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The Journey Medallion

January 25, 2018February 22, 2018 / scarletkumquat

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There was a time when red and green were all I’d have at Christmas. A red velvet dress, a green knit sweater or a plaid combo of the two. Don’t get me wrong, those colors are brilliant and cozy and still draw me in hard during the holidays. But the colors of the season are richly abundant, and in particular jewel tones 💎. Something in my heart just sings with this deep turquoise linen. Sewing involves learning the skin tones and contours of ones body, and sort of forces a simultaneous exploration in color study. I am pleased with my discoveries, just in time for a holiday party with my peeps @fortcollinsmqg! . I’m a sucker for simple Swedish design 🇸🇪 Loads of holiday twirls will be had in this Tulip dress by @theassemblylineshop. And I was lucky enough to find the paper pattern @oakfabrics 💎💎💎 . #scarletkumquat #handmadeholidaydress #imakemyownclothes #memade #selfstudy #colorstudy #linen #linendress #swedishdesign #sewdish

Jonesing for some sleeves and a hem. Anyone want to come over? Full deets on this royally rich Swedish #tulipdress by @theassemblylineshop when it’s finito! 🇸🇪 #scarletkumquat #handmadewardrobe #handmadeholidaydress #imakemyownclothes #homeschoollife

Snow and more snow and lovely light! Moving forward with connecting blocks from @jenib320 ‘s Patchwork Essentials: The Half Square Triangle book. Off-set HSTs keep me interested. What are you sewing today? #scarletkumquat #halfsquaretriangles

World AIDS Day  The year is c. 1985. I'm enjoying one of my favorite pasttimes as an 8 year old, feedIng the seagulls frozen bread from my Grandma's 3rd floor beachfront apartment in Sounthern California. The flocks would suddently appear out of an empty Pacific Ocean horizon, calling out to one another, and circle round in front of the balcony. Some were brave enough to suspend themselves, flapping in front of me, screeching out for a nugget as I tossed them a freezer burned crust. Effortlessly they would catch these treats, simultaneously squawking and fighting in mid-air, only to retreat and circle round again for another try. David lived in the apartment below Grandma. A dark, tan and handome thirty-something, he would often sunbathe on his balcony directly below, a green bottled beer on the side table, an open newspaper in front of him. Sunglasses always on. I would peer down through the wide spaces between the railing balusters and watch him in his utterly relaxed state. David was gay, something Grandma understood and embraced as a nurse in the 80s. The two of them would frequently exchange niceties and catch up on the stairway separating their apartment floors. I could tell Grandma cared for him, and he for her. One day while I was gazing down at David enjoying his routine, restful circumstance, I noticed large, raised purple lesions scattered over both shins. He had his feet up on the railing as usual, crossed in a comfortable position. The lesions didn't seem to bother him as he uncrossed and recrossed his legs in perpetual comfort. (story continued on the blog - link in profile 👆) In this @sewliberated #hinterlanddress modification I was able to use this houndstooth something-or-other woven thrifted from our EPIC local creative reuse store @whogivesascrapfoco. It’s cold and windy on the Colorado Front Range today, and I have had David on my mind knowing World AIDS Day was near. We are encouraged to write what we know, and AIDS is something I was exposed to in our community from a very young age. I’m grateful for the strides made in screening and treatment of HIV/AIDS. And as always there remains so much work to do for those without access.

How I INSIST on wearing my #memadedresses in the office through the colder months? Leggins’! Can’t have enough of them. And so many fabric design houses now make it possible for you to design your own fabric (@spoonflower is one I know). Add your favorite seasonal booties and you’re off to a an awesome ensemble that’s truly YOU. I’m feeling a little witchy in this gray day combo of my #mostwornmake #fulwooddress by @thatwendyward. I could use a collection of this dress in every color of the rainbow 🌈. #scarletkumquat

We are back to school! 😴 And while I ponder the next holiday garment, it feels so good to ease back into some improv quilting of a simple block that feels like home. Since jewel tones have enchanted me of late, the scrap bin has delivered a beautiful bounty to work with. A simple block from the quilt Woven by @jenib320 out of her loyal and resourceful book The Half Square Triangle. Cannot tell you how many times I’ve pulled it off the shelf to save me tedium and heartache. Off-set HSTs wreck the perfectionist in me. Just the effect I was looking for! #scarletkumquat #thehalfsquaretrianglebook #thehalfsquaretriangle #hst #jeweltones #scrapfabric #modernquilt #modernquilting #scrapquilt #usethemscraps #improvquilting #theartofimprov #homeschool #homeschoollife #homeschoolfortheholidays

Overflowing 💛💛💛 I love it how my family and friends pay attention and think of me when it comes to beautiful textiles. Trusting me with these treasures is an honor. A well-worn #hinterlanddress over the holiday weekend had me feeling festive and full (of love and stuffing and cranberries!). Have a look at this luscious Bolivian wool yardage used as tablecloths for #ashlivin ‘s wedding last summer. They spent over 2 years overlanding from California to Patagonia. I’m inspired by @stitchandyarn ‘s AMAZING use of her South American blankets in a quilt earlier this year (see third photo for her masterpiece). Looks like I have a scrumptious project ahead! Happy Saturday! #scarletkumquat #hinterlanddress by @sewliberated #makeyourownclothes #fallsewing #bolivianwool #linen #thanksgiving #collectivelycreate #createeveryday #diyfashion #fabric #fabricheaven #fabrics #fortheloveofsewing #handmadecloset #handmadeclothes #handmadeclothing #handmadeisbetter #handmadestyle #handmadewardrobe

The year has turned its circle, the seasons come and go. The harvest is all gathered in, and chilly north winds blow. Orchards have shared their treasures, the fields, their yellow grain. So open wide the doorway- Thanksgiving comes again! ☀️ 🙏 ☀️ The days are shorter, and nights longer. All the more reason to glow as bright as you can, together. We are excited about this time of merrymaking, friends, family, cooking and cozy. Our son is busy lighting every candle in the house 🕯 We chase the light and warmth with hearth fires, reciting poems of thanks. It’s all just so good. . After the #hinterlandsewoff I was able to exhale and cycle through some of my favorite picks (@joanna_essentials @thecraftsessions @heatherhandmade). Mine was heavily inspired by the romantic linen textures and scenes from @sondeflor (take a look and be awed!). I also had to channel my inner Anne Shirley and add a vintage cotton slip found at our EPIC local vintage shop @wearitagainsam! See it peek out the bottom (last pic). Wishing you all a season of hope and light! ☀️ . 📷 by the budding photographer My Son My Sun ☀️ #hinterlanddress @sewliberated #scarletkumquat #memade #sewyourownclothes #bpsewvember

Yesterday was a culmination of work on our annual homeschool self-portraits. In this multi-part project an enlarged selfie print was divided into four quadrants. Each quad is done in a different wet or dry medium (paper collage, oil pastel and sharpie, acrylic paint). The 4th quad is FREE CHOICE for the kids. Can’t wait to see what they come up with! When was the last time you explored a self portrait? #scarletkumquat #homeschoolart #homeschool #selfportrait #collage

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