Saturday, September 27, 2014

Creativity Roadblocks?? Making the right choices

I don't consider getting stuck on fabric choices a creativity roadblock really. (check out more articles HERE!)    It's just part of the process of design. It stimulates creativity. But...
I'm stuck. What about the top one?? Or the following combination?
I could do this one...

I like all the fabrics and they all match the pumpkin.

They would all make a  lovely piece of art. I know from experience that most viewers would then say it's the perfect fabric for that quilt!
They didn't agonize over the choices and after something is done, we usually can't imagine it any other way.


 For instance,  when you find out a different actor turned down a part in your fave movie, you can't imagine them in it now that it's done.
I pull out so many fabrics and try them in different combinations, different proportions, different positions.
There have been times I couldn't decide and the piece became a UFO.
What about the times when you want to finish and you can't choose the right fabric for a piece?
You can ask questions like, what mood do I want this work to have? How large do I want it? How will changing the proportions effect the whole? Is there a focal point (my pumpkin) and how do the choices impact it? Does this combination help it remain the focal point? Does the really cool confetti fabric on the top picture detract from the pumpkin itself?

Some piece are just learning tools, and happen to come out good enough to hang later. But some experiments like my pumpkin come out good enough to warrant all the decisions.

Tell me if you have trouble with these kinds of things and which combo you like better. I'm open for suggestions! LeeAnna

19 comments:

Turid said...

Something never get finished because I can't decide what colours to combine. But this one is easy, I think. The green, yellow and blue handpainted fabric is just beautiful. So picture number 2 and 3 are my favorites.

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

I agree sometimes we can get stuck. I was all for number one till I saw the last pic. They are so different but I love them both, now that was no help!

scraphappy said...

I've always been a big fan of orange and purple. Take a deep breath and choose!

Anonymous said...

The green, yellow, blue handpainted fabric cut into strips like fence posts (maybe 3 or 4?) and placed on the confetti fabric. Make a color copy on paper and experiment before you cut the fabric. I think it would give some relief from the busy-ness and help to ground the pumpkin. I don't like to see it floating out there in space. And yes, it is worth all this fuss to get it right (whatever right is for you!).

Muv said...

Hello LeeAnna,

Being a restrained, low-key type, my clear favourite is the last one. I like the realism of the ferns in the background.

Love, Muv

Deb A said...

Yes, I think we all have this problem sometimes. Go with what your heart is telling you. For me....I like the pumpkin against the purple in the third picture since I can picture that pumpkin at night in a pumpkin patch with Linus waiting for The Great Pumpkin! =)

bearbuster said...

I also like the last one the best, but I would think that would be the least likely one for you to choose. It doesn't fit your colorful personality, does it? I see it as realistic, but that's not necessarily artistic. Pat

Teresa in Music City said...

Of course I am a fellow color-lover, so I don't care much for #5. It is more realistic, but I don't get the sense that is what you are going for here. There's nothing to give it LIFE - it is a simple picture of a flat pumpkin in a patch. The #1 & #2 fabrics framing the pumpkin are too busy and compete for attention. #4 is okay, those purples are very fall-ish :) But #3 is perfect! The blue is a complementary color for the orange and makes it POP! All the fabrics surrounding the pumpkin read as solids, so they don't compete with it but rather enhance it. That deep purple has movement and interest without distraction, while the yellow/green gives it a glow to surround it. It's a nice piece - can't wait to see how you finish it!

LA Paylor said...

hey girl! Thanks for the great response. Wish we were closer...
And by the way thank you to all who respond and give opinions... you are all right where I've been in the last week comment wise. I've liked them all at one time or another. LeeAnna

Mystic Quilter said...

I love this pumpkin!! As for choosing the background, I love bright colours but do like your last photo with the pumpkin on the very soft background with the ferns.

Quiltdivajulie said...

Number 3 is my winner - but then I am a saturated color kind of girl! Great post and thanks for the links ....

Lisa said...

I often get stuck on choices and sometimes I have to leave the project- at least for awhile, but I have friends that I often will ask for advice.
as for your choices... I like the yellow to blue gradation without a background of leaves or blue fabric ...just my 2 cents. Then I might add some embellishment (?)

Debra said...

Leann, I go through this all the time. It is a process that sometimes takes as long as creating the main piece of the quilt. Personally I like the backgrounds that have purple since they are opposite on the colorwheel and make the pumpkin pop! 2 or 3 would be my preference.

Cathy said...

I never stress over quilting since it is my stress reliever after a hard day of work at a stressful job. And I never get bored because I have so many projects to work on and pick from at any time.

I like number 1. I think it brings the pumpkin forward and it looks like the pumpkin is in front of a gorgeous multicolored flower garden.

Sarah @ Berry Barn Designs said...

I don't stress about it unless I'm under a deadline, LeeAnna : P But as long as there's time, I know the right option will work itself out. As for your options, many of them are lovely. I really like it against the yellow/green/blue gradient, also against the multicolored leaves print in #2. That said, #1 looks so magical! Perhaps a bit too busy, but it would be neat to find something that has that fairy dust magic feel though maybe with one or two less colors to compete for the eye : ) The pumpkin itself is awesome, though!

Unknown said...

I love the top one! I like to keep it simple. I love the apple and the colors of background fabric. They match in my opinion. But I recognize your thoughts and trying to make it better. Good luck with your choices.
Love from Amsterdam

AlidaP said...

Honestly I don't think too much about my fabric choices... and sometimes I regret it later sometimes I am happy! as you said it' a learning experience! For your pumpkin I prefer the light background (last picture) or the blue/purple (the one before the last). It depends on the feel you want to give (calmer or brighter)... and since you are "not afraid of color" I may pick the brighter one ;)
Thanks for linking up at MOP Monday!!

Marly said...

Being somewhat conservative, at first I preferred the last photo: nothing distracts from the pumpkin. But then, looking again I enjoy the screaming contrast of number 3: the purple background pushes the pumpkin forward. This is an interesting dilemma you present here. I guess when making a quilt we can be governed by our own mood, or the taste of the recipient.

Sheila said...

It all looks great. Beautiful fabrics. Love your pumpkin!