Thanks so much for your nice compliments! I am so glad you are going to give it a try sometime! You know I was surprised at 2 fabrics in my quilt that lit up an area that I never would have thought of, but let me suggest that you place some squares on a design wall, all darks and one light, and test to see how well they do work. Some light fabrics are just plain dull and others really show energy! So before cutting anything, just try assembling some darks and lights together and testing them. It will help you alot!

I can tell you that you have to be careful with colors! Looking at my quilt, you can see the color 'cheddar yellow' almost taking over had I not limited its use! This color needs to be used sparingly or it will change your color theme without you wanting it. Some colors will do that and it depends on what you put together. I noticed every red block in my quilt has a blue next to it. These are warm and cool colors that I just do automatically without thinking about it. However, some people need help in putting their warm and cool colors together and must plan it.

I didn't talk about low-contrast blocks/colors, but I have a few of those and if you like the random look of this quilt, you might want to do the same. This is where the 2 fabrics in the block almost look similar. It gives a nice balance to the quilt as not all things in life are bright and happy, there are some dull moments as well. So these rather dull blocks really look good among the bright, cheerful ones. Well, thank you, Sandy and Polly, for your encouragement. I sure hope you will try it. It's a great looking way to use up scraps! It always turns out so nice!! :thumbup:

This is turning out so nicely, n2. Think I might try a little smaller block--no big surprise to you!! Haven't thought it through yet though. Have 101 things on the sewing burner these days and then you go and through another idea at me!! Oh you are such a bad influence on me:D:D:D

Oh, c'me on, Gladie, you've just GOTTA try this block!!! You know you want to!!! tee-hee! If you try it in your famous micro-mini size, we know it will be just so darlin.....you must've read my mind today 'cause I was just thinking how darlin this would be in a tiny size!! hahaha. I even thought about how it could be done by fusing the strips to already sewn blocks!!! hahaha! I am begging you to do it and I know it will be so irresistible!!!! Now what would you do without me always coming up with a block to entice you with????? I'm glad I'm such a bad influence on you.....jhahhahaha.....and that's in a GOOD way!!! Awww, your 101 projects can get done later!!!:D:D:hunf:

It looks very pretty

I like it!!!!!!!!

Trying out navy trim on string blocks. Yellow border is on. Latest pics so far:[ATTACH=CONFIG]364075[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]364076[/ATTACH]

very pretty scrappy!!!!

I keep trying to resist the temptation! But look I'm back looking at this thread again. :D The borders on the diagonal string blocks is wonderful. I think it serves 2 purposes. It stabilizes the row of blocks as it separates and defines them. In the first pic with just the 2 types of blocks the string blocks alone got lost next to the centerpiece. This way the string blocks complement the center pieces rather than being shadowed by them.

Well, gang, here are some more pics for today's tryout! It grew beyond my design wall space so I moved the quilt outdoors. It's already 57" wide now from the 2 rows sewn on last night and looks like my plans for lots more rows will be altered. I absolutely love framing anything and it sure gives the definition to the quilt I wanted to do. Framing those string blocks brings the focus even nearer to the center of the quilt! I love the stateliness that a navy fabric brings to a quilt! Yes, it gives it a dignity that's unsurpassed by any other color! I had auditioned bright red framing the blocks but it overpowered the center. I tried a lighter red next which was just perfect! But navy won out this time! It's not always necessary to have a separation between rows, but as you can see from my pics, the little 9P's look great as a stand-alone meaning a row separating them is necessary! Guess I'll have to abandon my plan of 3 rows of more of the grid blocks as the final rows of the quilt.

Who knows? I just might turn this thing around with a wonderful floral displayed in a wide border!! (either painted, fused, raw edge or just my crayons! haha!) Tonight I'll be making string blocks for the final row. Remember that everything turned out nice and straight but the quilt is laying on grass in these pics and it looks bumpy and wavy!


Well, here comes the pics![ATTACH=CONFIG]364265[/ATTACH] 2 rows on, 1 laid out and 1 to go![ATTACH=CONFIG]364266[/ATTACH]the 3 lt. florals are all feedsacks I wanted to show you in the upper left-hand corner. Just love feedsacks!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]364267[/ATTACH] testing the next row...[ATTACH=CONFIG]364268[/ATTACH] def. needs space between rows[ATTACH=CONFIG]364269[/ATTACH]just right!![ATTACH=CONFIG]364270[/ATTACH] camera colors turned out great!