I realized this morning that I had about twelve browser tabs open, many with sites that I wanted to share. This is a post that is all about cleaning up my desktop.
Jen made a comment on my blog that got me to thinking about a problem I was struggling with. Her profile led me to her blog, A Quilting Jewel, which I mentioned in a previous blog post. Jen quilts with her aunt and she is very prolific. I like the way she shows her work in process.
Notebookism is a blog about notebooks and journals. I write every day and go through several journals a year with just writing and a couple of others with notes and drawings for quilts. I was led to this site somehow after looking at the Myndology website. They have some interesting finds in the journal department and they don’t seem to post much.
Michael Nobbs, a Welsh artist, started following my Twitter stream. I always wonder why people follow my Twitter stream because I don’t say very much on it. I certainly don’t say anything very relevant. Perhaps that is the whole point? Anyway, I went and looked at his stream and found some interesting sketches that he is doing and others to which he links, like Seattle Sketcher, which I mentioned he other day. As a result I decided to follow his Twitter stream as well. I think the Creative Mom podcast, as well as my thoughts on a Daily Art Practice, are turning my mind towards sketching. Don’t worry! I am not abandoning quiltmaking. Quite the contrary; I think that viewing sketching sites can inform my quiltmaking. When he received the notice that I was following him, he sent me a message thanking me and a link to his website. On the main page he has a drawing of a teapot, which immediately attracted my attention. There is also a link to his blog.
Matt Sparrow has some interesting quilts and information about thread listed on his blog. I like the batik star he posted. He said the pattern is called Enchanted Star. It looks like an Ohio Star with some 4 patches thrown in.
The Fresh and Modern Quilt Pool at Flickr is really inspiring. Not only are many of the quilts interesting, but the photography is inspired as well. I found this pool by working my through the Denyse Schmidt pool, also on Flickr. Some of the quilts are in both pools. There are lots of simple patterns and the use of fabric is really good. I particularly like the way people have used the large scale prints. One nice thing about Flickr is you can blog straight from the image (if you have set that up) and it makes a very nice layout on your blog. You can see an example in the New Star Block from Flickr post.
As I may have mentioned, the Creative Mom podcast has a bunch of associated sites including the CMP Circle Flickr Pool where members and listeners post their various projects.
Finally, Deirdre pointed me to the Quilt Show blog. I am a little annoyed at the Quilt Show,because of the way it has changed Alex Anderson’s podcast. I liked the way she interviewed people in the past. Now she just goes on and on about the Quilt Show. I am sure it is a great, but I don’t watch it, because I don’t have time and I don’t want to pay for something I don’t have time to take advantage of. I know things change. Blah. Blah. Blah. Anyway, the blog, even though it has a lot of ads, has a lot of nice quilts pictured. There are a variety of different topics also: block of the month, process of fabric design, guests on the show, etc. It’s worth a look.
Enjoy this surf around the web.
Sketching… it’s good for you! If you haven’t already, I highly recommend looking at Danny Gregory’s Creative License. It is amazing… and empowering.
I do it on and off. I try to do it when I am waiting for something else to happen. I just tend towards writing first. I have been checking out the library for Creative License since you recommended it so highly. No luck so far.
Hi Jaye,
We met in January at Always Quilting. I am interested in joining CQFA. I saw there meeting schedule. Should I just go on March 7th?
Also, long story but I bought a Statler/Gammill. Once I learn how to use it, I am going to rent it out!
I can’t wait to play with thread and fabric and, and, and,
The email you wrote for me on your card got a smudge mark so I couldn’t email you directly.
Terry
Hi Terry,
Yes, just show up at the meeting. I am planning to be there and can introduce you around. Anyone else reading this comment who wants to come to the meeting, please go to http://www.cqfa.org for the address, etc.
Hi Amy,
Thanks for leaving a post on my blog.
I have been struggling with the terms “visual journaling” lately. My friend and I recently had a discussion and decided that we were both good in the daily writing practice (AKA journaling) department, but needed a daily art practice – a few times a weekart prctice that was separate from quiltmaking. After our discussion, I realized that I did not want to illustrate my emotions, but wanted to do some other art explorations.
Last year I was making an effort to sketch and could see my improvement, but I stopped for some reason. Perhaps I will get back to it now. You might take a look at this video: http://www.elizabethperry.com/woolgathering/2007/09/1000-days-the-v.html Brief looks at some very nice sketches.
Thanks for reading!