The (Tula) Pink pt 2

I turned my examination inward to discern the personal Tula effects. These began before I had the pleasure of meeting her. These effects have been evolving. You see, I discovered Tula Pink during her "Hushabye" period. There was one particular fabric that did it for me. It was a tonal damask, very formal in it's layout, but the central feature was made of a bunny. The humor and surprise was so endearing to me. I became a fan, adding Tula's offerings to my stash and my quilts.

Look at those luscious colors

The color, "life" and whimsy of Tula Pink's designs just give me so much joy to sew!

I also began following Tula on Twitter and just became enchanted with her "shout out"s, pictures of projects and general creative joy. She is so active and accessible, and really appreciates her fans. I began seeing more details in her designs, and in my life. The details matter!

Tula custom prints the backs of each of her quilts. 

 These are her labels and remove any doubt about the provenance of these quilts!

Listening to Tula talk about her inspirations opened my eyes to what I am drawn to, and how I can translate these things into creative inspiration. So I became more cognizant of my demeanor and asked my self, "am I creating MY life?" or just letting it happen? The greatest Tula effect I can  see, is that you have to imagine your story, your personal narrative, and have fun with every single part of it. You have to be in charge of all aspects of your life (just the way Tula is in charge with every aspect of her designing business!).

Tula also sticks with what and who works with her vision. Angela Walters quilts all of Tula's quilts. 

The photographer Tula used for her book, Quilts from the House of Tula Pink, 

will be taking all the pictures for Tula's future books!

Maybe I just haven't been exposed to such a great amount of positive and creative energy in one place (in a very long time), but that magical evening has changed me somehow. I am still a work in progress, but I am actively seeking the creative in my life, looking to add cute critters, bright colors, and my own story to my activities. The best "Tula Pink" effect (for me)? Unleashing the rainbow of colors, images and general delight all around. Thank you, Tula Pink!

The (Tula) Pink Effect pt 1

I am still enjoying the delightful after-effects of our visit from Miss Tula Pink. Gina at The Little General Designs posted this week about "Things that Tula Said" and that got me thinking about what I like to call the Tula Pink effect.

First, the Tula Pink Effect on the audience at Gralyn.

Check out the paneling and the marble fireplace!

The surroundings were so magnificent, I felt like I was in a movie, or in a fairy tale! And I believe the atmosphere of a room really has an effect on the people in that room, so needless to say, in such a wonderful place, all there were wonderful as well. I looked around at 50-60 different women, ranging in age from 24 to 70.

 That is a custom-made Flea Market Fancy skirt!

Everyone was dressed in bright, colorful, expressive garments and jewelry (Tula effect #1, rocking your beautiful self).

 (Gina and Sam, picture stolen from Colleen at our "after-party")

Smiling, laughing conversations started as we got to know each other and shared our quilting lore. We sat casually about, engaged in the conversations Tula led as she shared her work. We oohed and aahhed as a collective (Tula effect #2 expressing joy and delight).

This evening's effects were further evidenced at this past week's TMQG meeting. We had 5 visitors to our packed meeting, most of whom learned of the TMQG at the Tula Pink visit! These delightful ladies may have been new to the group, but their adventurous spirits and mad sewing skills made it feel (to me at least) like these were long-lost friends who had found their way home (Tula effect #3 - finding your tribe).

More (personal) Pink effects to come!

finding my style

Along my journey, I have learned the visual value of "mood" boards. We use them at work as a way of conveying ideas. But when it comes to using one personally, I am a bit lax. I don't like to tear up magazines, if I do, the tear sheets get lost or left in a file that becomes obsolete.

Enter my new tool: pinterest.


I joined out of curiosity. Let it lie not knowing if or when I would really utilize it. Now, I love it. Easy to keep track of things I am drawn to. Becoming easier to discern my aesthetic. Eye candy deluxe!

Back from business trip

I made it back from a 3 day trip to our facility in Maine. It had been about 4 years since I had been there and really did not want to go. But, this was the BEST visit! The meetings went well, the travel went well, I LOVED my accommodations (the Brewster Inn), the weather was perfect. Now, I can't wait for my return visit in April. 


But, upon awakening this morning, I discovered our home PC had a screen full of error messages. I did a shut down/reboot only to hear a scratching-squealing noise coming from the hard drive. It is fully apparent to me, our long-suffering Dell has crossed the bridge. Rest in Peace, old friend.


Work in process, quilt wise: Quilting on Mom's long-arm "Sargasso"- my 120" inch square Radiant Star; also quilting (on my machine) "Phases"- a wall quilt, piecing "Natural 1" an Asian-inspired wall quilt. On deck for piecing, a Christmas quilt using "Fa la la la" by French General Layer Cake.


