Great video, Katie ! Thanks for your insight and kind comments. One thing that I questioned as I watched your progress was how the lines from the canvas showed through on the light background. Is that typical? I am glad you are doing another conversion, and taking what you learned and sharing it with us.
Hi Susan! Thank you! Honestly, I’m not sure whether or not that is typical. I’m super curious to see if that’s the case with my next cross stitch conversion project too!
Katie - you are not letting us down! I just went through the same thing with a kit that I had purchased. The drills were just bad quality and of course the light color drills were the worst. I was constantly trying to fix the alignment of these drills and it was NOT ever going to work. I found myself dreading working on the kit. I have never stopped working on a kit before- but I realized that being sad was not worth it. I have started a new custom and my heart is singing! I absolutely love the kit and my time with it. I think I have learned that life is too short for diamond paintings that do not bring you joy! Cannot wait to see your new canvas!!
Dearest Katie. I watched this vlog and unexpectedly found myself being filled with pride. It takes bravery to dare to dream and courage to acknowledge when something is not working. The information and insights you have given us are immensely useful and ones we will use to support our own work. You could not let us down and we would like to take this moment to lift you up. You are a brave, strong, courageous and talented artist, we appreciate you and all that you do for our community. You are a precious diamond 💎, take heart, we are proud of you x
Katie, you know what, ultimately you may be creating content that you hope brings people joy or at the very least some pleasant entertainment. The thing with that though, in order to genuinely do that YOU need to enjoy what you are doing. Do Not knock yourself down and stop thinking that you "let people down" as you put it because, nothing could be further from the truth. You rightly made a decision that is best for you and by doing so Ultimately for your family and your viewers given that your mood will not be soured or irritable. remember your needs wants and desires come first above all else and I Applaud your courage for sharing your feelings with us, that takes allot of guts (Lee)
Katie, I am glad you did this video. You showed that it is ok to not love a canvas and not force yourself to do it. I would never want you or anyone else to loose the love they have for this craft. Also, you truthful experience helps us to make better decisions on canvases we want to purchase, cross stitch conversion, custom or very large canvases. Rememer this is not a fail but a valuable lesson for you and for us. Thank you for being transparent, I can tell you are very genuine and this was a difficult decision but the right one for you. ♥♥♥
Hello Katie, thank you very much for given this information on how YOU feel about the materials you worked with. We all have different experiences and I really like the fact that you shared your feelings with us, but also with the company where you got your work from. I hope your next project will be a very pleasent experience.
Awwww Katie. I completely understand! Don't feel bad! This was bigger than you were ready for but you just didn't realize it at the time is all. We all make mistakes and it's ok. As you said, it was a learning experience and that is never a bad thing! Hopefully you can find something smaller, with hopefully poured glue instead of double-sided adhesive and better-quality drills as well so that you can have that satisfying and positive experience instead. It's ok. I look forward to whatever you decide to do next regarding this sort of project (even if not this specific one). Take care and I wish you many happy diamond paintings going forward. 😊💜
You are not letting us down at all. Don’t even fret about that. I’m currently working on my first HAED as well and it is slooooow going. It is going to take me a very long time. I ended up ordering a poured glue blank canvas from Evermoment and drills from JadedGemShop. The materials are beautiful. Jade’s drills are gorgeous and fit perfectly on the EM canvas. I have not had a single issue with the materials. I would order from both again if I ever decide to do another HAED. I would love to because it’s so fun to watch it come to life on a blank canvas but it is so time consuming. Best of luck on your next.
This is such a brave and important video. Social media is full of perfect, aspirational projects so it's incredibly helpful to see when things don't work out as imagined, especially when you can articulate why this project isn't working for you. I'm a cross stitcher who just found diamond painting so your vlogs have provided a lot of great food for thought. Thank you! (Also, the folio peeking out under the pattern is adorable.)
Thank you so much for your kind words and your comment! And welcome to the craft! I think a lot of diamond painters eventually try their hand at cross-stitch, but it’s fun to see stitchers come over to diamond painting, too! ☺️
You are not letting anyone down, at all! I could kind of get the vibe you weren't feeling it once you started reporting about the popping drills. It defeats the purpose entirely to work on something that drains your happy. That dread feeling is just awful, so you have definitely done the right thing. Chalk it up to a lesson learned, and get stuck in to the projects which make you VERY happy 😊 The relief of saying out loud that you are not getting the correct energy from that project must be quite a weight off your shoulders. Enjoy and put your renewed energy into your wonderful Old Masters event. Good for you Katie, you should feel proud of yourself 🤗🥰👍🏽
Hey Katie 😁 OMG, I'm so sorry you wrestled so much about making this video! You are, near as I can tell, a very kind, honest, generous lady! I, without hesitation, stand behind your decision to table that project! It seemed like you were loving the process, up and until those drills started popping... before that though, "little" issues started to add up, but you have been a good sport and trekked on through the adversity, like a champ! I appreciate your giving it as much of your time as you have! So, be proud of the knowledge you gave me, and others, about how to set up a conversion project! Thank you so much for that! I look forward to your new project!! 🥰🥰💖💖 xx Cynthia
Katie, You are not letting anyone down. If you don't find joy, don't do it. I have a similar situation that you are going through, and I'm close to putting it away for good. I absolutely hate popping drills and drills that do not properly align. Spending more time dealing with all the issues rather than diamond painting is not fun at all!
You don't need to feel bad for cutting your losses and moving on. Watching you from the beginning, I would have thrown in the towel early on. It was clearly a learning and maybe more importantly, a teaching experience for all of us. I have decided to wait until I can afford supplies from Jade before I move forward with my (much smaller) project. Thank you for all you do ❤
Life is too short to work on something not enjoyable to you. This has helped me decide what types of materials I would want--definitely poured glue! I can't wait to see what Aimee Stewart piece you will do. I love her work.
Katie, you are not letting us down. If something isn't brining you Joy then it's time to reevaluate why and if something can be done that can change that. In this case it's stepping away which is perfectly fine and working on something else that does. Life is too short and should be enjoyed!
So glad you have stopped this one for the moment. I could hear the frustration in your voice when you were showing the progress. I give you such props for finishing what you did. I hate when I have popping drills but to have to seal each section would have driven me crazy. ❤️
While I am sure it feels disappointing, this is an excellent learning opportunity for all of us! I am glad you decided to take a step back & reevaluate this project. You will probably save a lot of people from the same headaches that you had!
