How often should members post in order to maintain membership on our team??

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Trial and Error

Sometimes when we see something gorgeous we forget we are seeing the end result of a long process. Beautiful heirloom art is not sprung from a moment of finesse but from many moments of both success, error and skill building. It is trial and error that sparks our creativity, gives us free rein and takes us in directions we might not have immediately chosen.

One of the nicest ways I've seen to encourage this type of anything goes, just create attitude is a Journal Quilt. These are small, usually
8 x 10 quilts which can be done in a variety of mediums. I first heard about these from the Quilting Arts television show run on PBS. Patricia Bolton (Pokey) is the host of this show; a great one for sparking your imagination.

The idea of journal quilts is to encourage you to continually create and try new techniques. Because of its small size, you don't have to feel like you're committing to a large project. It's similar to a sketchbook for your various attempts and reminds me of knitting and crochet samplers. As with journal quilts, there is no reason why this same concept could not translate to other fiber arts as well.

This past Saturday, I caught another of my favorite shows: America Quilts Creativity, episode 913. This episode had Pokey on as a quest and to my great delight, she actually walked us through her method for creating one of her journal quilts. Click here for the pdf file that gives you the steps from that show.

Mistakes often take us into new areas of creativity, opening our eyes to new possibilities. Use that freedom and try some journal quilting!

No comments:

www.Quiltsalad.etsy.com

  • For Caps, Hats, Crochet, Knit, Little Quilts, Potholders, Bags, Purses, Lap Quilts, Crib Quilts, WAll Hangings, Handknitted Scarves, Brooches, and Quilt Blocks.

www.Starryhomecrafts.etsy.com

  • For Lolly Gang dolls, other dolls, doll clothes, Quilts, Frames, Coasters, Christmas, Home DEcor, and Childrens Misc. items.

www.Waterrose.etsy.com

  • For Needlework, Quilts, Baby or Juvenile, Clothing, Purses, Bags, Oddities, and Custom Orders.

www.stormeejean.etsy.com

  • For ART that you can WEAR! One-of-a-kind jackets,coats,vests - Weaved fanciful and beautiful items to wear.

www.rokstudy.etsy.com

  • For Unique handmade,no-machine embroidered gifts."TM Quilts, Wall Art, House wares, Custom Orders for all seasons and occasions

www.clubaloha.etsy.com

  • I love making quilts, handbags, fabric items that will bring you lots of enjoyment.

www.CinfulArt.etsy.com

  • for Quilts, cross stitch, table runners

www.LLGQuilts.etsy.com

  • Quilts, Table Runners, Purses and Handbags

www.LollyLooBoutique.etsy.com

  • For quilted baby bibs, burp cloths and changing pads, rosettes and roses

www.sunnyplainquilting.etsy.com

  • For Fall Wreaths,quilts

www.Delia's.etsy.com

  • For wall hangings, table runners

www.HandmadeByShannon.etsy.com

  • For quilts,accessories , totes

www.Beccasgarden.etsy.com

  • For Afghns, and one of a kind handcrafted items

www.Lepetitreve.etsy.com

  • For blankets and Unique handmade items

www.tatvakala.etsy.com

  • Specialises in making modern ,decorative & contemporary handmade and machine made bedspreads & designer cushions for your home ,offices & garden.

www.ThreadWorx.etsy.com

  • Fro embroideed items

www.Humanity Knits.etsy.com

  • For handknitted scarves

www.DRAGONFLYREALM.etsy.com

  • For Quilts, Table Runners and More

www.CraftyMtnGirl.etsy.com

  • For gloves, scarves,cowls,headbands

WWW.AnnDenee.Etsy.com

  • For Crochet Dishcloths, Washcloths, Hats and Scarves; Knit Scarves; Macrame Hemp Bracelets.

www.BlueRidge4Sisters.Etsy.com

  • For Quilts, tablerunners, placemats, dish cloths, hand towels, baby blankets and afghans

www.xmastreeskirts4u.etsy.com

  • For beautiful Christmas tree skirts

www.CindyRQuilts.Etsy.com

  • For Art quilts, quilted bags

WWW.mkhquilts.Etsy.com

  • For quilts, totes, wallhangings, table runners, fabric postcards

WWW.avisiontoremember.Etsy.com

  • Car Seat Tents, rag quilts,Reversible Dresses , patterns

WWW.TheHomespunLoft.Etsy.com

  • For pet mats, pet clothes,pillowcases,quilts, placemats

WWW.BSCrafts.Etsy.com

  • For afghans, bibs, embroidery

www.thegiftgarden.etsy.com

  • For tote bags, purses, kitchen housewares