I've been trying something new with my small art quilts.  Here's the project of the last few days, step by step.

The scene is a shot from our travels - headed back toward California from Colorado in early May.

The first steps of painting

I love when the colors begin to bring life to the picture.

Now the painting and the quilting are complete...I try to use quilting freemotion designs that will enhance the painting.

Square it up ...I cut it about 1/2" less than the measurement of the canvas.  Then the experiment...I painted the edges of the canvas in a similar fashion as the quilt. 

then I put the binding on the quilt as usual.

When it was complete I attached the finished quilt to the painted canvas so that it could be hung like a picture on the wall.

So what do you think? worth the effort or not?