So, I am posting from work. That means limited pictures and postings. I am sharing some eye candy I have discovered out in Internet Land. Enjoy!


My new quilting-crush is here! Love this quilt!


Found this awesome inspiration blog. Why has it taken me so long?


After reading this post and this post, I am wondering, what is my style? Please leave a comment and let me know what you think. At this point, I feel I am more of a quilt explorer!


Here's my Quilt Candy board on Pinterest. I really dig colors and their interplay with each other and the light.


Meanwhile, I will be doing my part to contribute to our economy by purchasing a new computer. Actually 2, since I am getting one for my hubs as well. Piece On!

More Carol Taylor

Permission to photograph was granted at gallery

I love "The City Quilter". I try to visit every time I am in NYC. Such a great LQS!

Great fabrics. Prints, batiks, panels, felt, patterns, books.

And now that they have expanded, more of that, plus gallery space! Awesome!

It was truly a treat to see these quilts up close. Here is an example of "direct" inspiration. By that, I mean, I want to make more quilts!

Finding inspiration

Last week I was in New York for a week-long project with my company. For the past 3 years, we have gathered to research, discuss and discern what we see as trends to create a presentation for our customers. Part of this activity is to visit exhibits for inspiration. 

This lead me to ponder inspiration. Where we find it, what we do with it.

Not all inspiration is direct, that is, I see lots of blue, therefore I use lots of blue. Some inspiration is indirect and that is what I want to discuss.

One of the exhibits we visited was an exhibition of Nick Cave's Soundsuits at the Jack Shainman Gallery.

Upon first glance, some might think this is a strange inspiration for a quilter.

But look closer, at the details. The ideas behind this art is profound, and the execution is flawless. Thousands, upon thousands of matched buttons, hand sewn onto each suit. Shades flowing into shade. Different thread colors grouped together. Yarn sewn into bunny-suits. 

Permission to photograph was granted at gallery

How does this inspire me? Well, it inspires me to think big, and to be fearless. It inspires me to create from the gut, not worrying about how others interpret my work. It really inspires me to put the ideas that have lingered on the edge of my consciousness into fabric form.

When will all the busy-ness end?

I know, some complain about about the mundane, boring lives they lead. I, too, can feel blah (especially in February when the grey winter skies, the lack of sunlight and the cold weather makes me feel like sleeping through til April), but the endless engagements of September and October have me breathless! At least I have gotten in a bit of sewing. I am quilting this top, but since I am traveling for work all next week, I do not anticipate a finish for a while.


So, to keep you inspired, here are some beauties I have encountered on the web:


Love this African quilt!
Family heirlooms finding a new family.
I love this modern quilt!
Feeling a little flowery over this one, too!
No, I didn't translate it, I just drooled over the pictures!
Awesome Free-motion quilting!
Great calendar for quilters who love men and burritos!
I am going to make a version of this. Love the colors and simplicity!




I AM visiting the City Quilter in NYC next week as well as attending 3 museum tours (Nick Cave Soundsuits, Daphne Guinness at FIT, Japan's Textile Pioneers), so I will share.


October is stacking up to be just as busy as September as I get back from NYC and then travel to our factory in Maine the week of the 17th. November has me in Nashville for the Healthcare Design conference. May next February will not be a boring month, but a resting month!

Heart of the Triad Quilt show

My Mom and I attended the Heart of the Triad Quilt show on Saturday, May 14. This guild KNOWS how to put on a show!  Only guild members could enter quilts, but there were so many beautiful, and varied quilts to enjoy. There were also several vendors and yes, we bought fabric!

I am sharing some closeups that I took, mostly as quilting inspiration.

 I love the combination of grid work and tiny stipple texture. Just works with the fabric and applique!

 I kept going back to this quilt. That appliqued dogwood blossom is BEAUTIFUL!

 This wall quilt was made from scraps of the quilt maker's father's work clothes and the fabrics from the lawn chairs he would sit on at the end of the day. I adore the denim pocket!

 The quilting just set the pinwheels off perfectly!

This was the quilt maker's FIRST whole cloth quilt. Simply stunning.

So much inspiration in one place. 

I am already looking forward to their show next year!

My new route home

I am so much closer to work now, 33 miles each way (it was 57 miles each way, facing the sun). I take a rural 2-lane highway all the way. A very easy drive. I spotted this eave on an old house being re-habbed:

Love finding colorful spots like this!

I see quilts everywhere!

Not a fabric quilt, but a quilt made of glass:

Here in the conference center at the MGM Grand.

