Whence your inspiration?
 

I heard an interesting conversation the other day from someone who saw a tile roof and thought it would make a good quilt pattern. I saw this tile somewhere quite a while ago and thought it would make a great appliqué square, but I haven't tackled it yet. I was curious about what some others of you might have seen and/or used.

I've taken photos of different objects, I thought would be inspiration down the road! This is pretty. Would look good as a quilt or applique on a quilt.

I saw a similar design on the floor of my favorite get'away spa! I took a picture and will try to repeat it as well. Don't you love it when others see brick, or tile......and WE see fabric!

Here is one I have done. We were in Guatemala on a mission trip and walked to breakfast every day over this concrete sidewalk. Quilter that I am, I thought that looked like a good quilt pattern and took the picture. I then used it as a pattern for a quilt to give to our team leader. The fabrics are from Guatemala. They were a bear to work with, stretchy and ravel-y. But I love the colors. The center appliqué square was the team logo on our T-shirts.

wow what a great idea... very original

The logo from a resort we attended. A year later ... friends that we met there decided to get married there on the beach so I made the quilt.

I find it all over.. and I too look at tiles and building fronts for inspiration. I did a picture once with all my tiny scraps based on a card I had purchased a painting that was a bit impressionistic. I love all the Moroccan tiles I see and buildings oh boy wouldn't they make great quilts..

I love the Guatemalan fabrics, but I bet they WERE a bear to work with!

I took pictures of the tiled floor in my old family home just before selling it. I will one day make a quilt using these pictures. A friend has done one but not emotionally ready yet.

I have gotten idea's from wall paper, photos in magazines( not quilting mags) tile and wood flooring.

Went to Italy in 2011....had a heck of an "overload" on designs from the time we landed until we left. Took pix every where we went, including the floor and ceilings in the Sistine chapel...even the fencing was gorgeous!

It is very difficult for me to think outside the box so I really like to hear what you all do and how you get your ideas. Maybe someday I will be that talented!

The only inspiration I need is to open a closet door and see all the fabrics I have. Then I pick out a pattern or make up a pattern.

Beautiful quilt.

Ruthrings,
The quilt you made of the Guatemalan fabrics is outstanding. They are indeed hard to work with. The tile pattern you used was so perfect for showcasing the variety of fabrics you chose. I have always been impressed with the fabrics from Guatemala because the colors and combinations of colors is unique to to the nation. Your leader who received the quilt will always treasure it.

Along with tile and building forms, I also take pics of stain glass windows. These are so beautiful and I plan to make a quilt with some famous windows. Now sure of the layout yet. I also took pics of Czech decorations on bowls and dishes. I am appliqueing them for a quilt.

I just never know! This week I pulled an ad out of the newspaper for a piece of jewelery. I think it will make a wonderful quilting design for a small whole cloth. I have been known to take pictures of wall paper in an elevator and my family has had to guide me by the arm (more than once!) in Las Vegas. I would run into people while I'm taking pictures of the ceiling, floor walls.... :-D I have been enjoying a weekly tutorial on free motion quilting motives at www.theinboxjaunt.com She posts a free tutorial weekly. I think sketching with her has opened my eyes to the quilty designs around me! Watch out! Its addictive! lol

Shine on you Crazy Diamonds!
 

I saw the smaller image in an email advertisement I received and thought wow that might be cool! At first I drew it up as the ad was and then I turned my monitor 45 degrees and liked the look even better! I am about 75% done with it now. It looks like a bunch of triangles but it is actually composed of triangles, diamonds and 1/2 hexagons - no Y seams :)

Everywhere I look, really. I do have a funny story about a friend who, visiting the local synagogue, had occasion (and that's another whole story) to go in the men's room. She was taken by the tile pattern on the floor, whipped out her sketch pad and later made a quilt from blocks based on the tile design. I should probably add that the room was unoccupied at the time.

Great way to interpret that interesting sidewalk and the colors are gorgeous, bright and happy.

Wonderful! Please post the finished quilt.

I took dozens of pictures of tiles in Turkey 2 years ago - and I bought a book about Turkish design, so I have lots of inspiration. I have yet to start a quilt. Oh! the ideas I have in myhead! And the time I spend on Pinterest! I wish I could be like you and just get started... My current excuse is that we moved, and my sewing room is still mostly in boxes. As soon as our handyman finishes the cabinets and installs them, I'll put everything away and THEN - NO MORE EXCUSES!