Shades of Brown or, Ohio Winter Browns

This sweet little quilt is the result of a three-week sew-along offered by Lori of Humble Quilts over the past few weeks.  Thank you, Lori!  She calls it 50 Shades of Brown.  I think I will call mine Ohio Winter Browns.  It's true that these browns are all in our landscape in the winter, if we look closely.

Both photos here were taken in natural light but the one below was in a shady area outside.  I think the first photo is closer to the true colors.  How I love browns! 

I was behind the second week because I was out of town -- to the ocean! -- but easily caught up last week.  I'm in the process of layering this in preparation for basting and hand quilting.  We're going to be in the car for a few hours this week and, with a small hoop, I think I can easily quilt while riding.

For the sew-along, Part 1 here, Part 2 here, Finale here, and Linky Party here, where you can see the quilts of everyone who made this quilt and wanted to link a finish, including me!  Thanks again, Lori.

--Nancy.

Shades of Brown

When Lori of Humble Quilts announced the sew-along 50 Shades of Brown I thought it the perfect little boost to my need for new.  I thought I could fit in a small quilt as I continue to work on quilts-in-progress.  And it's hard to resist brown, one of my favorite colors.  

Here are my 17 4-patch blocks for week one.  There are some really fun fabrics, though they're hard to see in this little photo.

Many, many thanks to Janet of Rogue Quilter, Lizzy of Gone to the Beach, and Wendy of The Constant Quilter for most of the browns and three of the pinks.  At one time or another they've all sent small pieces of fabric from their own stashes.  I'm so grateful.  Thank you! 

I don't usually do mystery quilts but the idea of browns called to me.  (Did I say I love browns?)  Lori showed photos of the browns she sees in the landscape around her house now in September.  Here in Ohio we're still seeing greens, a touch of golds/bronzes/reds, and a few browns.  Our landscape turns brown in the winter.  A quick glance and one can think, Oh, it's so grey outside.  Or It's all brown!  But with a closer look one can see a great array of browns, from very dark to very light and all the shades between and adjacent.

I finished this week's blocks but I'm sorry I'll be out of town next week.  I'll have two weeks' worth of blocks to make the week after.  It shouldn't be too hard because it's a small quilt, right?

Thanks for creating and hosting this sew-along, Lori.

--Nancy.