Katie, thank you for your honesty and believe me you are not letting anyone down. We will benefit from your pointers. We diamond paint for relaxation and enjoyment so if you are not enjoying it, why do it. Hope your new HAED conversion brings you more joy. 💞
You're not letting us down. It was exciting seeing what you were working on but if you're not happy with it. stop it. kit down and move on. Like you said you learned lessons regarding this type of kit and thanks for sharing you thoughts. Can't wait to see your next project. thanks for all of your fun, informational, creative, WIP videos. Hugs
You have absolutely not let us down, and anyone who’s watched any of your videos or who has gotten to know you will recognize the genuine, constructive intentions behind you sharing how this experience has gone. You know I’m a picky bitch when it comes to square drills, and the prospect of doing a massive kit with poor quality squares makes me feel dread too! I appreciate you sharing everything you’ve learned, and I’m excited to see your next project 😊
Katie you are not letting us down! Thank you for the knowledge! I have a piece that I have been wanting to do, but have been holding out since I didn’t know where or how to do it, but once again you have given me another great rabbit hole to go adventuring down and try to figure it out. You are a great teacher, informant and you keep us going with current goodie’s out there to hone in our craft. Keep up the great work
Katie, thanks for always being open, honest, and kind. I think I am grateful that you can admit these things because your goals are so lofty and admirable….but I find overwhelming should I dare attempt any of them! You’ve done great things and you will continue to do great things. If something doesn’t provide joy, it’s a good idea to step away. This is a helpful reminder to us all.
I just ordered Wine Shelf Max Colors by Aimee Stewart. I hav not ordered the canvas or drills and am excited to see where you have purchased yours. I’ve really exited to order mine but I’m going to hold off to see your video. I’m excited for you and your new project.
Being open and transparent and honest about anything is a WIN in my book and I appreciate you for doing this and can't wait for the next project will be stalking your page for the update 🥰🥰🥰🥰
Thanks for sharing. I'm sorry you weren't enjoying the project. If your hobby isn't bringing you joy, and becomes a chore it's not worth it. This video is helping me with making decisions on some of my wips, cross stitch not diamond paintings. I haven't worked on them in a long time and don't enjoy them if I do make myself work on them. I've recently been thinking of abandoning them. There's to many other projects to do. Take care.
I have not seen any of your previous videos about this project and I chose it because I am always interested to know the psychology of a project, so to speak. When I saw what your project was, my jaw dropped and my first thought was, "This lady is hard core!". What you took on was immense. We buy diamond painting kits because all the tedious details are already worked out for us; we get to just jump into the middle of the joy. For you to even consider taking on all of the mechanics and monotony of the details of the picture is inspirational. But the dullness might have been recompensed by being able to take in the sweet creamy center of the joy of colors and drill placement, but you didn't even get that satisfaction. In the end, stopping it was the only intelligent thing to do. You can't just bang your head against a wall over and over, not if you are sane. You took it as far as it could go and it came to a natural conclusion. Don't look at it as failed. It succeeded tremendously! You learned and took away so much knowledge than most of us ever see or consider.
WOW. Katie, That was like a Master Class this morning while I was having my coffee here in Florida. So much Info that I will be using in the future that you gave us about sections, Double sided canvases Size. and all the other Info, Thank you so much for and so sorry that you had to stop your project but sometimes that,s the best thing for now. Take care and Good Luck with the next one that you will be getting soon. (Florida Bob) USA.
Katie, never ever feel like you are letting us down! ❤️ We are only human and you are showing us that it's absolutely okey to let a project go if it's not giving us joy anymore. Thank you for being human Katie! 🌺
Never be sorry for how you feel. I have had same problem with one of my own. If there is no joy in the process. Poured glue is definitely the way to go. I have 2 conversion with double sided. I am ordering poured glue to replace. Thanks for your honesty.
I completely understand how you feel about this project. I had the same experience with a DP. The drills were popping and shifting. I was so frustrated and it was no longer fun. I too was trying to power through it but my husband said you don’t seem like your having fun. I said I’m not. He then said throw that away and start a new one. I did start a new one and he was common sense at that moment. Jump into a new DP and you won’t feel like that.
Katie, I so appreciate you and your honesty and forthrightness. Often we are willing to hurt ourselves to meet the expectations of others. Kudos that you chose you..I so enjoy your channel because your honesty and willingness to be vulnerable despite the possibility of others judgement. Know this. I learn so many things from you sharing yourself with us. Your grace for yourself and various Diamond Painting companies is something to behold. I can’t wait for your next project. ~ Sally🥰
You did the right thing don't stress your self out,you don't owe anybody a apology if you want to stop something stop it its not worth make yourself ill you show us many things and for that we are grateful sue
I had to do this recently with a MUCH smaller project. I just wasn't enjoying it, wasn't liking the way it was looking, etc. Moved onto a new project and I can't wait to work on it everyday. It has to bring you joy and maybe one day it will! If not, that's fine too ♡ Thanks for updating us, even though you didn't have to ♡
👍 kudos to you for taking on such a huge project, and knowing when to take a break from it. Looking forward to your next project! Have an awesome day. 🤗💃🤗
Katie at the end of the day you have to do what is right for you, I have been though the same things as you, I have been doing this craft for 6 years and recently i started to hate a painting that i was doing because the drills weren' giving me any joy, I was almost at the completion of the painting, but i couldn't just bring myself to finish it, I think the best thing about this craft is that if you are not enjoying it leave it alone and if you feel like come back to it if not then that's completely okay too, you shouldn't have to worry about what other people think either because like i said at the end of the day you have to choose what is right for you! I look forward to seeing what your next conversion is going to be!! knowing you probably something with dragons again or foxes!
A huge project like this is fun to follow along, definitely, however, is not worth it if the person doing the project isn't enjoying it. Good thing you made this choice for yourself, proud of you Katie! Just know you haven't disappointed me in the slightest, can't speak for other people but I'm sure most will feel the same way I do. I just want you to have fun and enjoy what you're working on😊
👋Thank you for sharing your thoughts. You should not be upset about not working on a project that is making you feel down. This craft should be helping you feel better mentally. I look forward to seeing your next project.
