Contemplating Backgrounds

How much time do you spend contemplating the background fabric for your projects? 

Setting the stage for showing off your designs and quilting, 

the background can become a major player in your quilt.

I auditioned many backgrounds for my project. 

Should I go dark? 

Dark is always dramatic.

What about a totally white background? 

That would certainly show off my quilting.

 What about a neutral?

  A neutral grey, certainly not my first choice, became my best choice. 

Another instance that proves to me that I shouldn't be shortsighted 

and try even the "wrong" fabrics. 

This blue/grey batik shows off my design fabrics without competing with them. 

It seems to suit better than the stark contrast of a black or white fabric.

But, now I am questioning...

Is it a bit too boring?

Should I do something to make this background become a bit more interesting?

I pieced together strips of similar fabrics and 

placed them over my batik.

Will this up the look of my background

without becoming overpowering?

Should I cut my background and 

insert the pieced sections?

Time for a bit of contemplating..........

Linked to Off the Wall Friday

Another Day in the Land of Rickrack

Although I enjoyed the time spent soothing my softer side, 

I'm again back to the world of bright  and bold.

Picking fun colors from my rickrack box, 

I went on a stash search and found fabrics that will liven up this project. 

After cutting the melon shapes,

it was fun choosing the rickrack to add to the curved edge.

So many choices and interesting color combinations.

Should I match or contrast?

I pressed the under the curved edge of the melon and with it half of the rickrack.

The "rickracked" edges were then stitched to the background strips.

Yes! 

After laying out a few blocks, 

my heart sings

 as my day is joyfully filled with color and pattern.