Embroidered Collage

I wanted the squares to stand out against the background, not blend in too much.  So I aimed for a value contrast, dark to light, and created a light background.  I think I may have taken the idea too far, because I'm not really impressed with my results.  It's so ... fluffy and light hearted and has weird places of "mud" since I was working wet into wet.  I'm going to have to let it set and think about it before I do anymore.

However, I am pleased with how the textural element turned out.  I collaged a lace square to the canvas before I began painting, deliberately only covering part of the area that will be showing.  I really like the effect and the contrast.