Friday, February 28, 2014

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.



 
 



 
 Bailey approves!
 
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8 comments:

  1. Love this table, Cheryl! So happy and cheerful and and fits perfectly to the couch and chair. Great idea!!!

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  2. It look very "Key West", colorful and a little wild!

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  3. Love your new furniture and your table looks great with it.You came up with a terrific design and painted it beautifully! Did you draw it out and select all the colors ahead of time or did you wing it?

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  4. Very deeply cool table!!!
    I've seen people who paint and sell "Elijah's Chairs," for baby namings/brisses....There's a similar joyful, colorful spirit!!!! I'd buy one of your tables! (But shipping might be prohibitive!)

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  5. You are so incredibly talented!

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