I've lost my stride, need advice

[Pipsmom]

I've worked on this for three days off and on..I think I got it something like.... yeah I like that..... then next day I reopen and hate it..its fake, over worked
I'm over lightening, over sharpening, blurring detail, blowing highlights...You name the mistake and I've made it ...grrrrr ...... Pulling my hair out
Don't know what my problem is but I just lost my touch somewhere along the line, so I'm turning to the pro's again for guidance and get me back on the right track.
Have a look and please advise me what steps I need to do to achieve a half decent picture out of this old thing thats been in the scrapbook for 25 years



Original





Don't laugh to hard..... this WAS where I was heading with the look before it all sadly goes south every single time ...Then, just realised today part of the veil is missing under the left arm...(magic wand isn't my friend anymore lol).....The mistakes never cease

Stage 1

 

[Argos]

Hi pipsmom, i think the problem is that you tried to fix something in my opinion it's imposible to fix, you can improve a little but if you try to hard the result is worst XD.

I think your step 1 is not bad and then adding some nice background.



Potdata: I have to ask i that in the background a head of somekind of animal? (looks like a deers head)

 

[Pipsmom]

Yeah I noticed that too.....it's a mounted deer head.
Her husband is a hunter and that one was taken down off the wall so she could use that room as a dressing room I suppose.
You should see their house now...looks like Wild Kingdom

 

[Pipsmom]

Well I finished it and returned it to her, fingers crossed she likes it. It never was perfect but maybe what I did satisfies,.....