Second Chance...or Love It Now Because It Will Not Grow On You

Happy summer dear blog readers!

I hope your summer (and for those on the other side of the equator, your winter) is happy and fulfilling.  My summer is flying by.  I'm extremely busy at work and at home.  In my studio, I am happily  auditioning fabrics and supplies for the Santa Maria: New World Rose block that I will be teaching in February 2014 at The Elly Sienkiewicz Applique Academy.  Click  HERE and scroll down to Class 405 to read a class description. 
 
In the Fine Arts world, artist frequently work in series.  As series is usually when an artist creates several pieces that explore the same theme.  Some artist work in a series for a few pieces and some work in a series their entire career.  Sometimes,  the work that comes out of a series is referred to as a "Period".  A famous example is Picasso's Blue Period.  One of my favorite artist and his series is Wayne Thiebaud Cakes and Pies.  When my medium was oil and watercolor, I too used to work in series.  In fabric, not so much.  I'm not sure why.  Which leads me to the title of this blog, Second Chance.  I am stitching another Santa Maria block in preparation for the upcoming class.  I don't think I have ever stitched a second of anything on purpose.  I am so happy that I am.  On the second block I have the opportunity to fix all the little design flaws that I was only able to pick up on after the original block was completely stitched.  And of course drive me crazy every time I look at it!  Arrgh!  So the class block will not be EXACTLY the same - because it will be BETTER!  At least in my humble opinion.
 


So much happier with the flower wreath!!!

For the second block, I'm taking photos at every step to include in the class pattern instructions.  Below is a sneak peak.  The photo captions are some of my favorite tips!  Enjoy!


Select a background fabric you LOVE.  You will be staring at it for as long as you work on your project. If you don't love it before you start, I guarantee you won't grow on you later.  It will instead become an excuse to dump the project into the UFO pile.

 
 

Layout all the fabrics you select for a project in some type of order.  Take a photo of it with a digital camera or even your phone.  Take a critical look at it.  Is the combination pleasing to the eye or does anything stand out?  Or look like it does not belong?  Play and enjoy the process.  The only person you have to please is yourself.  If  you love the selections and combination then you will love the outcome!  Again, and sadly, if you don't love it now you will not love it any better later!.

Until next time...
 
Best stitches!
Mercy in hot, humid, sunny Miami