I thought I would start a thread after reading a few messages from the Pizza Boxes thread about places you got inspiration for quilt ideas.

How about sharing with all of us places or things you saw out and about that inspired you to do something quilty!!!

I think one of my inspirations came to me a few yeas ago while waiting on a bus stop in the middle of winter in downtown St. John's. St. John's is a fairly old city, infact there are historic signs about the city that say St. John's is siad to be the oldest city in North America. We are over 500 years old. :)

Anyway, while freezing me arse off on the bus stop I was looking around at some of the old buildings. One of the old banks across from the bus stop had a very interesting swirl in it that was designed into the concrete building. I thought it would make an interesting border for a Round Robin I was involved in at the time. the next day I took my camera with me and that evening began designing out the border. I was really happy with the results!!!

Lately, inspiration has been coming to me from my photography. I think I mentioned to some of you that I'm taking a course on Quilt University. I am taking one of my flower photos I took last year and making a wallhanging out of it. Well here are a couple photos of my work so far.... The fabric hasn't been cut yet.. that will be this weekend's homework :) But I will show you the original photo, my paper draft and some of the fabrics I am using.

Just recently while watching the movie "What Women Want" where Mel Gibson is standing in the shopping mall, he is right on top of a floor design that I immediately thought would make a beautiful quilt...well, of course it didn't stay on it long enuf for me to draft a drawing or anything, so now I want to either rent or buy the movie so I can still pause it and do just that! LOL

I think your quilt is going to be awesome!!! Very pretty fabric!!!

That was such a great movie too!! Yep.. you need to pause that frame and start drafting girl!!

Wow! I'm impressed! Would love to see pictures of this work in progress!

M

Wow aggi--that is fabulous already!!

I was using the quilting asst. program to try to turn my flower photos into quilt squares--but I didn't like how it was coming. Straight lines. Appliqué would be a better idea--if I liked hand work. I can't do it--too many ants in my pants. :roll:

My garden always inspires me--and my horses--for photos. The flower photos definitely make me want to do quilts from them--but I'd have to get someone else to do it. :wink:

There are quiltings and there are "Art quilting"...I believe that yours is in this cattegory of "Art quilting"....Its going to be gorgeous....Can't wait to see it done...

Your original picture is wonderful! I love day lilies and you have a great idea. I am so glad to hear you are taking a class w/Quilt University and hope you keep us updated on your progress (& the class).

One Sunday in church my husband caught me drawing on my bulletin, gave me that look and I quickly explained that I was drawing (or trying to) the design on the shirt of the man seated in front of us. My husband just look at me and whispered--Quilt? I have never gotten around to trying it yet but still think it would be great.

Wow, Aggi, your cartoon looks complicated! How big is it? Will you be fusing, piecing or appliqueing? Love the fabrics and I think it is going to be gorgeous! How about an ongoing thread, where you post pics of your process/progress? I am almost sorry that Barnbum finished the barn quilt, 'cause I miss checking that thread!

As for inspiration, I have done some wall hangings that were inspired by quotes. I read the quote, which planted a picture in my brain, which then became a quilt!

Lucky Patsy's Mom the size is 12" x 18" I think... hee hee (I'm at work and pattern is back home). I will be learning how to do upside down applique, thread painting and other types of embellishment! I promise to post updates to my flower!!

I would have loved to have seen Barnbum's quilt!! where can I find it??

GOOOO AGGI. Simply Quilts had the exact kind of show on today , that talked about ART QUILTS. Her steps where just like yours, or vice versa. My inspiration is funky, I like wimsy, I guess kind of lofty. Colors play a big role as well. It's the child in me, begging to come out and play.

Hmmmm, Upside Down Applique? Is that the same as reverse applique?
Sounds like you will be working with some small pieces!

Sorry, I don't know how to copy the url and put it here but if you go to Pictures and look for the topic "The barn quilt top is done!" you will find a great thread and pics of her project.

Thanks I'll go look for her quilt today!

Aggi that is going to be gorgeous. I can't wait to see the progress either. You are very talented.

The shower, I do a lot of thinking in the shower. When I was at the coast this weekend I did draw inspiration, but more in the form of colors and smells. I did go to a quilt shop I'ld not yet been in, The Joy of Quilting in Newport, OR. When I first walked in they had the entire Hydranga collection, just stunning. The whole first room was beautiful colors of nature, then you entered a hall, I don't remember the line of fabric but thik it was Japanese inspired, very subdued colors, the fabric felt peaceful. I was loooking for a particular piece of vintage fabric. I knew instantly this shop wouldn't have it, but my hubby didn't understand. I love vintage fabric and 30's fabric, but this shop was so refreshing with full collections.

Go to the page you want to share the link of.

Go to the URL bar on your browser (the place where you can type in http://www.what_a_great_quilt_site.com) and select the type (Highlight it)
right click your mouse and select copy. (or instead of right clicking the mouse, use Control C)

Then come down to this reply screen and right click your mouse and select paste... like this. (or use Control V)

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/3820.page

There you go. I hope this helps.

tim in san jose

marieg that sounds like a really nice quilt shop!

Aggi, I can't wait to see how you progress with your lilie project, I too see patterns and inspiration in many different places, my eyes are constantly recognising patterns and form.

Here are a couple of pictures I took in Morroco, our quilting group had a short break there last year.

Izy the photos are gorgeous!! I think the one of the concrete and the swirly design could make for an interesting trapunto design!

