"Joy"

When do you feel the most creative?

Sometimes it's when I'm alone and

then other times, it's when I'm

surrounded by creative people.

I look forward each day to reading

the blogs that I follow. 

These bloggers are very motivating

and I'm always inspired by the work that they share on line.

I have also been blessed with some

close friends, both in mind set and proximity,

who are very creative.

They can easily energize me,

charge me up,

and make me step off into a new direction.

This weekend I was gifted a 

lovely handmade gift from one of my creative friends.

She does bring "joy" to my life.

Projects don't have to be complicated

to be creative,

just an interesting way of seeing things.

 

 And what's not to love about this sweet pillow,

especially with all that lovely French General fabrics.

And thank you, to all the bloggers that 

share ideas and their creative process,

you continue to enrich my life and

bring me "joy".

 Until Next Time-

I Finished the Trail

 At the end of September

Lori, at Humble Quilts,

began a quilt along

with a quilt she was calling Mountain Trails.

I'm a slow hiker, I know.

But I've finished one of the quilts that

I had started.

I challenged myself to a "scrap attack" and
 to use only the fabrics

that were in my scrap bag and here's

one of the quilts. 

 21.5" x 22.5"

"Follow the Cheez-It Trail"

 Remember I had help

choosing just the right fabrics.

With the trail done in a cheddar color,

and the shape a small square,

all I could see were Cheez-It crackers

making a trail.

I found a great fabric in my stash

to use on the back.

Can you tell how old this fabric is?

Good Grief,

it's 20 years old already.

Time to use some it, 

don't you think!

 Other quilters who are faster

hikers than I am,

have posted their quilts here.

I have one more quilt partly sewn.

I'll let you know when I finally get to 

the end of that trail.

But until then,

"Happy Trails to you

'till we meet again."

Until Next Time-

Mountain Trail Sew Along

My days are pretty scheduled.

Playtime, nap time, bottles and baby food, ...

So when Lori at Humble Quilts started her newest quilt-a-long

I knew it was the perfect project

 to give me some unplanned creative sewing time.

To add to the challenge,

 I decided to use the " dump and sew" strategy.

What is that exactly?

Beth at, Love Laugh Quilt, 

suggests you dump your scrap bag and see what happens.

 The perfect solution for a mini scrappy quilt.

Out came the scraps.

A couple of years ago I passed on most of my scraps,

 so what was in there was relatively new.

Even then

sometimes you need to ask for someone else's opinion.

I did noticed two themes.  

Reproductions

Blacks, browns, blues, shirtings, with a cheddar cheese trail

Modern Brights

Leftover Kate Spain, Fig Tree, Sandy Gervais maybe with a bright Raspberry trail.

No problem having two themes.

Just make two quilts.

With a little more sorting

and cutting

 these mountain trails are beginning to take shape.

This has been a great exercise is 

exploration and discovery.

Christopher and I must have 

a little bit in common.

Until Next Time- 

Pass the Pickles, Please

Recently a friend give me

a vintage relish dish.  

It's lovely.

I know I will truly enjoy it with pickles and olives.

I'll probably use it at Easter dinner.

She also reminded me that it doesn't have 

to be used just for passing the pickles.

What about repurposing it my quilt studio?

I like what I can keep on it.

My rotatory cutter or scissors fit perfectly in the 

center section. 

My constantly misplaced glasses might actually stay in one spot

and other little things can find their home in the other sections.

Cute.

I've also repurposed muffin tins

 for keeping track of other small things.

I love the primitive look of the metal muffin tins.

If you haven't started following Pinterest,

it's the perfect place to see wonderful ideas 

of reusing and repurposing. Let me know if
you'd like an invite.

But in the mean time take

 a look around your cupboards and see

what treasures you've been storing away

that might have a new and better purpose.

It's good to know
a relish tray isn't just for passing the pickles.

Until Next Time-

So Many Choices

Looking for inspiration?

Looking for some fun things to do?

First, I love the list that Cathy G 

over at Orange Sink included in her blog.
Look it over and see what might apply to you.

31 Ways to Stay Creative

1.    Make Lists

2.   Carry a Notebook Everywhere

3.   Try Free Writing

4.   Get Away From the Computer

5.   Quit Beating Yourself Up

6.   Take Breaks

7.    Sing in the Shower

8.   Drink Coffee/Tea

9.   Know Your Roots

10. Listen to New Music

11.  Be Open

12. Surround Yourself with Creative People

13. Get Feedback

14. Collaborate

15. Don’t Give Up

16. Practice, Practice, Practice

17.  Allow Yourself to make Mistakes

18. Go Somewhere New

19. Watch Foreign Films

20.  Count Your Blessings

21. Get Lots of Rest

22.Take Risks

23.   Break the Rules

24.   Do More of What Makes You Happy

25.Don’t Force It

26.  Read a Page of the Dictionary

27. Create a Framework

28. Stop Trying to Be Someone Else’s Perfect

29.  Got an Idea? Write it Down

30.  Clean Your Workspace

31. Finish Something

Need some new movie ideas?

Check out Susan Branch's blog,

With Love from the Heart of the Home.

There's enough suggestions to keep very busy.

Maybe instead of a book club, organize  some friends to

have a Silver Screen Group and watch old movies.

Want to start a new project?

Join Lori at Humble Quilts, and

join in her quilt a-long on a sweet vintage

little quilt done in double pinks, chrome yellows,

with a bit of brown, navy and red.

It should be fun.

Also Sentimental Stitches and Brenda P. of Dear Jane Fame

are starting a mystery quilt,

"It Just Takes 2."

Check out the details.  It looks like it will be

a great way to make that special red and white quilt.

The first set of blocks are done.  Now
I just have to add the red work embroidery that's
in some of the open areas.

There's so many exciting and interesting things to do.

How can I possibly choose?

Easy,

I won't choose.

I'm going to do them all
plus a few more!

Until Next Time-