I think that the flowers and grass and sidewalk all show lots of light. Perhaps that is what the ivy needs to 'pop'. I wonder if beading would bring in the sparkle and light? 

It is quite nice, looks warm and welcoming. 

carol k.

Hi Susan, I think your  Itailian villa is lovely  - to me the ivy feels detached from your Villa as if you are looking through the ivy to the villa beyond.- may be you need to do a bit more stiching on the main part of your villa where your main entrance is to bring the ivy forward giving it a bit more depth.

The flowers you have placed in front of  your lovley villa jump out at me like they are the main event - I feel they may need to be toned down so it also feels conected.  Hope my thoughts have been of some help.  Cheers Lynn :-))

No shadows on the ivy - which direction is the sun coming from?

Very beautiful, I love it !!!!

This is a lovely piece Susan, but I do agree with the others that the colours in the ivy are too flat and well pointed out by queen1x that there are no shadows which help to define shapes (I always forget my shadows).  If you look at this without thinking of the subject matter but as just blocks of colour you can see what the others are saying re the bottom flowers being too bright and the ivy too dull.  There are two different quilts here, top and bottom.  The top is greyed shades, muted and perfectly illustrating the old Italian villa, down the bottom is a bit more bright happy English country garden.  All you need to do is choose which look you want the most and alter top or bottom to match.  If it were mine I would remove the english country garden as I think you have captured the essence of the Italian villa so well.  I have never been to Italy but perhaps all you need at the bottom is a rough brown ground and a pot of geranium wit a red that ties in well with your browny maroon door at the left.  Google Italian villas to get some ideas perhaps.  Having said that i love it, your ivy is well done and the whole villa feels natural and earthy.

Pam in Canberra, Australia

Thank YOU Everyone for your ideas and words of wisdom. When spring gets here I will resume my work on the Villa. With your worthy  suggestions and  help I feel confident it has potential.

Hugs

Susan

I would try embroidering the ivy with two shades of green.  One for the ivy and the darker for the shadow.

I think that once you add the border, you will love it. 

I think that once you add the border, you will love it.