This is an uncropped photos of a piece of public art on Mission Street. The circles moved. I don’t have an SD card in my Blackberry so I couldn’t take a video.
The “evacuate the building immediately” alarm went off, so we all evacuated. Of course, it was a false alarm, so I went to lunch instead of going back into the building. It was late and I hadn’t gone anyway.
I headed up to the SFMOMA bookstore. I am on a mission to find out what books on developing a creative habit are out there. I didn’t find exactly what I was looking for, but I was inspired by being there and walking up and back.
Diamonds, late August 2010Diamonds, early September 2010
My design wall is a mess. It is an even bigger mess than when I showed it before. I have at least four projects on it, which makes it difficult to photograph anything cleanly. As a result, I used the eraser function in Photoshop Elements to erase some of the things surrounding the diamonds in the photo on the left. I wasn’t completely enamoured with the effect, so I left the bits and pieces in the photo on the right. I don’t know how to outline a shape and clear the background completely. I would like to learn that.
I have been intermittently pressing recently washed fabrics and cutting pieces from them, so the diamond accumulation continues. I know I will be needing to cut a lot of the border pieces late in the year, so I want to make sure all the diamonds are cut. I am sure I have said that a thousand times. It is on my mind.
I still haven’t figured out if the Fast2Cut 45 degree half and quarter diamond ruler will work for the side, edge and corner diamonds. I still need to figure that out. I haven’t actually seen it in a store, so it is hard to compare to the Creative Grids ruler that I have. It would be nice if Creative Grids made a ruler to go with their diamond ruler. I did see that they have a Triangles 120 degree ruler. I think it would work for the side pieces, which would be great. It would definitely make an easier time than when I cut the side pieces for the Eye Spy.
I simply do not have enough time to sew. I spent a day and a half over the weekend just sewing. I made a lot of progress on the Zig Zaggy quilt and it was still not enough time. I don’t know how much time would be enough time. I haven’t reached that threshold yet. I simply know that I need more.
It is simple, but effective. I am not sure if the fabrics from the pink and purple bundle will show up well enough in this design, because of the size of the pieces.
The thing I like about the above pattern is the black strip (I would use something different depending on the color scheme), but it anchors all the blocks together. I am not sure the effect would be the same with different fabrics used for the blocks. Part of the effectiveness of this quilt is the solid colors. This is from the City Quilts book, which is making me consider buying it….very soon.
Above is my CrankyPants fabric. There was a weeklong stretch a couple of weeks ago where I was just cranky. I couldn’t think of a reason, but EVERYTHING annoyed me. The boys were smart and just stayed out of my way, did what I told them and just generally were compliant. For the rest of the world, I stayed away and/or kept my door closed. As a small attempt to make myself feel a bit better, I bought the above three fabrics. It would have been nicer, if annoying people at work had just piled up gorgeous half yards outside my door. I think the middle one will go with my red and aqua quilt. Perhaps, the red and turquoise piece on the left as well. We will see.
Aqua/Red Quilt + Gift Bag
The ribbon candy fabric is for a Christmas gift bag. No, I don’t need more gift bag fabric, nor do I need more gift bags. Still, this ribbon candy fabric brought back a boatload of memories from my childhood. My grandmother would have covered glass dishes (one was clear and in the shape of Christmas tree) filled with different candies during Christmas. One was filled with these ribbon candies. I didn’t like to eat them, but I loved to look at them and dream about the way they were made. Those curves are so beguiling!
I am still collecting red and aqua fabrics. I couldn’t resist a bit more of Big Plain Jane fabrics, though it isn’t as big as the one I bought before.
I bought some more of the taco fabric as well, so I can make something for the Child. Back of a quilt? Not sure yet. Photos to follow!
