This week's book study talks about colour . Reading what Jane Brocket says about her journey with colour and how she views it is interesting but has not influenced me in any way apart from perhaps looking at art work in a slightly different way. I have never really been afraid of using colour in ways that appeal to me . If it looks good to me and it is for me then I really don't give much thought to what others may think. However, if I am making something for someone else I try to consider their tastes. Jane talks about The Dark Side....using dark colours especially black. I looooove black! I personally think that black compliments other colours by making them pop. Years ago I made a quilt for my cat who has sadly since passed away . I wanted to use bright cheery colours and framed the blocks and the quilt itself with black.
However, I agree with Jane that black can be hard to see properly when stitching. Just before writing this post I was trying to find a beautiful crocheted afghan rug ( as my grandmother called it) that my great grandmother made so I could take a pic to add here. Alas, I could not find it and now I am eager to look for it properly after completing this post. It consists of colourful granny squares surrounded with black and I have always thought it to be quite striking even as a child. Perhaps that is where my love of black contrast stems from. I have always been aware of how different colours make me feel...cheery, happy, calm,meloncholy , even nauseated. Certain colours or colour combos can literally make me feel ill. I often wonder if others ever have the same experience.
So many colours, so many variations of colours...muddy, bright, pale, medium, light and dark. I am currently handpiecing another little quilt using my stash of Civil War repros. I have completed the 1st 2 rows.
So, you see, I can use brights and yet I love the hues of the Civil War era.
Now that I have finished my Sweet Pea throw using those gorgeous colours, I am on to a new crochet project....a baby blanket for munchkin number 2 who is due in September!!! I am so thrilled to have another grandchild on the way. I chose a turquoise or aqcua blue with purple and a bit of white to break the monotony of the other 2 colours.
So, while I love wearing black and using it as a contrast to make other colours pop, I love variety. My colour scheme for my decor may be one thing, my clothes another, and things I make may be completely different. I have mentioned that my favourite colour is purple and I have even had purple in my hair when I was in my late 50s and early 60s. If a colour makes your heart sing then do not be afraid to use it. It may just make someone smile.
Angel Blessings.
I am with you - I love black, I love to wear black as it enhances other colours but is also elegant when worn alone. It makes a great background for patchwork as it makes the other colours pop. Great baby news.
ReplyDeleteI love black backgrounds and I know the type of Afghan you are referring to. Not so long ago negative spacing clicked in my brain and it is often black and wow does that make your art work pop. Colour is so personal and I think that is a wonderful thing! Your Civil War mini is looking fabulous and so does your crochet....huge congrats on your impending grandmahood again xxx
ReplyDeleteI really like that cat quilt! And, you're right, the black really does make the colors show up more.
ReplyDeleteI am with you too Ondrea, black makes the colours pop, especially when you sew with batiks like I like to! I think you need to be around colours that make you feel good and work with them too. Your mini quilt is looking good, and so is the new crochet blanket. Congratulations on the coming new grandie, great news.
ReplyDeleteHi Ondrea lovely post my friend,congrats about grand baby no 2,so wonderful for you all.
ReplyDeleteYes i agree about black as a background too it makes other colours stand out.Love the new blanket that you are crocheting,well done Ondrea xx
This post has been a very interesting read Ondrea... I love black, & wear it almost all the time & do use it at times in sewing. I agree with Sue that black works great with batiks.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you have a new grandchild coming... I hope the expectant Mum is doing well.
x
As you describe your great grandmother's afghan rug it sounds exactly the same as the one I remember Nana's friend having. So I wonder if that style with a black border around the granny squares was fashionable back in their day?
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