January Block Completed - Indigo

Whew!

This block was both very quick, and very hard.  I challenged myself in several ways technically, and it definitely went to a place artistically I did not expect.  I can say with confidence this is unique and I think very interesting.

I started with the inspirations sent my M and my own thoughts from life, as I posted in my January inspiration blog.  I had some sketches and a plan, and started stitching.

Then, I got part way through and realized I wanted to make 2 blocks, one in blues and whites, and one in shades of brown and teal.  So, what to do...  I know, lets try a reversible block!  Now the challenge is, how to make it a exact copy and make the quilting and any embellishments work.

First I decided on my circles of plowing, like the fields of a farm from a plane.  Then, the separate sizes of blocks and how the fabrics would work together for contrast and accent.  I started the circles with a paper template and then did a needle turn edge and machine blanket stitched them down on their blocks.  The lines where each block is joined reminds me of the roads and country trails between fields.

I then decided to do a simple straight stitch quilting in the circles, in a travel stitch back and forth.  By varying the direction of the lines in the circles it again reminds me of the plow lines in fields of the farms around me.

Lines of quilting in the circles - like plowing fields

After getting the circles quilted I had to decide if I would use the ribbons sent.  I thought and thought, and kept thinking about how interesting gatherings could be.  In my inspiration picture the folds of land remind me of the shades of bronze and white available in the ribbons as the light hit it.  So, a quick running stitch and run with gathers, and I placed the ribbon randomly along edges and valleys.  It is stitched down with a simple running stitch, to give it lots of texture.

Gathered ribbons add SO much texture

The longest part ironically was adding random beads and knots in the silver thread in a few places on the blue/silver/white side of the block.  Hand stitching of any kind always take a lot of time for me.  It makes me think of the farmhouses in the fields from above.  With various buildings and vehicles gathered around.

Beads and knots - otherwise known as farmhouses and out buildings

Now it is time to decide what to send M for February!  While you might think I would be inspired by Valentines I think I will stay away from reds and pinks for now.  Paint chips?  An interesting picture of a fly eye?  A scrap of zentangle drawing?  Time to compile!

blue/silver/white side of block

Browns and teals side of block