That reminded me of the story Jenny Beyer’s told in the introduction of "Color Confidence for Quilters" about the “Grandmother’s Flower Garden” she created in India. Without the traditional colors (fabrics) available she ended up doing one in rich muted colors that was quite different from the norm. When she returned to the States, and showed it, everyone was fascinated with her sense of color, thus engaging her interest in the subject.
Hey Annette, last time I was in Oklahoma for a visit I found lots of great Japanese type fabrics at the local Joanne’s; did you check in their specialty prints section?