in the Summertime

Summer compels me to seek out those beachy bright colors that belong on sun umbrellas, bathing suits and flip flops.  This dotty goodness is a bundle that arrived from Mad About Patchwork earlier this week.  It's destined to be the very first brand-spanken-unwashed fabrics I cut up and quilt in their sexy just-manufactured glossy sheen.  Lecien color basics, you are so lucky.  Oh, yes.

Lecien color basics

So, I had thought to make something small scale with this bundle, maybe like my Pezzy rainbow tote, but the scale of the dots suggested otherwise.  And, if we're going bigger, doesn't that bright happy bundle remind you of my Beach Riot blanket?

Beach Riot Finished!

Yep, I thought so.  This simple patchwork picnic blanket is a practical fellow I whipped up last summer.  It's been washed a good many times by now, having been pulled out for trips to the shore, picnics on the lawn, birthday table coverings, camping and so much more.  Eminently practical, I say, to go batting-free and binding-free for something like this.

pulling fabrics to match!

So, to make another I'll need some more fabric.   I spread out the Lecien polka dots on my table and began pulling fabrics with the same seriously bright vibe.  It got a little crazy in there, so I also pulled some prints with white backgrounds for a wee bit of visual space.  We make small allowances around here.

a Picnic Quilt bundle

Here's where I ended up.  I'm thinking that the 10 polka dots will serve as a visual anchor of sorts in the finished quilt.  At least, they made achieving that bright summery color scheme pretty much a no-brainer.  I really enjoyed combining a new purchase with notes from my stash.  Pretty much the best of both worlds - the high of new fabrics and the satisfaction of working from fabrics on hand.

it feels like summer!

The finished selection is probably a little heavy on the warm side?   Ah well, it definitely feels like summer!  Even the projects I can't show you just yet have been oozing that summery vibe.  I've been working with gingham and ric rac.  First time with the ric rac and I am smitten, SMITTEN I tell ya.  No one in my house truly understands the fabulousness that is ric rac.  It's shockingly adorable.  Really, unresistable.  And I could go on, but I'll stop.

p.s. I heart ric rac