Why do you create?

Ever since my craftiness (nerdiness, or whatever you want to call it) was revealed to everyone I know with the Houston Chronicle article I have been asked several times why I like to quilt, why I like crafting, why I like being creative. 



I have had several answers and no answers all at the same time.  I just boiled it down to this generic "because I like it".  Can we same LAME.  I just can't seem to come up with a concise, meaningful answer to any of these questions. 



One of my favorite photographers, Zhang Jingna, whose work I have followed for years, was able to sum it up for me perfectly.

"I pursue a beauty that to me makes being alive more bearable even if just for a little while.  This is the reason I create."

Her works (as seen all throughout this post) is a true testament to that powerful statement.
 




















So tell me, why do you do what you do?  Why do you risk cricks in your neck from hours over a sewing machine or hand work, why do you risk cuting off fingers with a rotary cutter, why do you risk sleep deprivation trying to create an entire quilt in 2 days because someone asks for a baby quilt at the last minute??



Why do you create?

Inspiring (House) Monday

A few weeks ago I went to a vintage sale here in the city that was held at the most inspiring place ever!  It was an event coordinators place (I can't remember the name but I will try to find it!) and was the epitome of romantic, soft, and vintage.  These are just a few shots of her place...  (sorry about the quality of the photos, they were taken on my iphone with 1 hand because my other hand was full of the goodies I bought which are below!)

Hanging empty frames?!  Totally brillaint.  Plus I am seeing this as a quilt with different sized boxes with neutral borders on maybe a pink and white background.

That felt pillow in the chair is welcome in my house any day! There is a similar pattern in the felt issue of Stitch magazine.

Random quilts stacked on the furniture???  YES PLZ.

Adorable garlands and sweet quilted pillows?  Oh definitely.

Bunting, pillows, and vintage dresses, OH MY!

This typewritter makes me swoon.  Like I am going to need the fainting couch in the next picture kind of swoon.  Plus the colors in the photo would make the most gorgeous quilt ever!

A pink and white chaise!!!  My life desperately needs this.

Plus I got these baby's from the same that day!



Heather Ross pj's for $25!!!! A 1942 edition of Etiquette by Emily Post for only $12! Plus a gorgeous print from a local artist named Rachel Szitas who is now near and dear to my heart with her love and enthusiasm for art. She is in the process of starting an Etsy store which I am definitely passing on to you guys once it is set up!

Hope this makes you want to try something new, maybe out of your comfort zone for all you bright, rainbow quilt makers out there!

Inspiring Monday

Wait, did I just go back in time and miss something?? 

Where are the rest of my best weekend ever posts with photos of the cutest vintage aqua, pink, and white house, and photos from my day antiquing in Round Top Texas when I got the most awesome vintage aprons and flour sack?? Or even where is my Inspiring Monday post from LAST MONDAY???

That's right folks - I am so totally failing at being a blogger right now. 

Plus I spent the last week out of town in both Richmond, VA (one of my now favorite cities) and Ft. Worth, TX (for my Jane Austen conference!!!) so yeah - I am a bit behind!

So in the effort of catching up a bit - here are some of the things I am totlaly finding inspiring right now! (Click the photos to go to their flickr page for all infomation.)











Ok so now that I have tickled your eye balls with some pretties I hope everyone had as fantastic weekend as I did at my Jane Austen confernce, and is now going to go sew!!

GO!!

SEW NOW!!

Inspiring Monday

This week I want to share with you some color pallets that have been speaking screaming to me to sew pretty pretty things.

Do y'all have a favorite pallet? 

If so leave me a link!  I'd love to see it.

Vintage Life

Giveaway post here!

Today I got to attend an awesome event through by Houston Vintage!

There were vendors, pin up hair and makeup demos, swing, tango, and burlesque dance performances, and a great time to be had by all!

First off the shopping was awesome and full of inspiration!  These were some of the lovely things I saw.  

 

And aren't these boots crazy awesome?!?!  Oh my goodness I wish I had the money to bring these beauties home with me.  I mean come on, linen embroidered go go boots!!  I'm swooning here.

This is what I ended up getting!  A beautiful hair piece/brooch from Violet Peacock, that I wanted to wear in my hair for the Jane Austen confernece I am going to.  I also got this amazing scarf for the simple  reason that as soon as I saw it I thought QUILT!!!  It would make an incredible quilt!!

What was the best part though was the dancing!  All the dancers were so beautiful and talented!  Check out this couple doing a fantastic tango!

