ladies-in-waiting...

  

...that's what I think of these pillowcases which are sitting nicely right by all my cotton yarn reserves... I found them all stashed and forgotten in a basket during my basement cleanup and decided to pile them up somewhere I can see them better. So, what are they all?...




I guess they may be called my "samples" or pillowcase styles that I have already replicated and sold or, in some cases, decided not to sell, at least not yet, for different reasons...

 

Some, I haven't replicated because I haven't been able to do so as I've simply ran out of the fabric or yarn needed to do so, often because I used it up making something else or a different pillowcase style; so these styles are as if "on hold" or my "ladies-in-waiting" as I try to figure out what to substitute the missing fabric or yarn with...

 

 

Others, however are ones that I'm simply not sure about the fabric, yarn, or trim motif combinations, and perhaps need to be tweaked a bit more, or simply discarded into the "what was I thinking?" category! I do find myself (quite often!) putting together certain combinations of patterns and colors, thinking that they are great at the moment, and then, when looking at them again down the road, thinking that they are, without any doubt, very "off".

 

 

In fact, over the years, I have found that my hormones and monthly cycle can definitely play a part in how I put together patterns and colors; because my moods have always been hugely affected by my cycle, I think there is a difference in how I view colors and patterns depending on where I'm at in my cycle, at times being more conservative in how I match these and, at times, definitely edgier... Do you see that in yourself as well?

Whatever the case, experience has taught me that trial and error is essential in my design process, so if something looks good one day even though I may feel like I'm pushing my personal "envelope", I go for it and try it out and, if it looks totally off the next time I look at it, that's fine because I know my brain has picked something up from this trial despite it being not quite right, something perhaps very subtle but which will undoubtedly help me in a future design exercise. I'm convinced of this because, as much as I love putting colors and patterns together these days, I remember being in my 20's and finding it very difficult to help my then-boyfriend now-husband match a tie to a shirt when he was shopping for some office clothes! So whenever I hear my children or other children, or even adults for that matter, saying things like "I'm not good with colors!", I quickly tell them that you'll amaze yourself at how good you may actually be once you start playing around with colors and patterns, as well as making a point of staying open to your surroundings and looking out for and noticing color and pattern combinations; whenever I see a combination that appeals to me nowadays, I often take a photo of it and store it away for the days when I'm in need of inspiration.

I do hope spring has hit your neck of the woods and, if it has, have you noticed how incredible, bright, and varied all the "greens" are at this time of the year?... I will be back soon, well, with probably more color and pattern... Thanks for the visit!

Comments

[leanne]

well put! i love them all btw...and i must also say that we have no green here yet! we're currently under a winter storm watch. school busses in many parts of ontario were cancelled today! april!

[Heather]

They are all so beautiful!! And, I have many "samples" of things I make, too! Have a lovely week! xo Heather

[Maggie]

What a lot! Such colour must cheer you up on a grey day. I used to find when I had a monthly cycle that I had no patience for faffing around, nothing ever pleased me or looked right, either with what I was wearing, baking, cooking, etc. I learnt never to try anything new at such times!

[Dagmar Leuenberger-Swift]

can wait to find a few in your shop...happy spring❤

[erica K]

Such beautiful stacks! I would love to see some examples of the 'what was I thinking' category. :) I'm very glad for spring, even though it's grey today...

[Taciana Simmons]

Beautiful !
I live color also and as you said nature is my biggest inspiration. I think God paints a perfect picture for us every day all around us ... :)

[Angela-Southern USA]

Such lovely ladies in waiting! And I totally agree about mistakes helping you grow in your art etc. Also the combining of colors, I think it's like most things, practice, practice, practice! I believe you have it down pat!! :)