Category Archives: Uncategorized

Design Inspiration – Where do you find it (Part 1)?

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OK, so maybe it should be where do I find it ;-)…

I have always drawn from an early age (at least since 5 years old), continued to do art through high school, then focused on chalk pastel drawings while studying for my BSc and MSc as a hobby. I have, however, never really studied art or artists.

Recently, I have been inspired in my design work by Abstract and Modern Art artists. I actually started researching artists and I have a few favorites that has definitely been influencing my current designs.

When I am learning about the artist and their styles, I try a couple of quilt designs that are similar, by looking at a few common pieces with a similar theme, look at each once and then try it on my own. Now, the simplicity and the geometric nature of the abstract and modern art period, shows through my own designs – some work, some don’t….but its all about trial and error and working out what is “me”.

Here are some of my favorite artists, and the books I have purchased or the links to sources.

Josef Albers
(Source: Interaction of Color – Book purchased from Amazon.com)

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Luis Sacilotto
(Source of paintings: http://www.wikiart.org/en/luis-sacilotto/)

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Harvey Quaytman
(Source: Harvey Quaytman – Book purchased from Amazon)

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Frederick Hammersley
(Source: Frederick Hammersley – Book Purchased from Amazon)

Screen Shot 2015-01-03 at 10.53.09 PM Screen Shot 2015-01-03 at 10.56.13 PM Screen Shot 2015-01-03 at 11.01.19 PM Screen Shot 2015-01-03 at 11.03.27 PMI would love to hear if there are artists or a period that influences your quilt designs.

Design to Reality: Trapped

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Hope you all had a great New Year’s Eve, Welcome to 2015.

My new design and tutorial for Sew Mama Sew was posted here today. I made this project as a framed block which was an idea I used last Christmas for some colleagues.

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I will post the tutorial for the second block and final block in this series “Houdini” over the weekend – “Escaped”. QDAD_Escaped3_22September

 

2015 – Looking Forward

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This past year, has been somewhat a whirlwind but I have enjoyed all the experiences I have had. For 2015, I am looking forward to more of the same.  I am really excited about attending QuiltCon and Glamp Stitchalot, looking forward to having a blast and meeting new people.
       

Goals

I realized last year that my path and goals changed significantly in the last 6 months, so instead of setting goals for the whole year, I am just going to set them for the first 6 months and see how it goes…

      • My biggest goal for the beginning of the year is to sew just from my stash. If I run out of a fabric in the middle of a project or require backing fabric, I can make a purchase.
        My Button
        Yes, this is my stash….
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      • Continue to make strides in finishing of my projects on a monthly basis (see below for project plans/targets). I will definitely continue goal setting with A Lovely Year of Finishes.My Button
      • Make my son a quilt via Patchwork City QAL
      •  Participate more in the quilting community
        • Launch “Back to School” Tutorial series on my blog, which I hope will be a regular feature (coming beginning in January).
        • Plan and teach new classes this year. I hope to teach a needle-turn applique and a paper-piecing class this year.
        • I have really enjoyed sharing Design to Reality on Sew Mama Sew, so I would like to continue contributing projects and take the big step of seeing if I can publish in magazines.
        • Participate more in my guild (Triangle MQG).
      • Design goals include:
        • Continue participating in Quilt Design a Day.
        • Try out a 1-2 new fabric designs via Spoonflower

Project Plan

My monthly plan looks like a lot in the first quarter, but most of the projects are already made and just need finishing (ie. quilted). Also, flexibility is definitely one of my objectives as you never know what comes up.

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Order (left to right) 1. Spoonflower Sampler Quilt  2. Celestial Spheres  3. Bjorn the bear  4. Rangers Station 5. Cheri D’Amour  5. Jungle Ave Tapa

Monthly plan Project Current Status
 January  Spoonflower Sampler Quilt TOP, BACK (UNDERWAY), BASTE, QUILT, BIND
 Sew Mama Sew (Project 5)  TOP (UNDERWAY), BACK, BASTE, QUILT, BIND
 Bjorn the Bear TOP, BACK, BASTE, QUILT, BIND
 Jungle Ave Tapa TOP, BACK, BASTE, QUILT, BIND
 Schnitzel & Boo Mini Quilt TOP, BACK, BASTE, QUILT, BIND
February  Celestial Spheres  TOP, BACK, BASTE, QUILT, BIND
 Rangers Station  TOP, BACK, BASTE, QUILT, BIND
 Sew Mama Sew (Project 6) TOP, BACK, BASTE, QUILT, BIND
 March  Cheri D’Amour TOP, BACK, BASTE, QUILT, BIND
 Patchwork City QAL –
 New Project –
April  Secret Sewing Project –
 Patchwork City QAL –
 New Project –
May  Secret Sewing Project –
 Patchwork City QAL –
 New Project –
June  Patchwork City QAL –
 New Project –

Wow, that took way longer than I expected (probably shouldn’t have tried multi-tasking in front of TV…3 hours later). Lastly, here are additional WiPs that I have on my pile that I hope to get to through out the year.

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I am looking forward to reading all of your goals and your dreams for 2015!! Happy New Year!!