This past week, I was so super excited to be hosting the sparks (palette choices/inspiration) for our Quilt Design a Day Facebook group. I decide early on that, I would show and inspire the group participants by using photos from my travels over the years. I had such a blast and was amazed at the designs (make sure you come over and take a look – or even add your own design).
26 April: San Francisco
First up, is Coppola’s Sentinel Building in San Francisco. I love the variations of the copper – those teals!!
I actually based this design on the top of the middle building but I rotated and tilted the design. This seemed to give it much better balance.
27 April: New York High Line
This is one of my favorite spots and photos that I took while visiting New York High Line. Of course, it has one of my favorite color palettes; blue, grey and orange.
I had so many ideas for this one and decide to play around with lines that could possibly be done with improv techniques.
28 April: Washington DC
This was taken in Winter. I love the starkness of the color palette.
My design kind of happened by accident. I accidentally moved pieces off the design worksheet and couldn’t delete them, these landed up being the best part of the design…the left hand side. I love the difference between the darker palette in the right with the starkness of the white panel on the left.
29 April: Venice, Italy (St. Marks Basilica)
I really love neutral palettes, so I decided to challenge the group with a couple of palettes.
The diamonds and the crosses on the side of the building fascinated me. I really liked the repetition options.
29 April: Venice, Italy (Grand Canal + Rialto Bridge)
To be fair to those who don’t like neutrals I also included a brighter palette, but I did not do a design for this one.
30 April: Sintra, Lisbon (Castle of Moors)
Lisbon is one of my favorite cities in the world. This castle has amazing tiles and architectural features. The castle itself has amazing gardens. 
I loved the spikes and that gold in this palette, LOVE.
30 April: Lisbon (Coastal Village)
Like I mentioned, I love Lisbon. This photo speaks words about why I love it!!
01 May: Rome, Italy (Coliseum)
This photo was taken by my husband. The illumination of the Coliseum provides an amazing color palette.
I loved the architectural arches, and the top lines of the Coliseum. I really enjoyed this palette.
02 May: Paris, France (Musee d’Orsay)
The glass roof of the old railroad station of Musee d’Orsay has amazing shades of greens.
I did two designs, one more structured that was based on the floor space.
and one that is more adhoc, improv based. I think this is my favorite of the two.
So several of these are on my make list: NY High Line, Sintra Lisbon (Castle of Moors) and Rome Italy (Coliseum) are among my favorites!!
Please Note: If you would like to make or use one of my designs, please email me (ml_wilkie(at)hotmail(dot)com) or leave a comment below. I am happy to talk with you on options and provide the relevant measurements etc. or have you test out a pattern. Also, if you use one of my designs, please use the following text to credit me the design: “Designed by Michelle Wilkie @ Factotum of Arts”.
This year, I am going simple. In the 2.5 years of sewing, can you believe I have already purchased 650 yards of fabric from Hawthorne Threads!!!! I love their service and selections. I even purchase fabric for my Mum in New Zealand from them due to their fabulous international shipping/services.
So, I am giving away $75 gift card to Hawthorne Threads. Maybe you can pick up some of these new lines that I also just picked up (NOTE: images are screenshots of Hawthorne Threads New Arrivals section)….
I will email you with the gift certificate shortly.
Factotum of Arts 