~Color Inspiration~

Photo by Charise Creates

One of my favorite tasks when I was a fashion designer was creating color palettes for the upcoming clothing line I was designing.  When I worked for larger companies such as Norstrom and Eddie Bauer, we had the budget to buy trending forecast services.  These services would provide the actual color in swatch form from large color companies like Pantone.

Digital Ad from Boden.com

The last design company I worked for was a small company and we didn't have the budget for the expensive trending services.  

My go to inspiration came from Fashion websites like Style.com and fashion magazines, my favorites being Elle and Harper's Bazaar.
I looked to the color stories from high end couture brands from the most recent runway shows.

Photo by ChariseCreates

I recently saw a link to the coolest website that will create a color palette using Kona Fabrics solids.
Play-Crafts color matcher  allows you to upload a photo and then the program matches colors in the photo.
If you want to tweak the palette, there are small dots that you can drag and drop around the photo to customize the colors.
Then....Play-crafts color matcher matches the colors to Moda Bella Solids.

Photo by Charise Creates

Have Fun!
Warning:  It is addictive : )

xo
Charise

Orchard Hot Pads in "One Room Schoolhouse"

I absolutely love vintage inspired fabrics so I was so thrilled to get a stack of prints from the soon to be available line by Brenda Ratliff, "One Room Schoolhouse" designed for RJR Fabrics.

The palette is fresh with a vintage vibe.  The prints are gorgeous.  My favorite is the sweet apple print.  I think I might have to make a skirt in this print - so cute!!! 

I stitched up my orchard hot pads and I think they look wonderful in this fabric!

You can find the pattern [HERE].  "One Room Schoolhouse" will be available in July and you can find it [HERE]

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

The Splendid Sampler ~ Catching up!

Today is sunny and beautiful in Seattle.  

Much like the blocks I made for the Splendid Sampler Sew Along : )

The block on the left is called Family Affair and was designed by Janice Ryan of Better off Thread.  I loved fussy cutting the dancing ladies on this one.

The block on the right is Scrap Stars by by Corey Yoder of Coriander Quilts.  This block has lots of small pieces so it is a fun way to use up scraps.

The fabric bowl was designed for Stitch Magazine and you can find it [HERE]

Pieces of Friendship by Lindsay Mayland was another fun block to fussy cut.  This is such a fun and easy block to sew together.  Linday shared a fantastic tutorial for sewing the block together [HERE]

It has been such a pleasure to sew such lovely blocks by talented designers!

I am looking forward to the next 84 blocks : )

Be sure to head on over to TheSplendidSampler.com for links to all the patterns.

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Patchwork Party ~ My Favorite Patchwork Pillows

Happy Friday!

I was on Instagram this morning and I saw a new photo challenge for April ~ Patchwork Party hosted by @corianderquilts.  You can find Corey's website [HERE]
If your are on Instagram search for #patchworkparty.

I love a photo challenge.  Life has been incredibly busy so this will be a fun little challenge for me to post more photos this month!

The first day is Patchwork Pillow.  Oh my, I have lots of them.  I am an impatient sewer and often make pillows instead of quilts.  I like more instant gratification : ) 

This cozy cottage pillow is one of my favorites.  I love to "fussy cut" and this pattern lends itself to finding the perfect image to show in those windows and door.

You can find the pattern for the block [HERE]

This is another one of my favorites - Starburst Spools.  The pattern is in my Etsy shop [HERE]

I also made this version for a pillow swap ~ The Pillow Talk Swap.

This pillow was made with beautiful Liberty Tana Lawn fabrics.  I created it for the Sew Mama Sew blog.  You can find links to the pattern [HERE] 

Here is another pillow I created for a pillow swap.  You can find the free pattern [HERE]

As you can see, I love to make pillows : )

What is your favorite thing to sew?

Happy Sewing 

xo 

Charise