I’m sad to hear your struggles, was so excited to see this done! I recently had an issue with a canvas I was super excited for. The rendered image is colored differently from the original, is very bright and vintage when the image I wanted has lots of dark blacks and blues. I got 2 rows in (I work in large sections especially when round drills are involved and it was a 77x 88), completed about 1/3 of it and quit, got a custom at another company. It’s larger and cheaper and there is customer service that doesn’t blame the customer. The original was so expensive and from a “reputable” company, but man I’ve had nothing but issues. It can be really frustrating working with something that everyone says is great but doesn’t meet your standards. I also believe I know the company you are talking about for your drills. I had the same issue with them and my comment asking for different companies because I didn’t like the shade as it didn’t match my canvas got deleted from the FB page. My comment wasn’t even rude, just asking for recommendations so I could find a proper shade match. Sometimes the community acts like a cult around certain companies even when there are blatant issues. It’s so small that it’s hard to avoid. I do hope that you are able to find better materials but the same image!!!! Maybe try royal diamond painting? I have a 100x100 (i love large canvases) that is poured glue and it’s amazing. If you ask they may be able to break down your image into multiple canvases. It’s one of the few companies next to DAC and Dreamer Designs that I trust fully.
Thank you so much for sharing. I was considering this company and didn’t know anyone who had worked with the conversion and the drill companies and was looking for help. You shared it with the best of heart and have probably saved me a lot of money trouble and disappointment. I loved your input on the Josephine Wall through Deutschland Diamond Painting company I was looking into the exact same thing her paintings are soo amazing and was wanting to do one . I so appreciate all of the input you will really help with my decisions. Keep up the wonderful work.!
Hi Katie! No explanation needed! Diamond painting is supposed to be a fun and relaxing hobby/craft, and if you’re not enjoying the process of working on Dragon Race, then shelve it. I’ve been following your progress on it, and it’s a beautiful picture, but it’s not worth making yourself stressed and frustrated over. (Life is stressful enough already!) It’s time to move on to the next new dp! 🙂
Hobby’s and crafting are meant for fun, relaxation and sometimes therapy! If it’s not any of these things it’s not meant to be. Put it behind you and do something that makes you happy! Life is too short to be wasting time on things! ❤️
Katie, you have to do what’s best for you! You’re not disappointing anyone. If you don’t like the way a DP is turning out, or it doesn’t bring you joy, then stop working on it. I had to do that recently with a canvas from a company that I LOVE that has a stellar reputation. I was almost done, when I noticed the part of the canvas I was finishing up in looked like it had been charted wrong, because it didn’t look like the rest of the painting at all. I was so frustrated! I put it in time out, and now am going to have to take off many, many drills, and redo it by sight so it looks more like the original art work. I was going to contact the company, but I know many people have completed this DP and loved it, so maybe it’s just me and my particular preferences? Perhaps. I’m just going to make it so it brings the joy back for me. That’s what it’s all about! Can’t wait to see your Aimee Stewart! I absolutely adore her work!😍😍
Firstly you aren’t letting anyone down you have learnt and experimented and grown! I just wanted to say in the nicest lightest way welcome to the resin drill poured glue snob club lol I refuse to work on DSA and I much prefer resin drills life is too short to suffer through something your not enjoying… thank you for sharing your experience and project with us! 💕
Can’t wait to see which Amie Stewart you will be doing. I just did a jigsaw puzzle from her not long ago and the whole time i was working on it, i was thinking how great her work would look as a diamond painting.
You have to do what makes you happy, and if that particular piece isn't doing it, well then on to the next! I'm beyond excited to see what your next project will be. I'm obsessed with Aimee Stewart's artwork and currently working on her mini The Stitching Moon conversion. I believe we sourced our materials from the same shop as I too am having difficulties but trying to push through. Please let me know who you use next for your supplies. I need poured glue and great drills 😫
I feel your pain. I am working on a smaller HAED canvas and am having some trouble with popping drills and had to seal 2/3rds of the way through. Glad I am almost done! Wishing you much success on your next project.
Hi Katie, I for one fully understand. I'm hoping that your next project is one of Amiee Stewart's bookcase series. My hoping it is one of these is purely selfish, as I have been wanting to do the fairy bookcase painting for quite some time now and I would love to learn how to order it and also do justice to this awesome large painting. If you end up picking any of the bookcase canvases I will be watching everything that you have to teach us and everything else you experience during this process with bated breath. Good luck with what ever you pick. I love your videos and I have been watching you from the beginning, but I'm socially inadequate due to years of abuse and neglect. This is my problem not anyone elses, but please know I love watching you and that you make me smile and I often talk back to you in the videos, you just can't hear me. I have learnt so much through you. You are very much appreciated. Thankyou for all that you do and all the best in the future.🍷🍷🍷
I’m not sure if it’s definitely a part of the bookcase series, but it’s definitely on shelves so I think so! 🥰 I hope you love it and find it helpful!!
Sorry to hear you had a setback on this project. I think it's a good decision to take a break and only come back to it if you feel to do so. I really appreciate you showing us your process as this is something I am very interested in and I also tend to dive in head first. I have been coveting Aimee Stewart's work and have been looking to convert her Hero's and Heroines artwork. So I am very excited to see which project you are doing next and hope you will post that process!!
I can only imagine how hard this decision was for you to make as when you first started working on this you loved it, then as time progressed you mentioned you were having problems with popping drills, I’m feeling sad for you as i just started working on a cross stitch conversion and I’m loving it but it’s a poured glue, drills are decent and I love the image but if it wasn’t up to the standard I was expecting I would be heart broken Good luck for the next one Katie
I cannot work with double sided adhesive, either. I dread popping drills and just can't deal with it. I hadn't even known that there was a difference when I bought the 2 I had. But I won't buy another one. And I used to love cross stitch, but I can't fathom doing a conversion on such a huge scale as yours. Glad you are putting it on hold and trying a new project.
Hi Katie, I completely understand you ☺️ I have a huge diamond painting that I haven't touched for over two years. It's a Dominic Davison "Woodland Walk Cottage". It's beautiful but it's so big. At first I was happy starting it and then I lost courage to work on it. So, I put it aside. It's OK to do that. I'm a very slow diamond painter. Like 🐌 slow. So, I try to do at least one square a day. I work full time and sometimes can't wait until the weekend when my mental powers are at best. Thank you for sharing this video. I feel I'm not alone.
