2020 Monthly Color Challenge – April

2020 Monthly Color Challenge April

April is sooo different this year. We have been isolating or distancing since the 14th of March, over a month. I lost my blog writing mojo over the last week or so, and my quilting mojo too! I am resurrecting it (Easter metaphor) and hoping to be more regular in my blog writing.

2020 Monthly Color Challenge April
Photo by Fayard Mohammed (Internet Bird Collection)

This bird!!! Oh I wish I could see one but they do not live here. That beak is just so awesome isn’t it? I am sure the bugs don’t feel the way I do, but boy, I do love this little bird!

Purple is one of my favorite colors. I didn’t have the large size square Jen used to make the center block, so I improvised and used all HSTs (half square triangles. It worked perfectly.

I thought you might enjoy the “photos” above of some possible lattice for the blocks. I am not ready to think about it, but a little creative play was needed. I used grey with red last year. Right now, I thought I would just play with teal….if anything strikes you let me know.

2020 Monthly Color Challenge April

The linkup for Jen happens at the end of the month. When the link is live, I will add it to the picture above and link below.

As I look forward, I do have 3 blogs coming up right in a row next week. I generally like to space things out better, but my mind was just not into it. It has been a strange few weeks, but I am happy to be back. I think mentally I just needed a break from blogging, but I will catch you up on lots of things in the upcoming week!

Coming Up: 
ProStitcher Retreat
Crayola Quilt
Tips & Tutorials (4/22)
TGIFF (4/23)
Parade of Awesome Ocean Quilts (4/25)
2020 Monthly Color Block for April

Linking Up:
Patterns by Jen
What I Made Monday
Cooking Up Quilts

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21 Comments

  1. Laurel
    April 19, 2020 / 8:30 AM

    Great hearing from you again!

    • kathleenquilts
      April 19, 2020 / 11:09 AM

      Thanks, Laurel! It is not lack of content, just somehow lack of motivation. I will definitely be better over the next few weeks.

  2. April 19, 2020 / 8:38 AM

    I think one of the surprising things for many of us is how this quarantine affects us emotionally and motivationally. It’s okay that you just took a break and got through it. Good to see you back. I’ve had weeks where I’ve done multiple posts in a row too, some weeks are just like that. I need to get that April block done! Liking yours quite a bit!

    • kathleenquilts
      April 19, 2020 / 11:08 AM

      I keep putting off that pattern writing, and that I think became the elephant in the room. She is getting kicked to the curb today and tomorrow! I printed it out before I went to bed so I could look at it and make some progress. I do like to do a better job of not getting things all bunched up but that is the way it is. I am liking that April block a lot too.

  3. Brenda @ Songbird Designs
    April 19, 2020 / 9:34 AM

    I too have lost a bit of blogging and quilting mojo with this quarantine, in addition to having sciatica and developing shingles (going on fourth week now!) Thankfully that is some better and I have a guild challenge to complete! I’m hoping we actually get to meet by our June meeting when it is due. I did finish my grandson’s quilt. Just need to add a label to it and his brothers and they can go “home!” I started pressing my panels for the guild challenge last night. I am really looking forward to seeing it “materialize!”

    I love the bird! Wow, what vivid color and that beak is definitely unique! Love your purple block. I really like the teal and black sashing and cornerstones!

    We will all just hang in there and get through this together, sewcially isolating!! LOL I hope you have a good week, Kathleen.

  4. Nancy Bekedam
    April 19, 2020 / 9:37 AM

    Wow, I like what Wendy said ⬆️. And I love the teal with sashing!!!

    • kathleenquilts
      April 19, 2020 / 9:49 AM

      Thanks, Nancy. I am loving the teal too. That one block is very light so I will probably need a medium or dark to bring them all out.

  5. April 19, 2020 / 11:12 AM

    Hi Kathleen! I totally understand both mojos taking a hike. If you’re not sewing, it’s hard to have anything positive to blog about – it’s a vicious circle. I LOVE your pretty purple block. As far as the potential layouts, I really like the black sashing. It seems to really highlight each individual block nicely, and of course I enjoy black and teal together, as well. I’ve been thinking about a layout for these blocks, too. Last year, I didn’t wait to see Jen’s suggestion and I really liked her options. It remains to be seen what happens this year! {{Hugs}} It seems like there may be an end in sight – or maybe I’m being overly optimistic. ~smile~ Roseanne

    • kathleenquilts
      April 20, 2020 / 11:51 PM

      I have been sewing, but just not blogging. It is kind of a strange time and energy comes and goes in very odd ways. I love the black too, and didn’t do that last year, but I am pretty sure it will need that extra pop! I will start to play with some other layouts, I was thinking diagonal but haven’t worked on it at all….

      Are you doing any Eq8? I’ll let you know if anything makes my heart sing in settings. I did like the one last year, but a little too much work for me!

  6. April 19, 2020 / 11:24 AM

    Good reminder for the April block. I haven’t made mine yet. Maybe today?? You are great about posting – I haven’t been at all. Sigh – such is corona life. Hang in there!!

    • kathleenquilts
      April 20, 2020 / 11:49 PM

      Thanks, Bernie! I really feel as though I stepped back a bit these last two weeks. Corona life is not what I expected. Good luck to you, too, as we slog through this!

  7. thedarlingdogwood
    April 19, 2020 / 4:49 PM

    Such a fun bird! I really like the setting with the white sashing. Mojo for anything is hard to find right now. I’ve also been behind on blog posts, hoping to do one or two new posts this week.

    • kathleenquilts
      April 19, 2020 / 7:28 PM

      I like the white, too. Time will tell. Sorry you are having a hard time finding your mojo, too. I got more than 1/2 way through my pattern today, so that should help. The diagram piece drives me nuts! I look forward to reading your posts.

  8. April 19, 2020 / 7:13 PM

    I love your purple block! Yes, that bird is amazing!

    • kathleenquilts
      April 19, 2020 / 7:27 PM

      That bird has caught my imagination!

  9. April 21, 2020 / 10:57 AM

    Sometimes we all just need a break even if it is from something we love doing. Glad you are back.

    • kathleenquilts
      April 25, 2020 / 11:14 AM

      Glad to be back, and glad the posting rush of the last few days is done. This time is tricky and you just have to go with the flow!

  10. April 21, 2020 / 2:13 PM

    Your bugs and beak statement made me laugh. Indeed the colors are so rich and vibrant. Your block is pretty.
    It is totally acceptable to take a break. I got enough deadlines at work. Blogging I will do at my own time – when I have something I want to share.
    Here is a little smile to cheer you up – A talk show host said – “I have been baking a lot. Sometimes as soon as I wake up” 😀

    • kathleenquilts
      April 25, 2020 / 11:22 AM

      I love that joke! You are right, do it as you wish, but I have a lot to share, just was not motivated to write. I think things are better now, that I had 3 things I had to get going.

  11. April 25, 2020 / 7:53 AM

    Pretty block and great improvising on the HST blocks for the center! I also like your ideas for sashing, and it makes me realize I need to start thinking about mine.

    • kathleenquilts
      April 25, 2020 / 12:21 PM

      It is good to start thinking about it. I sometimes like to wait until I see all the blocks together, but I can do some good preliminary playing in EQ8.

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