My latest project needs your input

I have given a lot of thought to this post. After all, this project has been over a year in the making. However, the angst I am feeling about the project is one I would like for you to share your input. So, if you have never commented before, or if you are a lurker, please take a minute to let me know how you feel. Loyal commenters, I know you will give sage advice.

Back in the summer of 2008, there was an article on Green Collages (pages 54-5) in Somerset Studio Gallery magazine. My friend Kathy gives me her old issues after she takes out the articles she wants, and this one got my attention. If you read my blog at all, you know I am a "green" crafter.

Well, this wasn't exactly the green I thought it was, yet it was. These are wall hangings, but the gist of the project was to find what you have around the house and SEW it to a paper substrate. Just because the end products were green, was an added hook to sell the article, I'm sure. Tags, postage stamps, bingo and flash cards, rubber stamping, all got sewn together. The idea was to take what you have, turn it into mini collages, sew them together, and make a bigger piece without using any glue. I fell in love with this idea.

Next, a few things happened that I documented on my blog and a few I didn't document.

On September 21, 2008, I received a HUGE box of postcards. I kept thinking these might be useful in that sewing project. Of course, I put the box aside, waiting for inspiration.

In August of 2009, I started making a few elements for Christmas quiltlets. All were sewn. Paper sewn to paper to paper.

On October 5, 2009, I showed a few of the elements I had made using the technique from the magazine. You can see I have made quite a few elements using old Christmas postage stamps as the focal point. All were sewn.

On October 14, I showed some things I was working on, using old Christmas cards and book pages sewn to felted sweaters I picked up at the thrift store and felted.

Also, around Oct 14, I started making Christmas quiltlets using those same elements, but I was never pleased with the composition. I continued to sew these quiltlets, but never posted them. By this time, Christmas had come and gone, and I was making the elements and such for Christmas, 2010. By putting these aside, I was hoping I would like them better as they grew on me. Needless to say, I've reworked this one and it is now gone. I had to include a lot of layers, but that was an added bonus.

In December, 2009, we UHU Gluers learned that the contract might not be renewed between Saunders and the people running the blog and passing out samples. Even though we are still listed on the official web site, have never been told otherwise, I see it is down for maintenance and we have had no contact with the company. So, even though Saunders has not contacted any of us, it's pretty clear, we no longer will be Gluers, or privy to their glues. So sewing was a viable way to make projects without buying a lot of glue.

On May 5 I showed (above) what I had also been working on (mostly off, but sometimes on) that incorporated all those scraps I've been saving without using any glue.

I even began using the same technique to be included in my Hands AB. I documented this first on May 19.

Having said and done all this, I learned about a class that was being taught called Remains of the Day by Mary Ann Moss. I swear, I had no idea this was even going on until I saw a sidebar icon one day on Brian's blog. I clicked through and was surprised to learn that what I originally thought was a concept I stumbled on myself, after getting there circuitously from the magazine article, was something someone was actually teaching. Now I had no idea this class was being taught, nor had I heard of the woman until it was too late to turn back from these things I was making.

Over the next few days or weeks, I want to show one set of signatures each day that I have made for friends birthdays. I am not trying to copy or infringe on anyone, even though it appears I am making a similar project. Mine differs considerably though, because I have NOT YET made a single cover for these book signatures that I hope to have finished sometime this week.

So, what are your thoughts about this predicament I find myself in? How would you feel in a similar situation? Is the way we get to a completed project more or less important? Does learning someone else is out there selling a product/service that you thought you had come up with make you feel like a fraud? Do you feel that you have "stolen" their idea when you learn they are teaching it? Please give me some input here. I don't ever want anyone to think I "stole" or even borrowed their idea.

BTW, I am still making these and hope to have an actual finished one soon. At least all the signatures are made. Now for the covers.

Today's blog of choice is a website called Toxel. Each day this site features something incredible from around the world. You might read about some pretty awesome bookcases one day, and an entire apartment and car made from paper, another day. Each post expands to its own page and more photos, so if you ever get bored, just pop on over there and you'll find yourself having conversations with people you don't even know. Yep, it's a great and informative site.

Please don't forget to help with my dilemma today. Your thoughts are very important to me.