I feel your pain right now alittle bit Katie. I have trouble quitting tho. If you seen me complain about my current WIP in different lives... Pandora's glue is not the greatest and my drills stick to me more than the canvas at times and also the drills do pop up too. So far I just keep trying. But I find it very annoying and this canvas is so big too! Square drills also. Somedays I don't know what I'm going to do.
This video has helped me immensely. I honestly thought it was my depression or something that caused me to have to force myself to finish a diamond painting. But as I look back, it's because I just wasn't happy with the painting itself. It's nice to know it's not just me going through that feeling, even though I don't wish that feeling on anyone. But my question is- what do you do with diamond paintings that you decide you just can't finish?
You have to do what is right for you.. If you're not having fun working on a canvas there is no sense doing it right now. Maybe at a later time you'll go back to it and you'll love it.
I 💯 understand exactly how you’re feeling about this project! (Minus the cross stitch conversion) My husband bought me a diamond painting for my birthday last year that I absolutely wanted for a while. I talked about it all the time and practically begged him to buy it for me. It was an old world map that measured 220x80 cm and ended up costing $140. When I got it, I couldn’t wait to start it and had final plans to hang it as well. I managed to get through about 80x30 cm before I just couldn’t bring myself to work on it anymore. It was DSA and square acrylic drills and it was the worst DP experience ever. Not to mention that the rendering was absolutely horrendous. For the size, it ended up being extremely blurry. I really struggled with it because I hated it, but at the same time my husband bought it for me. It took months and advice from the groups to make a decision to roll it up and walk away. The hardest part was breaking the news to him that I just couldn’t do it anymore. He was disappointed, but he understood after I explained it. After that, I learned how important quality is when diamond painting. I still have it rolled in my cabinet, but I will likely never touch the thing again. I know for a fact that if I ever end up with DSA again, I will peel it off and turn it into poured glue before I even touch it. As long as the rendering is good. I will also never order squares from a questionable company either.
I’m so sorry that you had such a bad experience with that kit! That’s so frustrating! Hopefully you’re able to avoid ending up with a kit like that again 💛
Thank you so much for your transparency! Your willingness to learn alongside us is always so encouraging. Could you share (or maybe point me if you already have done) your pointers for sealing? I’m working on a custom right now with difficult materials on double sided adhesive. It’s very difficult but so important to me as it’s a precious gift for my niece. I’d love any guidance you could offer.
I just finished my 3rd painting . I think you are daring taking on such large project especially not having done much counted stitch. How do tell acrylic from resin drills.You have helped with me some questions.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with project. I know you feel like you’re letting people down but I think everyone will understand. I’m glad you stopped working on it before you got burned out. I’m looking forward to seeing what the new project is the art has some art I really like. Are you going to do The Cozy Fox?
It’s always difficult to work on a project with materials that are not what you expected. I’ve ordered supplies for Aimee Stewart’s “The Grand Library” for a cross stitch to DP conversion. Maybe we’ll both be working on the same one!
Katie, there are people that research and analyze but never do anything so I think the best thing you could have done was dive in and try it! Take away the lessons you learned and the realizations you have made. Gift the project pieces to someone who may enjoy them and move on guilt free.
Life is too short to be filling your time with projects that you don't enjoy. If you have the room to save everything then take advantage of it. You may find that you like picking it up for short spurts every few months, or that your time away will help you make a clean break from it. You're the one putting in all the work, so you get to follow your joy.
I have a suggestion if people are interested although I’m not sure how licensing would work. What about doing a chain, each person does a section and then posts to the next person for their section. Or send people a section to complete which are then posted back to you for you to put together. You could have a chat with Michelle from heaven and earth and see if she minds you posting a 50x 50 section of the chart to people. So they do t get the entire thing? Just an idea?
If you think you want to finish this, and we know you love dragons, get a poured glue canvas and Half that quarter so it will be more managable. Maybe the drills will not pop off. I know it's hard to abandon a project, it talks to you and says negative things. Don't listen to it!! You need to do what is best for you, don't worry about us.
My problem kit was not a custom but was recommended company, Diamond Painting Shoppe. The kit I purchased for Summer with the Master's was horrible. The canvas itself had horrible symbols. They had been printed wrong, which they knew but still released the kit. The drills looked as if Cookie Monster had taken a bite out of all the drills. Everytime I moved the canvas the drills would pop. I did complete it. But it was a dread. Now Diamond Painting Shoppe did what they could, I do give them credit for that. They sent me the file they send to the printer so I could see the canvas the way it suppose to be. They did refund my money. And they sent me another canvas for Summer with the Master's The Soul of the Rise, I think it's called. I have no faith in doing it. It sits in my stash. I will never order from that company. I understand that bad kits do get through even with DAC. What bothers me the most is Diamond Painting Shoppe knew the canvas had really bad issues but still sent it out. That bothers me more than the bad kit.
So, how come you didn’t do what you were suggesting should be be done, when ordering your next new project and changing suppliers? You said your new project was just as big as the one your putting on pause, how about trying a much smaller one?
I'm very curious to find out where you can buy blank canvases with poured glue, only ever seen double sided tape. If you're not happy working on it then it's time to put it away. No regrets.
Great video, Katie ! Thanks for your insight and kind comments. One thing that I questioned as I watched your progress was how the lines from the canvas showed through on the light background. Is that typical? I am glad you are doing another conversion, and taking what you learned and sharing it with us.
Hi Susan! Thank you! Honestly, I’m not sure whether or not that is typical. I’m super curious to see if that’s the case with my next cross stitch conversion project too!
@@DiamondsandWashi I can’t wait to see it, I love your content!
Katie - you are not letting us down! I just went through the same thing with a kit that I had purchased. The drills were just bad quality and of course the light color drills were the worst. I was constantly trying to fix the alignment of these drills and it was NOT ever going to work. I found myself dreading working on the kit. I have never stopped working on a kit before- but I realized that being sad was not worth it. I have started a new custom and my heart is singing! I absolutely love the kit and my time with it. I think I have learned that life is too short for diamond paintings that do not bring you joy! Cannot wait to see your new canvas!!
