Thursday, August 18, 2011

laid out together

That big ol' bird from the last post has been bugging me. It's not quite right. I thought if I laid him out with the other blocks I'd have a better idea if he was still going to bug me.
I laid him out with the other completed blocks. Right away I think he's too big and black - stands out too much.


But, if I mix in the almost completed block of blackbirds (they haven't laid their eggs yet :0) The blackness works okay although I think I need to mix a bit of black into a couple of the remaining blocks to keep it balanced.
I think the bird still bugs me - off to the drawing board again...

Happy Quilting!!

17 comments:

*karendianne. said...

I like how you moved this around for us so we could study and see what you're working with (and what you're working towards). I got stuck staring and imagining how wondrous this whole work is. I like the pretty blues and pinks that stand out as well. *karendianne.

Karen S said...

I really like the second layout -- the darker colors look pretty balanced. If you're going to do the appliquéd border, you can put some really dark colors in that to give it the same weight as the rest of the quilt. It's looking just gorgeous!

Ann Champion said...

I really like the bird block! I think the block with the black birds balances it out. Add in a bit more black here and there or in the borders and it will be wonderful. :)

Lori said...

I think it will be fine with the other black near it and if you add a little in the blocks to come. If you find you have to redo it, I've always wanted a pet peacock! LOL

Karen said...

I didn't see a thing wrong with the block along with the others. Take a look at the blocks at a distance and see if you still think it is too dark. Using some of the same fabric or something close in another place should balance it out if you still feel that way. Beautiful blocks!

Crispy said...

Once you put the blackbird block in the mix I think it looked fine but it's not my quilt and I know the feeling when things don't look right to me. Maybe hold off on redoing it until some more blocks are done? Not that I ever followed that advice LOL.

Crispy

Mari, Tenerife (España) said...

Hello Janet. Thank you for your blog, I´ve enjoyed it. I´m your new follower. You´ve got a beautiful family, congratulations. See you soon...

Elsie Montgomery said...

I like it too... adding others with some darker colors gives it zing. If tranquil is what you have in mind though, then you will need to change the blackbirds too! LOL

Sew Create It - Jane said...

I like the second arrangement best...as you said...more balanced.

Either way though...those blocks are gorgeous!!

Marilyn Robertson said...

The second arrangement is my favorite too! This quilt is really going to be a beauty!

Dixie Howard said...

Love all the blocks just the way they are! This quilt is such a beauty. I agree with the other comments that the rest of the black and dark fabrics balance it out. I have used more black in my cherry cake quilt and it helps.

Barb said...

I think your black bird is in total harmony with the other bird blocks.
Every time I see this, I thin, one day......

Teresa Rawson said...

I love the introduction of the black bits...I think everything will balance and look so pretty when you are finished.

Since I changed so many of my blocks, I had no problem totally messing with the order of the final 20. I insisted on having an urn of flowers in each corner, then I let my two buddies arrange everything else. They were DYING to play with them, and I had arranged them so many times, that I let them have their fun. I'm so pleased I let them do the final arrangement. They got everything balanced so nicely. Thank God for digital cameras...they really free us up to try different arrangements!

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

Lee Prairie Designs said...

Hi Janet, I agree with Karen. You have done a wonderful job placing your finished blocks.

This is going to be a treasure!!!

Carolyn :)

Carrie P. said...

I think he looks fine in the mix. I think your idea of more black will help balance it out. I would leave the blocks up as you get ready to do the next block so you can remind yourself what you have so far.

Suz J said...

It's not just your placement? If you moved the bird of paradise block to one of the outside blocks, it won't dominate the central panel - and the depth of colour will help draw the eye into and around the quilt. At the moment it is next to the block with large white flowers, which is probably the lightest block of all of them, and the contrast probably deepens the darker block. Hope this helps - it looks beautiful by the way, you definitely don't need to redo anything.

Ulla's Quilt World said...

Hi! That quilt is so fantatsic! Congratulations!!!! Your blog is so nice! It's so nice to find other quilters from the other side of the world! :)