What happened to my book cover?

I went on a journey to create the cover for my upcoming book.  There were some frustrating stops along the way because it should have been a short, simple trip.  The first three books in the series gave me a good view of the destination.  Simon’s Mother, though not exactly a Christmas book, primarily takes place in December.  Red and green flowers seemed appropriate.  Simon is a musician and composer.  I thought the black and white keys of a keyboard would have great contrast with those flowers on a red background.  All I needed to do was put it together.  This was my first attempt.

What happened to the black and white keys?

It turns out I was picturing a piano.  A keyboard doesn’t have a clean look.  The one I have has lots of symbols and words and even some scribbling and a prominent brand name I’d have to edit out.  While trying to find a good angle to focus on the keys, it occurred to me that sheet music is also black and white.  Meanwhile, the flowers I used are fading into the background.  Time for another batch of pictures.

What happened to the red flowers? 

I tried to get more green by using flowers with larger leaves.  I guess I forgot I wanted red though.  I ended up with this picture that has not enough red and way too much bland.  And I don’t know why I didn’t flatten that weird curling leaf.  I pulled out the camera again.

What happened to the red background?

I don’t know.  I just changed the one thing that was working because I needed to change something.  At least I finally found some red and green flowers.  Sort of.  Anything green blends in with this new background.  (Why does this sound familiar?)  The red “flowers” are actually plastic beads.  And I got a weird angle on the sheet music so that it doesn’t say music.  It says lines.

By now we all know what happened to my covers.  Me.  I might have been having too much fun creating options.  After a few more attempts I’m not showing anyone, I finally landed on a cover I like.  Does it have piano keys?  Does it have red or green flowers?  Did I have a more brilliant idea?  Find the answers and preorder the kindle version at the same time.