Lemons

Lemons. We all make them, I think. And, then if you're like me, you try to save them. Turn them into something sweet.

I have added a *lemon* label for my blog. I could do a *lemon of the month.*

It all started with such promise. I fell in love with this skyline idea. I believed it would make a lovely layered art piece with the skyline as the base.

In fact I loved the skyline above the skyline. So I appliqued it down. And I used a bleach pen to create subtle little windows in the buildings.

Then things changed. I began to see the problems but I continued. After all, I was still a little in love. And painting is quite exhilarating. Oh, that shiny, shiny gold and that silver! I wanted more, more, more.

The quilting was terrific fun and the quilterly effects were vaguely pleasing. Also nearly invisible.

Eventually I admitted that something was off.

interesting in a dark way

I liked the back better than the front.

calmer, lighter

I photographed it and printed lots of pictures to cut and re-arrange. I added a large old-fashioned Texas wind mill. And removed it. I put it aside.

• I drew in my sketchbook.
• I made a jacket from a pattern that I love.
• I made and ate brownies.

I began to chop on it. Now I have...

• a purse with a covered snap

  

• a new glasses case
• a case for my rotary cutter
• a case for my shears
• a phone case to wear around my neck *

• and finally a piece I like:

33 x 23 quilts on a quilt

I learned some things about my preferences for color, balance, simplicity and composition. And though learning is fun, here's hoping I can stay away from lemons, at least for a little while.