July Color Your World - Yellow

 

Oh there's sunshine in the world today.  Hello July!!!  Here in Texas there is a TON of sun this time of year.  Hot, intense sun that brings the color of yellow into our lives constantly.  It's a joyous color and much missed on cloudy or rainy days.  However, through the reading of The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair, it was not always so for this bright member of the color wheel.  Before we get into that, remember that our monthly project will be featured here along with a BINGO card for those who wish to play.  Now, let's see what yellow has to say.

From the book, "Oscar Wilde was arrested outside the Cadogan Hotel in London in April 1895.  The following day the Westminster Gazette ran the headline 'Arrest of Oscar Wilde, Yellow Book Under His Arm.'"  Take a few minutes and look up the history of the yellow books (or just read The Secret Lives of Color) to understand the implications of this.  The color has had the association of illness (jaundice) and discrimination (the Chinese were the "yellow peril" and the Jews were forced to wear a yellow star).  On the other hand, at the same time it has been the color of value and beauty --- think blonde hair.  Toss in that which we value, gold, and you can see that it reaches both highs and lows.

So, back to current life and the characteristics we associate with yellow today.  It is the color of happiness and optimism, being cheerful and energetic, and bringing fun and joy to the world.  It makes learning easier as it affects the logical part of the brain, stimulating mentality and perception.  Yellow also inspires thought and curiosity and boosts enthusiasm and confidence.  With all of that in mind, it makes sense that companies like Best Buy, Hertz, McDonald's, Nikon, and The Yellow Pages made it a large part of their emblems.

Just to show that there is always opposite in all things:  it can also hold the negative aspects of cowardice, caution, and deception.  Think yellow light:  Proceed with Caution.

Nature shares yellow with us in so many ways - from the cuddly chick

to the scrumptious foods we eat - 

to just plain beauty - it just brings joy in so many ways.  

For this month's table runner, I've chosen various shades of yellow and a neutral with tiny yellow print.  We are focusing on applique this month --- it's an easy beginning for all.  It is called Lemon Slice and I found it on another blog.  Here is the LINK for you.  I did find that the download for the actual slice template was no longer available so here is what I did:  On my desk MONITOR, I enlarged the picture until one of the yellow squares measured 4" on the screen.  The I moved to the lemon slice section and just traced one slice onto a piece of paper.  THAT became my template.  From that point I knew how large to cut the pieces of fabric to fit.  THIS method worked for machine raw-edge applique.  If you wish to turn, you'll need to cut the slices a bit bigger.

It finishes at approximately 16" x 36"

I cut the following:  16 - 4 1/2" squares from various yellows, 16 - 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" bricks in various yellows, 2 - 10 1/2" x 16 1/2" rectangles neutral.  You will also need your backing, batting, and binding.

Using fusible web, I traced 16 of the slices and ironed them onto my yellow bricks, cut them out and pressed onto the neutral rectangles. 

At this point, I ironed a bit of interfacing onto the back of the neutral squares and started the applique work.

With the squares of yellow, make a giant 16 patch and add the two neutral rectangles to each side of it.  Sandwich with backing and batting.

I used a simple quilt patter and if you look close you'll see just how many times I messed up.  Did it on the 301 at retreat and didn't have much space to turn as I was against a wall.  However, done is better than perfect.  Some black and white binding finished it off.

Super cute on the table and it's TA-DONE.

Here is your BINGO card for July.  Have a great month y'all and stay creative.