Dearest Katie. I watched this vlog and unexpectedly found myself being filled with pride. It takes bravery to dare to dream and courage to acknowledge when something is not working. The information and insights you have given us are immensely useful and ones we will use to support our own work. You could not let us down and we would like to take this moment to lift you up. You are a brave, strong, courageous and talented artist, we appreciate you and all that you do for our community. You are a precious diamond 💎, take heart, we are proud of you x
Katie, you know what, ultimately you may be creating content that you hope brings people joy or at the very least some pleasant entertainment. The thing with that though, in order to genuinely do that YOU need to enjoy what you are doing. Do Not knock yourself down and stop thinking that you "let people down" as you put it because, nothing could be further from the truth. You rightly made a decision that is best for you and by doing so Ultimately for your family and your viewers given that your mood will not be soured or irritable. remember your needs wants and desires come first above all else and I Applaud your courage for sharing your feelings with us, that takes allot of guts (Lee)
And thank you for making this video, it's hard but OK to drop a project that doesn't make you happy.
Katie, I am glad you did this video. You showed that it is ok to not love a canvas and not force yourself to do it. I would never want you or anyone else to loose the love they have for this craft. Also, you truthful experience helps us to make better decisions on canvases we want to purchase, cross stitch conversion, custom or very large canvases. Rememer this is not a fail but a valuable lesson for you and for us. Thank you for being transparent, I can tell you are very genuine and this was a difficult decision but the right one for you. ♥♥♥
Hello Katie, thank you very much for given this information on how YOU feel about the materials you worked with. We all have different experiences and I really like the fact that you shared your feelings with us, but also with the company where you got your work from. I hope your next project will be a very pleasent experience.
Awwww Katie. I completely understand! Don't feel bad! This was bigger than you were ready for but you just didn't realize it at the time is all. We all make mistakes and it's ok. As you said, it was a learning experience and that is never a bad thing! Hopefully you can find something smaller, with hopefully poured glue instead of double-sided adhesive and better-quality drills as well so that you can have that satisfying and positive experience instead. It's ok. I look forward to whatever you decide to do next regarding this sort of project (even if not this specific one). Take care and I wish you many happy diamond paintings going forward. 😊💜
You are not letting us down at all. Don’t even fret about that. I’m currently working on my first HAED as well and it is slooooow going. It is going to take me a very long time. I ended up ordering a poured glue blank canvas from Evermoment and drills from JadedGemShop. The materials are beautiful. Jade’s drills are gorgeous and fit perfectly on the EM canvas. I have not had a single issue with the materials. I would order from both again if I ever decide to do another HAED. I would love to because it’s so fun to watch it come to life on a blank canvas but it is so time consuming. Best of luck on your next.
This is such a brave and important video. Social media is full of perfect, aspirational projects so it's incredibly helpful to see when things don't work out as imagined, especially when you can articulate why this project isn't working for you. I'm a cross stitcher who just found diamond painting so your vlogs have provided a lot of great food for thought. Thank you! (Also, the folio peeking out under the pattern is adorable.)
Thank you so much for your kind words and your comment! And welcome to the craft! I think a lot of diamond painters eventually try their hand at cross-stitch, but it’s fun to see stitchers come over to diamond painting, too! ☺️
Can't wait to see your new conversion! You're not letting us down, a hobby should be for you to enjoy 😊
You are not letting anyone down, at all! I could kind of get the vibe you weren't feeling it once you started reporting about the popping drills. It defeats the purpose entirely to work on something that drains your happy. That dread feeling is just awful, so you have definitely done the right thing. Chalk it up to a lesson learned, and get stuck in to the projects which make you VERY happy 😊 The relief of saying out loud that you are not getting the correct energy from that project must be quite a weight off your shoulders. Enjoy and put your renewed energy into your wonderful Old Masters event. Good for you Katie, you should feel proud of yourself 🤗🥰👍🏽
Hey Katie 😁 OMG, I'm so sorry you wrestled so much about making this video! You are, near as I can tell, a very kind, honest, generous lady! I, without hesitation, stand behind your decision to table that project! It seemed like you were loving the process, up and until those drills started popping... before that though, "little" issues started to add up, but you have been a good sport and trekked on through the adversity, like a champ! I appreciate your giving it as much of your time as you have! So, be proud of the knowledge you gave me, and others, about how to set up a conversion project! Thank you so much for that! I look forward to your new project!! 🥰🥰💖💖 xx Cynthia
Katie, You are not letting anyone down. If you don't find joy, don't do it. I have a similar situation that you are going through, and I'm close to putting it away for good. I absolutely hate popping drills and drills that do not properly align. Spending more time dealing with all the issues rather than diamond painting is not fun at all!
You don't need to feel bad for cutting your losses and moving on. Watching you from the beginning, I would have thrown in the towel early on. It was clearly a learning and maybe more importantly, a teaching experience for all of us. I have decided to wait until I can afford supplies from Jade before I move forward with my (much smaller) project. Thank you for all you do ❤
Life is too short to work on something not enjoyable to you. This has helped me decide what types of materials I would want--definitely poured glue! I can't wait to see what Aimee Stewart piece you will do. I love her work.
Katie, you are not letting us down. If something isn't brining you Joy then it's time to reevaluate why and if something can be done that can change that. In this case it's stepping away which is perfectly fine and working on something else that does. Life is too short and should be enjoyed!
So glad you have stopped this one for the moment. I could hear the frustration in your voice when you were showing the progress. I give you such props for finishing what you did. I hate when I have popping drills but to have to seal each section would have driven me crazy. ❤️
While I am sure it feels disappointing, this is an excellent learning opportunity for all of us! I am glad you decided to take a step back & reevaluate this project. You will probably save a lot of people from the same headaches that you had!
