Riversong

I like the flowers idea,but not nuts about the vase...I think an Ohio Rose or a flower wreath would look pretty,but whatever you do will be great. You do beautiful work.

kwhite

I like the flowers over the teddy, but if you are not sold yet why not try a flowery heart since it is in the heart of the quilt and your heart is obviously in this work.

Debbie1

The flowers are great in the quilt. I agree with Mamabird - does somewhat resemble fireworks!

kluedesigns

i like the idea of the tree if the fabric you have works with that design - otherwise i like the vase with the flowers.

omak

My exact first thought was a house, but then I saw the houses on the four sides ... then, I thought waving flag and noticed the flags in each of the corners.
Then, I thought: Eagle - - and kept reading and noted that you didn't like the eagles that were available to you.
And, I read the post about the flowers looking like fireworks, and that was a dandy interpretation, but .... hmmmm...
noted the posting about the liberty bell or the tree ... and thought: Tree of life! It is an old pattern, and usually seen on point, but you could set it straight up and down - - it is your quilt <g> you can do whatever you want to do!
The Baltimore album-type wreath is a viable competitor for the center of your quilt, but ...
Bottom line? If I were to see the quilt you put on the design board and told me that this is the way it was going to be, I would say: okay! Lots of work and a nice bunch of pieceing and applique.
You have good instincts ... and, what you have put there
HEY! How about SUn bonnet sue and overall bill or Sam/whichever he may be ...
I like all of the suggestions better than the bear, but I liked the bear because he was dressed up patriotically .... you could even have sue and/or Sam/Bill doing something like looking up at the fireworks or saluting the flag ... or ringing the liberty bell ....
I am done thinking now ... <g> I can hardly wait to see what you are going to do.

mytwopals

This thought is going to be way out there. But here goes....Put a version of the flag block from the corners in the center. You'll probably need to add more stars and stripes, due to the enlarged size. Then take a copy of the star block at the North, South, East and West positions and put that in the corners.

k3n

Wow Omak - some great ideas there! I'd go and have a lie down now if I were you! LOL Seriously, I like the wreath idea and the tree and could warm to the vase, like you say, if the curves are echoied elsewhere in the fabrics. It's so difficul to do this by pictures - hang on, I'll jump on the next plane - get the bath salts ready for my jet lag! The sunbonnets would be cute too but di you want cute? The bear was cute! (well someone has to stick up for poor Ted LOL!)

Joan

Leave it in, I think it is perfect!
It does have the feel of BA, too.

pittsburgpam

Wow, Omak. You're wide awake this morning! :D Thank you for the ideas. I am warming to the tree idea and I've looked at a few old patterns. The vase does add an "artificial" element, if you know what I mean. I really do like it though.

I have some time to decide as I ordered 6 yards of a different background fabric from the collection. I wasn't thrilled with the wavy beige when I saw it in person so I ordered the tan with tiny dots (not circles) like the blue and red fabric.

A flag in the center would be a pretty solid design and I think I want it more open.

As for the guest quarters it was funny when my DD and her husband were here. She told me he went into the upstairs bathroom and saw how I had fixed it up after they moved out and said, "Can we use this bathroom?"

omak

okay, if you want to keep the vase and flowers, what would happen if you broadened it out and made it more, hmmm ... earthy.
I didn't mention the sunbonnet kids because of "cute" ... I was thinking "Americana" <g> ... cute is no problem for me! LOL
Anyway, I have a question about the "BA" thing ... bachelor of america? What does it mean??? I tried pretending I knew what it was, figuring someone would break down and be so proud of their typing that they would write the whole thing out ... but ... alas!
I am left to display my ignorance, all by myself (for the benefit of everyone else out there who doesn't know, either <g>) ...

And, America ... From sea to shining sea. From the Mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans, white with foam ...
A mountain with fireworks coming over the top with a wheat field in front of the whole thing is VERY America! <G>