Tag: Inspiration

Creativity Color Inspiration

Color palette- July 1
Color palette- July 1

I took this picture on one of my daily walks. This plant, which has become very popular as people convert to more water friendly gardens, is more and more prevalent.

The bottom of the plant is quite ugly, but the flowers are really gorgeous. This particular photo was taken outside of a restaurant where they have recently redone the landscaping. A large-ish area of these plants are in bloom and make the area look like a field of magenta.

Unlike previous palettes, I was disappointed in the outcome of this one. the neutrals seem ok, but the beautiful fuschia/magentas are not represented at all correctly.

Color palette #2-July 1
Color palette #2-July 1

I redid the palette, switching my option to Moda Bella Solids. This palette is better in that the fuschia/magenta tones are represented. However, the line must not have enough in that value range to accommodate the slight variations in color.

Finally, I pulled out my Kona color card and checked with my eyes. Indeed, the colors in the flowers are not adequately represented. Cerise (#1066) is close to the darker tones, but that lighter shade of purply fuschia is not included.

I find that playing with the PlayCrafts Palette Builder to be a fun and useful exercise. It really makes me look at the colors in a  picture and analyze them.

Saturday Inspiration

After the YM went off to college we got out of the habit of seeing each other, because she was relieved not to have to drive and I was crazy busy. After Christmas, we decided that this would never do so Mom and I have been trying to go out at least once a month.

The other week went to an antique store. It was great! It didn’t smell like old things, the products looked well curated and there were unique items.

Tea Set
Tea Set

I saw this tea set and thought that it was like no other I had ever seen. I loved the color, again unique. Also the shape was great. No, I didn’t buy it, but I have the photo.

Be inspired!

Creativity Color Inspiration

I don’t know when I took this photo or where I was, but it is an interesting view.

Red Cup
Red Cup

The palette I built has many more cool colors than I expected. I can see the reasoning when I look very closely.

Red Cup palette
Red Cup palette

If you generate a palette put a link in the comments of this post, so I can see it. 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 work together and provide a way for others to see your work and get familiar with your blog or website.

The Creative Prompt Project, which we will continue to use for other creative activities, has a Flickr group. You can join to  post your creative endeavors. I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses. Thanks for reading.

Creativity Inspiration

One of the things I want to do is inspire your creativity with color palettes.

June 10 Palette
June 10 Palette

The circles indicate the areas of the photo that determine the palette. The tool put all the circles ont he background, so my first palette had no brights.

June 10 Palette #3
June 10 Palette #3

I moved the circles a little to see the difference. I think the palette tool might tend to darker or muddier prints. It could be that I chose Kona as well.

Regardless, this tool is a great place to start, if you have a photo and want to use it as a color palette for your artwork. I used the Playcrafts tool and selected Kona Cottons to generate this palette.

If you generate a palette put a link in the comments of this post, so I can see it. 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 work together and provide a way for others to see your work and get familiar with your blog or website.

The Creative Prompt Project, which we will continue to use for other creative activities, has a Flickr group. You can join to  post your creative endeavors. I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses. Thanks for reading.

Creative Prompt: What Comes Next

As you might have noticed, I ended the Creative Prompt Project last week. You can see all of them by clicking on the tag. It was never intended to be a forever project and, frankly, I lost interest. I am still doing the prompts, but I haven’t posted a response in a long time and I don’t know if I will.

I want to continue to do something creative, inspirational beyond my regular work, but we will have to see what. I don’t quite know yet. For now Fridays might be an off day or a day where I just post another post. I have some books where I might do some of the prompts and talk about that. I just don’t know. I’ll let you know.

Ideas, etc from QuiltCon (QuiltCon post #6)

Below is a random collection of ideas and inspiration I got from QuiltCon. What would you do with them? If you do a drawing or sample, post a link to your work in the comments.

  1. Start with different sized squares. Add one border and trim all the blocks to the same size.
  2. Teal thread on eggplant colored fabric – quilting thread or Perle cotton
  3. Liberated Round and Round block
  4.  Pointy Triangles inspired by shaped trees on a building

    Building Inspiration
    Building Inspiration
  5. Try Eleganza Perle cotton. I have never heard of it much less seen it sold. I didn’t buy any, but would like to try some.
  6. Libs Elliott Liberty pattern
  7. Libs Elliott Out of Step pattern
  8. Strip quilt idea
    Strip quilt idea

    Rug in the convention center. Great strip type quilt.

Books and Quotes

  • Women’s Work: The first 20,000 years by Elizabeth Barber- this was mentioned in Gwen Marston’s Keynote
  • Andrew Vucko has extreme thoughts on creativity
  • Steve Jobs 1996 Wired magazine article

 

Year of the Dragon

Full dragon
Full dragon

Earlier this year we went, again, to the North Coast. While there, we visited a restaurant called the Lost Coast Brewery. It had excellent food, including a gluten free menu. There was a bit of a hippie feel to it and part of that was the decoration. They had some kind of sculptural device that moved and bobbed when the door opened. Periodically, other things would move and I got the sense of fun and entertainment — like a carnival show. Along with the food and being on a date with my husband, it was fantastic.

