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Here's my thinking. I originally wanted to do a strict interpretation of the license plate because it really sums up the state well - it has our motto "Show Me State" and it has our two big symbols - the bluebird and the dogwood tree. And it has some quilty things I love - blue(!), duh, and gradations. Every one knows I have an unnatural love affair with gradations! The darkish to pale blue ending in white at the bottom is very yummy to me!
But as I let that percolate in the creative part of my mind, it occurred to me that the good folks at AMB sent me tons of beautiful, solid fabrics to use so why would I limit myself to just blues and white? So that's when I decided to improv piece the background for the block. I chose about 10 colors to start with and just chopped and sewed them until I got a piece roughly 6 1/2" x 12 1/2". Then I used fusible web to cut out the license (personalized for us of course!) and then embroidered a modified version of the real thing around that. (I'm not a great embroiderer, so don't look too close!) What is August 1821? That's when Missouri became a state!
So there you have it - that's my Missouri License Plate! (Bet you thought there would be an arch!)
But that's not all! AMB is giving away this fabulous bundle of solids. Now that I've worked with them, I can tell you they have a really nice hand and a good weight. Over all, they feel fabulous - which is how I judge fabric! And the colors are really fun and modern! You'll be sold on them from your first touch. (The fact that they are made in the USA is also a great bonus!)
6/9: Contest is now over!
To enter, leave a comment telling me what your favorite solid color is to work with! I'll draw the winner June 6 so enter soon. And if you're new to my blog, head over to my FB page and like me there for tons of tips, jokes and all kinds of quilty fun! (For another chance to win, head to Maine to see what their plate looks like! And go to AMB for a list of the other participants and even more chances to win!)
I love your block, I am a sucker for bright colors and my favorite of AMB is #27/28 purple and dark purple.
ReplyDeleteI really like that idea for a background. Very well executed, Jenifer. It's one of my favorite license plates so far! My favorite color, solid and prints, is always orange!
ReplyDeleteYour block is great!! My favorite solid color is navy! thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat block, original! My favorite color is blue, but I use the same basic solid colors, white, black and cream! Predictable!
ReplyDeleteLove your license plate! I use ash grey a lot because it makes so many colors pop. And I love a nice aqua.
ReplyDeletei love all solids and choosing a color is like choosing a favorite child, but blues are what i gravitate to first...and love your block!
ReplyDeleteI love a nice red solid, but aqua is a close second! Your block is great!
ReplyDeleteI like black, it makes all colors pop or it calms a busy pattern. Love your block.
ReplyDeleteFor whatever reason, I've been using a lot of chocolate brown solids lately. Seems odd and it's probably not ever going to win as my favorite. Picking a color is hard for me, but today I'm going with red.
ReplyDeleteHow can I be expected to pick just one?! If I have to...dark plum is current favorite.
ReplyDeleteSolid black as it goes with everything. Nice block.
ReplyDeleteI use a lot of black, I'm a primitive girl so it works good with all of my civil war fabrics.
ReplyDeleteI love a good charcoal! Now that's a show me block! Thanks for the chance
ReplyDeleteI've been using a lot of grey lately, it's kind of perfect for almost everything! Great block.
ReplyDeletePick just one? I'd have to be blue then, it's my favorite color.
ReplyDeleteI love your block! I don't really have a favorite solid color to work with. I'm just starting to work with solids really and the one I've used the most is white. I can't get over your block, I keep scrolling back to look at it. It's so great!
ReplyDeleteI find myself using a lot of black solid. I know it is boring, but it is true. I love your license plate design!
ReplyDeleteI love working with almost anything purple. Looking forward to seeing American Made in my LQS!
ReplyDeleteI love your license plate! We used to live near St. Louis a while ago. My favorite solid color is probably red, since I have a lot of solid red scraps.
ReplyDeleteI love the AMB Eggplant color. I have plans for a great little quilt using it as the background. I can't wait to get started on it.
ReplyDeleteI'm sampling a piece of the AMB light yellow right now, to try whole cloth hand quilting. Love it! The fabric is just as you said, and has a nice hand after prewashing (irons nicely too), and needles beautifully for hand quilting. I think your multi-color background license plate is an improvement over the official one!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite solid color is red. Love, love your plate. I'd love that to be on my car.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite color is white. It goes with and accents everything. Love the scrappy look of your block. Reminds me of a crazy quilt. I have never been to your state I have always lived in Michigan. Elaine
ReplyDeleteJust finished a bargelo wave with solid blues and teals. It turned out great! I most work with solids for background or borders. whatever matches the piece. I lived in Springfield, MO for a while! Loved Branson! Great colors in your block!
