When inspiration hits

I have begun to think about what my next project was going to be as I get closer and closer to finishing Transformation.  

I keep thinking about what I want to do, the colors I am feeling these days, but nothing was coming clearly.  

No solid ideas.  

I have 4 quilts in mind that I want to make, but none of them have come through the channels to a concrete plan. 

YET. 

http://www.pompomemporium.com/content/how-make-fabric-flowers-organza

Usually by the time I get to this stage of a quilt, I know pretty well what's up next and I've started gathering drawings and fabric and I'm starting to work on stencils, but thus far... 

NOTHING.

This lesson on transforming seemed to be sticking with me and I was beginning to hit that stuck place - that creative block we all dread.  

What more do I need to learn about this medicine?

Instead of letting myself go there and it bring me down which blocks typically do I know in my heart that this lesson is one I will always be learning.  

We are constantly in a state of transformation.  

In every moment.

So, instead, I put my energy towards realizing the lack of flow may have more to do with the speed at which I have been making quilts.  They are coming out faster than ever before.  Especially since I have been more committed to making time for it.  

Isn't it amazing how that works.  

Who would have thought?  Make time for quilting and you quilt faster.  

It's rocket science, I tell you.

 I should have know the inspiration would hit.  I just need to hold on to the faith and know it never really leaves me.

http://teresacollins.typepad.com/teresa_collins/2010/06/fabric-flower-tv-segment.html

I have had a hard time working on this quilt all weekend.  I have found tons of reasons to procrastinate.  Some worthy of procrastination, some... not so much.

I found myself wanting to do everything but quilt. It was one of those times where my idea wasn't happening like I imagined it and I was having to make the same piece over and over and over and over to get it right.  (I will be showing you this process a little later this week.)  

http://diyfashion.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=diyfashion&cdn=style&tm=37&f=00&su=p284.12.336.ip_p504.3.336.ip_&tt=3&bt=0&bts=1&st=32&zu=http%3A//mysparkle.blogspot.com/2010/02/how-to-rolled-flowers.html

After 6 tries, I finally got it like I wanted and that seems to have helped open me up  to receiving some new inspiration - not to mention I made a vital connection to some thoughts on transforming a part of my personal pattern I am feeling needs some serious attention.  I say, let the lessons begin! It's work personal work I am hungry for.

http://www.reesedixon.com/2009/03/organza-flowers.html

It's all very exciting - it stays exciting because I love personal growth as it never fails to bring with it endless joy.  

This is how I work my magic.  

The part of self that needs some polishing awakens and the inspirations come flowing.

http://www.msawesome.com/blog/2009/11/fabric-flowers-dont-die/

Laying in bed last night I was trying to go to sleep and like so many times before couldn't because ideas for new quilts were streaming into my head. The imagery for the next quilt has started to take shape, but I have also got some ideas for a new dance costume and some belt ideas.  

I've got some thoughts on an Etsy store - which exists, but has nothing in it.

I stayed up WAY past my bedtime writing out my ideas and taking notes on everything that was coming through.  

I made lots of lists of stuff to look up - some how to tutorials (AHHHH!!! the simplicity of the interweb) I have lists upon lists of things to look for to use as inspiration for these upcoming exciting new projects.

http://someartfabrictalk.blogspot.com/2010/05/fabric-flowers-for-mothers-day.html

For now, I've got to get this quilt finished, but when I'm overwhelmed or not inspired over my next three days off from work, I'm going to be looking for some fabric flowers, trees, wool roving for dying, and so much more!  I am feeling a trip to the fabric store on my agenda towards the end of the week.

Ahhhhh.... I'm feeling inspired!  It feels so good.

If you have good links or know of a great book to make flowers I would love to hear about them as well as inexpensive sources for wool roving.

Until tomorrow!  

I'm off to quilt!

How to Steal Like an Artist (A link to share)

By now many of you have already seen this or read it.  It's been sent to me by numerous people.  It's one of those things that are so obvious we often need it spelled out for us in the simplest of terms.  Sometimes the simplest lessons are the hardest.

Here's a link... How To Steal Like An Artist (and 9 other things nobody told me) 

Go there.  Read it.  Soak it in and then do something with it.  Share it.  Print it.  Memorize it.  Get creative.  The sky is the limit because it's all all ready been done - we are simply repeating the same things over and over through our own eyes and hands.

I'm off to make the coffee and get those flowers all sewn down - maybe before the kids wake up.  They slept outside in the tent last night all by themselves!  

Free Motion Design Link

Unfortunately, Thursday was not a behind the sewing machine kind of day.  I had quite a bit of work and some clothes shopping I needed to do. By the time I got home I was simply too tired.  I just wanted a bath and a book.

Shopping is one of my least favorite things to do.  I actually tend to do most of my shopping from home when possible.  I enjoy fabric shopping when I know what I am after, but you won't often find me shopping for anything without a plan in mind. 

So, today I offer you a really cool blog I came across through the Interweave Press's e-mag Stitch since I haven't made too much progress since the last time I posted on my current project.  

I downloaded both of their e-mags on Thursday morning and began reading and watching the videos.  I have only managed to get through a few of the articles. So far the information I have learned will be invaluable later on when I get back to stitching not to mention the link to THIS blog and the interview with Leah Day.

http://www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/

Leah Day set herself the goal of creating 365 free motion quilting designs and they are all there for you and I to check out and use.  Each one has an image of the design with a short you tube clip to watch so you can learn how to do it.  

To me, this is priceless.  I can think of numerous times I wanted to come up with something different to quilt on a piece and then I would get frustrated with myself for not having some reference books on free motion quilting. Now, with 365 designs at my disposal I will have at least a reference spot to go to get ideas and to use and I am certain I will be using quite a bit of what she has already come up with.

I was so excited about this I made HuBB sit down with me and look at them all over again.  He didn't have to look at all 365, but we looked at quite a few.

Here are links to some of my favorites:

The Matrix

Tree Bark

Concentric Circles

Loopy Paisley

Swirling Petals

Whirlpools

Enjoy!