Over the weekend I finished quilting my Missing U quilt. I got all spun up and perfectionistic about my quilting. I had to step back and remind myself that
it is hand made and
it's not going to be perfect. After I looked at the big picture-not each individual stitch-I calmed down a little bit. (Sheesh, I can be a little hard on myself!) Anyway...just the binding to go on this one. I'm so excited to be wrapping up this long time WIP!
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About Photoshop and removing backgrounds. I found
this tutorial very helpful. I originally took the photo on a piece of black card stock. A high contrast background helped a lot when it came to using the magic wand selection tool. It was much faster when I used a white background.
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I've been learning (little by little) about Illustrator, In Design and Photoshop. Whenever I get stuck I google, dig through the links, read, try it, learn a little tidbit, then repeat. It's awfully slow going, but it's so fun to learn new things! I am certainly no expert, but I hope that helps! Good luck!
Happy Monday to you!
I know exactly what you mean. I've learned to walk away and come back the next day to take a look. Nearly every time next morning when I go back to look at what I've done I can't see any of the 'problems' I saw the night before. That's especially true after a session of quilting. I think the eye gets so used to focusing close it can't refocus to see the big picture. Or it could be that the 'mistakes' are all so fresh in my mind I can't just let them go until I have stepped away for awhile.
ReplyDeleteI just love the colors of your missung u quilt
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see the Missing U quilt all spread out! I have serious rainbow on my brain. I was just looking at self striping rainbow sock yarn. I'm smitten with a cheery project.
ReplyDeleteI think I am going to have to check out photoshop. I've been having a horrible time with Picasa, as they have changed everything now! I used to be able to edit so easily, but now it is so complicated :-(
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very inspiring. Thanks for all your "sharings." I actually used the scraps from one quilt to make a charm quilt. It was so fun, I want to make more. Could you tell me about string quilts?
ReplyDeleteHow big are the strings? I'm wanting to start some scrap baskets for charms and strings, what do think are the best sizes for both of those?
Thanks to you and all your Linky friends for your inspirations.
Robin
Thanks for sharing the link! Happy Monday to you, too!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on another lovely finish! You are sew right. When we have our nose a few inches from the project at hand, we can be sew critical of our own work. And after the quilt is finished and spread out on the bed... We admire. What mistake? Have a great week, Amanda Jean!
ReplyDeleteAmanda Jean I can hardly keep up with you! I love your 'Missing U' quilt - the colours are so juicy! I must say, it looks perfect to me!! What a fantastic finish. This week I was just aiming to finish all the laundry - the pile was unusually large this week!
ReplyDeleteI love you new quilt even if I haven´t seen it
ReplyDeleteunfolded :-).
I envy you all the photo tricks you can do. I have a Mac and we don´t have Photo Shop and I don´t think I will get it. It will cost me about $ 2.000!
Regards
Gorgeous quilt...love the colour. Thank you for the tips on photo shop. Have a great day......Marie
ReplyDeleteYour quilts are inspiring! I want to make them too! :) In reality I know it would take me a L-O-N-G time to do it, so I appreciate being able to see your progress and the quilts that you share. Thanks!
ReplyDeletegreat quilt your photo shop play was way over my head but it looks good!
ReplyDeleteI love the blank background, it shows off the project so much better. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove your quilt in the bright happy colors. I just bought a bundle of fat eighths to do one with the same overall effect.
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog for only a month, but I've learned so much even though I've been quilting since the 80's.
I especially like your practice of learn first, teach later.
Yay for imperfection in machine quilting, especially when you quilt it yourself. I am a big advocate for finishing your own work and avoiding the "made by computer" look when it comes to quilting. So 3 cheers for you!
ReplyDeleteI frequently have to remind myself of the 3 foot rule.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful quilt! It's funny how we are all so critical of our own work.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt as expected!!! Thanks for the tutorial link. That's been on my list of items to learn so I will definitely check it out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip about using a black background - I've been experimenting with it on a white background and wasn't pleased with the results. And I love that quilt!!
ReplyDeleteTrusting to make the right decisions can be tough. It takes years to build confidence. Its not the sort of thing that simply just happens. Plumber Warner
ReplyDeleteOur own standards for ourselves can be much worse than anyone else's ever would be. That quilt is beautiful! I'm a graphic designer and use InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop daily. I have found the Adobe Classroom in a Book books very useful. They go through various functions in tutorial after tutorial, which works for me. That's how I learned InDesign since that didn't exist when I was in college. (Man do I feel old!) Just thought I'd pass that along!
ReplyDeleteOh man! I have tried the wand tool a ton and always get funky streaks into the project! Using a solid background is a great tip!!! Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's how I've learned to use all those programs as well. It's slow going sometimes. I don't know why I've never thought about the obvious. High contrast totally makes sense now that you mention it! :P
ReplyDelete