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!

 

We Love Pinterest

Many months ago, I received a text from my pregnant DIL.  She had seen something very cool on Pinterest - a book wall! She sent me the photo and wanted to know if the future grandfather, aka my DH, could make one for her.

 

It was installed this weekend.

It was perfect.

The whole room looks just adorable. 

And check out these Tom's baby shoes she received from one of her childhood friends.

 

A couple of hours after we left, I received this photo.

Full!

She received all those wonderful books from her Philly and CT baby showers.

She is looking forward to many hours of sharing all these books with her baby .