Hey, two lovely women in one post! Just wanted to say hello and it's great to hear from you Marcia. Haven't noticed you posting for a week or so. Wow, what a heat you are enduring in Texas! Hope you get a break soon. I'm so glad you're feeling like doing a few odds and ends in your studio. Can't wait to see some of your patterns!
Take care and hugs to both of you,
colleen[/quote]

Colleen, you are such an encourager. I always know you will
have something uplifting to say. Yes, this heat is horrible.
Tomorrow it is supposed to be 99 - WHOOPEE!!! Then, back
up to over 100. But I just stay inside and run that AC.
Have a Great Day!
Marcia

good for you, think the heat has not helped.

I wish I could turn up the original topic I saw last week about how we have dealt with our own slumps, but I cannot. This place really moves along fast! LOL

Anyway.

I had a long dry period with my own creativity during the past year, due mostly to RL problems. Usually I can overcome my mental blocks by going back in my room and playing with my fabric, or poking around in my quilt books, or even just cleaning up in there. None of that was working.

Then I happened to see one of Jennifer Chiaverini's Elm Creek quilt novels on display in the local library and remembered that I'd always meant to read the series. About half way through the books, something sprung free and I got busy again.

It wasn't that I wanted to make any of the quilts in the books, I don't know what did it really. It doesn't matter. It worked for me.

I have found a website that lists novels including quilters or quilts. Surprisingly, there are quite a number of them. I am saving the rest for the next down time. Perhaps some of the rest of you will find some inspiration here:

http://infohost.nmt.edu/~breynold/quiltfiction_adult.html

[quote=Marquilt]I wish I could turn up the original topic I saw last week about how we have dealt with our own slumps, but I cannot. This place really moves along fast! LOL

Hi Marquilt,
This may be the one you are looking for: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-57283-1.htm

And thanks for the tip and the link!

Hi again, Marquilt,
Just wanted to say what a splendid avatar you have!

Thank you Twilliebee!

The photo is weird, and I'm glad you could overlook that. I need to have another go at it. It's a picture of my first convergence quilt - from the book of the same name by Ricky Tims. The other two were not this successful, but they're still fun to do sometimes when the muse has flown off.

The crane was cut from a piece of Oriental fabric and fused and machine appliqued on. The part under the crane was verging into checkerboardedness, and was jarring to my eye. So I covered it up. That always works. *G*

The whole thing is hand quilted, and the quilting in the borders follows the images in the fabrics there. It's a small piece, about 32 inches square.

More than you wanted to know - right? LOL

Welcome back! Have fun quilting

Hi Marquilt,
Thanks and I really appreciate the detailed information. It's actually pretty difficult to tell me more than I wanted to know LOL! It's lovely and I'll be checking out the book.

Congrats!! Hope you share pictures of your creations! :)