creative bug

Lately I am very aware of a particular moment of the day.  It is that moment when the day comes to an end as I lay my head on the pillow.  The routine is always the same.  I get in bed, read until the words blur, turn on the alarm and turn out the light before rolling to the left and closing my eyes.  As I close them I think, "how the heck did that happen again?"   What is curious to me is where the days go as that is my most conscious moment. Anyone with me on that? 

We are loving Alexander Henry designs at the moment at MO.  How can you go wrong using designs like these to start a quilt off?  Deidre is nearly finished with this quilt for her daughter.  The inspiration was butterflies, a medallion and a free spirit to trust that it will all come together in the spirit in which it was started!  Is it me or can you practically hear those wings flutter in the soft breeze of spring?

We are loading up with fabric treasures like this to bring to the Quilt Show!  One piece of inspired fabric and it is only a matter of time until it all comes together. 

Marina was working with my favourite shape at the moment, the 12'' 60 degree triangle.  Cut and sew...or more aptly, cut, layout and stare...then sew!  Helena has made some progress on her Mark Heard's rooster!  This has been a really fun idea that we are all exercising with pleasure!

I even got one from Raylene who saw the idea and joined in the fun

Moira has moved out of the chook yard and into the city
 The ABC here runs great artist profile stories on Sunday afternoons when I am often in my studio.  I have learned so much about so many varied styles of art from these series and the latest was about how the romantics were commenting on industrialization was threatening the quality of their lives!!! This scene is reminding me of William Wordsmith and his days as a writer in that period. He was greatly concerned to see the beauty of nature give way to cities.  Imagine if they lived now and could see how we have devasted the earth. 

Kelly missed the session when we started these mad roosters but quickly picked up the pace.  It is an effective way to get in touch with how you see and use fabric to create an image or tell a story.
Kelly also had her made fabric from Victoria's workshop.  She made the fabric and used our Popstars template to cut the shapes and started to decide how to lay them out but the rooster got in the way!!

Telling stories is a source of inspiration for all of us.  Sheila wanted to make a cot quilt, in a hurry.  With no place to start we just started talking about who it was for looking for a starting place.  The clue was in the fact that the dad is from Columbia...South America filled with mountains...and it was only a short time until we had a design of mountains to remind him of his homeland!  The fabrics were from Sheila's stash but with only two additions it came together.

Then we moved on to Sheila's Fractured quilt which has only one square to go!  Just a teaser for those of you doing this class with me at The Quitlers Affair in Sisters or at Quilting by the Lake in NY.  There is some confusion out there about cutting instructions.  These blocks are made from two strips cut 5'' WOF that contrast in value or color so that the lines show up.  If you are preparing and are confused pop me an email.

It is easy to see how the days disappear with all these projects happening. Aside from a busy class schedule, we are manic at the moment preparing for the show next week.  We are cutting kits, making brochures and adding the last corners to new block of the month quilts (and oh we have outdone ourselves this time!!!).  When our eyes meet they spin out of control...in a particularly freaky moment Wendy said to me, "Just remember that even our bad days are good days."  No greater truth has ever been spoken on so many levels.  Her words remind me to be grateful for having a creative life and to be surrounded by so many like minded people.  It is a place to smile and enjoy...even if we have to do it fast.

 

But really, why am I here this morning?  Well, one of the other things on the list at the moment is preparing classes for creative bug. 

 

Big space because I am sure you clicked on the link, went there and spent an hour or so watching the gorgeous artist statements!  From knitting to paper, quilting to dress making, embroidery to making tee pees, they have it all.  What I really love is how the artists are presented in their true spirit. Kaffe, Liza, Anna Maria and so many more...Go there, have a look and I am sure you will see what I saw. This morning I watched this link  creative bug  on how they got started a year ago and well, suffice to say I can't wait to walk into their studio...go check them out!!! k

 

 

Comments

[Sharon van de Zand]

Dear Kathy - I am with you on the particular moment of the day!! We pack so much in each and every day - it's gone before we know it! Sometimes we really do need to take time out and enjoy the things we have and those around us. I am on LSL in the UK at the moment - am on the Isle of Man watching the famous motorbike TT races with the other half (this is his part of the trip) then back to the mainland on June 10th - am so looking forward to June 25th as I get to see the Kaffe Fassett exhibition at the Art & Textile museum in London - but in saying that it brings my 50th closer which is the same day as going to the exhibition, I figure this will make me forget I'm turning 50. We have been here 3 weeks already - "how did that happen" so quickly?

[Cardygirl]

Always inspiring! Might bring my tricky medallion fabric with me to DH! Love the quirky roosters too.

[Debra]

Kathy - I want to thank you for an inspirational post! I have been working on a new fish pattern (using the fabric collage method)and it just wasn't popping the way it should with the batiks I typically use. Then I saw your roosters.. I think I need to pull out my Kaffe prints! Thanks!

[Heather B.]

Wow! Deidre's butterfly quilt is just beautiful. It is so rich in colour and design. Thank you for the update Kathy. Heather B