Color of the Year: Radiant Orchid

Have you met Radiant Orchid?

Well, prepare yourself because soon enough you will start seeing this color scattered across all things, whether it's graphic design, home decor, clothing, etc.  PANTONE, the authority on all things color has declared 2014 the year of Radiant Orchid.   For reference, in 2012 it was Tangerine Tango and in 2013 it was Emerald.  

As in years past, the quilting community has welcomed each new color with optimism, and excitedly provided a challenge.  This year, my blogger friend, Adrianne of On The Windy Side, is co-hosting the 2014 Pantone Quilt Challenge alongside Anne, from PlayCrafts.

It is an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and play with something new...and let's be honest, Radiant Orchid is probably not in anyone's comfort zone.

You can read all about the challenge rules over on Adrianne's blog ====> here, and there are prizes too.

I of course did not possess this color in my fabric stash; but after a little retail therapy on Hawthorne Threads, I pulled together a selection of prints.  Then by chance, I was at Janie Lou, a local shop in St. Louis, as they were showing me the new colors of Peppered Cottons they had received from Studio E.
I was immediately drawn to the color they called "Ashes of Roses"; which is a neutral with the slightest hint of pink.  It does not overwhelm the already busy fabrics; but compliments it rather nicely...don't you think?

Having enjoyed the somewhat structured chaos of the STAR'D quilt that I created earlier last year, I wanted to tackle something similar for this quilt.  I will be using a combination of HST and Flying Geese blocks, mixed with large patches of print and lots of negative space.  

I am really looking forward to seeing this one come together because while I have a plan, I can't wait to see what new surprises await me once I start laying everything out.

So, tell me...are you participating in the 2014 Pantone Quilt Challenge?

Happy Friday!!