ReplyDeleteI will go with deep blue, as it is my favorite color. Sure would like to put a quilty license plate on my car!!
ReplyDeleteCool block! Scary to admit this but I use black a lot. I make a lot of small wall quilts & use black as the first border to set things off or as an actual frame. I am now a follower too. Loved the portrait tutorial & going to buy hooks today to hang my latest mini! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite solid color to work with is blue - any shade of blue. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to solids, I use a ton of white. It makes a good background and I have this thing about two color quilts which makes it indispensable. After white it's probably a tie between ecru/beige and black. I've been to Missouri a number of times, one summer I spent several very hot days at Six Flags over St. Louis! Great block.
ReplyDeleteI love your license plate!! The colors are wonderful. I think my favorite solid color to work with is red!
ReplyDeleteHi!!! I love your colorful pieced license plate block!!! Very pretty!!!!! I love blues and teals and?? Thank You
ReplyDeleteI love your license plate!! I think my favorite solid color to work with is green!
ReplyDeleteGreat license plate! My go to solid color is yellow, I love sunny, happy colors that brighten up a room during the day and have a glow at night.
ReplyDeleteGood job on your license plate. My favorite solid color is, ta-dah, blue. I am from Sonora, CA, where we live in the foothills and as you travel you see more and more trees. Thank you for being a part of the AMB Blog Tour and the chance to win those wonderful assortment of fabrics.
ReplyDeleteSandi Timmons
sandit1@sbcglobal.net
Aqua is my new favorite solid color to use.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever used a solid color in my quilts. I guess I need to go shopping.
ReplyDeleteI love anything in an egg-blue family, and AMB's Light Aqua....Love how FUN your plate is! B-)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is dark fuchsia but I love all of them.
ReplyDeleteI love green! Any shade! Very cute plate--I DID expect the arch!
ReplyDeleteI love red in any color. Cute license plate.
ReplyDeletedefinitely blue! love working with any shade of it. :)
ReplyDeleteI guess my favorite solid would be red. Great, creative block.
ReplyDeleteWhat a colorful plate you created! Usually cools blues are my favorite, but this year I am all about the purple thanks to Pantone : )
ReplyDeleteMy favorite colors to work with is gray and off white. Your plate is lovely!
ReplyDeleteI love yellows! I was so excited when I heard about this fabric. I love the idea that it is grown and made in the US.
ReplyDeleteGreat plate you designed! I have been sewing with a lot of navy lately. But those darker shades of orange are starting to draw me in.Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love to work with reds which is odd because I am surrounded by neutrals. I think its my alter ego peeking out. Love your plate, its very creative!
ReplyDeleteI lean toward neutrals when using solids, especially white and cream. I am trying to expand my horizons though--I'm using bright yellow and royal blue in a quilt for my grandson.
ReplyDeleteFavorite solid color.......sort of like asking me my favorite ice cream flavor. How can I pick just one? However, I do love a Robin's Egg Blue and Lavender is a close second.
ReplyDeleteYou are making us work for this giveaway aren't you?! Choose ONE color! are you kidding me!!!! We are quilters...how can you expect us to choose ONE color!?!!?! LOL! They colors are part of the fun of a quilt so to have fun, I guess if I have to choose just one... I'll go with shades of blue! oh wait...shades of purple is first, blue is second....
ReplyDeleteCheri
quiltingnanny at yahoo dot come
At the moment (this second), I would have to say green! But I've never made a green quilt......so I guess blue. But I love red! And yellow, a little bit of yellow is good too. I can't make up my mind :)
ReplyDeleteBeth
oneoldgoat1962 at gmail dot com
Right now I love aqua and red. I really want to redo my sewing room in those colors. I love Missouri as I was born and raised in the boothill before moving up north
ReplyDeleteI cannot pick just one color. What is the most fun is putting those solid colors together. then WOW! just like your license plate.
ReplyDeleteI'd have to say purple since it's my favorite color. There are so many shades too! :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite solid to work with changes with practically every project, but today it's red. The brighter the better!
ReplyDeletediannc(at)aol(dot)com
My favorite solid to work with is blue, but that is my overall favorite color of anything!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy working with blues.
ReplyDeleteI think all things should have some shade of purple in them! It goes with everything!
