Making changes and a giveaway...

Have you ever been in the middle of making a project or embroidering a design and thought to yourself, "I'm not really happy with this."

It has happened to me a few times, especially with my own designs.

I'll get about 30-50% of the way through my stitching and put it aside for a day or two, hoping to return with fresh enthusiasm to finish it later. Sometimes that works and all I need do is replace a thread colour and add another element or decorative stitch, but on other occasions no amount of time away from the design will endear me to it so I cut it into pieces and throw it in the bin. 

Pretty soon my creative juices free themselves and I get on with sketching and stitching something I'm much happier with.

A similar scenario played out at Elefantz HQ the other day.

 

At the moment my fingers are busy embroidering the seven days of the week for May's issue of The Stitchery Club. I showed you the first three blocks last week, but over the weekend my mind would not rest about an increasing dissatisfaction I had with the Tuesday design.

Ignoring my feelings I moved on to stitch the Thursday block which I really loved - the strawberries and pot of jam were inspired by afternoons spent making delicious berry jams for my family which they would spread on thick buttered slices of freshly baked bread. 

(Oh goodness, just writing that has made me hungry for a plate of jammy bread...might have to plan a session in the kitchen before the weekend!)

Deeply satisfied with Thursday, I threaded my needle to begin the Friday block.

BUT, I simply couldn't get past those feelings of disappointment with Tuesday, so you know what I did?

I went back to my sketch pad and re-drew the design.

It wasn't that the whole design bothered me as I still like it, especially the overall idea, but it just wasn't fitting in with the other six 'days of the week' designs.

 I needed to assess what I didn't like about it  in order to tweak the idea and restitch it, eventually coming to the conclusion that I needed to remove the sharp angular windowsill and soften the bird. 

OLD Tuesday block...

 

What I loved about the block was the wooden bucket, the flowers and the scroll at the base of the windowsill, so I kept them and changed the rest of the design for this softer, rounder display.

NEW Tuesday block...

See how one Tuesday is sharp and the other is soft and gentle?

I'm really happy with the new Tuesday! It's a 'me' design and one I'm delighted to put my name on. 

It took time away from my already tight stitching schedule, but in the end it was important that I follow through with the best of what I have to offer.

But tell me, which one do YOU prefer, and why?

Here's the first four blocks in "Days of the Week"...

Because I've already shown the original Tuesday as well as the new one, both versions will be inside May's issue of The Stitchery Club for members to follow their own preference. They can stitch the one they like best, the one that suits their style - after all, none of us are exactly the same.

Want to join the Club?

It's simple. All the information is here. 

You'll receive six (sometimes seven) new stitchery patterns delivered to you via email every month plus a free gift for joining!

GIVEAWAY:

I decided not to cut up the first Tuesday stitchery because I thought perhaps one of you might like to have it?

I'll post worldwide so just leave a comment below, one comment only, and I'll draw a winner on May 6th Australian time.

If you're anonymous or a 'no reply blogger' then I will not be able to contact you should your name be drawn, which will make you ineligible. 

To be eligible please leave your name and email in the comment.

I might even include a piece of Tilda fabric...yes, I think I will. 

 Good luck!

hugs