Mini wall hanging

Its funny how you always find the right things when you're not looking.  I was walking Bonnie a few weeks ago and found this chunk of wood in some mulch around a tree she was sniffing at, and instantly liked it. 

I'd been getting frustrated how I could finish off my experimental drawn thread piece and then like magic, I found the wood and knew it would work perfectly for me. 

I have to say I'm glad this piece is finished, because it was really fiddly to weave the ends of the threads into the fabric, right, left and upwards, but despite that, it's turned out to be one of my favourites. 

 I can put the magnifying glass away now and give my eyes a rest. 

When you know it just isn't working

I've been plugging away at this experimental needleweaving for a couple of months now, continuously adding things to it and hoping it will morph into something appealing and attractive, until two days ago when I finally accepted that it just wasn't working.

It looks like I've plonked lots of different techniques on there, which in fact, I have, and no matter  how hard I hope it will look arty and nice, it just won't!!  I usually hate giving up on something, but this time I know I'm beaten, so last night I doodled a design and have started something else.

The new design will be quite basic, which is usually the best way, and in a simple colour scheme.  Its growing quickly too, so I'm hoping I might be able to finish it in a week, and make up a bit of lost time.  There are times when you try and design something, knowing all along that you're not in the right frame of mind, and it comes back to bite you later, so I've come to realise its better to just wait until the inspiration and ideas are flowing and not force a design that will never be anything other than an ugly duckling.