Quilts and Classics: Cumbrey Crossing/1955 Chevy 210

Cumbrey Crossing had an interesting beginning. I was in church one Sunday morning. A man in front of me was wearing this beautiful plaid shirt in shades of purple. At the end of the service, when we stood up for the final prayer, I took out my iPhone. Mark nudged me and whispered, "Are you seriously going to take a picture during prayer??" I whispered back, "Nope. I'm going to take a picture as soon as prayer is over."

At about the same time (2017), I was part of Mad for Solids, a fun event sponsored by Paintbrush Studios using their Painter's Palette line of solid fabrics. It's a March Madness type competition where participants choose eight colors, give the collection a name and then compete in brackets, much like the basketball counterpart. 

I have participated three times. For this version I chose these beautiful purples and named my collection Magenta Madness.

Until I saw the beautiful shirt in church, I didn't really have a plan for this collection of fabrics. But of course, I realized I just needed to add some more fabrics and could create a quilted version of the shirt.

I based all the colors off the picture of the shirt. But then by chance, the guy in question was over for dinner. By that time, I was already working on the quilt. I was hoping to not even mention the surreptitious photo, but of course Mark couldn't let things go, and announced it to everyone at the dinner table. Awkward. The guy in question seemed quite taken aback. But then I showed him my sketch and my stack of fabrics and my progress so far. He was then totally on board. He offered to let me borrow the shirt if I needed it. And even asked if he could have the quilt when it was done. 

When it was finally quilted, a beautiful jacaranda tree was in full bloom not too far from our house. I have always loved this photo, especially with all the blossoms on the ground. 

Then I decided to make the calendar. I initially had not considered including this quilt. I mean, what are the chances that I would find a car that would coordinate with it?

And then one day I was picking Gabe up from school; I think he was probably in first grade. I heard a very loud car arriving, obviously someone also doing a school pickup. It was this absolutely gorgeous purple and white Chevy. But it was drizzling and I didn't have the nerve to actually go up to the driver in the rain. By the time Gabe and I got back to my car, the Chevy was gone. Would I ever see it again?

I didn't pick Gabe up for another two weeks. I couldn't get the car out of my head. Lo and behold, I heard that loud car again. This time I vowed to approach the driver and tell him about my calendar idea. Sometimes you just have to put yourself out there. It turns out that he lives just down the street from Aaron and Christa. He was completely on board with having his pristine car photographed for the calendar. 

Fortunately I remembered to edit out my bumper reflection for the calendar!

I learned so much from photographing cars and quilts. The biggest lesson learned was to take lots of photos in landscape mode. Unfortunately I photographed this car mostly in portrait mode. So in the calendar one of the best parts of the car is missing--the fun flame painting on the front end of the car.

There were so many fun details.

Purple fuzzy dice!

This is my favorite.

The crape myrtle trees were also very cooperative, blooming at just the right time.

 

I love revisiting the photos I took of this car. Hope you enjoy the back story as well.