Purchase Red Telephone Box Pattern
I hope you are having a wonderful Spring. My husband and I managed to sneak in a break together before he starts his new job today.
I have been going through some of the photos from last year’s England travel. Considering I made it to England twice within the last six months and am already planning my third visit to Scotland probably indicates how much I love the British Isles. I try to not mention the turmoil of the world here because this is my happy place, but I could not stay away from that this time after reading the news yesterday. My heart goes out to my British friends.
It is a beautiful country full of old history and lovely people. A visit to Oxford was a must because of its beautiful architecture. I fell in love with the vine- and plant-decked Oxford windows. I had the idea of this Red Telephone Box quilt pattern for a long while now. Browsing the photos rekindled the urge of designing this block. So I added a Victorian street lamp along with a lit-up window – an Oxford window, if you will.
A few photos I took of the Oxford windows –
Christ Church College
Christ Church College
Exeter College
Magdalen College
All these stone structures inspired me to work on this watercolour sketch of a crumbling stone castle in Scotland. I was practising painting the texture of crumbling stones as well as loose-hand painting.
Van Gogh Watercolour Paint
I enjoy playing with different brands of watercolour paints. Van Gogh watercolour is a student-grade paint made by a Dutch company called Royal Talens. It is not very expensive, so I was really surprised by the quality of the paint. They come alive even with the smallest touch of water and the colours are intense. The paints blend with each other wonderfully, enabling me to create new colours very easily. They are also quite permanent. Unlike most watercolour paints, I couldn’t easily lift off the colours once they were applied. Something to keep in mind before I put paint to paper next time. I found the included brush to be a bit too stiff and harsh on the paper. I wouldn’t recommend using it at all. However, I highly recommend the paintbox. The colours are also available individually, in tubes.
Purchase Red Telephone Box Pattern
I was working on this block around the same time I was dabbling with the Van Gogh paint. Since I love stone buildings so much, I used Stonehenge fabrics for the background. I lit the lamp and the window for a warmer feel.
I pieced the red grid on my red telephone booth. However, for easier piecing, I also included pattern sections without the grid. The grid can be added afterwards via a thick-width machine stitch. The finished block is 12″. The Red Telephone Box quilt pattern is available in my shop, if you wish to make one.
It was nice to take break from the Harry Potter quilt blocks and work on something different. I need a new day/travel bag, this block will be prefect for that.
Stay well,
-Soma
Luckily this was also my one monthly goal, which I am happy to say I have accomplished. I am linking up with –
Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal Finish March Linkup
I am also linking up on Life Thru The Lens, Through My Lens, Our World Tuesday, Wednesday Around The World, and Friday Photo Journal along with other linky parties on my Events And Links page.
31 thoughts on “Cast In Stone”
Danice March 31, 2017 at 13:07
‘Love the red telephone booth block! So cute. Your travel photos are awesome. Would love to visit England someday :)
Rachel March 31, 2017 at 09:16
Very pretty! I love that lamp post and your water colors look great! Thanks for sharing!
helen March 29, 2017 at 14:49
Oh my. My sons went to Oxford, and I spent many happy holidays there. I just spotted your quilt on Lets be social and thought, that looks just like a particular phone box and lantern outside Balliol college!! And when I read your blog I see it is. I don’t know whether it is or not, but I always like to think that it is the lamppost that CS Lewis used in the Narnia Chronicles, after all it is opposite the Eagle and Child where he and his Inklings spent a lot of time (and outside the Lamb and Flag). Sounds trite, but thank you for this!
2ne March 29, 2017 at 07:38
Love your quilt block with the telephone box :-)
2ne March 29, 2017 at 07:36
Love your quilt block :-)
Kate March 29, 2017 at 04:32
Wow! That’s an incredibly intricate and beautiful block!
Lady Fi March 29, 2017 at 03:18
Gorgeous gorgeous!
Kaja March 29, 2017 at 02:58
You definitely draw lots of inspiration from your travels. Your phone box is lovely -sadly they are disappearing fast as most people use mobiles – and you took some brilliant window photos in Oxford.
bettyl - NZ March 28, 2017 at 15:20
A great place for craft ideas! I would love to get there for myself sometime as I really enjoy the architecure and history there.
Carole @ From My Carolina Home March 28, 2017 at 06:18
Such gorgeous architecture! Your telephone box would be perfect for a Dr Who quilt too.
Celtic Thistle Stitches March 28, 2017 at 02:38
Great block, a lovely rendition of the old and the new. You will definitely find lots more to inspire you when you visit Scotland! I am lucky enough to have the wonderful scenery of the West Coast of Scotland right on my doorstep.
Karen March 27, 2017 at 22:32
Thank you for sharing the lovely photos. Love the red phone box and street lamp. .
jesh StG March 27, 2017 at 16:32
Wonder why my comment from 2 days before didn’t go through …. but here it is again. Love the Oxford windows, I would not mind having those at my house:):) Really brave of you to include the red telephone booth in your quilt project! I prefer the tubes for watercolors, but when I’m traveling for a day and want to do a quick sketch, I use the field palette:) Have a great artsy week!
