I don't know about you, but I often consult the color wheel (or a version thereof) when I'm stumped with where to go next with a project. Oftentimes I haul it out when I want to know what fabric to use to border one of my landscapes and this time is no exception. My favourite is the 'Ultimate 3-in-1 Color Tool' by Joen Wolfrom. (published by C&T Publishing, ISBN 978-1-60705-235-7) and from it I learned (quite surprisingly!) that orange would be a great color to put against the blue sky in my landscape. Orange?? Really??? I would never have come up with that idea on my own!! So...a perusal of my stash of orange-ish fabrics turned up one what looked pretty good for creating a narrow inner border. That worked. And then.....then.....I did this.....
.....and thought adding a navy blue (and somewhat shiny) wider border would be perfect.
Not.
Don't like it.
It's too safe....too predictable.
(Resident Chef doesn't like it either)
So I have hauled out the stitcher's best friend
(better known as a ripper!) and we'll
see what happens next.
Good morning! I have to agree with you about that border and the good old ripper is good to have. Sometimes you just have to go with your instinct. One of the links you provided above is about the simplest things are often the best. This works!! The overall landscape looks great.
ReplyDeleteInstinct? I guess that's the way I operate (altho' some would say that the seat of my pants is involved too!). It's done now, for better or worse, and will see what people think of it when I post again on Wednesday.
DeleteYou might consider reversing the borders, so the orange is the outer one. If you have a less intensely orange, that would be good, midrange like the blue. I agree that shiny isn't a good fit though. It's a lovely piece, worth the extra thought.
ReplyDeleteInteresting thought - I never considered making the orange the outside. I'm not a huge fan of orange so it's never something I use much of. As for the shade of orange - when I consulted my trusty color wheel tool, this is one of the shades that apparently works well with the blue-ish tones of the sky. I put a softer lighter version of orange with it and it just looked blah. To my untrained eye, that is!
DeleteI like the orange really pops out the landscape! I love your sky!
ReplyDeleteI like the orange too, even though I was really skeptical at first.
DeleteYour landscape is lovely and I really like your embroidery work on the foreground grass. I do agree the borders are not quite right. I like Boud’s suggestion of a softer orange being the larger outer border. Shiny just takes over the softness and historic value of the building...IMHO. I must be watering my weeds some days. Good Luck at your exhibit dear.
ReplyDeleteI thought the navy blue outer border would work, but didn't have anything in my stash other than that one - nope. I have no problem figuring out what doesn't work, but not always successful at what does!! Will post what I did tomorrow and hopefully it's an improvement!?
DeleteThat orange trim (and I see you've added flowers and clouds) really does seem to lift the whole thing. I'm curious how a darkish taupe (something similar, but not necessarily the same as the roof material) would look next to the orange. My color theory knowledge is very modest, and I'm not the most intuitive with color, but I sure do find it fun to practice on other people's projects. lol
ReplyDeleteI love the practice on my projects - and taupe would have been a great idea too. Too late now though....I've finished it (for better or for worse!).
DeleteOh my goodness... I read the other projects. I wouldn't have offered any thoughts if I'd realized you'd already finished it. Looking forward to seeing what you did. I know it's going to be great. You do have good instincts, Mary Anne. And obviously a good eye for what works as you paint with fabric and thread. :)
ReplyDeleteHey - no worries! I'm happy to have suggestions and if I don't end up using it for this project, no doubt I will in something else down the road. You've given me an idea re the taupe - and I might use something barn-board-ish next time. Hmmm....pondering.....
DeleteOrange sure is the pop! Love, love those paper macha figures. Wild!
ReplyDeleteI like the orange too - the navy, not so much! Those paper figures made me smile so couldn't resist sharing.
DeleteHi Mary Ann, the old one step forward and one back, yes, part of the creating process.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have a helpful color tool.
The tip for help in reading a repeating knit pattern is brilliant!
Her blog looks fun too, thanks.
With me it's more often one step ahead and two - or more! - back. I use that color guide a lot and am often amazed at the suggestions it comes up with that I would never have thought of on my own.
DeleteI haven't read the post with your finished project shown Mary Anne but, I have to agree that I love the orange (hope that stayed!) but I'm not keen on the other border (can't wait to see what you did!) I'm off to read the next instalment now!! Hope you are having a great weekend!! Hugs Christine xx
ReplyDeleteI wasn't keen on that blue border either - it seemed like a good idea at the time, but didn't end up being 'the one'.
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