Originally Posted by omak

You quilters are doing a wonderful job.
Your use of color way, texture, all of it, just WONDERFUL.
I cannot use enough words, or try often enough to encourage you to not be so hard on yourselves!
I am not participating in this exchange, but I check in from time to time JUST to see your beautiful work.
ANd, maybe I should have been a cheerleader.
Because you are so close to your work, you know EVERY time your hand wobbled and every stitch that zigged a bit. You KNOW where every 1/4 inch seam is more or less ... but, the blocks are SOLID. They will stand up to the test of time.
One of the quilters pondered about just trying something else. When I was teaching at the factory, I KNEW that the first one was always hardest ... if I made people start over every time they made a mistake, they soon became discouraged.
My advise is: Since you know what you did wrong on the first one, you will automatically correct on the next one. You may even find that as you progress through the required twelve, that you are inspired to tweak a technique or figure a better way of cutting or piecing or even find a new way to express the same block.
I guarantee! Each effort will reward you with GOOD, BETTER, BEST if you will just keep pressing forward.
You are constantly learning, even though you think that the same piece, same color, same position couldn't possibly inspire you to learn more. You will always learn - - as long as you keep trying.
Your swap is a marvelous display of comraderie and talent. Keep up the good work. I am enjoying seeing, and I know I am not the only one watching from the sidelines.
I know that I am learning a lot just seeing how you place and use your colors. The black and white swap was a GREAT idea! BUt you knew that already, didn't you!?! LOL