This has taken forever to post. Blogger just didn’t want to upload photos this morning for me at all!
The stems and branches are appliqued on. The orchids are, I think, perhaps too large and overpowering for the stems. I have to make a decision and would love some opinions on this.
The first option are the orchids. These aren’t attached yet, just placed on for the sake of photographing them. Because of the stems, there has to be a flower everywhere I’ve got one of these orchids.

The second option? Yo-yo flowers in two sizes. I don’t have many made, so just used these to give the idea. I’m thinking I could use some beads or a button in the centre of each yo-yo flower to finish them.
The third option is this — another folded fabric flower, but much smaller than the orchids. I would make them in a variety of batiks so not all the flowers would be the same colour as they appear to be here.
This is a close-up of the flower in the third choice.

I’m really torn about which way to go with this so any and all opinions are welcome!
Yet another picture of Lester in his favourite summer spot — sitting in the window.

How would it look if you mixed the two flowers? Or would that be strange because they wouldn’t really grow like that…They are both very cool looking!I LOVE your cat!! He’s got fur like a lion!!! : )ps. In case you wondered how I found your blog… I was bored and clicking next blog… your flowers caught my eye… and when I saw Lester, I knew I had to comment!
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I like the 3rd option. Yoyos are too overused 🙂
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I like the second or third option. Yo yos are a bit over used, as Margaret said, but I kinda like them! Just one quilter’s opinion!
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My friend grows orchids and very often, quite often, the branches are heavy with just what I see here. This piece is very alive for me, very real. I think the other options are great and you can’t go wrong – the third option would be my choice. But again, since you asked, you’ve brought something to LIFE here with these orchids so no matter what you decide to do with them they’re fantastic.Yep, the more I look, the more I love it. *karendianne. (and I like that spot Lester has!)Living Life at LeeHaven
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Morning Lester…..Cathi I like your orchids…I think they have character…what is at the base of your stems?…is it possible to extend the stems at all, just a little…it is like some of us if we could add three inches to our height our weight would be more proportioned…or even just move the bottom four as they are in a line….the other two flowers are nice but these have that “jump out..look at me”…look, which I like, but that is just my humble opinion….I am sure whatever you decide will be as always just stunning…
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Since you have such a good time folding the flowers, I definitley think you need to go with those and not the yo-yos. That last one will look really pretty with all different colors. That’s my vote! 🙂
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I like the orchids best. But you know, I think you need some leaves. I don’t know what orchid leaves look like, but maybe you could add some leaves and then not need quite as many flowers.
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I like option 1. I like the orchids. Very cute and clever.
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I like the third option best, but the orchids are very pretty, too. I agree they need some leaves. Lester is so adorable. He could be in movies.
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http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2906274740100614588NIFcJkOne of my orchids heavy with flowers. I think the first option is best, but maybe have just the one colour on each stem rather than a mix. Love and hugs Gina xxx
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Your lovely cat has a very Leonine look! I slso rather like smudge, who is very unusual.I have really enjoyed my visit to your blog, & love your flowers!
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Love the orchids. Is there an option of doing a few closed orchids to mix in with the open ones so they don’t look so full??Fran
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My first choice is the same as Gina’s. My second choice is number 3. In my opinion, folded flowers are superior to yo-yos, even though I made a yo-yo quilt several years ago (over 3,000 yo-yos).
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The orchids are beautiful but I like the folded flowers best because they are so unusual. I’ve been reading your blog for some time but this is my first comment. Your work is lovely and I enjoyed Daphne’s adventures!
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Hi Cathi,Your orchids are beautiful. I agree with Gina that isolating the color families more on each of the stems may be the best way to go. My second choice would be option 3. Jillian from North Dakota
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I like the yo-yos, but that is just me!
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I vote for a mixture . . . like a mixed bouquet *s*
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Is the Four Season quilt a swap or will it be yours? I like all three examples but like some of the others I would have the same color flowers on each stem. Orchids have a rather delicate stem if I remember right so it doesn’t look overloaded. I think some buds and some full flowers would be good too.
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Hi Cathi,How about mixing the yoyos and the folded flowers (#3 option)? I tend to agree with about the orchids…you think you might just applique the orchids in the border of the quilt by themselves?
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All of them would be wonderful …. but I’m drawn to the orchids.
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I like the yo-yo flowers, but that is probably because I like more old-fashioned everything. They are all very nice. I would most likely use a different color for each stem. Various shades? Well, thats my 2 cents worth. When you have the time, please visit my blog. I have given you an award.
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Cathi, you know me, I want so much to say yo-yo’s but I shall refrain. Actually, I do love the orchids because they aren’t something you see on quilts all too often. And most of all, because they’re so darn purdy!I gotta say that Lester looks just like a little lion in that picture. Cute!Aloha!
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