Someone even brought this awesome car.  Y'all may not know this about me but I love classic cars because my dad has restored these kinds of cars and trucks my whole life.  And did anyone notice the baby car seat in the back??  Talk about coolest Dad ever!

On a totally unrelated note I was checking out sewing patterns at Joann's and they have a whole book dedicated to Halloween costumes and came across this weirdness.  Instead of models wearing the costumes they are using the cheaper illustrations, only do you notice how anime in style these are??  It just seemed a bit odd to me.  I made me want to run home and watch Sailor Moon!

Inspiring Monday

I am super excited because I bought a new Kindle 3 on Saturday.  I did have a Sony ereader but I was never all that happy with it, and the new kindle seems like it will be much more my speed. So for like the last 2 days I have been scouring flickr looking at everyones beautifully made Kindle covers for inspiration so I can make one for mine! And just look at some of these little pretties!

1. Deb's Kindle cover, 2. Kindle Cover, 3. kindle cover, 4. pac man kindle cover closed, 5. Sakizome Kindle Cover, 6. Kindle Covers, 7. Kindle Covers, 8. Ghastly kindle cover, 9. Kindle Covers

Anyone have an tutorial suggestions???? Pretty pretty please!!

My Maw Maw the Master

Meet my Maw Maw.

She is 91 years old this year and was my first quilting inspiration and teacher. She pieces, bastes, quilts, EVERYTHING by hand with the most beautiful, small, and even stitches.

She has made both me and my younger sister each a quilt. Each one is gorgeous and so lovingly made.

And she still churns them out today. She is currently working on this quilt.

And she just finished this one which I LOVE!

I love her quilts, and treasure the ones that I have that she made.  Love you Maw Maw!

Inspiring Monday

This week I am totally into red crosses whether they are quilts, mini quilts, or embroideries.

peace and comfort by Jacquie G

Mini Red Cross Quilt by Fashioned by Meg

Red Cross by Miniature Rhino

I love that such a simple shape can create such a powerful statement.

Inspiring Monday

Inspiration can come from anywhere, from fellow crafters, your surroundings, your imagination, and even others imagination. 

Or your favorite author. 

I don't think it is a secret anymore that I am a total Jane Austen NERD.  I have read every book she wrote MULTIPLE times (plus a ton of the insane number of rewrites and sequels), have a Jane Austen action figure, visited the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, England, and am even a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America and am going to the annual general meeting this fall in Fort Worth, TX. 

So yeah.....NERD.

And from this love others have used this obsession love for interest in Jane Austen to create some beautiful pieces for me that I will love always.

Beth made this for me for my birthday back in June.  What Would Jane Austen Do?

And Suzanne made me this for our Jane Austen swap and I got it over the weekend!

Seriously, I cannot even express what these pieces mean to me and how much I will treasure them.

The lesson here though is to keep your eyes open, because inspiration is ANYWHERE and EVERYWHERE. You just have to notice it.

Inspiring Monday

So I totally need another craft addiction like I need a hole in the head, or as my awesome crafty friend Beth said I am taking a crafting detour but will eventually find my way back to the quiling path! 

So for this detour I am totally exploring CROSS STITCH!  Because seriously how could you not want to make pieces like these...

Entomologie Set by What Delilah did

Check out her shop with so many great patterns!

Or better yet these AMAZING pieces by Cauchy that are on her blog. WARNING...NSFW!! (But doesn't that make you want to click the link all the more?!?)  I mean seriously, I have never been so sad that I don't read my blog reader everyday so that I could have been one of the lucky few to get the patterns for those samplers!!

Inspiring Monday

After completely forgetting last weeks Inspiring Monday post (sorry about that) I bring you this weeks which is more inspiration for a way to use our quilts than make a quilt!

This stems from the fact that I just picked up my new Electra Townie over the weekend and want to ride it in every park in the city to have a picnic!  But you will meet her in a different post!

Picnic by Bordons

To me this scene is why we make quilts - to use them!  Now I am not talking about art quilts that are made to be hung.  I am talking about everyday quilts that are meant to be thrown on the ground, have juice spilled on, wipe potatoe chip grease on, and roll over in the grass.  This is why I make quilts. 

I want to learn to sew clothes.

Yes - I have said that before.

But what usually happens is I go buy 37 patterns, tons of fabric, attempt 1 pattern, get half way through before realizing I have sewn an arm on inside out and to the neck hole instead of the arm hole, get annoyed, squish the fabric "creation" into a ball, throw said ball across the room, and then go back to quilting.

No - this is not a one time occurance, but an ongoing pattern throughout my life time of sewing.