I remember my trip to Turkey many years ago and seeing the hand painted tiles and I was in total awe!! I took many of photos of it at the time (I wasn't even a quilter back then) but one of these days I might have to take those photos out again for a little spark of inspiration!!

There is so much around us to twig into our creativity!! I look at my office desk alone.. I see my bamboo my boyfriend gave me last week for Valentine's.. make for a nice Japanese theme wh. My coffee thermos mug has a nice coffee bean design.. I have some ideas for my future kitchen with coffee browns and an applique from my mug would look rather neat! I don't have a window in my space, but I plan to make a wh of a window overlooking either the ocean or hills .. I plan to have 3d curtains, with a little window ledge which is resting a nice planter with 3d flowers and an applique of a black cat!!! Then I have a window everyday that is sunny and nice outside even if the real outside is having a nasty snowstorm!! :)

Cheers

Every day I thank my lucky stars for the fantastic views that my eyes can rest upon right outside my door, we are surrounded by hills and mountains and the light here is fantastic, every hour of everyday you can feast your eyes on something new that you never noticed before, heres a couple of pictures so you can see, one day soon I can't wait to do a lanscape piece!!

Wow Izy! Those are beautiful pics! I can't wait for you to do a landscape either!

Izy.. can I move into your place!!!! :D

Aggi, pack your bags and come on over!!

wooo hooo!!! I was planning to apply for my passport next week anyway as Trevor and I are looking at heading to Cuba in April.. so I'll ask the pilot on the way back from Cuba to swing on over across Spain.. hand me a parachute and drop me off!!

I like the picture of the blue tone and then the color change at the top of the buildings. I can really see that color scheme in a quilt. It's very soothing to look at. Great shot of the color changes.........

Just head for Lake Vinuela, then you will have a soft landing, not too cold at this time of year!! Got the bed made up already!!

You just brought back memories of the airport at Cuba...not very pleasant ones for us as we ended up sleeping on the floor lol!!!!

Chefchouane is an amazing place Rebecca, the whole town is painted like this every way you turn is a photo opportunity, the weather wasn't too good when we visited, but you can imagine it on a clear sunny day, amazing, here is a couple more for you to see!!

The above view was our quilting group grappling to get in the door to the 'local' haberdashery shop, it was about the size of a closet and we couldn't all fit in. I think the shopowner thought he had won the lottery, as we practically cleared him out of embroidery threads. Large cones were only 1.5 euro each!! Not the best quality but still very good value!!

That first one reminds me of a quilt done on Simply Quilts... I just saw it the other day... beautiful pictures! Lots of inspiration there!

You got me thinking of my trip to Istanbul. I remember going to the Covered Bazaar. A very very very old bazaar. It has over 3000 little shops and most of them are like you mentioned... some of the stores were big enough for one person to walk into and then you have to walk backwards to get out!! LOL Ooooh I wanna to back there now!! I feel in love with that place!

I'm sure the poor store owner was flat out that day when you all went shopping there!!! He was a happy man to see you all I'm sure!

Last year while flying to Las Vegas with DH I was looking out the window of the airplane and thought that all of the beautiful colors of the southwest landscape would sure make a gorgeous quilt. I haven't taken those thoughts any futher, but I would love to in the future. :)

I loved those pictures. I wonder why they go for the differnt blues, I wonder what promted them to do that. Gosh that would be a very neat landscape quilt. That would truly be a place to visit and see. All the blues and then some of the doors and windows have that scrollie type wrought iron in them. That is such a artsy little town,,,Thanks........

Apparently the blue is made from indigo and it varies depending how much they mix, all the painting is done by the ladies who are not allowed to climb ladders as the men may see there ankles (plus they don't wear underwear!!) and if you have hairy legs its supposed to send the men wild - how cultures vary!!! :lol: :lol: On the passages where the floor is painted blue too, it signifies that it is a private alleyway so strangers know not to enter.

what is up side down applique?
I have had a go at some "art quilts". The first was a wall hanging of a lily - inspiration came from birth of first grandcchild called Lily. I also did a seascape - inspired by a wall tile we purchased in Arizona whilst there on holiday from uk. I have also done an Environmental Poster inspired by a "carbon challenge" running here in the uk to get people to think about climate change.
The day lily quilt will be stunning.
Jane

am not sure what upside down applique but I have heard of reverse applique is that what you mean?

How nice to hear from a british quilter, what part of Devon are you from?

The lady doing the day lily quilt mention us side down applique - I am familiar with reverse applique.
I am from Easr Devon - nearest village is Whimple - anout six miles from Exeter - and about 8 miles from sea at Sidmouth - lively countryside all around.

Also - forgot to say my sons partner - (mother of Lily) is Spanish from Madrid - they live here in Surrey.

I have visited Devon several times years ago, lovely part of England really beautiful, Paignton, Weymouth and the likes, fond memories for me!!

Aggi I am totally jealous of your drafting ability--to be able to put your photograph into a drawing and then plan the quilt!!Oh my ! Iguess I will have the courage to try that sometime--although I could ask my husband to do the drafting and then I could do the quilting but I have to wait for the irght photo--I have a couple in mind but they can wait--I am still learning!!!!

I too would like to see the progress as you go>

Aggi, can't wait to see your quilt progress! I love all the pics you guys have been posting. I haven't even thought of the challenge of tackling a landscape quilt yet. I have faaaar to go with regular piecing and trying to learn to applique.

I get inspiration from everywhere. The best time to organize my thoughts is when I'm taking my daily walks with my dog on our quiet country road. Thats when all the plans just seem to come together!