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Saturday 30 November 2013

Berkhamsted #2


Berkhamsted #2
I was inspired by a photo taken in Berkhamsted, on my way to visit Linda Forey this past summer. What a great holiday that was for me, visiting my cousins in Berkhamsted and Oxford, spending eight days in London, then getting together with Hilary, Dianne and Linda F. to attend the Festival of Quilts. Even got to meet Linda B!

original photo
Hand-dyeing to achieve a very specific colour was challenging for me, and it was on my sixth attempt that I finally got what I wanted. But I was able to use fabric from the earlier attempts to make the two buildings in the foreground. The building in the background and the sky are closest to the assigned colour. 

I spent some time studying how various artists used the colour, and how they paired it with other colours, and I found that very instructive. And I grew to love periwinkle!

13 comments:

  1. What a clever composition for this colour - it really captures the onset of a British evening and the glow from windows acts a wonderful colour contrast. (Pleased to see that earlier attempts weren't wasted!)

    Do you bond your fabric or is it all held in place with stitch?

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  2. Love your composition and the use of colours. I must admit this challenge colour has not been on my palette before but certainly will use it more.

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  3. It's all bonded, and that allows me to put the stitched line where I want, rather than using it functionally.

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  4. It was interesting to see all the dyeing attempts and how illusive this colour was. It certainly made me work harder to achieve it. This is a lovely piece and the gleam of the windows really sets the mood

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  5. I like this piece and your perspective always amazes me. Well done as it looks quite daunting to me to be able to interpret this photograph into a small quilt. I like the idea of stitching your lines where you want as it definitely adds something more to the piece.

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  6. Another masterful example of your technique Heather. The use of complementary colours really make this piece sing.

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  7. Spot on, Heather. That little touch of yellow lights up the piece. Great piece. Hilary

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  8. Top marks for perseverance in achieving the colour, another fine composition.

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  9. Your diligence has paid off! The combination of colors gives your piece the "feel" of looking up to the rooftops while on an walk just before dusk. Is this technique easily done in larger sizes?

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  10. I've used it for a 30" x 40", and ran into some trouble, but I think it was because I introduced an unfamiliar batting and fusible web. Would try it again.

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  11. Another great piece!! Heather, your use of this technique is getting better and better. The windows add the perfect touch of contrast to this piece, and your perseverance with the dying has paid off.

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  12. The warmth just glows in this one!! One of my favourites so far. I especially like how the front face of the building is changing colour from the periwinkle and I really enjoy the detail above the roofline of the chimney widgets.

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  13. i am enjoying heather's current work like a good scotch - just getting better and better and so enjoyable to experience

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