Making fabric backgrounds

I am intrigued with the idea of making fabric for backgrounds using different techniques.  Gloria Loughman has been very successful using diamonds to create wonderful backgrounds. She makes much better diamonds than I do.  I wasn't thinking, and used the 30 degree angle instead of the 45.  It is still interesting, and will work for what I need.

 I needed something in very earthy tones, so I went through my batiks and found just the right ones.  I will applique the focal pieces on by hand, I think.  This one is for the International Robin.  I like using these earth tones, even though they are a huge departure from the colors I have been using.  It is good to try different things.

I will be with Bella the next couple of days, then I head north for my Gwen Marston workshops.  I am not sure there is an internet connection where I am staying, so I may not be online until I get back.  I will take plenty of photos, and give you all a full report on the workshop when I am able.  Until then, joyful quilting, everyone. 

When nothing works

Interesting, right?  Lots of work, too.  I learned quite a bit from working on this piece.  It was supposed to be a border for a round robin I am working on.  Unfortunately, the dark piece looked great last night, when there was no natural light.  The sashing around the quarter square triangles looked like it would work well, last night.  Then, I spent a long time putting this together, making it look like the little boxes were floating.  I put it up on the design wall today, where there was plenty of natural light.  It so did not work.  The dark is overpowering.  The blue-green is not found anywhere else in the quilt and it already has so many colors, I didn't think adding a new one would do the quilt any good. That's okay.  I will just create something else to use this with.  I still like it, just not for this quilt.  After pulling all my large enough purples and greens, I discovered I had the right green and just the right amount for the small sashings, but not the right purple.  I have something that sort of works, but I think I need to find something that really works.  So, what did I do to deal with this frustration?  I went shopping for new clothes!

After losing 45 pounds, my clothes are all too big.  My daughter and son-in-law decided I needed something new, so they gave me a gift certificate and I found new pants and shirts that fit well and make me look like I have lost the weight.  A great Mother's Day gift.

I will get back to the studio again tomorrow.  Until then, joyful quilting, everyone.