Simplexity

I was getting my hair cut the other day and while I was waiting for the color to set in, I noticed a box with this awesome word on it.....

SIMPLEXITY.

Now, I don't know what was in the box or where it came from, but that word really struck a chord with me.

It so describes me. 

Because try as I might to keep things simple, I just can't do it.  I mean, I love designs that are just... well, simple.  But when I try to design like this, I simply can't leave well enough alone to keep it simple.  Add an extra triangle here.  Put a little applique there.  And, oh, I should add some stitching to make it fun..... Before I know it, I've made my simple design into something very complex. 

I'm struggling with this right now as I design a new fabric line.  So many of my ideas started out as something very plain and simple.  But could I do it?!  NO!  I look at them and think...

Hmmmm.... if I add a little shading along the edge, it would be so much better. 

And you know, that solid color background isn't too exciting.  Maybe I'll paint a little texture in there.  

Oh, that's better.  Now, those nice straight lines are just too, well, straight.  Need to rough them up a bit.  Make them jagged, crooked, spotty. 

So, I admit that I do all of my fabric designs on the computer.  But, I try hard to make them look like they are all done by hand, which just adds to my quirkiness, I'm sure.  I used to paint many of them with paint and a paintbrush instead of a graphic tablet and a pen, and even though it takes me much longer to "finish" something on the computer, it also makes it easy to go back and make changes or additions without starting all over again.  Which I do a lot of.

And all the while, I'm berating myself, thinking I should just leave it alone, because no one else is ever going to notice these things.  Especially when it is printed on a piece of fabric. But I just can't help myself. 

Is it the perfectionist in me?  Is it the *gasp* artist?  (I've never considered myself an artist by the way.  Creative, yea, but not an artist.)  Or is it just the joy that I get in making it just a little bit better?  Oh, what I could do with all the time in the world.  I could tweek and change things to my little hearts' content.  Problem is, I don't think I'd ever consider anything done, because in my eyes, there's always something more I can do to make it just that much better.

 Unfortunately, I have deadlines.  Ones that I push to the max, mind you, and ones that keep me awake at night while I'm chastising myself for getting carried away once again in the details to the point where I have to work from sun up until sun down just to get it all done.  It's a vicious cycle.

SIMPLEXITY. 

Yep, my new favorite word. 

Describes me to a tee. 

 

Comments

[Cindy Carlson]

"IF" these are sneak peaks - I'm all about simplexity.

It all makes you who you are - a very talented lady that I admire and respect.

[liz]

The fabric in your post is beautiful!! Believe is my favorite word and I love snowmen. Is this the fabric you are designing?
Liz

[Debbie St.Germain]

That is your style and you don't want to change it;)
I am the same way. I see the simple prim designs and I start thinking simple and then add a little of this or that. I realized that I make what comes out of me, not what I think other's want.

Debbie

[Dawn]

I can hardly wait for Heart and Soul to come out and now there's another one I'll be anticipating. :) Your work is fabulous and you should definitely consider yourself an "artist".

Keep up the wonderful work for those of us who are not "artistic" or "creative". We love to live through you.

[Loris Mills]

Funny..Simplexity is a company in Oregon that produces food supplements. I have no idea how they came up with that name but I like your definition of it. :-)
Also, LOVE the peaks of the fabric you are designing.

[Terri]

Thanks for all the feedback!
That is funny about Simplexity being food supplements. There are also several books on Amazon with that title. Hmmmm.... maybe we're ALL trying to find the simple in this complex world of ours...

[Leslie Schmidt]

I like the concept of the word as stated by you, Terri. And I also like the way it rolls off the tongue. There's a kind of sensual, ethereal tone to it.

[Mary]

It looks like it's going to be just beautiful!

[nina pederson]

your Quilts are beautiful . I loved looking at all the quilts and hats simply wonderful