Two things influenced and inspired the Hearts and Rooster Potholders I designed today. One was the linen tea towel that Debby from our Farmers Market gave me. The other was a conversation I had with Emily during our last Studio Chat.
Our conversation was about the idea of pattern-on-pattern. I’ve been drawn to pattern-on-pattern ever since I first saw an exhibit of Henri Matisse’s paintings when I was in High School. I was telling Emily how I was using a lot of patterned fabric together in my latest quilt Pink Moon, but also how I always hold back a little.
“Next time, don’t hold yourself back,” she said to me.
I didn’t realize that I took her advice when making these potholders until I looked at the first few I had made. The only solid color in all of them is the red stripes on the Potholder with the two girls holding hands. (I have to admit I chose them first because they reminded me of the ghost sisters in the movie “The Shining”. I’m not sure how that squares with all those hearts.)
I get that some of these Potholders would have probably been perfect around Valentine’s Day. I was really drawn to the fabric with the roses on it as well as the hearts. Roosters made their way into the potholders too, but I think that had more to do with the fact that the colors were right.
I’m not sure why I was drawn to the hearts and Roosters, could be a spring thing I suppose, but I don’t think I have to have all the answers.
I’ll work on finishing these up this week and hopefully have them ready to post in my Etsy Shop on Friday.