Katie, thank you for your honesty and believe me you are not letting anyone down. We will benefit from your pointers. We diamond paint for relaxation and enjoyment so if you are not enjoying it, why do it. Hope your new HAED conversion brings you more joy. 💞
You're not letting us down. It was exciting seeing what you were working on but if you're not happy with it. stop it. kit down and move on. Like you said you learned lessons regarding this type of kit and thanks for sharing you thoughts. Can't wait to see your next project. thanks for all of your fun, informational, creative, WIP videos. Hugs
You have absolutely not let us down, and anyone who’s watched any of your videos or who has gotten to know you will recognize the genuine, constructive intentions behind you sharing how this experience has gone. You know I’m a picky bitch when it comes to square drills, and the prospect of doing a massive kit with poor quality squares makes me feel dread too! I appreciate you sharing everything you’ve learned, and I’m excited to see your next project 😊
Katie you are not letting us down! Thank you for the knowledge! I have a piece that I have been wanting to do, but have been holding out since I didn’t know where or how to do it, but once again you have given me another great rabbit hole to go adventuring down and try to figure it out.
You are a great teacher, informant and you keep us going with current goodie’s out there to hone in our craft. Keep up the great work
I understand completely. I like that you updated us! Thank you for the insight.
Katie, thanks for always being open, honest, and kind. I think I am grateful that you can admit these things because your goals are so lofty and admirable….but I find overwhelming should I dare attempt any of them! You’ve done great things and you will continue to do great things. If something doesn’t provide joy, it’s a good idea to step away. This is a helpful reminder to us all.
I just ordered Wine Shelf Max Colors by Aimee Stewart. I hav not ordered the canvas or drills and am excited to see where you have purchased yours. I’ve really exited to order mine but I’m going to hold off to see your video. I’m excited for you and your new project.
Being open and transparent and honest about anything is a WIN in my book and I appreciate you for doing this and can't wait for the next project will be stalking your page for the update 🥰🥰🥰🥰
Thanks for sharing. I'm sorry you weren't enjoying the project. If your hobby isn't bringing you joy, and becomes a chore it's not worth it. This video is helping me with making decisions on some of my wips, cross stitch not diamond paintings. I haven't worked on them in a long time and don't enjoy them if I do make myself work on them. I've recently been thinking of abandoning them. There's to many other projects to do. Take care.
I have not seen any of your previous videos about this project and I chose it because I am always interested to know the psychology of a project, so to speak. When I saw what your project was, my jaw dropped and my first thought was, "This lady is hard core!". What you took on was immense. We buy diamond painting kits because all the tedious details are already worked out for us; we get to just jump into the middle of the joy. For you to even consider taking on all of the mechanics and monotony of the details of the picture is inspirational. But the dullness might have been recompensed by being able to take in the sweet creamy center of the joy of colors and drill placement, but you didn't even get that satisfaction. In the end, stopping it was the only intelligent thing to do. You can't just bang your head against a wall over and over, not if you are sane. You took it as far as it could go and it came to a natural conclusion. Don't look at it as failed. It succeeded tremendously! You learned and took away so much knowledge than most of us ever see or consider.
WOW. Katie, That was like a Master Class this morning while I was having my coffee here in Florida. So much Info that I will be using in the future that you gave us about sections, Double sided canvases Size. and all the other Info, Thank you so much for and so sorry that you had to stop your project but sometimes that,s the best thing for now. Take care and Good Luck with the next one that you will be getting soon. (Florida Bob) USA.
Katie, never ever feel like you are letting us down! ❤️ We are only human and you are showing us that it's absolutely okey to let a project go if it's not giving us joy anymore. Thank you for being human Katie! 🌺
Never be sorry for how you feel. I have had same problem with one of my own. If there is no joy in the process. Poured glue is definitely the way to go. I have 2 conversion with double sided. I am ordering poured glue to replace. Thanks for your honesty.
Don’t feel bad. Sometimes you just have to move on and get your excitement back!
I completely understand how you feel about this project. I had the same experience with a DP. The drills were popping and shifting. I was so frustrated and it was no longer fun. I too was trying to power through it but my husband said you don’t seem like your having fun. I said I’m not. He then said throw that away and start a new one. I did start a new one and he was common sense at that moment. Jump into a new DP and you won’t feel like that.
Katie, I so appreciate you and your honesty and forthrightness. Often we are willing to hurt ourselves to meet the expectations of others. Kudos that you chose you..I so enjoy your channel because your honesty and willingness to be vulnerable despite the possibility of others judgement. Know this. I learn so many things from you sharing yourself with us. Your grace for yourself and various Diamond Painting companies is something to behold. I can’t wait for your next project. ~ Sally🥰
You did the right thing don't stress your self out,you don't owe anybody a apology if you want to stop something stop it its not worth make yourself ill you show us many things and for that we are grateful sue
Katie, no worries. Sometimes shit happens. Looking forward to your new project.
I had to do this recently with a MUCH smaller project. I just wasn't enjoying it, wasn't liking the way it was looking, etc. Moved onto a new project and I can't wait to work on it everyday. It has to bring you joy and maybe one day it will! If not, that's fine too ♡ Thanks for updating us, even though you didn't have to ♡
👍 kudos to you for taking on such a huge project, and knowing when to take a break from it. Looking forward to your next project! Have an awesome day. 🤗💃🤗
Katie at the end of the day you have to do what is right for you, I have been though the same things as you, I have been doing this craft for 6 years and recently i started to hate a painting that i was doing because the drills weren' giving me any joy, I was almost at the completion of the painting, but i couldn't just bring myself to finish it, I think the best thing about this craft is that if you are not enjoying it leave it alone and if you feel like come back to it if not then that's completely okay too, you shouldn't have to worry about what other people think either because like i said at the end of the day you have to choose what is right for you! I look forward to seeing what your next conversion is going to be!! knowing you probably something with dragons again or foxes!
Hi Katie,
Thanks for sharing your experience. I like when you use what you learn to share this with us.
A huge project like this is fun to follow along, definitely, however, is not worth it if the person doing the project isn't enjoying it. Good thing you made this choice for yourself, proud of you Katie! Just know you haven't disappointed me in the slightest, can't speak for other people but I'm sure most will feel the same way I do. I just want you to have fun and enjoy what you're working on😊
👋Thank you for sharing your thoughts. You should not be upset about not working on a project that is making you feel down. This craft should be helping you feel better mentally. I look forward to seeing your next project.
