Color Limits

Color is a very personal thing... isn't it? In fact if you look at well know fabric designers and quilters work, almost immediately they can be identified, not to mention that they usually have their own "branded" color story that they work with. All too often, you hear stories of artists and crafters who exclaim that there is that one color that they just can't seem to warm up to, they never use, or find it difficult to work it into thier usual color scheme. How is it for you when you are forced to think outside the box, and grab that one color that says "no, not me... not today!"?

On the other side, I think it is important to push ourselves, to try new things, step outside our comfort zone, and attempt to try colors again that have been omitted from our go-to color palette. It's a bit like trying brussel sprouts after not having eaten them in the last seven years... you know, to actually see if we still really hate them as much as we remember.

Recently I stumbled on these fabulous free patterns from Lillyella that I just could not resist since I've been on my mini mini quilt swap kick! It shouldn't be too much of a surprise to anyone who has read my blog, that a bright and colorful palette was the easiest for me to come up with:

But after I had shared pictures of my Mini Mini Sunburst on Instagram, both on the same day, I found something that was quite striking to me: The softer, more muted mini got more likes than the bright one. This was really amazing to me since it was a color scheme that did not come naturally, but forced me to step outside my comfort zone... I really had to think about it a lot more. So once I finished the first butterfly, I knew I wanted to push my color limits again and see the response.

Update: the two Sunbursts are almost tied now since I wrote this, and this time around the bright butterfly is way ahead of the softer one... go figure! I guess if it's not broke, then don't fix it, right?

Oh, and a BIG, BIG BTW... I finished my Swell quilt! You can also see the finished teaser picutre on my Instagram feed. Taking a good picture this time of year, with enough good daylight, and when my tall quilt holder (aka husband) are all available at the same time is almost like waiting for the sun, moon, and stars to all come in perfect alignment... let's just say that it's coming!

Linking up this week to WIP Wednesday and Let's Bee Social.