My son said we have "wild colors" on our walls. He's right. I need color in my life - it helps keep me cheerful. Downstairs we have a chili pepper red entryway, a yellow kitchen and a light green hallway. Our living room is light gray, however my daughter pointed out that the fireplace surround is also curry red. We need to paint upstairs and I'm trying to keep the color-choosing somewhat under control...

Yesterday, we were able to meet up at my mother's home with a few close relatives. Just a few, and we were mostly outside - in fact, we were there to help do some outside projects for Grandma. We saw two of our children in-person (and not on Zoom!). Also, two nephews and my sister. It was fun and lovely and we got a lot done in a short time and it was so great to have warm weather so we could be together outside. Finally.

My mom has been busy painting - she's really showing me up! Her home has been quite neutral for many years. This time, she chose some "water" colors, since she lives on a lake, so she has some blue and green walls. I admit, I was so used to the neutral warm tan walls, it took a few minutes to take it in with new eyes. The colors really work, and make people smile.

Mom is almost finished painting her living room area. She went from the warm tan to a rosy tan/coffee color, and it changes everything. Her woodwork was lovely before, but now it glows. She has large windows, and now you want to look out the windows and see the trees, whereas the old color kept you inside and focused on the room. What a difference a color can make.

Now, we need to choose paint colors for our upstairs. Yes, we "should" choose neutral colors so it will help when we're ready to sell. However, I have to live here. So, we'll see...

I think you can guess what this has to do with quilting. First, what color do you paint your walls to show off your quilts, whether bed quilts, sofa quilts, or wall quilts? What are your neutrals? Do you have an accent wall?

What do you choose for background fabrics? Do you ever choose gray or light yellow or soft pink or blue for backgrounds? What about soft gray-greens, yellow-greens, or sage-greens?

If beige, tan and white are your go-to background colors, I challenge you to try something different. Try black, or navy if you want to go dark. Maybe your challenge is to use a patterned fabric as a background instead of a solid or a tone-on-tone. Make this challenge your own, but I encourage you to try something new and different - something out of your “norm” and your comfort zone.

Maybe you need some new eyes to see, too.

Maybe you're not a chili pepper red background kind of quilter, but maybe you can use it to accent a gentler palette. There are many ways to spice up a quilt, without it becoming "wild". Sometimes, though, wild keeps you sane.

Make #Nomorequiltclones.

Background challenge: images of quilts submitted that use a “different” background

Some helpful resources from elsewhere on the Dynamic Quilting website:

How to make your quilt your own

JOIN MY EMAIL LIST to hear more about color and fabric and notice of future blogs. As a gift, you will receive my wall hanging pattern. It works well for trying out a color palette or showcasing a particular fabric. Practice making your quilts your own with this pattern!

The Dynamic Quilting Color and Fabric Plan - Make use of the Plan by starting with your overal goal for the quilt, find an inspiration fabric, and then use the Plan to aid you in choosing the rest of your fabrics.