Are You Ready for a {FLAMINGO} Challenge?

The whole idea of the challenge using Kona Flamingo came from the exhibit at QuiltCon East in Savannah for the 2016 Kona Color Of The Year (COTY) - "Highlight" - and how impressive it was. 

It was vibrant. It was cohesive. It was inspiring. 60 mini quilts, all the same size, all with one common element - Kona Highlight. Each of the 60 artists who received a pre-selected color palette, were asked simply to make a mini quilt. Creativity-wise, the sky was the limit. They could design, piece, quilt, embellish, etc. their mini in whatever manner that best spoke to them/represented them.

Looking at the exhibit, you saw minimalist quilts, modern traditional quilts, improv quilts, bold and graphic quilts, sweet quilts. I'll admit, some of the color palettes were easier on the eyes than others. But, each quilt wasn't there to be judged. It was there because it represented where the artist was creatively at that point in time.

Here is the best link to visuals of the QuiltCon exhibit. 

That's the idea with this challenge. Show us what you're made of. What's your piecing style? How do you like to quilt? Are you a free-form quilter or a pattern follower? It doesn't matter. Show us what you can do with a FQ or F8 of Flamingo Pink. 

These are our parameters for the Kona Flamingo 20" x 20" Mini Quilt Challenge:

1 - Must use Kona's 2017 COTY, "Flamingo". Use as little or as much as you want.
2 - Finished mini-quilt size must be 20" x 20"
3 - Any piecing style/design style is allowed. If using a pattern, PLEASE credit the pattern maker/designer.
4 - ONLY solid fabrics may be used. Ideally, ONLY Kona solids, but that's your decision.
5 - All minis must have a label on the back.
6 - Kona Flamingo is available for purchase at $2/FQ or $1/F8 today. (N/A)
7 - Minis are due no later than December 9, 2017.
8 - This is your mini to keep. At a later date and time, we will request permission to display it in a show format/public setting.
9 - All minis submitted are eligible to win a small prize. Random drawing at the December 9th meeting. 

We are so looking forward to seeing your minis, but also hearing a little bit about what inspired you.  Good luck!

Summer SpinOut - July 2017 Block Lottery

To say we were excited about the Kona's 2017 Color of Year announcement is an understatement.  

Nothing says Florida (or summer or fun) like Flamingo Pink. 

It's an iconic association, along with orange groves, beaches, and alligators, that immediately comes to mind when you think of the state we call home.  

We (your ECMQG 2017 Board) knew we wanted to use it several different times throughout the year for guild projects.

  
As soon as Faye mentioned showcasing Flamingo for her stint as the July Block Lottery hostess, we jumped.

Years ago, like we all do whether from Pinterest, a blog, Flickr, etc., Faye saw a tutorial for a block that she wanted to make.  Also like many of us, she never actually found the time to do so.  That sad tale ends here, because Faye found the tutorial, chose her colors and fabric inspiration, and presented it last week.

For the month of July, Faye asks that we make SpinOut, a block and tutorial John Q. Adams, aka quiltdad, designed for The Desperate Housewife's Quilt blogfest.  (Strap yourself into the Way Back Machine.  This happened back in blogland during 2011, which is eons ago in the age of changing social media platforms.)

Colors are Kona Flamingo (or a pink that is REALLY close such as Kona Melon or Kona Punch), a solid gray (more on that in a moment), and a print that has Flamingo in it. 

Natalie helped determine the color challenge.  When selecting the gray - any shade/any manufacturer - fabric, look for the VALUE difference (contrast) between it and the Kona Flamingo.  We found during Saturday's meeting, there is little to no contrast between Flamingo and Kona Medium Gray.  

Notice in the mosaic below, the contrast between the two solid fabrics is lost in the images on the right.  That's what you want to avoid.  

  

Faye said the things she liked best when constructing her sample blocks was the ability to fussy cut her favorite Tula Pink images and the ease and organization that chain piecing allowed.  Additionally, she particularly liked the secondary pinwheel design the little flamingo corners make once multiple blocks are positioned next to each other.  

Please refer to Faye's blocks for visual placement of your fabrics.  John's tutorial can be found here.

You will need to cut fabric as follows for each 8.5" (unfinished) block:

Cut four (4):

Flamingo - 2.5" x 2.5"

Print - 2.5" x 4.5"

Gray - 2.5' x 2.5" AND 2.5" x  4.5"

Let us know your thoughts.  To make a decent sized quilt with no sashing or borders, we'll need to receive 56 blocks.  It's a good thing these are a fast make!