Still - I do really want to learn!  And there are 4 books coming out that I think might finally do it for me in that they look like they have awesome patters, good illustrations, and clear directions.

*****

First up on my wish list is I Am Cute Dresses: 25 Simple Designs to Sew. 

From the publisher: 25 easy-to-make and wear dresses.  Start sewing simple and adorable dresses that you’ll love to wear. You don’t need complicated patterns to make these 25 easy, loose, and effortlessly stylish garments. Each of these dresses is designed from basic, simple shapes that require no difficult or advanced tailoring, and will be flattering on everyone.  You just need the basic template for each dress, and then you can adjust the width using an included formula, and length by simply raising or dropping the hemline. These easy-to-sew and easy-to-fit cute dresses will quickly become staples in your wardrobe.

*****

Next there is The Colette Sewing Handbook: Inspired Styles and Classic Techniques for the Modern Seamstress  by the amazing chick who makes Colette patterns.

From the publisher: A great plan, a great pattern, a great fit, a great fabric, and a great finish: These are the five fundamentals for perfecting any sewing project. Sarai Mitnick, an independent pattern designer setting the high water mark in the industry, shares her knowledge of these fundamentals and offers five beautiful projects to go with them.

• Powerful instruction: A former expert in user experience in the tech industry, Sarai Mitnick's Colette Patterns line has gained a great deal of respect for comprehensive, clear instruction.
• Comprehensive resource: The chapters cover sewing techniques, planning and fitting, working with patterns, working with fabrics, working with linings, finishing techniques… In essence, each chapter focuses on what the entirety of another book might cover.
• Gorgeous package: Pitch-perfect combination of illustration, step-by-step photography and beautiful project shots, all with a clean, lovely design.

*****

Then there is Simple Modern Sewing: 8 Basic Patterns to Create 25 Favorite Garments

From the publisher: 25 fabulous, wearable garments from only 8 simple patterns.  Make a closetful of comfortable and easy go-to garments without needing tons of patterns. You need just the eight included basic templates which show you how to fold and cut for each of the 25 unique designs. The patterns are easy and adaptable with no-fuss sizing, so it’s simple to sew clothes that are perfect for you. If you’re a beginner sewer you’ll love the basic shapes and stylish results. Once you’ve mastered the patterns you can get creative and make each piece your own by using a variety of fabrics, or by adding fashionable embellishments like a print lining or contrast-stitching.  Fill your wardrobe in no time with these easy to make and wear garments.

*****

Finally I want Liberty Book of Home Sewing which isn't so much about clothes sewing but COME ON!!

IT'S LIBERTY!!

Besides when there is a Liberty book available no Amazon wishlist is complete without it.

From the publisher: Crafters and fashion lovers will be lining up to get their hands on the very first sewing book from internationally popular and uber-stylish textile brand Liberty. Brimming with lavish photographs of bold, graphic fabrics, The Liberty Book of Home Sewing offers 25 irresistible and easy-to-make projects that allow readers to incorporate a touch of Liberty elegance into their home. Simple enough for beginners, the projects range from feminine totes and aprons to handy pincushions and book covers, full-sized quilts, chic throws, plush cushions, and more. With color step-by-step illustrations, detailed instructions, and plenty of inspiration, plus an exquisite fabric cover, this enchantingly beautiful book will be treasured by longtime Liberty fans and young crafters alike.

*****

If none of these books can teach me how to sew clothes or at least inspire me to get off my quilters butt and LEARN then I don't think anything will!!

Inspiring Monday

For you Fourth of July inspiration!

Army Star Block by Lynne of Lily's Quilts

Lynne designed this block for a bee and I just adore it!  Tiling, amazing paper piecing, curves - I swear there are so many hard and beautiful techniques in this single block I am just amazed! 

To Virginia and Back.

BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY POST HERE.

This past month I went to Richmond, VA for work and loved every minute about it! 

I loved the city and everything was so inspiring and made me want to come home and QUILT!

Look at the color of that sky. So gorgeous and so blue at 30,000 feet.

The city itself was also gorgeous. The Fan District where I stayed was home to the cutest houses! And one even had actual cathedral windows!

Then there was the AMAZING Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. This museum just recently completed a new expansion and both the building and its collections were gorgeous.

These were some of my most favorite pieces on exhibit. Especially this first one!

All in all it was a great trip and it totally gave me a bajillion crafting ideas.

There are tons of colors, patterns, shapes swirling around my head just waiting to get out! 

(Please excuse the quality of the photos as they were all taken with my phone.)