Post Long Beach Purchases
The print on the top looks just like the print at the top of the second photo. It is, however, a larger scale. That piece as well as the the fabrics in the second row will go into my blue and aqua quilt. I am trying to be ok with having some colors just a bit off from the cherry red and aqua that I am imagining. I may put the grey dot in as well. I kind of like how it looks with the brights.
Birch Red/Black Bundle
As I have mentioned, Birch Fabrics/Fabricworm puts out bundles periodically. I mentioned them when I reviewed Birch Fabrics last month, after my trip. I am starting to think of them as Birch Bundles. These bundles are like candy. Expensive candy. The reason they are like candy for me is that the fabrics are from different lines and designers, but still go together and I didn’t have to do the work. I like using full lines, as I have mentioned, because it gets me into the sewing faster. Using Birch Bundles expands my visual horizons.
The above pack may have been a purchasing mistake. I haven’t decided yet. I like the various fabrics, but I would not have bought them all. Still, I want to try to use them together. I am still working on thinking up a project for these bundles. I am thinking about doing the same design for my three bundles just to focus on working with the fabric. Perhaps the Diamond Chain design? Or stars?
Childhood Bedroom
Does every girl have a pink and purple bedroom? I did. My parents and their friends worked hard on that bedroom. My bedroom was different from the colors above, painted much more of a sweet pink and lavender. Still the bundle above reminds me of it. The bundle is one that I love. I LOVE the violet. I also love the scale differences of the motifs.
I probably would not have bought the Tufted Tweets fabrics alone, because of the strong pattern. Still, they fit really well into this group. Those flowers also would not have been first in my basket at the fabric store. Cynthia and her team have helped me imagine a new and different fabric combination. Let’s see how it works when I actually put something together. You can buy one, too and show me what you make.
Post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and/or your blog.
The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to post your responses. I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses.
A compass is a navigational instrument for determining direction relative to the Earth’s magnetic poles. (Wikipedia)
Here is my response for the Creative prompt, Middle, which was posted on August 20, 2010. You can see the original prompt and join inthe fun.
SherriD’s response is really great. I agree with her comment that this was a hard one. I don’t always have an idea in mind when create a prompt. Sometimes I do and sometimes I can think of one during the week, but often I have to let the word simmer for awhile after it is posted.
Sarah Bush on Make Great Stuff blog was talking about transitions while being creative in her blog post recently. She give some great examples, which make this concept easy to relate to our own lives.
I cataloged the techniques I use to being creative. They are below. I think you also need to know some other things about yourself:
when you work best. I am a morning person. By 6 or 7pm, I am done machine sewing and just an accident waiting to happen.
self motivation. I am very motivated, which is good. I can work early when I don’t have anyone around to spur me on. I also don’t need groups (mostly) or to follow something like a mystery quilt project to be creative.
your morning ritual related to your creativity. I like to get up pretty early on the weekends, do my exercises, drink my tea, perhaps write in my journal. If I go to bed at midnight the night before none of this will happen, because I will get up too late. My whole date will be off.
how you get back on track. If I am off track like described above, I need to know my techniques for getting myself back on track.
I keep a lot of different things going so I always have a hard thing or an easy thing depending on my mood.
I keep the creative inputs coming using podcasts and blogs if I can’t be actively engaged in creating personally.
I also do warm ups. My warm ups are sewing squares or random pieces together. Eventually they may end up as something, but their important function is to get me engaged in my work for the day.
Pressing fabric is a good way ease transitions and give me a few minutes to think about what comes next. Pressing is also a good activity when someone calls and they are interrupting, but you can’t not talk to them.
I also prepare work to be done later. Not only is this a good activity in itself, it prepares work for later (see #1 above). For example, I may make the straps for a bag, but not make the bag until later. When I do get around to making the bag, the straps are ready. Also, I often cut all the pieces for a pillowcase or set of napkins or a bag and then sew later. Breaking up the steps of projects eases transitions from one project to another or from a non-quiltmaking task to a quiltmaking task.
