A Kaffe Fassett dilemma

I recently joined a Facebook block swap group to make blocks out of Kaffe Fassett fabrics.   I thought it sounded like a great idea, and I really like his fabrics.  When I signed up for it I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

There are two group options available.  The first group is making "cookie cutter pattern" houses. You know, the traditional house block and everybody's will look the same, except for color. Think Northwestern cul-de-sac sub division.  Every house looks just alike.   BORING!

So, crazy me signed up for the other option- a make any kind of house you want block swap.  Cool, I thought.  I can find some really wonky house pattern and make some awesome, artistic blocks that will knock their socks off.

Here is a picture of my first attempts:

Now, as you can see, the patterns are really cute.  The problem, however, is how to handle all those crazy prints.  By themselves, the prints are phenomenal- bright colors and abstract patterns.  I love the look of a stack of Kaffe Fassett fat quarters.  The problem is when you try to create something out of them.  I made several blocks.  These two are among the best.  In all honesty, I feel like the outhouse block is better than the little house/big tree block.

I think my problem comes from the fact that all my fabrics are the same value.  NOT the same color, but the same value.  They all read the same way in black and white, with the exception of the yellow one.  When viewed in grayscale, all the fabrics look medium to dark gray.

I think the only way to solve this problem is to buy more fabric, in a very light colorway.  I guess I will just have to make a trip to Paducah on Saturday.

Let's see, what do I need?  Light colored Kaffe Fassett yardage, Moda blenders in brights for a star block exchange I signed up for,  several more packages of Hobbs Polydown and Tuscany Silk (since I am out of those).  I saw that they have some fabric packs and kits on sale this week.    It sounds like I had better get busy making a list and cleaning out the trunk of the car.

Keeping the craft alive

One thing I think is very important is that we teach our younger generations how to sew, quilt, cook, and clean house.  Too many of our children feel that they are entitled to have everything without putting forth any effort for it. 

I am lucky to say that my granddaughters do not act like this, for the most part.  They realize that it takes hard work to get the things you want. They also know you don't always get the things you want, but you will always have the things you need.  As they are getting older it is becoming more challenging to remind them of this.

One thing both of the girls love to do is craft... anything.  They are both very imaginative and love to make things out of whatever they can find.  The oldest GD wants to be a fashion designer. She has already created a few of her own designs.  For Christmas this year she got several design books, some fabric and ribbon from Joann fabrics, and a miniature dressmaker's model (Barbie doll sized).

The younger GD is just learning to sew.  She wants to be a quilter, not a fashion sewer.  While they were here visiting for Christmas, I showed her how to piece squares into a little quilt. She did a very good job keeping her seams even and mostly straight.  Then we layered it with cotton batting and backing fabric and she quilted it on the domestic machine. She made a little mini quilt, just perfect for her Barbie dolls. Yesterday, before they headed back to Texas, she wanted to make another one.  There wasn't enough time, but she did start on one she can finish when they come back to visit during the summer.