I’m sad to hear your struggles, was so excited to see this done! I recently had an issue with a canvas I was super excited for. The rendered image is colored differently from the original, is very bright and vintage when the image I wanted has lots of dark blacks and blues. I got 2 rows in (I work in large sections especially when round drills are involved and it was a 77x 88), completed about 1/3 of it and quit, got a custom at another company. It’s larger and cheaper and there is customer service that doesn’t blame the customer. The original was so expensive and from a “reputable” company, but man I’ve had nothing but issues. It can be really frustrating working with something that everyone says is great but doesn’t meet your standards. I also believe I know the company you are talking about for your drills. I had the same issue with them and my comment asking for different companies because I didn’t like the shade as it didn’t match my canvas got deleted from the FB page. My comment wasn’t even rude, just asking for recommendations so I could find a proper shade match. Sometimes the community acts like a cult around certain companies even when there are blatant issues. It’s so small that it’s hard to avoid. I do hope that you are able to find better materials but the same image!!!! Maybe try royal diamond painting? I have a 100x100 (i love large canvases) that is poured glue and it’s amazing. If you ask they may be able to break down your image into multiple canvases. It’s one of the few companies next to DAC and Dreamer Designs that I trust fully.
Thank you so much for sharing. I was considering this company and didn’t know anyone who had worked with the conversion and the drill companies and was looking for help. You shared it with the best of heart and have probably saved me a lot of money trouble and disappointment. I loved your input on the Josephine Wall through Deutschland Diamond Painting company I was looking into the exact same thing her paintings are soo amazing and was wanting to do one . I so appreciate all of the input you will really help with my decisions. Keep up the wonderful work.!
Hi Katie! No explanation needed! Diamond painting is supposed to be a fun and relaxing hobby/craft, and if you’re not enjoying the process of working on Dragon Race, then shelve it. I’ve been following your progress on it, and it’s a beautiful picture, but it’s not worth making yourself stressed and frustrated over. (Life is stressful enough already!) It’s time to move on to the next new dp! 🙂
Hobby’s and crafting are meant for fun, relaxation and sometimes therapy! If it’s not any of these things it’s not meant to be. Put it behind you and do something that makes you happy! Life is too short to be wasting time on things! ❤️
Katie, you have to do what’s best for you! You’re not disappointing anyone. If you don’t like the way a DP is turning out, or it doesn’t bring you joy, then stop working on it. I had to do that recently with a canvas from a company that I LOVE that has a stellar reputation. I was almost done, when I noticed the part of the canvas I was finishing up in looked like it had been charted wrong, because it didn’t look like the rest of the painting at all. I was so frustrated! I put it in time out, and now am going to have to take off many, many drills, and redo it by sight so it looks more like the original art work. I was going to contact the company, but I know many people have completed this DP and loved it, so maybe it’s just me and my particular preferences? Perhaps. I’m just going to make it so it brings the joy back for me. That’s what it’s all about! Can’t wait to see your Aimee Stewart! I absolutely adore her work!😍😍
Firstly you aren’t letting anyone down you have learnt and experimented and grown! I just wanted to say in the nicest lightest way welcome to the resin drill poured glue snob club lol I refuse to work on DSA and I much prefer resin drills life is too short to suffer through something your not enjoying… thank you for sharing your experience and project with us! 💕
Can’t wait to see which Amie Stewart you will be doing. I just did a jigsaw puzzle from her not long ago and the whole time i was working on it, i was thinking how great her work would look as a diamond painting.
Excited to see your new project. Crafting should bring us joy not anxiety. We have enough of that in real life 😅
You have to do what makes you happy, and if that particular piece isn't doing it, well then on to the next! I'm beyond excited to see what your next project will be. I'm obsessed with Aimee Stewart's artwork and currently working on her mini The Stitching Moon conversion. I believe we sourced our materials from the same shop as I too am having difficulties but trying to push through. Please let me know who you use next for your supplies. I need poured glue and great drills 😫
I feel your pain. I am working on a smaller HAED canvas and am having some trouble with popping drills and had to seal 2/3rds of the way through. Glad I am almost done! Wishing you much success on your next project.
Thank you for honest update!
Hi Katie, I for one fully understand. I'm hoping that your next project is one of Amiee Stewart's bookcase series. My hoping it is one of these is purely selfish, as I have been wanting to do the fairy bookcase painting for quite some time now and I would love to learn how to order it and also do justice to this awesome large painting. If you end up picking any of the bookcase canvases I will be watching everything that you have to teach us and everything else you experience during this process with bated breath. Good luck with what ever you pick. I love your videos and I have been watching you from the beginning, but I'm socially inadequate due to years of abuse and neglect. This is my problem not anyone elses, but please know I love watching you and that you make me smile and I often talk back to you in the videos, you just can't hear me. I have learnt so much through you. You are very much appreciated. Thankyou for all that you do and all the best in the future.🍷🍷🍷
I’m not sure if it’s definitely a part of the bookcase series, but it’s definitely on shelves so I think so! 🥰 I hope you love it and find it helpful!!
Sorry to hear you had a setback on this project. I think it's a good decision to take a break and only come back to it if you feel to do so. I really appreciate you showing us your process as this is something I am very interested in and I also tend to dive in head first. I have been coveting Aimee Stewart's work and have been looking to convert her Hero's and Heroines artwork. So I am very excited to see which project you are doing next and hope you will post that process!!
Your drill popping issues had to be frustrating. I hope one day you will finish this beautiful canvas
I can only imagine how hard this decision was for you to make as when you first started working on this you loved it, then as time progressed you mentioned you were having problems with popping drills, I’m feeling sad for you as i just started working on a cross stitch conversion and I’m loving it but it’s a poured glue, drills are decent and I love the image but if it wasn’t up to the standard I was expecting I would be heart broken
Good luck for the next one Katie
I cannot work with double sided adhesive, either. I dread popping drills and just can't deal with it. I hadn't even known that there was a difference when I bought the 2 I had. But I won't buy another one. And I used to love cross stitch, but I can't fathom doing a conversion on such a huge scale as yours. Glad you are putting it on hold and trying a new project.
Hi Katie, I completely understand you ☺️ I have a huge diamond painting that I haven't touched for over two years. It's a Dominic Davison "Woodland Walk Cottage". It's beautiful but it's so big. At first I was happy starting it and then I lost courage to work on it. So, I put it aside. It's OK to do that. I'm a very slow diamond painter. Like 🐌 slow. So, I try to do at least one square a day. I work full time and sometimes can't wait until the weekend when my mental powers are at best. Thank you for sharing this video. I feel I'm not alone.
