Have your past works benefitted from another visit?

[Barbara/Hopscotch]

The comments on 'Sealife'' one of the pieces I've just posted prompted me to think about how various work develops.

Early on when I was just starting to experiment, everything I did was 'spur of the moment', type of stuff, I felt as though if I didn't start it right away the impetus (and my ideas) would evaporate.  This piece was created  quite a while ago and at the time, I was proud of my little experiment- I thought it was finished.

  When I came across it last week I realised that I had learnt something significant that would add more dimension and feel to it - namely hand embroidery.

So out it came and I find that by handling it each day and perhaps just living with it, so to speak, different ideas present themselves. 

Have you ever found that some pieces you created in the past have been re-visited and benefited from further attention? 

[Janet M. Davies]

Yes, I quite often look at a design and think how I would now add or take away from it from the experience I now have or how my thought patterns have changed. Nothing wrong with it; just shows we are developing. :)

[Barbara/Hopscotch]

I agree with you, Janet, but the trouble is these days I am never satisfied with what I produce; I always seem to gain more pleasure and satisfaction by the act of creating rather than the finished piece!

Barbara

[Anneliese]

When I am - as it often happens - look at a piece lying about I think: May I really change something at this - is it not untrue to change what I made before. Must I not keep it like it is - because a year ago or so I saw it in this way. I developed maybe - but the old piece is showing what I did in the past....

[Barbara/Hopscotch]

I agree that it is good to keep a record of our different stages of developement, but as long as the piece stays balanced and the two stages compliment each other I think it adds more of a story to the finished work :)

Barbara

[Nicki Lee]

Absolutely.  Years ago I was an avid cross stitcher and have had a collection of completed pieces - not knowing what to do with them I just held on to them for "future use".  Well now that I'm addicted to Crazy QUilting I find myself bringing out the old pieces and incorprating them into new pieces... I laugh at myself becuase then I think "I'm so smart - I'm ahead of the game" LOL!

[Barbara/Hopscotch]

Nicki, what a wonderful way to merge past and present work by finding your cross stitch projects a new home!! 

 I find it impossible to throw away certain pieces they seem to tug at me, usually they're ones that have involved a lot of brain power or time!

Have fun! (I know I don't need to say this, though:)

Barbara