Ever wonder who is in control of your creative options? Why, you of course. The new season is nearly upon us. I know we still have a few toe freezing nights ahead of us but I can't help but get excited when I see the sun come up just a tad earlier and thoughts of warmer weather activities start to creep into my mind's eye. So I say to myself (and those of you that read the words...) shake off the feeling of the dreaded cold season. Take the wheel and steer the boat!
It is normal to sit and stare at the options, to dream of floating away on that magical project, to imagine an escape. It is forever fascinating to me to consider the moment an idea becomes a reality. Sometimes we just need a little bit of a push to get started with a new project. My favourite theme at the moment is a stash stimulating template set...
We are working our way through the new sets and I found this block by Wendy on the wall in the classroom made up using some nice spring colours and a bit of fussy cutting. Now we have two Sunburst Template sets. Mine look like this...
Both are dynamic and fun to make. Meredithe's might be a tad more challenging than mine given the number of pieces but the acrylic pieces make it so much easier. There is something about these pointy circle blocks that I love.
But there are so many options for getting started. For instance we have Cath's Starter Block kits. This month we have Libery Field...
An inspirational Starter Block is from an old favorite quilt, Liberty Fields. I have always loved this block and in my mind it always makes me laugh a little as the original inspiration for it was this photo...
How it got to be made up with such dainty looking flowers I'll never know. However, what I do know is that I love this layout using the stars as flowers. I may still have this green, black and yellow quilt in my future. It is very alluring. Thing is, the future looks a bit like this table during a class. Full of potential. Full of bits and pieces that take us in many directions. Full of busy fingers and a variety of options. Full of women with their minds open to possibility.
The thing about working in class groups is that we mix being able to engage in lively chat with forward motion on our quilts. It is interesting to note the flow of suggestions, opinions and input with the final outcome. I am fascinated by the variety of personalities that come together and blend into one in each class.
Alex is making these flying geese in a variety of sizes in my design class. They look great on the wall and particularly with the stripe sashing! On the other wall is something completely different that Debbie is making.
The expression "vicarious thrill" came to mind as I sorted through the fabrics in Deb's bag while she worked.
We might make a lot of little decisions in a day or we might only make one but the process is so relaxing and fun that it doesn't matter.
On our staff white board we have a section for new classes. Skirt Class!!!! We want a skirt class to make up new skirts for Spring! We have some kits made up and we unbelievably just got them up on the website as well! Funky fun combinations for Amy Butler's Barcelona Skirt (the official MO uniform!)
These kits come with the pattern, a zipper, top and coordinating lining. They take around an hour to make up and we like to add personal touches to the skirts like ric rac and zippers on the outside!!! This is a fad that makes being a slack sewer kinda fun...speaking for myself actually. Also recently added to the website are Wacky Backs.
We usually save these for show specials but we now have a selection of 5m bundled pieces for $55! They come in a wide range of styles and despite that terrible photo they come in pretty handy!Perfect for backing that just finished winter project!!!
Many of you have been interested in Brigitte's quilts. Check out her growing patterns available on her website: http://www.brigittegiblin.com.au If you want to make this one day project let us know.
However, if you wanted to do a one day on Tessellations that is also possible. Get started with Brigitte's help for either of these projects...just a gentle nudge in the right direction.
Lately I find that the news is so unnerving that life feels a bit like it is spinning out of control. So many people making desicions that affect our lives and not always in a like minded manner. It is hard to tell who is telling the truth and who is leading us astray. I guess that is why I like being in the shop or at home making quilts. It makes me feel like I am in control of my own destiny, if only for a few hours a day. I enjoy making decisions about fabrics and tools and participating in the decisions of others regardless of what they choose to do. The process of the creative endeavour eases the strain of traffic, schedules and deadlines...pollution, politics and finances. Today...I have created the option of a schedule that involves a much needed haircut and a day with the gals at quilt group chatting and doing some hand work....ah, bliss. k
Always inspiring to pop by...hope you had a blissful day!
Posted by: cardygirl | Thursday, 18 August 2011 at 05:33 PM
Can I ask what pattern the last quilt picture is?
Thank you.
Posted by: Alison | Thursday, 18 August 2011 at 09:37 PM
You look like a movie star in that top pic!!
Creativity is def'ly good for the soul.
Posted by: kx | Saturday, 20 August 2011 at 09:07 AM
boat skippers never looked so good!
Posted by: jane | Monday, 22 August 2011 at 08:46 AM
http://www.coachfactoryoutletstoreonlinez.net
Posted by: 402300572 | Tuesday, 06 December 2011 at 07:19 PM