At the Adventure in CT in April Cheryl A. brought this green block to show me.. It is from a tone-on-tone RR and was made by Cathy L. She wanted to know what I would do with this all green block... It would be a great exercise in using contrast without depending on color. After she showed it to me we weren't able to connect again to discuss it but I kept thinking about it.... That night at dinner Cathy K, Diane M and I began discussing green plants, animals, etc. to use as a focal point... and we thought of alligators, frogs, turtles, lizards and various bugs....I even suggested a John Deere tractor.
But if it were me doing a the block I immediately think of birds and a parrot or parakeets would be at the top of my list. Then I would begin finishing the seams in as many ways I could think of using stitches of vines and leaves wandering here and there on the block... starting to work on another contrast...texture! 
To further these steps I'd add the largest leaves using heavier threads, ribbons and textured threads and maybe even weaving some leaves attached only at the branch. As the final steps why not including a dragonfly with green organza wings and a jeweled body...and maybe a hide a lovely tree frog and even a salamander...So to sum it up only greens have been used but have added variety and interest with contrasts in dimension, size, and texture...
Solutions like this are like puzzles for me and force me to think outside my comfort area... my blog Olderrose is like a personal journal about my needlework and life on the farm and I thought wouldn't it be fun to have a blog where I can talk about other stitcher's blocks and solutions.... hence... Block Talk with Gerry.... Thanks to Cheryl who by the way found a fantastic solution to her block with a green man!!
