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    Home » Blog » Uncategorized

    Fall Foliage and Modern Maples

    October 1, 2012 by Amy 35 Comments

    This past summer I received a little fat-eighth bundle of the Rubies collection from Michael Oakshott of Oakshott Cottons.  I’ve been petting and ogling them until I decided the perfect use for these pretties.(Oakshott will be offering free shipping from Oct 3rd until the 10th if that just makes them even more tempting.)
    These fabrics are nothing short of gorgeous.  Shot cottons are created by using different thread colors in the warp and the weft during the weaving process. All of these are created with Ruby red thread one direction and a different colored thread going the other direction including yellows, greens, purples, etc. As a result the colors have so much depth and movement for ‘solids’. And they feel like silk.

    Last week we performed one of my favorite autumn rituals – driving up the local canyon near our home into the mountains on what is called “The Alpine Loop.”

     The color was even more spectacular than I’ve remembered it in recent years.

    We always end at one of my favorite spots, Cascade Springs.

    Every year I try to take charming pictures of my children in the awe-inspiring setting, but usually they turn out like this.

    Or this. Oh well.

    I try to remind myself that it captures our ‘reality’/personality with a more inspiring backdrop than the messy family room at home.

    Seeing all of this vibrant color provided the perfect inspiration for that stack of Rubies.
    I pulled out my copy of Pretty in Patchwork: Holidays compiled by John Adams. (I love this book!) and used Amanda’s Modern Maples pattern.  The blocks come together so quickly! I love it.

    My progress so far.  I’m using an Essex linen/cotton blend as the back ground. (I think it’s natural, but it might be darker.) I’m so antsy to keep going on this one! Then I’ll have a permanent reminder of my favorite season.

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    Filed Under: Uncategorized

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tracee

      October 01, 2012 at 4:09 pm

      Breath taking.

      Reply
    2. Thimbleanna

      October 01, 2012 at 4:09 pm

      Beautiful Amy!

      Reply
    3. wipgirl

      October 01, 2012 at 4:16 pm

      Gorgeous photos. I was reading an article last week about how it&#39;s been the perfect weather this fall where I live for creating spectacular colour changes – must be the same where you&#39;re at too!<br /><br />The quilt is going to be so lovely too. Those fabrics are to die for, aren&#39;t they?

      Reply
    4. Karen M

      October 01, 2012 at 4:18 pm

      Beautiful blocks. I love Oakshott. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    5. Jenny

      October 01, 2012 at 4:19 pm

      Wow, gorgeous. Reminds me a little of our beautiful Smoky Mountains.

      Reply
    6. Marie

      October 01, 2012 at 4:27 pm

      I can totally understand the need for the petting and ogling – those fabrics are drop dead gorgeous! Some day…<br /><br />And such a beautiful fall drive!!!

      Reply
    7. A.J. Dub. (Amy)

      October 01, 2012 at 4:31 pm

      AW I am so homesick now! We don&#39;t get those Fall colors much in SoCal. 🙂 I LOVE Cascade Springs.<br />Your blocks are looking good. Those shot cottons are beautiful.

      Reply
    8. Joyful

      October 01, 2012 at 4:31 pm

      Beautiful Fall scenery. Just fantastic. Your quilt is going to be lovely too!

      Reply
    9. Jenny Wren

      October 01, 2012 at 4:41 pm

      Fall in PC has had the yellows and reds together this year. Last year the reds were well before the yellows and the colors were best at the end of Oct not the beginning. <br />Love your choice of fabrics for that block. <br />

      Reply
    10. •stephanie•

      October 01, 2012 at 4:49 pm

      those blocks are just lovely.<br />and the real fall foliage? <br />wow. just wow!<br />fall in utah is amazing.<br />ask me how bitter i am about living in arizona.<br />cactus? <br />blah.

      Reply
    11. Jamie Lee

      October 01, 2012 at 5:05 pm

      Wow, just beautiful blocks!

      Reply
    12. felicity

      October 01, 2012 at 5:06 pm

      Fall is my favourite season if only for those spectacular colours. Thanks for sharing yours – the PNW doesn&#39;t &quot;turn&quot; the way other areas do. Loving your modern maples too.

      Reply
    13. Karen

      October 01, 2012 at 6:18 pm

      The fabrics are gorgeous but I really love the colours in your photos. The foliage is stunning. Love to see that one day!

