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!