I am not sure if the techniques above always help with transitions. I am constantly seeking a way to move smoothly from life to quiltmaking. Many of the items above do help me NOT have to think about what comes next. The podcasts and other “creativity on the go media” help keep me immersed in quiltmaking.
I also have to be strict with myself. For example, I sew first and play on the computer later, or if I finish this journal cover, then I can play on the computer for 15 minutes.
Sarah mentions other tricks and tips that help as well. Clearing off your cutting table or organizing your supplies. Last week, when I felt so grumpy, clearing off the desk in my workroom helped change my attitude. I didn’t even really do a great job.I did, however, go through everything on there and file a few things, which helped make me feel better.
I think humans like rituals. Part of transitioning to getting down to business is creating a ritual that gets you there. What is your ritual?
Here is the first block for the Block-a-Long. Four Patch #1 is an easy pattern – just 4 pieces. You can use four different fabrics, as I did or you can two. Select and place your fabrics according to any means your heart desires.
This is my response to the Heart prompt. I am doing a much better job of keeping up. I don’t want to get behind again! I am enjoying exploring more of the details of various aspects of the building.
See the original prompt and create your own response in any format, media, or colors.
The last bit of the Chocolate Box I had to do was the sleeve. I made it in a short amount of time and then it seemed to take me forever to sew it on. I really had a hard time keeping the tucks out of the back of the quilt. Not sure why. Anyway, another project off my plate. Hooray!
In mathematics, a curve is, generally speaking, an object similar to a line (geometry) but which is not required to be straight. (Wikipedia)
Curves Health clubs and Fitness Centers
Dynamic Yield Curve
Curveball
Post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and/or your blog.
The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to post your responses. I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses.
This is the larger size of the Anna Maria Horner Multi-tasker tote. I wanted to make a bag that worked with the Moda Half Moon fabric after the Mini Multi didn’t turn out as expected. I am pretty pleased how this one turned out.
Half Moon Tote – detail
I might be done with this pattern. I dug the Cruzer & Little Cru pattern out and may start working on that.
One of my first serious craft undertakings was cross stitch. Counted cross stitch. I started cross stitching when I escaped to Denmark for a week during a difficult year. I went to visit my Danish sister and her family. Ulla, my Danish sister’s mother, treated me like her long lost daughter. One of the things we did was go to downtown Copenhagen and buy a cross stitch pattern. The pattern I bought, daffodils, was Eva Rosenstand / Clara Waever brand, as is the one above. It was the perfect for a long, cold, snowy winter project. Ulla showed me how to follow the pattern and make perfect stitches.
I finished that daffodil wallhanging and gave it to her. The next time I went to see the family, my little cross stitch was hanging, framed, in a place of honor in her dining room. It made me feel so good.
Cross Stitch Sampler Top/Middle
I bought this pattern years later. I think I bought it in Solvang and it was wildly expensive. I worked diligently on it and was so proud when the border came out perfectly.
Cross Stitch Sampler Top Corner
I have never created a quilt border that perfectly. You can tell it is Danish, because of the extra letters from the Danish alphabet. No, I do not speak Danish.
I gave it to my grandmother as a gift fo her birthday. I didn’t have the money to have it framed, which was a shame, because the presentation would have been a lot better. She opened it and before she got the whole thing out of the box, her husband said “WHAT are we going to do with THAT?” I felt so deflated and I never saw the piece again. I worked so hard on it and I was sure that it went to Goodwill in one of the regular purges that my grandmother loves.
Cross Stitch Sampler Bottom
Last week, my mom gave me a small package wrapped in lime green tissue. I wanted to go to Solvang on the way to or from Long Beach to get another cross stitch pattern from the shop there. It just didn’t get high enough up on the priority list.
When I opened the package I almost cried. My grandmother had sent me back this sampler. She hadn’t gotten rid of it! I was thrilled. I really did a nice job on this project and I am going to get it framed and hang it in a place of honor.
