Inspired by the tides

Some of you will recognize one of my favorites places, E. Boothbay, Maine, in the background.  I am happy to tell you that I did find inspiration sitting on the deck and watching the tides, or more specifically, watching what happens to the boats in the bay when the tides shift. 

I brought very little fabric on vacation last week, a few Japanese-looking cotton fabrics and some tone-on-tone white stripes.  Watching the boats swing around and shift direction with the tides seemed linear, organized and yet still had a sweeping motion.  I'm not sure anyone looking at this work in progress would make that connection, but it certainly helped me to see these fabrics in a different way.

I used rotary templates to cut out both pieces of the blocks and then sewed the curved pieces without pinning anything.  My Singer 221 Featherweight and slow stitching did a marvelous job!

I'll share more photos of this when I have borders in place. 

In the meantime, I hope you all find something inspiring to help you enjoy today!

Searching for inspiration and getting back my mojo

I've taken some time off from quilting and from creating.  The little bit of work that I've done lately, I wouldn't post for a couple of reasons; much of it was not particularly creative or interesting.  

However, there were 7 pillows made from the flannel shirts and wild ties of a man that passed away a few years ago.  His daughter found me through a friend of a friend.  She had the idea to make something out of his shirts and ties - none of which seemed to go together.  We decided pillows would work and she picked out one special tie for each recipient and let me work around those selections.  The results were remarkable.  The front of the shirts became the back of the pillow, with the button front and breast pockets in tact so a note, picture or such could be tucked inside.  The ties became a fan pattern on the front of the pillow.  She was pleased with the results and I hope her family was, too.  It was a pleasure to make them and I got a sense of the man through his choice in ties - and the fact that his daughter wanted to preserve the memories of him in that way.  It touched my heart. 

With that project done, I'm now looking for inspiration.  What inspires creation?  What satisfies the soul?  What moves the spirit?

I'll let you know what happens next.