Esther March 27, 2017 at 12:12
Wow, this looks amazing!
Shelley Folkerts March 25, 2017 at 08:42
Thank you sharing your lovely paper pieced telephone box block, and your lovely travel photos and watercolour print. You have many talents. All our hearts go out to London this week. Thank you for linking up with this week’s TGIFF.
Wendy @ September Violets March 24, 2017 at 15:13
I’ve been out of things the last few days and didn’t know of the London tragedy until yesterday. My heart goes out to those people who are suffering the aftermath.
You have some nice shots for research purposes of Oxford. I actually thought the new quilt pattern WAS for your HP quilt … down to the Ministry of Magic. Good luck to your husband in his new job!
Wendy
Rebecca Grace March 24, 2017 at 09:11
You are a woman of many talents! I love your telephone box block as well as your watercolor painting! Congratulations and best wishes to your husband with his new job, too.
Mary March 24, 2017 at 08:27
This post is a wonderful tribute to the strength and beauty of Britain. I LOVE your red phone booth. I imagine a quiet phone conversation with a loved one on a backlit street corner. It will make such a fun travel bag.
As I have said before, the British Isles are so wonderful to visit. I completely understand the pull back. Your photos are gorgeous, as they always are, and your painting is just spectacular. You have captured the beauty so well.
Kim Sharman March 24, 2017 at 00:24
Your red telephone quilt pattern is a triumph, Soma. It is so very clever. I love the street lamp. I like to think of it as a little light shining for all the good that is in the world; of hope and the resilience of humanity. I suppose, triumphing over the darkness that seems to occur much too much of late. So many wonderful windows in those glorious, ancient buildings. Oh my, such beautiful architecture. Did I espy many white Hydrangeas blooming profusely?? =) Now….as for your watercolour. Oh my, you have captured the different textures and shades of colours of the stone, brilliantly. I can only imagine the sights that you will behold and later interpret in your uniquely, beautiful way……in your photography, watercolours and of course your amazing pieced quilts after your trip to Scotland.
susie March 23, 2017 at 18:32
I think your Red Telephone Booth block will make an awesome feature for a travel bag!
Your Castle painting is soooo beautiful!! I feel a little closer to England , having seen your beautiful photos!
Susie
Gwenyth March 23, 2017 at 14:50
I am so glad you love England. I am lucky enough to live here, on the South East coast of Kent about 60 miles from London, 16 miles from Canterbury. Thank you for your kind thoughts on the tragedy of yesterday. We refuse to live in fear, it is the only way to beat those who wish to harm us.
Kathleen March 23, 2017 at 13:27
Wow! That block turned out super! Perfect fabrics. Your photos and artwork are beautiful as well. Good to hear from you.
Lydia March 23, 2017 at 12:07
Visited Scotland last September and can’t wait to go back such wonderful people and so much left to see. My heart aches for the UK. Wonderful block Soma!
Vicki Seals March 23, 2017 at 11:10
Wow! I thought your painting was a photo at first glance! Love English architecture, thanks for sharing your photos. Hugs and prayers for everyone in Britain right now. Thanks for the great quilt block. Appreciate your work.
Pauline March 23, 2017 at 10:58
Thank you for your kind words. All we ordinary folk in the UK really appreciate the support from around the world. Hope you visit again soon.
Dixie March 23, 2017 at 10:18
Terrible tragedy for Britian. I am so sorry for the people there.
O, my lovely photos. Stone buildings are definitely character driven. The windows are glorious in all the photos. Makes me want to draw.
Beautiful block…love the phone box. I love the watercolour too.
Glad you’ve been travelling and enjoying yourself. :) Scotland you say. Good for you!
Congrats to your husband on his new job!
Heather March 23, 2017 at 10:12
a lovely post, thanks for sharing.
Susan March 23, 2017 at 08:35
Fantastic telephone box block – love the lamp too! Love all the European architecture with it’s shapes, lines, and detail. Things aren’t built like that anymore.
Janine @ Rainbow Hare March 23, 2017 at 07:08
I love your telephone box block, Soma, and your photos and painting are beautiful. I’m glad you enjoyed your visit to England and I’m sure that you’ll love Scotland :)
My heart too goes out all those affected by the sickening attack in Westminster yesterday,
krislovesfabric March 23, 2017 at 06:38
We were shocked by the news too Soma, how awful. You really mastered the colors in your painting, it has such great depth and I can read the crumble…is that how I should say it?! I really like the hint of color in the sky too! Can you stand on the top of that rounded bit? It looks like a great place for a lookout. Your new quilt block is a beauty too, love the tiny details and the fabric choices are spot on. How do you manage to get the streaks in the red to go all in the right direction anyway?!!! Looks like your mug is going to go on a magic carpet ride :)
Patty March 23, 2017 at 04:36
love your watercolor! Scotland is someplace I’d like to go some day.