Seeing quilt patterns everywhere!

This building in San Francisco sure looks modern-quilt-inspired to me!

All those blocks of bright colors on the white background!

Developing a quilt, part 2

I need to sew. I need to have a project to develop. I really don't watch a lot of TV, I like to be "creating". So what to do, when I am tired, but need the relaxation of the zen of sewing? Well, that is one reason I keep my scraps.

Now sometimes they do seem to take over and I must whip them into shape! But that is part of my creative exercises. I like to 'fondle' the fabric. I like to fold the pieces, arrange by color and pattern, try different pattern groupings. I never know what idea will come, but I have found it is a good way to get the idea for my next quilt.

 I have discovered that I really enjoy the quick projects I can make with pre-cut fabrics. And I LOVE pre-cuts (fat-quarters, jelly rolls, honey buns, layer cakes, makes me hungry!). But in the interest of reducing my waste (shame I can't seem to reduce my waist!) AND as an homage to quilters of the past, I recently arranged my scraps into pre-cut sets. (Yep, there's my Amy Butler dots again!). I pressed and cut my scraps into 2.5" by 12.5" strips, 1.5" by 12.5" strips, 5" squares and 10" squares. So after a big quilt project (where I have co-ordinated fabric, or have made a quilt for someone) I have these pieces ready to go.

  Sort of mindless, relaxing quilting! But also a way of remembering the quilts I have made by the scraps I have left.

Developing a quilt, part 1

Since I am in the quilting phase of another quilt (for dobbygirl!) and that is not easy to document, I decided to create a few posts about the ways I develop my quilts and what inspires me. I hope you find it entertaining!

Method 1 - Or what happens when I fall head-over-heels for a print!

 See that big poppy print? That's what did me in! I love bright poppies, I love seeing them grow in the medians where the DOT plants them en mass. I have tried to grow them, but have no luck. Still, they captivate me. I saw this collection of prints and ordered the fat-quarter pack. In the Spice colorway. You see, I also love orange. Now I mean, I LOVE the color orange. It makes me happy. I have an orange chenille chair in my den. 

To me it is optimistic, warm, happy. It catches the eye. And what is opposite of orange on the color wheel? Blue. So the combination of orange and blue creates energy. When I received the fabric, I loved it even more! So, with the vague idea of an orange and blue quilt, I have been collecting fat quarters. See those orange dots? That is my all-time favorite Amy Butler fabric. I have been hoarding my last pieces of it and this is the place for it. So what's next for this quilt? Well, I have vague ideas for the design. I have even made a couple of sample blocks.

But I haven't decided yet on the pattern. I have also been scouring the 'net for more fabric. This one will be a beauty!

New Quilter Crushes

Seems to me there is a lot of new talent and inspiration in our Quilting World of late. Or maybe its just that I am really tuned into it! Since I am not much farther along on my king-sized Christmas quilt to have new pics to post, today I am gushing over some of my fave Quilters!

First up, Raymond K. Houston of Nacho Grandma's Quilts. I found Raymond while looking for "quilter men" in order to inspire my Dad to join us. Well, Raymond's intriguing tile designs captivated not just me, but my Mom as well! And to top it off, not only is he talented and inspiring, he is incredibly nice as well! Check out his site, his blog and his book. Guy knows his stuff!

Next, Leah Day of Day Style Designs and 365 Freemotion Quilting Filler Designs. She is posting almost daily, freemotion designs as well as making a DVD, managing her online store and being a mom! Don't know how she does it and still comes up with new stitches. She has taught me a lot and the improvements in my own free motion stitching shows that!

Winding up with Elizabeth Hartman of Oh, Fransson! She has such a clear, fresh sense of color and I could just gaze at her Paintbox quilts for hours! She takes marvelous photos and writes clear tutorial on her projects.

Check out these peeps at their links. Makes me proud to be part of the Quilting Tribe! (Nope, I am not being compensated, I just am giving a shout-out to 3 awesome and inspiring artists/designers!)

*In other news: my Dad will be having a cardiac catheterization on Monday, Feb 8. Our hope and prayer is that this goes well so the brain surgery can be quickly rescheduled as the tumor is still there and growing. Thank you so much for keeping Dad in your thoughts and prayers. I believe this little detour is a blessing, since he has had no symptoms of any heart problems before.

Piece On!

Lets catch up!

Been a busy week. Remember this fabric? While I was surrounded by the inspiring atmosphere of New York (and my fantastically talented co-workers!) I recieved the inspiration that has become this:

Front

Back

Detail

This was so much fun! I free-motion quilted in an organic circle pattern.

I daydreamed about working on it every day at work.

