Midnight Autumn ~ Winner

and as those two threads meld… the color changes, and it becomes a bit more complex; a richer, more visually interesting green, tones down the pink a bit, and ‘appears’ to be almost a golden tone, as it blends together.  {perfect!}

this is one of my favorite parts of stitching feathers!  and a fascinating effect.  i then began echo quilting the perimeter with two passes of the gorgeous red-purple in magnifico, and then a third pass with the hot pink, and finally the thick, royal blue razzle dazzle {from superior threads}, in bobbin play, echoing the feathers from the wrong side of the quilt.  it’s so pretty, and it’s one of my favorite techniques as a quilter.  it too, also adds depth and dimension, blending, but adding light, to the deep colors of the fabric; as it accents and highlights, rather than overpower. 

for the outside quilting motifs, i chose a magnifico thread in a periwinkle purple. i felt it had just the right luminosity to bring all the color elements together.  it also helps tone down the pink, yet complements it too. i love how it’s brightness is visually pleasing, helping the dark-purpley colors of the fabric to pop, but lets the fabric shine with it’s depth of colors in the forest green and teal blue-greens in this piece.

i was asked by one reader “how long does something like this take me?” usually, it’s anywhere from 6-8 hours, start to finish; sometimes longer; sometimes shorter.  of course,  quilting takes the majority of the time, but it’s more than that.  it’s auditioning threads, thinking about the color focus, the varied colors of the fabric, and how i can change, enhance, or create a different feel just by changing up thread colors or texture elements. it’s much the same process  for choosing backing fabrics, binding, couching, too.

i list my quilts for sale based on time & labor, and cost of supplies, but also it includes a proportion of my time shopping for those goods, to ironing, cutting, stitching.  but it doesn’t end there, either.  i photograph, edit, and then list them for sale in my etsy shop. this requires writing descriptions, uploading photos, and when there is a sale, it’s processing time; emailing the customer, printing care instructions, invoices, and packaging a quilt for mailing, as well as commission fees from both etsy and various financial organizations.  the price you see in my etsy shop reflects all of these things, but more importantly, the complexity as well as the originality of a piece.

 

 because many of you said “holiday” table in your comments… i chose a holiday-feel backing fabric.  this is a christmas batik fabric {that i have loved for many years!} and decided to bust into it and use some of it {that i have been hoarding – saving} for just such a special occasion.  it’s berry red/purple, and teal and forest greens with highlights gold metallic stars and flecks in it.  one could easily flip over the runner and use both sides.

 i went with random.org for choosing a winner this time {as my favorite random generator-man was taking a nap!}… and it’s commenter #1!  that would be… “barb” of mountain quiltworks ~ my idaho neighbor!  congrats, barb! 

 this one is 8″ wide x 40″ long.  now this is the deal, barb.  you get to choose which one you would like… either this one, or the one from the post announcing the giveaway {it’s called bluegrass at midnight}.
 
all you’s guys!  {she said with an enthusiastic new yorker accent} … i read all your comments; loved them! i giggled, laughed, and smiled!  i was so honored to read your sense of humor, enthusiasm, support, and sweet friendship.  thank you!  {you bless my socks off!}

the wind is settling in on us from the northwest, {time to get the warm woolie socks on!}… as we say hello to snow and cold…. and likely say goodbye to the last of our perfectly beautiful autumn.

bless you ~ and soli deo gloria!  saddle up!  we’re off on a great adventure together!
linky tuesday party with one of my favorite blogs

“Freemotion by the River
love and more ~
leslie