Project QUILTING Season 11 - Challenge 11.4

Birds in the Air

This week's Project QUILTING challenge is the fourth for the season and the fourth that I've come up with a way to participate.  The challenge was released on Sunday afternoon.

By Monday afternoon, I had design concept down on paper:

Between Monday and Wednesday, I thought about how I might interpret my design.  I didn't do anything to further that goal.

Early Thursday evening, my version of 11.4 began to reveal itself.  I started with a few Bonus HSTs to make the central block:

The "frame" was accomplished by digging through several of my scrap baskets, which are sorted by color.

The tree was easy:

The sunset over Bluebird Lake proved to be a bit more...  challenging.  That photo above didn't match my drawing.  I removed the sun and cut those pieces apart to audition a larger sunset in the center...

... Then puzzled a couple together to try a smaller scale:

It was so much of a challenge that I called in my Design Consultant.  Thanks for working through the issue with me, B!!  This mock up was the result of that conversation, but... 

... I wasn't certain that was the look I was going for.  While I was at it, though, I asked for her opinion about the ripples and reflection on the water, too:

Before bed, my challenge piece was all but done.  Only three questions remained:

1. Grass or no grass
2. Sun ray solution
3. Binding or facing

I ran these items past my quilting friends on Ravelry.  Emaleena chimed in on a couple of the issues and Sfgwife piped up concerning the other.  I'm not sure which suggestions I will or won't follow, but I certainly appreciate the input.

On Saturday afternoon, DS1 and the Resident Art Student voted for matching each of the colors or else a plain white binding (definitely NOT my 1st choice.)  I had hoped to bring out the ORANGE from the center to the edging (in honor of February's Rainbow Scrap Challenge Color of the Month.)  Decisions, decisions:

Here is the completed piece, which could benefit from blocking:

With the first three challenges, I had a reason for participation in each of the challenges.  I suppose this is no different.  This one is for ME!!  I will enjoy having a new "artsy" quilt to add to my Gallery Wire.  Yes.  PQ 11.4 is a gift for myself.

Oh...

For those of you who might be wondering about the finished size of this piece, it measures 5" across x 7" tall.  I like working small.

And...

I finished it more than 18 hours in advance of the deadline.  :o))

Until next time...
Challenge your Quilting!!