I feel your pain right now alittle bit Katie. I have trouble quitting tho. If you seen me complain about my current WIP in different lives... Pandora's glue is not the greatest and my drills stick to me more than the canvas at times and also the drills do pop up too. So far I just keep trying. But I find it very annoying and this canvas is so big too! Square drills also. Somedays I don't know what I'm going to do.
This video has helped me immensely. I honestly thought it was my depression or something that caused me to have to force myself to finish a diamond painting. But as I look back, it's because I just wasn't happy with the painting itself. It's nice to know it's not just me going through that feeling, even though I don't wish that feeling on anyone. But my question is- what do you do with diamond paintings that you decide you just can't finish?
You have to do what is right for you.. If you're not having fun working on a canvas there is no sense doing it right now. Maybe at a later time you'll go back to it and you'll love it.
I 💯 understand exactly how you’re feeling about this project! (Minus the cross stitch conversion) My husband bought me a diamond painting for my birthday last year that I absolutely wanted for a while. I talked about it all the time and practically begged him to buy it for me. It was an old world map that measured 220x80 cm and ended up costing $140. When I got it, I couldn’t wait to start it and had final plans to hang it as well. I managed to get through about 80x30 cm before I just couldn’t bring myself to work on it anymore. It was DSA and square acrylic drills and it was the worst DP experience ever. Not to mention that the rendering was absolutely horrendous. For the size, it ended up being extremely blurry. I really struggled with it because I hated it, but at the same time my husband bought it for me. It took months and advice from the groups to make a decision to roll it up and walk away. The hardest part was breaking the news to him that I just couldn’t do it anymore. He was disappointed, but he understood after I explained it. After that, I learned how important quality is when diamond painting. I still have it rolled in my cabinet, but I will likely never touch the thing again. I know for a fact that if I ever end up with DSA again, I will peel it off and turn it into poured glue before I even touch it. As long as the rendering is good. I will also never order squares from a questionable company either.
I’m so sorry that you had such a bad experience with that kit! That’s so frustrating! Hopefully you’re able to avoid ending up with a kit like that again 💛
Thank you so much for your transparency! Your willingness to learn alongside us is always so encouraging. Could you share (or maybe point me if you already have done) your pointers for sealing? I’m working on a custom right now with difficult materials on double sided adhesive. It’s very difficult but so important to me as it’s a precious gift for my niece. I’d love any guidance you could offer.
Life is too short to work on a craft / hobby that isn't bringing you joy! 🥰
Well said !
I just finished my 3rd painting . I think you are daring taking on such large project especially not having done much counted stitch. How do tell acrylic from resin drills.You have helped with me some questions.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with project. I know you feel like you’re letting people down but I think everyone will understand. I’m glad you stopped working on it before you got burned out. I’m looking forward to seeing what the new project is the art has some art I really like. Are you going to do The Cozy Fox?
That one is SO cute, but isn’t my next kit… maybe someday! 🥰
It’s always difficult to work on a project with materials that are not what you expected. I’ve ordered supplies for Aimee Stewart’s “The Grand Library” for a cross stitch to DP conversion. Maybe we’ll both be working on the same one!
I can’t wait to see you work on that one! That was actually the runner-up piece - I was sooo close to ordering that one ☺️
Katie, there are people that research and analyze but never do anything so I think the best thing you could have done was dive in and try it! Take away the lessons you learned and the realizations you have made. Gift the project pieces to someone who may enjoy them and move on guilt free.
Life is too short to be filling your time with projects that you don't enjoy. If you have the room to save everything then take advantage of it. You may find that you like picking it up for short spurts every few months, or that your time away will help you make a clean break from it. You're the one putting in all the work, so you get to follow your joy.
Your not letting us down
You are doing whats right for you. No hobby should frustrate you so much.
♥️❤️
Wow, that's a lot of work
I have a suggestion if people are interested although I’m not sure how licensing would work.
What about doing a chain, each person does a section and then posts to the next person for their section. Or send people a section to complete which are then posted back to you for you to put together.
You could have a chat with Michelle from heaven and earth and see if she minds you posting a 50x 50 section of the chart to people. So they do t get the entire thing?
Just an idea?
If you think you want to finish this, and we know you love dragons, get a poured glue canvas and Half that quarter so it will be more managable. Maybe the drills will not pop off. I know it's hard to abandon a project, it talks to you and says negative things. Don't listen to it!! You need to do what is best for you, don't worry about us.
I am so sorry you had a bad start! I hope you find joy in another canvas. Lending you ❤ love
Hey i dont know if yall know but hobby lobby sales diamond art and every other week they go on sale 40 percent off!!
My problem kit was not a custom but was recommended company, Diamond Painting Shoppe. The kit I purchased for Summer with the Master's was horrible. The canvas itself had horrible symbols. They had been printed wrong, which they knew but still released the kit. The drills looked as if Cookie Monster had taken a bite out of all the drills. Everytime I moved the canvas the drills would pop. I did complete it. But it was a dread. Now Diamond Painting Shoppe did what they could, I do give them credit for that. They sent me the file they send to the printer so I could see the canvas the way it suppose to be. They did refund my money. And they sent me another canvas for Summer with the Master's The Soul of the Rise, I think it's called. I have no faith in doing it. It sits in my stash. I will never order from that company. I understand that bad kits do get through even with DAC. What bothers me the most is Diamond Painting Shoppe knew the canvas had really bad issues but still sent it out. That bothers me more than the bad kit.
I’m so sorry you had a bad experience with your first kit from them! I can understand being hesitant to try the replacement 😥
The popping drills could be the canvas not the drills the squares may be about to small
So, how come you didn’t do what you were suggesting should be be done, when ordering your next new project and changing suppliers? You said your new project was just as big as the one your putting on pause, how about trying a much smaller one?
Hi! The new supplier is one that I have worked on a kit from before ☺️
Gotcha, so you know their quality already.
I'm very curious to find out where you can buy blank canvases with poured glue, only ever seen double sided tape. If you're not happy working on it then it's time to put it away. No regrets.
Send it to me lol, I would love to do it!
If it is not fun then move on life is too short!!