I just finished Hello Spring Baby Highland Cow (40 × 40 cm, round drills), affectionately known as Penelope in my house, and I absolutely love how she turned out!
The drill quality was excellent, with only what I consider a normal amount of trash drills. I also appreciated the generous quantity of extra drills provided for each color. I never once worried about running out! Another pleasant surprise was that I experienced absolutely no static in the drills. I realize static can vary depending on several factors, but that was certainly a positive part of my experience.
The canvas had good adhesive, and I found the color list and symbols especially easy to follow. One detail I really appreciate is that when a number is used as a symbol, it actually matches the corresponding number on the color list. Such a simple thing, but it makes the painting process so much more intuitive!
While I would have preferred precut sticker labels, I appreciated that the color list was printed on sticker paper. I simply cut out the labels and attached them to my drill bags, giving me both the chart symbol and DMC number for easy reference.
The original protective plastic was a little thinner than I personally prefer, but I replaced it with release paper, and that solved the issue.
Now, let's talk about the confetti! There were definitely some confetti-heavy areas, particularly in Penelope's face, horns, and flowers. At times, I could tell that some of the color changes were likely a result of computer rendering rather than hand rendering. However, much of that confetti served a purpose! Once I stepped back and looked at the completed artwork, I was pleasantly surprised by how beautifully the shading and details came together.
The small scripted “Hello Spring” lettering did not turn out legible at this size, but I expected that and it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the canvas.
Overall, Penelope was an incredibly enjoyable project, and I'm delighted with the finished result! The few things I would have preferred differently were minor and certainly not deal breakers for me.
I would happily recommend this kit to someone who enjoys adorable artwork, beautiful colors, and a satisfying diamond painting experience. Penelope has definitely earned her place among my completed favorites! ❤️💎
