Patternista

I love patterns.  I see patterns  in everything that can be interpreted into a quilt.  Pattern, designs, motifs, whatever you want to call it, is my inspiration.  The patterns of Mexican tiles happily led to lots of quilts and my first book, !Quilt Fiesta!  I see pattern on the ground in bricks and sidewalks.  I see patterns in wrought iron designs.  I see patterns in wallpaper and architectural details. I see pattern in rugs and furniture.  I call it "Organic Inspiration" for my quilts.

 

 I always have a camera in my purse or bicycle bag to snap these photos and file them away on my computer. I consider my camera one of my best design tools. When I am designing a quilt or looking for ideas for quilting, I look to these pattern inspirations and also to design books.  Graham Leslie McCallum is the author of a bunch of pattern motif books that I really enjoy.  One of my favorites is Pattern Motifs: A Sourcebook Paperback . His other books are chock full of ideas also.

 

Another place to look for inspiration for pattern design ideas is Pinterest.  It's got a great search feature, and talk about eye candy!  You can create your own design boards, follow others or just look around.  Be forewarned.  You can spend a lot of time searching and browsing and drooling. LOL 

 

We bought new furniture for our Key West place this year, so I thought it was time for new occasional tables.

 

Our current ones are glass and I think they are just an accident waiting to happen,

especially since we rent out our place. 

 If you have been following my blog since the Summer, you may remember

that I painted a toy chest for Henry.

 

I had so much fun with it and I was so pleased with how it came out, that I kind of wanted to keep it.  But .... I knew one day I would have the opportunity to paint something for myself.  The day has come.  I found a coffee table at the Salvation Army in Key West.  It cost all of $12.00. After spending lots of time perusing Pinterest, I decided I wanted to make it colorful and full of pattern to fit in with the Key West environment.

 

I decided first to do a little warm up and paint a little gift box for a friend's new grandson,

that I filled  with Q-Tips.

Then I was ready to attack the table.

     I used LOTS of green Frog masking tape.

I painted indoors and outdoors, wherever I could see the best and not get a backache.

  I really missed my studio.

 

 

 

 Bailey approves!