It's Mostly (But Not All) about Bramble Blooms

If you're here for Bramble Blooms, scroll down a ways.  The first part of this post is about other than BB1.

There was a visit to the main library during the Trolley Hop last Saturday. 

The library building is a beautiful structure that was funded by Andrew Carnegie in the early 1900s.  A number of years ago, after the library leaders decided the interior needed updating, they tore out almost everything, including a beautiful marble staircase in the center of the building.  Much of the inner beauty was replaced with metal and glass.  I was grateful to see they left the staircase (above) and the arches and skylights (below).  Can you tell I love historic more than modern?

At one of historic homes on the hop route, Sweet Autumn Clematis furled around the fence.

Seed pods always fascinate me.

These ones delighted me with their little white fronds that look like feathers.  Too fun!
And then there is this adorable Airedale, Nona, who, I have found,

has become a thief!  And possibly a spy, as well.  She was sleeping on her bed while I auditioned.  I cut out a bunch of pieces for several parts of Bramble Blooms 1.  As I took each off to try another, I placed it on a chair in front of the board I'm using to hold the background fabric.  There must have been a dozen small pieces.  In front of the board, on top of the pieces, was a small stack of fabric so the small pieces were not visible.  I walked to the kitchen, a short 15 steps away.  When I came back a few minutes later, there was Nona in the doorway licking her lips.  And then I realized that the stack of fabric had been moved and all my sample pieces for auditioning were gone!  How did she know they were there and why, oh why, does she like to eat fabric?!  This is a habit that must be broken, and it would be a lot easier if she weren't so cute and I could catch her in the act!  In so many ways she's so very good....

And, of course, there was, and continues to be, Bramble Blooms.  I'm sorry Audrey's husband is ill yet thankful for the extra time to make decisions and stitch.  I hope he's improving and beginning to feel better.  I used to make quick decisions and usually regretted them.  Now I'm slow and careful with decisions, hence my gratitude for the delay.

This is my most recent iteration of BB1 and what I'm currently auditioning.  I tried a dozen colors/fabrics at the base of the flowers.  I'm still not sure which of these is better, or if some other color would still be better.  I didn't have a green that worked and I chose against gold thinking that it might be more cohesive to use a narrower range of colors--red to coral/pink--for the flowers since I'm keeping the little circles under the flowers.  It's interesting how different lighting changes what looks good/better/best.   

I chose the crock shape for the container.  The flower stems needed a wider opening than in my original ideas.  This crock is reminiscent of one we own which has an Albany Slip glaze.  It needs an embellishment.  My ideas went to the dog when she ate what I'd doodled on a piece of paper.  I tried several colors for the pot and liked this best, but only if it has an embellishment on it.  I'm still playing with that.  One shape, two shapes?  Blue and gold?  A brighter blue?  Light brown and ???  Or ?????

My last consideration is this.  Is this busy enough already or do the flowers need leaves?  Is that one long stem in the middle lonely?  Are the other stems lonely?  If leaves, what shape?  I think it would need to be one that doesn't overtake everything else.

I'm eager to begin stitching but won't until all the decisions have been made.  The last thing I want to do is unstitch!

As always, I'm grateful to read your thoughts on what you see and any changes you think might improve this center block.  Thanks so much for taking the time.

I'm linking this post to
>  Finished (or not) Friday at Alycia Quilts
>  Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation
>  Peacock Party at Wendy's Quilts and More
>  Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? at Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Thank you for hosting, ladies.  I appreciate it.

--Nancy.