ReplyDeleteChoosing one solid color to work with is next to impossible! I love all intense colors! OK, if I really had to choose just one, I would want it to be yellow. Of course I would want to use as many shades and tones of yellow as possible.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite color is red...but when working with solids for background I have a new favorite, soft grey...I think it is just perfect to set off most blocks and gives a more modern feel. But I can't leave out black. I am obsessed with Amish black quilts! dkcquilts@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy usual solid to work with is white - it works so well as a background for so many other colors.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite place to visit. Branson! These solids are so much fun! I would have to say lime green or purple would be a tie for my favorites!
ReplyDeleteMy fave solid has always been grey but I'm trying to branch out to more colors.
ReplyDeleteHard to pick one favorite color, but I am starting to use more red and black. Love your license plate.
ReplyDeleteCream is what I use the most. There are mostly men in my family, so cream is a good blender with plaids, camo, etc. Personally, I like reds.
ReplyDeleteVery clever and appropriate license plate.
ReplyDeleteVery fun license plate design, Jenifer! LOVE your creative thinking and the results are so eye catching! Thanks so much for participating in our blog tour - great job!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite solid color is lavenders and turquoise. Very pretty together. Your license plate is a surprise from the others but very nice change of bright colors. Thanks for the surprise it is like traveling down the highway and this bright blast comes out of nowhere what a change, great!
ReplyDeletenroot at lycos dot com
I am starting to gravitate toward grays lately. Love your license plate.!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite colors are orange/yellow and purple.
ReplyDeleteLove your scrappy license plate.
24Tangent "at" gmail "dot" com
I like to work with the brick red shades. I use it a lot for borders on my scrappy quilts.
ReplyDeleteI like your block. So far the only solid I have worked with is Black. I love the contrast of using black with bright colors.
ReplyDeletedragonfly9716 at yahoo dot com
Very cute license! We always go through Missouri en route to Indiana! A beautiful state, and certainly gateway to the west!
ReplyDeletethis is wonderful. definitely a quilters plate. LOL
ReplyDeleteLove your block. Love to work with teals and blues.
ReplyDeletesuebennett1975@gmail.com
love all the colors! my favorite from amb is the dark fuchsia, and I always seem to wind up with navy somewhere in my quilts!
ReplyDeleteallisonpogany@gmail.com
Like you, it's blue for me! Navy is wonderful, but all blue is good. Thanks for the giveaway. I've been eager to see the plate from my home state - you did a great job.
ReplyDeleteI love to work with white. White is my design muse and everything looks good with it. I know, that's just like saying your favorite ice cream flavor is vanilla but there you have it. :)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from you neighbor in Oklahoma USA. I love grey, it makes the other colors pop. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com
ReplyDeleteI just tried out grey and love it,but I am a blue girl. Your block looks great!
ReplyDeleteHi there!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite solid is red. Just love the richness of it!
Thanks for the giveaway,
Jacqueline in Pitt Meadows
quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.ca
Orange! Always orange! It's the happiest color! :o)
ReplyDeleteYour block is one of my favorites so far! My favorite color is the Dark Orange.
ReplyDeletejohawks21@gmail.com
Pink,any shade of pink, pastel to bright neon.
ReplyDeleteOoooooh my gosh!!!! LOVE LOVE LOOOOOVE your Block!!! It's Awesome! & soooo Creative! Great job!!
ReplyDeleteI love working with shades of Blues!
Love it Jenifer! I'm a fan of lime green.
ReplyDeleteWow, cool quilt block! I love working with blues and greens. info {at} cocoplumbeachhouse {dot} com.
ReplyDeleteCute block! Black & white are always good colors to work with but I love all the shades of blue.
ReplyDeleteHey Jennifer! Your block turned out great. I too love all the bright color. It will look great with all of our blocks in the final quilt. I have to tell you that I lived in KC for 5 years and miss it some times. I hope to get back to visit sometime soon.
ReplyDeleteThe colors in your block are wonderful. It is hard for me to pick one favorite solid fabric. Black is the solid I use the most, since it make other colors pop.
ReplyDeletelove your block! Great job and thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite color is pink. I love to put pink with sage green.
ReplyDeleteI thought my favorite solid was red, but based on last year's 3 quilts with turquoise as the background, I think it is my new fave. Your plate is very fun. My bet was on the arch...
ReplyDeleteI love your traditional take on the license plate. The solid I use most often is black. My favorite colors are teal and maroon though. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteHi neighbor - Iowa here - I really don't have a favorite color to work with - I love all the colors of the rainbow the best - I love your colorful block too
ReplyDeleteTeals and deep yellows are some of my favorite solid colors to work with... personally I would have bet on the river :)
ReplyDeleteLately, I've been working with deep red and deep purple (two different quilts) as the "neutral" color, and I'm loving it!
