Friday, September 26, 2014

Starting Over

Sometimes...no, almost always...I drive myself crazy.  I'm the kind of gal who very happily skips two steps forward and then before I know it and much to my chagrin, I'm taking ten steps backwards.

 Why?

 Because I'm a perfectionist and I can't be entirely happy unless things are the way I think they ought to be.

 Remember the new project I just started working on that I spoke about in my last post by Australian designer Leanne Beasley?  Well, I had just about finished stitching the first block I was working on when Marlene, a gal who reads my blog, sent me a link to her version of the same quilt that she had made back in 2012. Marlene doesn't have a blog so she sent me the link to Judi Madsen's blog at Green Fairy Quilts.

 If you want to be blown away, just click HERE.
Did you have a look?  Well now you know why I had to regroup, put my first attempt aside and start all over again...not because I don't love Leanne's design because I do...otherwise I wouldn't be taking the time to make it.

 But...  

 there was just something about the layout and the flowers in the original design that just didn't sit right with me. As an artist, I don't mind a bit of whimsy but I also like a touch of realism. 

 The night that Marlene sent me the link to her Down in the Garden quilt, all I did was dream about it.  When I woke up, I knew that I had to make some changes to the original line drawing until I was satisfied with it.  

 Here's what I came up with.  

 So it's gone from this...

to this...

I am sooooo much happier with this layout. 

Because I'm not a match-y kinda gal, I changed the symmetry of Leanne's original line drawing to an asymmetrical version and added different flowers, leaves and some honey bees!  I left the wording that she used in tact because those sentiments reflect how I too feel when I'm in our garden.

 So what does this mean?  I now have to redraw virtually all of the remaining nine blocks so that they harmonize with my altered one.  I'm looking forward to working on them one at a time, when I need a break from stitching. 

 Because the nights are getting cool now, Mr. Painted Quilt started the stove in the kitchen this morning.  I'll leave you with this photo of Frankie and Ollie having their first "by-the-stove" cuddle of the season.

Happy stitching!

on

21 comments:

  1. BevSeptember 26, 2014 at 4:33 PM

    I LOVE your quilt! And, I'm so happy to see the Ollie and the kitty! I really have missed them! You are so talented!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Donna KeatingSeptember 26, 2014 at 5:15 PM

    It will be interesting to see the results of your tweaking the pattern. Your sweet animals are quite a pair. I love seeing them together.

    ReplyDelete
  3. SusannahSeptember 26, 2014 at 5:39 PM

    I like your new version, too!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Pam in ILSeptember 26, 2014 at 5:39 PM

    Can't wait to see all of your changes! Love seeing Ollie and Frankie enjoying the warmth from the stove. We've needed our stove too, but my hubby says it's too early to start using it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anita : Shabby QuiltSeptember 26, 2014 at 6:02 PM

    I love your new version. looks great.

    ReplyDelete
  6. TerrySeptember 26, 2014 at 6:23 PM

    I love the new layout for your stitchery! It's going to be fabulous! :0)

    ReplyDelete
  7. marinaSeptember 26, 2014 at 7:00 PM

    Marlene's quilt is amazing and I love the changes you have made.
    Your new centre is gorgeous.
    Hope you will finish the old centre it is still beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  8. LesleySeptember 26, 2014 at 8:00 PM

    I love the changes you have made...the flowers and the little bees look great, especially the way you have framed the piece. Have fun stitching!

    ReplyDelete
  9. eSeptember 26, 2014 at 9:04 PM

    Kaaren, I love your version of the first block. I have been trying to find this pattern for awhile now with no luck.Can you tell me where you got it?

    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Janet O.September 27, 2014 at 12:14 AM

    Aren't those boys cute cuddling by the warmth? : )
    You've made lovely revisions to the block, Kaaren!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Angie in SoCalSeptember 27, 2014 at 12:51 AM

    Marlene's quilt is stunning. Your version is going to be equally so - love your version, too.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousSeptember 27, 2014 at 5:23 AM

    I love your new take omn the design. I did Butterfly Garden (also Leanne Beasley) a couple of years ago and didn't have the guts (or knowledge?) to change anything. But it was the very first quilt I did in pastel, whimsical colors so I was pleased with the outcome :9

    ReplyDelete
  13. Saskia SmitSeptember 27, 2014 at 5:43 AM

    An dthat's just why I love your designs. Original, plane en not too much.
    Just my taste. Thanks for the pictures

    ReplyDelete
  14. Susie HSeptember 27, 2014 at 9:10 AM

    Way to go! I loved Marlene's quilt and I love how it made you take a different direction. It's like you said ... the original pattern was beautiful but I too like to make a pattern my own. Loved the addition of the bees. After all, what is a garden without bees (and butterflies)!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Denise in PASeptember 27, 2014 at 9:25 AM

    I love your take on the pattern! Good to see a Frankie & Ollie photo again!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. MonicaSeptember 27, 2014 at 11:00 AM

    The new version is beautiful, Kaaren! It feels wonderfully lush. I see you got rid of all those round flowers with the dots in the middle, which are everywhere on the quilt. So yes, I see you will have to redraw quite a bit!

    It will be fun to see how many different versions can be made of the same design. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. HeartsdesireSeptember 27, 2014 at 1:00 PM

    That pair are so funny together, and their coats are so shiny.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Jenny of ElefantzSeptember 27, 2014 at 5:10 PM

    You are making it 'your own', Kaaren, and as a designer that excites me! A stamp of one's own essence in a project is delightful and inspiring! I'm sure Leanne would love it too. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Concha de AromadetelaSeptember 28, 2014 at 5:09 AM

    No entiendo muy bien, pero el panel que nos presentas es precioso y el blog que nos recomiendas ahora mismo me voy a conocerlo porque vaya trabajos que he visto. Un beso muy fuerte y hasta pronto.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Margs Primitive QuiltsSeptember 28, 2014 at 10:46 AM

    I LoVe how you changed the block . It will be gorgeous!
    A couple of cute cuddlers you have. They look like they are interested too!
    Hugs Marg.

    ReplyDelete
  21. JeannaSeptember 29, 2014 at 10:02 PM

    I love the bees you added to the block. That is going to be an amazing quilt!

    Love the pics of Frankie and Ollie...more to come, I hope.

    ReplyDelete

I try to reply to all comments and would love to reply to yours, especially if you have a question. However, I can't unless you have your email address visible in your settings.