Monday, March 22, 2010

"Granddaughters' Flower Garden"...Painting Flowers

I didn't want my flowers to compete too much with the Grandmother's Flower Garden blocks in the border. More like they were "growing from the same soil"...

...so I kept to the same 1930's color palette.
I used a diluted Tsukineko ink to get the color on them.

Once they dried, I've been playing with their arrangement on the quilt.

Click on the photo to get a better view. I've placed the brown silk ribbon around the quilt to give myself a visual on how it will look bound.
These flowers are still pretty subtle looking, blending in perhaps too much.
But we can fix that....!

I usually don't have trouble parting with my fund-raising quilts (this is for the Alliance for American Quilts), but this one might be a little harder to send off....

19 comments :

Judy S. said...

What a treasure this is going to be, Allie! No wonder you feel attached to it. We just got back from our niece's wedding (photos on my blog) and I'm just catching up on lots of posting that went on while we were gone. Great information on printing images, thanks! And I love all your projects as well.

Gerry Krueger said...

Oh Allie, it is wonderful and the center piece is perfect. I remember that they sell them on e-by so I figure I am going to have to buy it back for my granddaughter??? But the whole process will be fun for both of us!!

Gerry K.

Kay said...

The brown picks up the lines on the house, too.

Summerset said...

Lovely. I think the flower color is just right. They don't compete with the vintage blocks, but complement them.

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Truly beautiful Allie, Hugs Judy

Rian said...

I'm sure this will be a treasured heirloom for ages and ages to come.

Barbara C said...

I think you struck the right balance between the background and the flowers. They have a lovely opaque quality. I really like the brown border.

Conni said...

Perfectly lovely!

Leeann H said...

I really like the flowers you have added, don't think they need more colour. The brown frames nicely, the "soil" of garden, where all the colour comes from

Cathy said...

Another stellar idea, Allie! It's coming together so beautifully. You could always buy it back when it's auctioned off, but I'm sure the competition will be stiff and it'll cost you a mint! LOL. Hugs, Cathy

Granny Fran said...

I really like the way the flowers accentuate the blocks.

Jane said...

Maybe you could rescan the piece when its finished onto more fabric and re embellish that, another kind of "old to new". Ya know, like an "infinate mirror reflection"? The quilt that just goes on and on in itself, LOL
The colors you picked are great for melding the cohesiveness of the challenges theme... can't wait to see your final touches

Amy Milne said...

Allie, I'm very sppeechless-look, I can't even spell it. This is such an incredible piece--instantaneously I thought hip and vintage. Bingo! Thanks for posting and for giving so much heart and support to the AAQ. Can't wait to show it off!

Nellie's Needles said...

What more is there to say? I do believe you've got "it" ... both the talent and the composition of this piece.

Elizabeth said...

I can't imagine sending this off either...what a wonderful job you have done. The personal attributes are heartwarming.

Suzanne Kistler said...

Hi Allison,

I received a blog award this week, and after much consideration decided to accept it, along with the request to pass it along to 12 other bloggers who "inspire others with positivity and creativity." You were the first one to come to mind. Congratulations! Your Sunshine Award is waiting for you on my blog. Thank you for brightening my days. http://faithquilter.blogspot.com

Possibilities, Etc. said...

I like the fact that the flowers "blend," as they don't overpower and distract from the Tradition (which is the wonderful old quilt pattern.) They seem to add a subtle and joyful little extra ingredient.

Sherry said...

I love your GDs FG! What a great idea.

I received a blog award today and decided to accept it. Along with the award came a request to pass it along to 12 other bloggers who "inspire others with positivity and creativity." I choose you!

Congratulations!

Susan Elliott said...

I think you accomplished your goal very very well!! Plus, that brown ribbon is THE PERFECT binding...so rich and it brings out the best in the rest of the quilt. What does Tracy think? If I'm her, I'm going to outbid everyone!!!