      Reply
    14. Kristan

      October 01, 2012 at 6:27 pm

      Pretty!! I puller out that book and made a maple block today too!

      Reply
    15. Gina

      October 01, 2012 at 6:29 pm

      Your fall photos are awesome &amp; your &#39;reality&#39; one&#39;s too! Love it! That&#39;s how my family takes pictures too! The Rubies collection is perfect for the maple leaf design! Love those colors!

      Reply
    16. IzzyR

      October 01, 2012 at 6:39 pm

      Those are beautiful maple leaves , they look like they belong in the canyon !! 🙂

      Reply
    17. Happy Cottage Quilter

      October 01, 2012 at 6:54 pm

      Beautiful pictures!

      Reply
    18. Carla

      October 01, 2012 at 7:46 pm

      Oh the scenery! Gorgeous

      Reply
    19. Tyler Foss

      October 01, 2012 at 7:55 pm

      Those fabrics are amazing and the changing leaves pictures remind me of Southern Ontario.

      Reply
    20. prairieharmony

      October 01, 2012 at 8:37 pm

      Your pictures are just beautiful and the fabrics suit this project perfectly! 🙂

      Reply
    21. Terry@ a quilting blog

      October 01, 2012 at 9:27 pm

      Beautiful scenery, fabrics and blocks..thanks for sharing!!!

      Reply
    22. vintage grey

      October 01, 2012 at 9:41 pm

      Gorgeous photos, and what a beautiful way to welcome autumn!! I need to get that patchwork book. I have some vintage maple blocks that I haven&#39;t decided what to do with them, so this is perfect! Thanks! xo Heather

      Reply
    23. Sarah

      October 01, 2012 at 9:48 pm

      So beautiful – the fabrics, photos, and blocks!!!! Much jealousy coming your way, from hot, sunny, very non-fall feeling Arizona! 🙂

      Reply
    24. Michele

      October 02, 2012 at 4:30 am

      Really pretty….both the solids and the photos. Can&#39;t wait to see it finished.

      Reply
    25. MaureenM

      October 02, 2012 at 5:54 am

      So lovely…perfect choice 🙂 I loved the Alpine Loop so much when we visited up there; it seems to change the higher up you go. So much beauty! Thanks for sharing it with us!

      Reply
    26. Cindy

      October 02, 2012 at 6:37 am

      Kids- I think they are acting normal at that age! haha!! Beautiful pictures- thanks for sharing and I love your blocks!

      Reply
    27. mindingmomma

      October 02, 2012 at 7:34 am

      the perfect project for those colors

      Reply
    28. Nanette Merrill

      October 02, 2012 at 8:10 am

      Love your solids. This is going to be a winner. Love the colors.

      Reply
    29. Wanda

      October 02, 2012 at 11:02 am

      Lovely fabrics. The colors are so rich. Knockout scenery. I&#39;m so jealous. Is it normal to be jealous of scenery?!

      Reply
      • Esch House Quilts

        October 02, 2012 at 3:08 pm

        I&#39;m often jealous of scenery so I can&#39;t say if it is normal or not, but you aren&#39;t alone :)<br /><br />Amy,<br />The scenery shots are breathtaking and the kids, adorable. That pattern with those fabrics will be amazing!

        Reply
    30. Katy Cameron

      October 02, 2012 at 5:39 pm

      Oooh, gorgeous! Hope some of them are still hanging round when we get there! (the leaves that is, not the kids ;o) )

      Reply
    31. April

      October 03, 2012 at 12:10 am

      Ooh! pretty! I&#39;m excited to see the finished blocks all together. Also, love Alpine loop. Seriously breathtaking. <br />Xoxo<br />April

      Reply
    32. Chris

      October 03, 2012 at 9:08 am

      Hi Amy – I&#39;ve been enjoying your blog for the last month or so. Your photos in this post remind me of the Alpine Loop between Telluride and Ridgeway, Colorado. Are you nearby? I won&#39;t stalk you, just glad to know there&#39;s another quilter who enjoys these gorgeous mountains!<br />Chris in Durango

      Reply
    33. Live a Colorful Life

      October 03, 2012 at 10:28 am

      LOVE the Oakshotts. I&#39;m trying to decide what to do with my little stack. They are just simply fabulous! Your pictures and funny (and beautiful) at the same time.

      Reply

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