Little Penguin Quilts Through the Year

Little Penguin Quilts Through the Year

Friday, August 9, 2019

Determined...

or at least trying hard...

 to make some progress on my Scrappy Sprouts quilt this month!

Throughout 2018, I made a rainbow of sprouts blocks.


February 2019 was yellow month for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, and I came up with an idea to make Dresden sunflowers to go above the sprouts.  I've been hand piecing these, and they still need their centers.


Sashing and borders in Kona Grass Green were added to the sprouts section in March.


Since then I've been asking myself how I want the upper part of this quilt to look - the sky section.

Plain blue?  (This is actually a Grunge variegated blue that makes me think of the sky.)


Or a pieced background for the sunflowers with some added birds and butterflies?


Nothing I've tried seems quite right yet.

This is how the project looks on my design wall right now.
The sunflowers would be appliqued onto the pieced background.

It feels like the contrast between the sprouts and the sky background is too stark.  Maybe it needs some curvy hills in the foreground before the sky comes in.  Should  they be different shades of green?  I'm feeling sort of stuck!  

Sometimes it's hard to get your vision to match what you know how to do!

Looking forward to seeing what everyone else has been working this week over at Soscrappy on ScrapHappy Saturday!








20 comments:

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I love your idea to add the Dresden's as flowers I would probably continue the neutral scrappy background on up staying with either the neutrals or a very very light blue that is barely blue but I'm sure you will come up with a combination you like - these rainbow challenge quilts are using up some of my bits and pieces for sure and making me use them instead of just knowing they are in the boxes put away.

Kate said...

This is such a fun project. I agree the transition between the stalks and the sky does seem a bit abrupt, but I really like the dresdens on the scrappy blue sky. Not sure what you need to ease that transition. Maybe some light greens and blues mixed together in the first couple of scrappy rows and then transition to the darker blues?

Libby in TN said...

Like Karen, I was thinking lighter blues in the scrappy sky. You might find a light blue with wisps of cloud in it. Or continue with the neutrals but scrappy. I know you'll do the right thing in the end.

Michele McLaughlin said...

I love the dresdens on this with the plain blue sky! That's going to be a wonderful quilt!!!

The Joyful Quilter said...

I agree that the contrast between the sprout section and the sky section seems a bit stark. A bit of rolling hills in the "background" before the sky sounds like it might work. I don't have a CLUE as to the best way to accomplish that! Maybe LeeAnna could come up with a method for you to use.

Patti said...

I love where you're going with this! Would it be too much to change the lengths of the sprout columns? Stagger the heights of the flowers and start adding bits of blue throughout your background as you move upward. I can't wait to see this finished!

Marly said...

I think I'd just continue with neutral, but if you really want blue then sprinkle some very very pale blue blocks in there, gradually increasing their frequency as you work up. Maybe that would work. It's your choice!

Mari said...

Oh, I hate it when all the separate pretty parts don't go together well! I love all the parts but agree that it needs something. I think a lighter green sashing would help with the "blending" issue, and then stagger the heights of the flowers with the sky staggered as well. This would look a lot less stark. I *love* the sky you have with the blue squares and bird blocks. Maybe switch the green to lighter scrappy greens to blend better? That's a lot more work, though. Have fun putting this together!

LA Paylor said...

yes you're right about the strong contrast. It's abrupt. First off though, this is adorable! I'd say I like the mixed background much more, but since there are no blue parts in the leafy blocks, you'll have to blend in the blue with white blocks moving up. So that's easy, just do a mix of mostly white blocks going to mostly blue blocks at the top and it should blend in. The dresden blocks are brilliant with it. I love what you're making here.
LeeAnna

piecefulwendy said...

I think once you place the blossoms on top of the stems, that will help ease the starkness of the transition? As to the sky color, I tend to like the brighter blue, but I'd have to audition the different blues for awhile until something clicks. It's going to be a very fun quilt, Diann!

PaulaB quilts said...

You have some great suggestions already. I do agree that the transition is awkward. Varying the height of these blooms might be good, as well as perhaps horizontal strippy curvy mountain and sky in the distance with some appliquéd or flip triangle birds.

Chantal said...

That's an awesome quilt! I love it big time. If you look at the horizon, the further the lighter. So continue with lighter scraps into a gradient blue. The blue scraps you have so far on the wall is, IMHO, the top of your quilt. You are almost there. Whatever you decided, I'm sure it will be fabulous! Enjoy! ;^)

Birthe Marie said...

This quilt is so beautiful. I really liked your choice with different blue squares in the sky.:-)

Sheila said...

Wow! Love your progress on the sprout quilt. Had to set my sprout blocks aside to finish up some of my other RSC projects. So looking forward to seeing your finished sprout quilt.

Susie H said...

Loving this project too. I think you should continue with very light background squares as is behind the stems. Maybe piece in birds using the pale blue grunge. The scrappy blue background seems a shame to cover up with the yellow dresden sunflowers -- which I LOVE! Good luck deciding!

Deb A said...

Sprouts are looking good! Any way you can rough draw out your original idea? So many fun options you could do. Some ideas (but a little work) - maybe add another sprout or two by doing different heights... to stagger the blooms a little. Assuming the green stem will be 'connected' up to the dresden?.... I really like the light blue but think maybe the staggered of the white blocks interspersed with some lighter blues if you have it and work up to darker blue. Maybe some applique puffy white clouds, a bird or butterfly or bee near the dresden......... just ideas. I'm sure what ever you decide will be perfect! It is a cute quilt in the making for sure.

grammajudyb said...

Lots of great suggestions here. I know you will decide on a great one. I’m in love with the sunflowers!

Linda said...

I love your sunflowers sitting proudly on top of the columns of sprouts. You have been given so many different ideas as a way forward...... decisions, decisions! I too like the lighter blue background option, however you choose to accomplish that. Can’t wait to see what you choose to do.

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

Don't give up...I think you are on the right track. You might want to try to add more lights sprinkled along the bottom fading into brighter blues at the top.

Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

Laura said...

I love this project!
I see you have alot of great suggestions. I am in the camp of continuing the neutrals and working in some light blue with them. However, I know you will come up with the right solution for you! I am looking forward to seeing the finished top! :)