I could not wait to get home to work on it.

I have some more of my dyed fabric on my design wall. I am waiting for the inspiration to strike!

And I have 5 more yards in dying as I type this!

What inspires you?

The week in the Big Apple

A great trip to NYC. Stayed with friend and co-worker Geraldine in her fab Carrol Gardens Brownstone! There were 4 of us there, counting our hostess, so it was like a fabulous slumber party. Our purpose was work, but fun was had. The interesting thing? We walked so much, we were in bed by 9:30 each night!

Some interesting quilt-related pix:

Cool tie-dyed pillowcase at ABC Carpet & Planet (their new eco-name)

 

 

Neat quilting patterns seen at ABC and West Elm

Eye Candy from Chelsea gallery. This artist splashed paint (looks like latex to me) on a surface, lets it dry then cuts, peels and applies to canvas. Creates a neat pieced effect.

The only problem is the rotten cold I came home with. But I sure do love New York and its cool energy!

Quiet Sunday

Spent all day yesterday in Danbury at the "Stokes Stomp". A great festival that features tons of great music, dancers, art and food vendors, held in Moratock Park right beside the Dan River.

For more on the "Stomp" visit the "Stokes Folks" blog. A great way to spend a gorgeous September Saturday!

Today, I dyed more fabric:

 

Love these cool colors! I concentrated on greens and blues, since I have plenty of reds and oranges. Check out this awesome "crackled" grey!

I wet the cloth and sprinkled salt on it before adding to my dye bath. Love it!

And finished 2 pillow shams to add to my etsy shop:

 

Now, I must pack. I am off tomorrow morning, spending the week in New York. No blogging until Friday!

Ciao!

why i blog ( and why I host "give a ways")**

**a serious post

I received a lovely package from a blog-friend this week:



This is a "thank you" and a swap for the goodie package I sent to her. (Thank you, Jenny! I love the batiks, they will work in with many of my other batiks and contain colors I did not have. I love them!) She also sent a lovely note in which she mentions her sister asked why bloggers do giveaways. Well, for me the question starts with "why blog?"

For me, my blog is a form of creative expression. It is a way for me to express thoughts and ideas, to share things I learn and to invite feedback and collaboration. All of that is part of my creative process. While at work, I have others in my office to interact with; at home I do not. I do not live close to any others that quilt, nor do I keep a schedule that allows me to join in a nearby guild . So, my blog is a way to invite that sort of communication, which many times, it does. And of course, this is a place to show what I have done, and hope others enjoy seeing it!

Through my blog have found other crafty-bloggers and really enjoy reading their thoughts and seeing their work. I feel the blogs have allowed me to see and learn things from all over the world that I really enjoy and would not have learned otherwise. There are so many nice, creative and talented people out there! I have learned techniques, patterns and shortcuts. I have been so inspired that I wish I had more hours in the day to try all the things I have seen, and continue to see. I have "met" great, interesting people and feel like a part of their lives. In short, this "virtual" world of blogging has enriched my life. So, I want to give back.

Another reason to "give" things (for me) is just that I love to give. No strings attached. It makes me feel good. We are trying to sell our house and during this year we have cleaned and sorted and instead of having a yard sale (which is an incredible amount of work on top of the cleaning and sorting) I convinced my husband to just give all our excess away. We have taken many loads to Goodwill and gave to others directly that needed or wanted what we had to spare. I guess I have been so blessed that for me it seems normal. So giving my extra fabrics and craft items is a way to share. I also hate to throw away perfectly good stuff and am very glad to have someone to pass it along to!

The final reason I like to give/share is simple (and included in the name of this blog): karma. I like to put good things out into the universe, since I believe that what I put out there is what I hope to receive. I prefer to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". And because I like good things/ideas/friends/people to come into my life, I want to put all the good I can into the world! Just think, if all of us could put good out there, what could we accomplish?

Lastly, I made a conscious decision to make this blog a place of joy. When it began, I would grouse and complain and vent, but that just didn't feel right. The thing about the internet is once you put something on it, it is there forever. So I want to celebrate beauty: beautiful ideas, pictures, inspirations. That is what I want on the internet forever! How about you?

Backyard visitor

We have a blue plastic baby pool for the dogs. They haven't played in it (that I've seen) but we keep water in it just in case. I went to dump the stagnant water out and refill it today and saw a visitor:



So, I will wait and dump the water this evening after the sun sets. Give the little guy a chance to get away.

Interesting colors, the bright blue contrasting with the greens of the water and the toad.

WOW Great TED talk

If you have never visited TED.com, DO IT!
This is an awesome episode on creativity: