Last week, we chatted a bit about embroidery ground fabrics, thread types and colors, and stitch choices.

After preaching so enthusiastically on the subject of trying something different, I did try to break out of my Color Comfort Zone.

All I can say is… it’s ain’t easy!

The photo above and the photo below represent well-loved inhabitants of my Color Comfort Zone.

Any similar colors and shades to these get along quite well in my Color Comfort Zone.

I find them fun to play with, easy to mix up into different stitch combinations and so forth. I don’t really have to think about them – I reach for them, and everything just sort of works out. I like them. They like me. We’re good together.

This is most assuredly not my Color Comfort Zone. I find myself muddled, fumbling over what colors to add here or take away there…what colors to mix for this combination or that group of stitching.

I find it slow and laborious to work outside my Color Comfort Zone. It’s more difficult to be profuse with my stitches. I don’t feel nearly as free and easy as I go along.

I’ll tell you a little secret: everything outside my Color Comfort Zone takes on the characteristics of a color nightmare. Colors outside my comfort zone loom like… like… a big purple and yellow Stay Puft Marshmallow Man!

But then we come back to the Comfort Zone, and ahhhhhh. Happiness abounds.

All that being said, the discomfort of breaking out of my Color Comfort Zone doesn’t necessarily deter me from doing it. After all, that’s part of the adventure!

What about you? What’s your color comfort zone? If you try to break out of it, what do you imagine would be the complete opposite of your color comfort zone? Do you find it difficult to stitch outside your color comfort zone? Do those difficulties deter you from trying something different? Feel free to leave your comment below!