Recently I've seen tulips popping up everywhere, here, here and here and over here too. Well, a long long time ago, I began these scrappy, string pieced tulips. I used Gwen Marston's pattern, from her book Liberated String Quilts, and a selection of mainly Anna Maria Horner fabrics.
And today, as we free-fall into Spring here in NZ and with daylight saving coming up this weekend, I decided to dig them out to try and move this project forward, even if just a little bit.
Flashback Alert: My original plan, years ago, was to applique each tulip onto an assortment of scrappy neutral backgrounds, something like this . . .
Like many, my tastes have changed evolved over the years and the blocks don't look right to me now. The different backgrounds & sashing colour combo appears dated and it all seems to me to fight with the tulips. Luckily I had only stitched two tulips down, so it's an easy unpick.
I've decided to try out a few different options - like maybe a selection of reds {and, I won't have to go shopping which is always a plus}. My inspiration came from the cover quilt of Georgia Quilts by Anita Zeleski Weinraub.
or maybe even something a bit more like this . . .
I've had these tulip blocks floating around in my head all this week,
waiting til I had some time to play,
and I can't wait to see where this goes . . . watch this space!
Linking up with Cynthia for 'oh scrap' here at quiltingismorefunthanhousework
and over with Lorna too for 'let's bee social' here at sewfreshquilts
waiting til I had some time to play,
and I can't wait to see where this goes . . . watch this space!
Linking up with Cynthia for 'oh scrap' here at quiltingismorefunthanhousework
and over with Lorna too for 'let's bee social' here at sewfreshquilts
They are lovely, both options are interesting and I hope to see which option you choose
ReplyDeleteI love the red backgrounds, especially the solid red. Reminds me of a quilt I saw on Flickr years ago which I'll see if I can find.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun project. I love the colors you have put together. I KNOW there is a tulip quilt in my future.
ReplyDeleteLucky you to have such a pretty concept growing in your mind. Looking forward to seeing what you decide to do. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!
ReplyDeleteLOVE your tulip blocks! They are such a favorite of mine. Don't think I will ever tire of seeing different versions!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous tulips!! Love the final version. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteLove your tulip blocks!
ReplyDeleteLucky for you to have ideas floating in your head. The great thing is you actually executed them. They are super cute!
ReplyDeleteBoth options you are playing with would work out well. Looking forward to seeig which one you decided on.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to use up scraps. Personally I prefer the second option as the tulips stand out better, but maybe a very dark background would make them stand out too. They are gorgeous anyhow.
ReplyDeletewell these are superb. They capture the essence of tulip but give us all the fabrics to look at, and allow us to tell a story about them. The first picture against the red is strong, but I like the mottled whites background too. The three bold sections containing that little free pieced fabric creates another interesting line to see.
ReplyDeleteI like the tulips. They remind me of some Audrey made. Obviously I need to make some myself. All your background look great. Have fun making your choice. You have a good eye for this and will do well.
ReplyDeleteThese are lovely, what a great way to use scraps. I have been admiring the tulip Liberty quilt @thimblesandneedles has made too.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend to you.
What fun your tulips are, Linda. I still like the first tulips blocks but not necessarily better than the others, though I do like seeing those wonderful stems and leaves.
ReplyDeleteThe quilt in your header is fabulous. How did I miss it when you originally posted? (Not keeping up with my blog reading, no doubt.) It's interesting to see how the fabrics, colors, and values you used in the blocks changes what stands out.
Love these. They have been on my list for awhile waiting for enough strings to accumulate to make some.
ReplyDeleteAs always...you are so creative
ReplyDeleteLots of lovely options for how to use your tulips.
ReplyDeleteThey look delightful in all the different ways. How will you choose!