One thing they had on the wall was a dragon banner. I was born at the very end of the Year of the Dragon and it is a powerful symbol in Chinese astrology. I sometimes need power, so I embrace it on occasion.

I have been looking for the right kind of dragon imagery, which is difficult. I wanted the right kind of proportions and not too much cartoon. I like the dragon in Sleeping Beauty, but there are parts of it I don’t like. The jaw is too large, the wings too small. Some of the traditional Chinese dragons are just too….something. I need to start somewhere and create my own image that works for me.

I found that the banner in the Lost Coast Brewery was one I could use to make my own. I don’t know what I will make – possibly a banner. Not a quilt, I don’t think. definitely a large applique with embroidery. I really am longing to do some embroidery on a piece like Beach Town or the Flower Garden. I thought about the Tarts Come to Tea this weekend and doing embroidery on that piece, which is still half quilted. The Serendipity Lady also has potential for a bit of embroidery. I don’t know how smart it is to line up several projects that need embroidery, but we will see.

Dragon detail
Dragon detail

Anyway, this dragon is a good start. I will need to adjust the size of the head, wings and feet, but the shape is a good one.

Inspiration Thursday

South Street mosaics, Philadelphia
South Street mosaics, Philadelphia

I recently returned from a trip to Philadelphia. I visited to attend a conference for work. Even though I had to miss the BAMQG meeting it was a good trip. Short and I didn’t get to have as many touristy adventures as I have in the past, but still good. Still, I took a little time on Saturday to go find a gluten free Philly Cheesesteak and in the process found a few new mosaics that I hadn’t seen before.

I really would like to make a Welcome sign in this style for my front porch. Someday.

Hearst Castle pt.3

Cottage tiles
Cottage tiles

Last Sunday I wrote about the inspiration that could be found in the indoor pool at Hearst Castle. OMG! I love the colors in that indoor pool! Although, I have to admit, it should come as no surprise to you.

There is a lot of other tile around the estate. As I have said about 100,000,000,000 times, I love tiles and mosaics. Some of these were some of the most inspirational I have ever seen., including being inspired for quiltmaking designs.

The photo to the left would be an interesting baby quilt. The circles could incorporate fusible or machine applique’. The center could be redesigned a little bit to be more geometric and pieced.

Cottage tile at roofline
Cottage tile at roofline

Each of the cottages had tile at the roofline. Those tiles were different colors and had different motifs. I could only see the tiles in the photo (left) by taking the photo with the zoom at ‘extreme’

The bonus was the plasterwork (not sure of the technique) on this particular cottage. I love the ceiling decoration, but I also like the gargoyles. They are more funny than scary. All of them were just a bit different, but equally hilarious.

Cottage Bas Relief
Cottage Bas Relief

I like the idea of the roof tiles. I think it adds a bit of interest to the  rooflines. I think it would add something to those cookie cutter townhomes and apartments most large cities are putting up around public transport.

Anyway, the Hearst estate is a wonderful source of fabulous inspiration. If you have an opportunity to visit, don’t hesitate.

Hearst Castle Inspiration pt.2

Bottom of pool
Bottom of pool

There was so much inspiration at Hearst Castle that one post wouldn’t do. The previous post was mostly about the outside of the castle. One of the most beautiful parts of the estate was the indoor pool. It didn’t have the feel of indoors or outdoors.

The bottom of the pool is gorgeous. The colors are rich and strong even through the water. Yes, turquoise is a favorite color, but that blue is hard not to like. Coupled with the green, it is a very special color combination It is definitely worth trying to replicate in a quilt. A very different two color quilt?

Wall tile in indoor pool
Wall tile in indoor pool

While the bottom of the pool is awesome, the walls are fantastic, too. In fact the entire inside of the building is covered in mosaic tile.

Wouldn’t the rectangular design to the right make a fantastic quilt with no additional designing? Start saving your 1″ squares!

The outer borders, however, would also make fantastic borders. See the squares spaced at regular intervals? I think tile artisans have the same problem we do with spacing and the math around borders. The squares on the sides as well as the L shaped corners look great, but also help deal with the math. I am sure the tile people Mr. Hearst employed were perfect and this was the design, but for mere mortals like me and my quilts, the ideas would be really helpful.

The colors are really great, too. Blue and green, of course, since it is an indoor pool, but the yellow doesn’t overpower the rest. Perhaps it is more gold?? I also see a few different colors of yellow tiles. That probably helps, too. Scrap tiling/quilting?

Floor tile designs - indoor pool
Floor tile designs – indoor pool

My favorite part of the indoor pool area was right when I walked in. The photo (right) is flooring! Yes, I walked on it. Look at that gold! Look at those circles! Amazing.

I think what caught my attention first was the blue and gold. They are the colors of my alma mater, so they always grab me. On second look, I saw the design and was even more enchanted. Don’t the figures look like animals?

I also see some pinwheels and nine patches. I just love tile.