Originally Posted by
rainsprite
Love the stream of consciousness that we all internalize. I do think you are right but must ask is that a brown? background or paper?? Remember, you asked and I think you are SO RIGHT! You are quilting something to commemorate a marriage. My thoughts are that the baskets are too tight and stiff, fill them with flowers, trailing vines on all sides of the heart, loosen the design. Make things lush as you are thinking of their lives together, ups and downs and ins and outs. Your work is flawless - but right now it probably reminds you as it does me of a headstone. Please forgive me if you are unhappy with my comments but I really think that is what you have thought all along about what is missing so it is driving you crazy.
You can tell me to shut up but I so want this to be the gift imbued with the love and thought and meaning you wish with the stitches saying all these things for you. I really hope this helps NOT hurts. Thank you.
The brown is a sheet that was sent along with all her husbands shirts. It does look like a brown paper bag now that you mention it and OMG his headstone is a double heart! That will just tickle her pink! I like your input and advice, it in no way offends. However I'm not sure that this quilt calls for lushness, I say that by knowing the receiver. She and her husband were simpletons, no frills kinda people. But it could be why I'm fighting with the design, I'm trying to keep it simple but what I really want is the lush. Connie's home is more folk art style, country, primitive, lots of mish mash no real style. Keeping it simple, but something she and her children will cherish and consider a treasure.