THURSDAY THIRTEEN

Often it’s difficult to find inspiration for quilting designs.  You feel you’ve made the same thing over and over, so want some new ideas.  But where do you come up with something unique and different?

Here are some tips on finding inspiration and new ideas.  Some may work for you.

1. Look at the different shades of green in the trees and shrubs, flowers and grass around you.  I first realized the many variations when taking an art course and the instructor pointed this out.
2. Find a photo of a place you’ve visited and see what ideas you glean from it.
3. Take several pieces of fabric from your stash.  Toss them on the table or carpet and see if they suggest ideas or combinations.  Try again if the first time doesn’t work.
4. Look at shadows on snow in reality or a shadow.  Very little is pure white.
5. Take pieces of outgrown children’s clothes and make a memory quilt.
6. Combine neckties of your dad’s, uncle’s or other family member.
7. Attend a quilt show or display for inspiraton…not to copy but to get ideas.
8. If you’re to make a quilt gift for someone, ask their favorite colors. 
9. Select a theme such as “Day at the Beach,” “Picnic in childhood,” “Camping in the mountains,” “First Day of School,” and sketch a design based on it.
10. Arrange a collection of shells, stones, jewelry, mementoes, etc. and see what impressions they give you.
11. Take pictures of categories – old barns, stone walls, rail fences, clouds, flowers and find inspiration in them. 
12. Look at textures – tree bark, sand, river rocks, house siding, and others.
13. Try portraits of people, either done realistically or impressionistic.

Do you find any ideas here to inspire you? 

How do you find inspiration for your quilting work?

(Amazon image

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Thursday Thirteen – 13 Tips for Quilting Inspiration & Design

We all need something or someone to uplift us when we’re discouraged in life and quilting...and even when we’re not.  One of the places I’ve found for “feel good” or thought provoking moments is Nancy Kirk’s The Monday Minute.  You have the choice of listening to it or reading it. 

Nancy is a quilter who specializes in quilt and fabric dating, as well as quilt restoration.  She’s noted for her quilt restoration workshops.  You’ll often find replays of free webcasts on quilt restoration.

I subscribe to her e-mail newsletter, so each Monday receive her tidbit of inspiration… often when I’m struggling to keep inspired.  This week she mentions Pretty Good Observations and the idea of jotting them down in a notebook.

This is something I’d been doing, along with jotting down fun and inspirational quotes, then I slacked off.  Nancy has me thinking about it again.  Even just rereading favorite quotes and observations uplifts one’s thoughts and mood.  I must find my notebook!

What do you do to sustain you during “down times” in life and quiltmaking?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Inspiration from Quilter Nancy Kirk

In a previous post, I mentioned quilting or doing handwork while watching the Olympics events.  A number of readers replied with their projects.

• Were you inspired by the Olympics? 
• Did you do handwork while watching the Olympics?
• Have you designed anything that has a Olympics theme?
• Have you come across any fabrics with a sports theme you could use in your projects?
• Did you design some projects yourself or come across ideas on quilting blogs and in magazines?

Some related Olympics posts:

What Quilting Are You Doing During the Olympics?

The Panda Bears of China – Quilting Inspiration?

Quilting in Early China

(Amazon image; click here to check out fabric)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Did the Olympics Inspire Your Quilting & Fabric Art?

  Happy New Year and many blessings for 2008.

 What are your plans for the coming year?

DREAM BIG, REACH HIGH, and ACHIEVE MUCH!

Will you:

*Attend more quilt shows

*Take a special workshop

*Try an online class

*Sell some of your quilted and fabric art items

*Enter a competition

*Visit a quilt museum

*Find more online quilting friends

*Start a blog if you don’t have one

*Write a book about quiltmaking

Use these as springboards for venturing into new arenas of the quilting/fabric arts world.

I’d love to have you share your plans with me…as well as your progress as the year progresses.

My desire for 2008 is having Quilting and Patchwork provide you with fun, fantasy, and inspiration in the quilting/fabric arts world to help make your dreams come true.

(c)2007 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

May 2008 Be a Glorious Year!