Keep calm and carry on: that's my best advice when faced with a stitching conundrum. For instance, I am stitching this Black-Eyed Susan to be appliqued onto a Queen Bea Studio purse. I thought it would look really sharp and be perfect for summer. So I thought about what to do with the background...I wanted some punch! I started with a rainbow of colors for the stripes (see bottom)...thought it looked chaotic and jumpy...moved to classic black and white stripes. I like it...it will go with all my cute summer outfits. I'm also still considering the yellow stitch: basket weave or diagonal mosaic.
Always evaluate your stitching...do NOT finish the whole thing and then realize a stitch or a color doesn't work. Keep calm and ASSESS, then carry on.
PS Don't tell my 9th grade geometry teacher, Mrs. Bynoe, about that pathetic circle I drew. She could draw a perfect circle free-hand. Impressive.
Lastly, I love the Keep Calm and Carry On expression...check out these canvases from Unique NZ Designs that riff on wonderful British humour (English spelling in honor of Will & Kate).
Happy stitching!
Susan
