Designing Away

I have my design wall filled with fabric, circles and ric rac... trying to get an idea that popped into my head, went down on my sketch pad as a very loose design, to turn into a quilt from fabric!
Easier said then done.  First the circles had to get cut using my Accuquilt GO, then the fabric auditioned.  Then more fabric auditioned because the green I had beside the pink was just not working.
And of course, then more circles had to be recut as they suddenly didn't match the green and pink.

Then I took a pic of that and went to EQ7 and started again. Here is one of my rejects, it just doesn't work for me.

It might be the colours, but I did audition a whole bunch, I think it may be the different widths in the rectangles as I tried to create my own version of a log cabin block.  Either way, it hit the rejection bin=)

So what do you do when you have reject after reject?   Okay, maybe you don't have that happen, but I sure do.

I go and find some inspiration. This video is so great for making me feel like giving up is not a great option. The caption is 'The only person standing in your way is YOU. Find something in your life worth fighting for and discover a FIRE within you.' 

How amazing is that for a quote?

Or how about 6 ideas to inspire your work routine. Love the creative ideas in this one!

One of my favourite blogs is a new one 'Find Your Lula'.  Now I will admit I have been to the retreat twice and this blog is a spinoff from it... and simply put, you can find what you need for growth and inspiration and organic thought here. Another disclaimer I do write for the blog as well. 

Tell me, what do you do for getting the creative juices flowing?

E Magazine

Our fearless Design Team leader has put together an e magazine for you to look at featuring her newest line Delighted.

It is all based on Kitchen beauty.  The best part is that there are tutorials on every one of them.   Go to the last page to link up to the tutes.   I loved Jana's table runner so much, that when she gave the team a sneak preview, I had to find out how she made it immediately!

Open publication - Free publishing - More crafting

Please check back later this week for some art quilting progress.

The Design Process

Nest month our guild is doing a program on different aspects of quilting. I have been asked to talk about the design process that I go through in making an art quilt.

The first thing I do is grab my sketch pad and pencil. These are not fancy items. I find both at the Dollar Store. Sometimes I have no idea what I am going to do, so I just start doodling objects and shapes that I like. In my last quilt, I knew the shape I was using, so I started with that. The one I am currently sketching, I started with a piece of fabric I love.

I put a date on the sketch book at the front, so I know when I used it. I keep all my pads so I can go back and look stuff up, or for different ideas, and just for memory.

From the moment I start sketching a new design, the pad stays at my side through the whole process of making the quilt. It sits on the cutting table, or at night, if I want to work through something I bring it up to bed with me to work on.

Not only will the sketch book have the original design, but I will jot down notes, especially if I am trying a new technique. I will write out the steps so I don't forget them.

As I near the end, I will start colouring parts of the design to see what colours work with embellishing, quilting and borders.

And when my art quilt is done. I grab my sketch pad and start again.