too! Whenever a big gust of wind would start, these two would run over and stand in front of the quilt, trying to hold it in place. 

Peyton even got down on the ground and held the bottom of the quilt so I could get a picture of the binding from the back.  :-) 

I am one lucky woman to have this much help. 

Not a single one of them mentioned the fact that I could have taken 

these pictures a month ago.  :-)

Let's see some other finished 2020 Monthly Challenge quilts!

This is just a handful of the many other quilters who met the challenge and created some amazing projects. 

Patterns by Jen

(Our amazing hostess for the challenge!)

Quilty Creations by Fawn

Home Sewn by Us

Sew Joy Creations

rainbows. bunnies. cupcakes

Pieceful Thoughts

Anja Quilts

I had a lot of fun making these blocks and quilts, and 

I'm already enjoying the 2021 blocks. 

There's still time to participate in for the 2021 Challenge. 

Simply go to Jen's blog and get the free pattern.

I hope you join the fun!

 

I already know how I'm going to finish my 2021 projects. 

Hopefully I won't wait until a windy, rainy, or snowy day to take pictures.  :-) 

Sneak Peak

Friday I will be revealing what I made with these wonderful fabrics! 

These are the fabrics I used for my 2020 Monthly Color Challenge hosted by Jen of Patterns by Jen. Each month in 2020 you saw the blocks that I made, so you've kind of already had a sneak peak. But... now that the blocks are all done and put together, I am VERY excited.

The 2021 Challenge has already started, but you can still join the fun. This year's colors were inspired by fruits and vegetables. January's color is purple and the food is eggplant. 

I'm making two blocks again this year (12" and 6") and already know what I want to do when all twelve blocks (actually, 24 blocks) are done. I'm excited but won't share my plan for a while. I have to make sure that it will work first.  :-) 

December Color Challenge

 I can't believe it's December and we are sharing the last of our 

2020 Monthly Color Challenge blocks.

This month's color is Red

and the bird is the Cardinal

For the pattern and block instructions, 

head over to 

Jen's Blog - Patterns by Jen

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I am thrilled that the featured bird this month is the Cardinal, 

as that is the state bird of Ohio, my home state.

The picture above shows both the male (left) and female (right) cardinal. 

As with many other birds we've learned about this year, it is the male who has the most vibrant colors. 

The male cardinal is a brilliant all-over red, while the female is a pale brown with reddish tinges in the wings. Both the male and female have a reddish/orange bill that is surrounded by a black face. (My grandchildren say that these birds have a black mask.) 

Both the male and female have a very thick bill and prominent crest. The thick bill and strong tongue allows the birds to extract seeds by crushing or cutting the shell. It's quite interesting to watch, and this video is awesome. 

Cardinals can be found in backyards, parks, woodlots, and shrubby forest edges. They often visit bird feeders, but frequently perch a little bit away from them and swoop in inconspicuously to grab their food and go - a fun grab and go technique to watch. 

We are very fortunate to have the right habitat for cardinals, and enjoy them frequently. I have to admit that winter is my favorite time to see them, as their bright red color contrasts beautiful against freshly fallen snow. I've been known to take a lot of bird pictures and love to share them here on the blog. Here are a few of my favorites.

This special cardinal spent the winter of 2017 with us. After sending off some pictures to Cornell Lab of Ornithology we were told that this is a partially leucistic female cardinal, or one lacking pigment in the crest feathers. 

Every morning, as my husband and I drank our coffee in the back room, discussed our daily schedule and watched the birds, this one would eventually show up. She was quite skiddish and didn't dilly dally around too much. Before finding out the real story about her colors, Jack and I created some interesting ones of our own. My favorite is Jack's theory that she's just an old lady cardinal who, like him, is full of wisdom and mystery for the other birds to enjoy. :-) 

Scientists have identified at least 16 different calls from the cardinal, but the one most often heard is a loud, metallic chirp. This call is made when warning other birds of their territory, when predators are near, when females approach their nests, or when both genders are approaching the nest with food for their nestlings. 

