Hey guys. Would you help me brainstorm? I signed up for a round robin a few days ago and yesterday my Dad called to chat. He said he's been doing some soul-searching and requested I make him something that says or shows "Calm Energy."

So that's what I'll do for the center of his quilt for the round-robin. I'm still brainstorming about how to show calm energy.

When I interviewed him today about it, he said red isn't calm, but grey is stagnant. He said he likes royal purple, if it isn't done so it looks too girly. There's a picture that reminds him of calm energy which is of a bird singing on a rock during a storm... but he doesn't want me to do that because it reminds him of mom (who passed on 12 years ago) and that makes him sad.

He wants calm energy for himself because he feels either calm or engergized most of the time... not both. He can be really productive and run himself into the ground or he can be calm and get very little done.

He's overweight and used to be a cross-country runner so I thought of doing something with that, but I don't want him to feel badly about where he's at and who he is right now.

I'm sure I'll come up with something great, but if you have any ideas I'd love to hear them. It's nice to be able to talk about it with quilters.

Oh and I can piece, applique, etc. So the design doesn't have to be something easy. If need be, I'll learn a new technique. After all, this is for my Dad.

Just a thought, but if this is a Round Robin, will the other members be able to carry out the "calm, energy" theme throughout the quilt? It will kinda be out of your hands once they start adding on to it. Their idea of this theme may not be the same as you and your dad's.

Just thinking here....how about in the center "the Thinker"...{the statue} and then surrounding that any number of the things your Dad likes to do...(busy things).

Goodness that is deep. When I think of calm energy the first thing that comes to mind is the sea. Not when it storms but you know how the waves come to shore and then go back out. It is a very soothing sound but there is so much strength in those waves, constantly moving, changing the shore, churning the rocks, shells and glass until they don't resemble what they were and making them smooth and soft.

I think of the sea also. My thought was to do the center (not sure how big your center of the round robin has to be) in a storm at sea pattern (my avatar is a variation called "stars at sea"). It is one of my favorite patterns because you can really see movement in the blocks. I think it would be a great beginning for a round robin.

What about an island in the middle of the water (with waves) and some trees that are slightly bending signifying the wind, with clouds, etc.? You could incorporate all kind of stuff like rocks, boulders, whales, dolphins,etc.

The color "Sage Green" is very calming. Behr even has a color called "Restful", which is a sage green.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...16054132MXNOLv

Check out that link.......maybe something on the order of that in his colors?

If you are willing to draw inspiration from the Buddhist religious tradition you might like to do a search on mandalas. That was the first thing I thought of when I read the words 'calm energy.'

I think of windmills in a field of wheat. Not easy to do, but there's my two cents.

Here is a book called "Calm Energy"

Maybe the picture could be adapted in some way.

http://books.google.com/books?id=yl-...page&q&f=false

What about a lighthouse, with the calm sea around it. The lighthouse light could be lit. You could bring blues and purples into it to give him his masculine colors.

Yes it'll be up to them to add to it, but I'm more concerned about the center I'm making for it right now. They'll add to the center, so that sets the tone for the whole thing. Plus if I name it "Calm Energy" and let them know it's for a man, that influences their choices of what to add too.

That might be cute. It certainly is calm and reflective, and happy. Not sure it's energetic though.

Hmmm nice idea. I was also thinking about something with the sea... as long as it doesn't resemble too much that painting my mom loved.

That sounds beautiful. Definately calming vacation type image with lots of energy from the wind too. Something to think about for sure.

Love your avatar. I'll look up storm at sea patterns.

I love that color too.

Wow that's beautiful. Definately would make a unique looking quilt. I'll look into fractal designs some more.

http://home.worldonline.co.za/~samw/mandala.jpg

There's one I found that I like. Not sure it'd be the same with the colors Dad's looking for. What do you think?

I think I like this idea best of all so far.

That's a great idea. Kindof like the lighthouse thing without being so close to the painting that makes Dad remember mom. I'd have to find some awesome fabric or do some embroidery or both to make everything have great movement.

Yeah, I like it. Dad used to be a runner so maybe I could do somebody running through the woods. Calming surroundings, energetic activity. Or maybe I could still do the sea or wheat themes and have the guy running on the shore or through the field.

My calming place is in the mountains on a horse. But I like the Idea of the ocean too. Cool colors are calming colors also
http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/color/a/symbolism_2.htm

I love the Idea a theme quilt how fun.

I am anxious to see this creation when it is completed.

I would not do a design specific quilt as a Round Robin.
Even with a theme, everyone's idea of "calm energy" is not the same as yours or your dad's. Leave that one for you to do. Round Robins can be disappointing in many ways and often do not turn out as you would like. Quality of workmanship and colors and designs chosen do not always blend with the overall.

Holice have you had problems with a RR.

When i think of calm i think of a babbling brook in a rainforest type area with birds and fish swimming calmly around a small pool at the base of the brook. You could do a landscape type center and as you build around the center get a little more busy but not enough to over energize. My father lives in a log house in the middle of the woods and his favorite place is by the brook and made a small area with a little bench to sit and continplate (didnt spell right)

An experiment - after you decide what to do -

Make two centers the same - send one out for the round robin - keep one and work on it - see what happens

Some of my ideas of "calm energy" - besides the water themes

Controlled energy?

1) a hunting dog "on point"
2) batteries (that are still "good")
3) a warming fire - like in a fireplace after the leaping flames have gone down to a slow burn
4) the atomic energy symbol

http://www.fotosearch.com/illustrati...gy-symbol.html

5) Soup simmering on a stove

Hmm- most of my ideas have to do with heat and light - - -

maybe combine them with cool and water?

karielt- I do like the cool colors idea. And mountains. Dad's not really into horses but I can see how that would bring you peace.

dsb- I'll be sure to post pictures!

Holice- yeah maybe I'm too trusting but I feel this could be really fun to see everybody's ideas. It will definately be different from what I have pictured. But if I start with a strong center I think it'll be okay.

Jane- I love the log cabin patterns. Maybe your idea would be a good one for me to work towards on my own. He doesn't have a nice bed-sized quilt from me. Hmmmmm... I wasn't really looking to add more projects but this is really growing on me and I might just haveta!

Bearisgray- Love the themes of heat, light, cool, and water. Good thinking! What else can we think of in those themes?



By the way, I looked at this thread and kinda felt like I'd added too many posts when I responded to each one individually, which is why this is in one post this time. A little more concise.