When I saw this chart, I didn’t think twice about purchasing it. First, I do try to always be thankful. I have so much to be thankful for and even at times . like when I’m going to do something and it doesn’t work out – like when Chad was planning to leave Saturday morning to go to Louisiana and they had to postpone the trip to the next day. They were all disappointed and I told them . . you never know what you might have missed by not going on Saturday – maybe an accident, maybe your car breaking down on a hilly, curvy road in the middle of nowhere. I try to be thankful even in a disappointing situation, because you just never know what might have happened if you had done what you had intended to do. It always reminds me of the Garth Brooks song – Thank God for Unanswered Prayer. I don’t believe there is unanswered prayer. I believe all prayers are answered but we may not always see the answer, especially when it isn’t the answer we wanted. Second, since “thankful” is my word for 2021, that also made me want this chart.
Whoa . . how did I get of on that?
Anyway, I started stitching Always Thankful my
In no way am I saying this is a bad design. It is beautiful and I do love it but once I started stitching it, I realized it’s just a bit cluttered for me. When I got it out to start, I was only looking at the verse but when I started to add that first row of “decorations” which, to me (sorry) . . it looks like PacMan. I thought maybe adding less of them would be ok but I just don’t like them.
I think if I had been more experienced, I would have examined the overall design and done some changing before I started stitching. I wish I had made it in lighter, more “girl” colors. I wish I had centered the words and maye used some hearts or flowers on the sides of the word.
I think those motifs on each side of “for” are overpowering. I’m thinking may stitch a heart or small flower instead of the squiggly things after the “Always”. Then at the bottom, leave off those larger motfs, stitch my initials on one side, the year on the other and stick a heart or small flower in there.
Now I wish I hadn’t stitched the argyle looking design but I’m not ripping all that out.
I’m counting it as a learning experience. This project will change the way I look at all designs before I start stitching.
Don’t ask me why I didn’t make the two final stitches on the argyle looking row before taking the photo. I’m going to do it now. I just stopped at that point to do the blog post. I’m not even frustrated because I’m excited to find a plan that will work and I will enjoy the challenge – especially since my space is defined due to the border already being stitched.
Sandra J Rea says
If you’d like more girly colors, you might add a rose tone in the blue diamonds and then add that color to words in the lower half of the chart
Judy Laquidara says
I will see if I can incorporate some other color in the top half in the geometric designs I add but I’m not going to introduce a color to the lower half that wasn’t used in the top half. I don’t think I’d like that.
Liz says
Have you gotten the books or pdfs of a variety of letter styles as well as borders and motifs? (I vaguely remember someone writing a book on quilt borders 😉 ). Once you get to a certain level of proficiency, you need to design your own sampler. After all, isn’t that what all those young girls did way back when?
Do you still like the fabric with this design and floss colors?
Judy Laquidara says
Yes, I have a couple of motifs/lines books and I have been thinking about my own chart design.
I love. I love fabric that isn’t solid and right now, the fabric is what keeps me going on this project.
Marcie says
WEATHER & THANKFULNESS – Judy, every time I see the national weather maps showing storms in the south/central area, I deliberately identify MO and see the distance you lived away from Chad, Nicole, and Addie. I am so happy for your being closer to those you love!
Judy Laquidara says
Thanks for thinking of me! It was way too far from central TX to SW MO.
Peg Dahlke says
That is a cute chart. Have you thought about stitching the designs but in a faded out color so they recede to the background?
Rebecca says
In your picture, the little motifs look like tiny maple leaves, but now I can hear the Pacman “wah-ah…” noise!
Elle says
I think the argyle will recede when more happens below it. I totally concur with leaving it be.
Thankful every day, for every day I get 🙂
Ruth says
add some Bees to the brown? for BEE Thankful?