ReplyDeleteI have to say that black is my favorite solid to work with at this time. It really makes the other colors stand out. Your block is great!
ReplyDeleteLove your header... Why have I seen it somewhere in blogland today??!! My favorite solid colour is creaml thanks for the cvhgance!!
ReplyDeleteBlog tours are cool because I get to see new, awesome blogs. Thanks for sharing! I like working with solid teal. I prefer shot solids, though. They are a little more interesting than a straight solid.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I never really am drawn to solids initially, but when I start quilting, something happens, and I find myself reaching for them again and again. I don't know what my favorite solid is, I guess it's based on the colors I'm using in each quilt. sarah@forrussia.org
ReplyDeleteMy favorite solid color is cream. I use it in most of my quilts, but I'm starting to venture out and use more solids. Cute block and I love the colors you used. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI really like your block! My favorite solid to work with is black, I am usually making quilt for young boys so I try to make things that will mot look dirty after 20 mins
ReplyDeleteI love blue. Stargal714@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteGreat license plate! Have never been to Missouri but can relate to it's motto: show me! Favorite solid? This month I am loving the purples.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite solid is lime green!
ReplyDeleteTeal Blue goes with everything! I love Teal.
ReplyDeleteI love dark green
ReplyDeleteI like RED! Bright and colorful.
ReplyDeleteThe solid color I use most is white. I just don't have many solids in my stash.
ReplyDeleteI never met a GREEN I didn't Like :)
ReplyDeleteCute plate! I know... I may be odd but I love white. My kids tell me that white is not a color so then my second choices would be either pink or pastel blue.
ReplyDeleteCute plate! I know... I may be odd but I love white. My kids tell me that white is not a color so then my second choices would be either pink or pastel blue.
ReplyDeleteI love to work with purple!
ReplyDeleteI love purple any hue. I like your block. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteLove any shade of blue, especially royal or Yale. Thank you for the giveaway. maryellen1304@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love to works with blues - from greenish/oceanie blues to purple/stormy sky blues.
ReplyDeleteI really love teals!
ReplyDeleteI gravitate toward blues. Love your license plate block!
ReplyDeleteI love to use blues and grays.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute block! Yellow! That's my go-to color!
ReplyDeleteI am seriously in love with aqua. Can't wait to give these fabrics a try -- I've heard only good things about them!
ReplyDeleteNormally red is my go to color, but I seem to be in a blue and cheddar phase right now. AMB's periwinkle is really nice.
ReplyDeleteI'd have to say grey, but I could be swayed. Those are some fabulous colors in those American Made cotton bundles. Love your plate block!
ReplyDeleteI love the color blue. I am a new quilter and loving every minute I can spend making quilts.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn Boutilier
I like to work with black or red. They really make things pop. I love you license plate. You represented our state very well! I have lived in Missouri my whole life and love it here.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful block! My favorite color is blue but, really, I enjoy them all.
ReplyDeleteToday my favorite solid is orange.
ReplyDeleteI love, love your block! So colorful and fun. It might be my favorite so far. I think my favorite solid right now is gray. Though my favorite color is orange. I've been using a nice not too dark gray as a background color in a couple of quilts - instead of white which is too stark for me.
ReplyDeleteI love to work with different shades of blue!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite solid color is hard to choose. I would guess that I prefer red, and that's the color that first came to mind. I really love most bright colors.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite solid color is blue.
ReplyDeleteDelightful post!! Green always calls my name!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite solid is probably gray, since I have used that the most. Not as exciting as red, but there it is. ;)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful block! I'm not huge into sewing with solids, so I'd say black, white, cream or grey... the neutrals used for backgrounds :)
ReplyDeleteSuper cute block! I love white. I love the pop it gives to other colors and I don't have to worry if it matches ;)
ReplyDeleteI do not have any favorite color, but I always have to add a splash of bright orange.
ReplyDeleteI love working with gray. It is versatile and there are now so many shades to work with.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I have a favorite color to work with but that lemony yellow looks good enough to eat! Beautiful colors...
ReplyDeleteMy favorite solid solor? Probably blue. I like all shades of blue, but these days it is mostly bluey greens.
ReplyDeleteI happen to love blue. Well, if the blues in my stash are any indication: I buy blue 3:1. I agree that working with AMB fabric is absolutely amazing. Love your block!