Gee, do you think I am enthralled with cardinals? 

I guess since I like cardinals so much, it's not surprising to know that I use a lot of red in my quilts.

This is one of my favorite red and white quilts. It's Prairie Star - a Judy Niemeyer pattern.

This is one of my favorite patriotic quilts - 

Freedom Rings 

This was made for the Blank Quilting American Honor Contest in 2017. 

I make a lot of Quilts of Valor and there is always red in those. 

Heart and Soul 

is another favorite, and it was also made for the American Honor Contest. 

Being from Ohio, I feel obligated to show a "Big O" scarlet and grey quilt. 

This very bad picture is one of my favorite one block wonder quilts.

Here's another favorite quilt that used a lot of red scraps.

This scrap buster was fun too.

I was just a little short for the binding and threw in a little bit of red. 

It was perfect and I have intentionally used this technique multiple times since. 

Of course there is always red in Christmas quilts. 

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I guess I should get back to the the Color Challenge blocks!

Here are my fabrics. Of course I purchased these from Once Upon a Quilt. I LOVE that red and wish I had purchased more. 

Here are my pieces - cut and ready to sew.

The completed blocks!

These look much more complicated than they are. 

For block instructions, go to 

Jen's blog - Patterns by Jen 

Be sure to check out the other featured bloggers this month.

Patterns by Jen

Pretty Piney Quilts

Kathleen McMusing

Create with Claudia

Quilty Creations by Fawn

Kathy's Kwilts and More

As Always, thanks to our wonderful sponsors! 

Be sure to send some quilty love to this quarters sponsors who have donated some awesome gifts.   

Thank You Sponsors! 

Sponsors October thru December

October Color Challenge

 It's the first, which means that it's time for 

October's Color Challenge block!

This month's color is Olive,

and the bird is the Ruby - Crowned Kinglet

For the pattern and block instructions, 

head on over to 

Jen's Blog - Patterns by Jen

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Isn't this a pretty bird? 

As with many birds, it's the male who is brightly colored. 

Ruby-Crowned Kinglets are olive-green with a very prominent white eyering. They also have a white wingbars, which make them easy to distinguish from other birds. 

While the males have the red patch on their crown (thus the name Ruby-Crowned), it is not always visible. 

The birds are relatively small, with large heads, a very short neck, and thin tails. 

Their bills are small, thin and straight. The Ruby-Crowned Kinglets found in Alaska and British Columbia are slightly smaller and a darker color than those found in other parts of North America. 

The Ruby-Crowned Kinglet lives in tall, dense conifer forest, such as spruce, fir, and tamarack. They can also be found in shrubby habitats and parks during the winter.  

They are restless birds and move quickly through foliage at fairly low levels. Their wings are almost constantly flicking, which gives off a very energetic vibe.   

This little bird packs a big punch when it comes to singing. Listen and watch this YouTube video that not only lets you hear the beautiful song, but the narrator describes the complex parts of the song. This is quite interesting!

Ruby-Crowned Kinglet Song

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I have used very little olive in my quilts. As a matter of fact, I can't seem to find any pictures of quilts in which I've used any significant amount of olive. You know what that means don't you? I have to find more olive fabrics and use this color!

Here is the olive fabric I bought at Once Upon a Quilt.  

It is very pretty and I especially like the design. 

Here are my pieces, cut and ready to sew.

This sure is a beautiful block!

Check out other bloggers who made this block. 

It is always fun to see the different fabrics used.

Patterns by Jen

Quilty Creations by Fawn

Home Sewn By Us

Steph Jacobson Designs

So This Is Kentucky 

Rainbows. Bunnies. Cupcakes

Kathy's Kwilts and More

Penny for My Thoughts

It's a new quarter which means there are new sponsors!

You will definitely want to check them out because they are providing 

some awesome prizes. 

Thank You Sponsors! 

Sponsors October thru December