Cre8tvlwyr...I used a dark olive green background on mine. You are right, you do have to be careful of your leaf color choices. But I think you would have plenty of leeway in greens that will still pop.

As far as the fabs from CT...I recently ordered a "stack" of the batiks to try them. I think they are a bit thinnner than some of the other batiks I've used like the Fossil Ferns or Bernatex, but they are very nice to use for the applique pieces. I think I've heard several people doing the AOTH talking about using Mirage for background. As you read through the thread, you'll see some comments about that.

Now..I have to go check out the links you gave on the guilds. Edditted to say...I DID go look and both quilts are lovely! I'd love to see your Amelia's garden!

I just ordered the book....I think I am going to try this too....

Oh good deenatoo....sounds great, welcome to the group!

Thank you....

Deenato you will love it here, they are a very helpful group of quilters. Welcome to the group!

Well finally got caught up with reading all the posts. Somehow I lost the thread. didnt get to make too many comments due to it would go so far from the original..lol I got sidetracked also by 2 of my DGDs who NEEDED new quilts from Nana due to redecorating their rooms. lol. Almost finished with them. Wow if I thought my AOTH was bright the youngest GD is 9 and the colors she needed were ,choc brown,Hot Pink,Lime and Purples from light to dark. I had to wear sun shads when working on it. lol Also have a quilt in my frames to do. Good thing
I am ahead with the JTG club. Now hope to keep this thread on my pc. dont know why it got lost. Jo

i finally got my book and have copied out the pattern for the first block (block 9) I decided to enlarge mine to 150% which makes a good size for me. I got my black background fabric from Missouri Star Quilt Company. It is a black satin finish Bella solid. It is so nice. So i am ready to start cutting out my pieces for this block, which i am still going to needle turn.
I cant wait to get started!
Maureen

Welcome Maureen. You will love it here. I also made my appliques 150% and that makes them a nice size to work on.

You will become addicted to working on these blocks. They are so much fun and no matter what material you use in them they turn out gorgeous.

OOohhhhh, sounds sooo pretty Maureen! Feel free to dive right in!

Maureen - LOVE the greenwing! how long have you had him/her?