Hi Jill -
It looks like these are applique quilts with improvisationally pieced backgrounds. It's funny because these techniques fall under the "modern" movement, but they are very old techniques. I would start by looking for "improvisational piecing" to get the background started. There have been several TQS shows about improvisational piecing, but I'm at work right now so don't have the time to figure out which ones they are. Then, once the background is pieced, start looking at "applique" techniques for deciding how you might want to add the appliques.
Hope that helps!
Nancy
PS - To load a picture, I think you need to be using the full editor. If you clicked "quick reply" then I think there is a button to bring up this editor. I always use the "reply" button that is further down on the left side of the page. Once you get in the full editor, click on the "upload attachment" tab and that will let you upload the picture. Once the picture is uploaded, you will have a place with an option to insert the picture in your post.