ReplyDeleteI would have to say I don't have a single favorite solid color, as I just love to put the 6 rainbow colors together. I purchased some of the AMB fabric a few weeks ago and I loved the vibrant colors and how it feels. I am looking forward to using some in my next project.
ReplyDeleteGray overall but I love all the bright citrus colors. Thanks! notwendy gmail
ReplyDeleteGreen is my favorite color. But, black is my favorite solid. It always "adds" a little pizzazz.
ReplyDeleteI like to work with blue. like you license plate design. wish my car could have a plate that said quilter.
ReplyDeleteAny shade of purple from light to dark. Like your creative approach to the license plate. I've been to Missouri several times and really enjoyed my visit to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Would love to visit there again.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite color is pink. it's so bright and cheery, and it definitely perks up a quilt!
ReplyDeleteI love solid Blue. It can be the sky or water and it looks good in any block you can think of. So go Blue.
ReplyDeletepaulacox7198@yahoo.com
I really like tangerine - bright and summer-y!
ReplyDeleteI love PINK! Light PINK, dark PINK, pretty pretty PINK! Love your license plate! tweetyb936@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI am a self-proclaimed color junkie - I love all the colors, the more the merrier! I've been to Missouri and number of times, seeing as we are almost neighbors (Illinois/Chicago here) bbmolony@comcast.net
ReplyDeleteLove the colors! My favorite color to work with? I think that would be turquoise--even though I love purple. romanczukc@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI love pink. I have never met a shade of pink that I didn't like!
ReplyDeleteLove your block! I seem to use a lot of blacks and grays
ReplyDeleteseamstress2@roadrunner.com
I have a lot of green, so my solid of choice is lime green :)
ReplyDeleteI like to work with Aqua solids.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Peggy
peggy_verdongibbs@att.net
Your block is my favorite so far! I'm attracted to navy lately. I want to start using it in place of black.
ReplyDeleteNice job with your block…Like you, my favorite color to work with is blue...
ReplyDeleteBlue is my favorite color to work with. Thanks for sharing your lovely license plate! And thanks for the tutorial on embroidering portraits!
ReplyDeleteI am partial grey. I am often surprised by all the variations - blue- grey, green-grey, taupe-grey. Thank you for this opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI love your block. The colors are just gorgeous all patch-worked together.
ReplyDeleteLovely block. I'm feeling partial to the dark red and oranges lately
ReplyDeletemy fav solid color to work with is aqua.
ReplyDeleteI seem to favor Blue a lot. Who know why.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite to use is teal or turquoise.
ReplyDeleteI like black and white combo,thank you....martamanole@yahoo.com
ReplyDeletei think you did a great job reinventing the license plate. i know this is kinda bland, but my favorite solid to work with is black... it goes with everything! my yahoo address is ikwlt
ReplyDeleteI think your plate should be the next one for your state. Cool, and great colors. My favorite is purple. I have plans for an AMB quilt, including the purples. Thanks for the fun!
ReplyDeleteLove your license plate.....I have to admit, I thought there would be an arch. I love all colors, but the solid I use most in my quilts is black; I actually buy black by the bolt!
ReplyDeleteI like black and gray as solids to work with, as I typically like working with blendable tone on tone fabrics for other colors.
ReplyDeleteI love your concept for the license plate! So colorful It's hard to come up with 1 color for a solid that I like. I think yellow! Cynthia cknapp3626@sbcglobal.net.
ReplyDeleteI like your crazy patchwork background for your plate. My favorite solid would have to be blue.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite for this month is aqua. I like your plate. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteBlue is my favorite solid, but since I do a lot of Christmas quilts I tend to use a lot of solid red too!
ReplyDeleteI love teal. I like the way it gives shine to other especially prints.
ReplyDeleteRed is my favorite solid to work with. You done a great job on your block
ReplyDeleteGreen is my favourite solid - so full of life.
ReplyDeleteLove it! You can show me anytime! catremus@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAqua...great modern plate!
ReplyDeleteBlue, love your plate!
ReplyDeleteMostly red, but sometimes blue or green
ReplyDeletePurple
ReplyDeleteI want to say turquoise, but most of my quilts have white, hmmm I better get to work on that!
ReplyDeletejpshirley@ymail.com
I would pick either dark fuschia or olive. Great job on your plate/block.
ReplyDeleteI just came across your post by accident and was wondering if your pattern is available? I just got the CA one as a PDF on her webpage. What a great quilt it would make if one were able to get all 50!
ReplyDelete