Presenting “Colors from Nature”
May 15, 2008 in Books, Crafts, Creativity, Quilting
With pride, I present to you some photos from our brand new book, “Colors from Nature.” The concept of the book is using color and design from nature to inspire quilts, crafts and even decorating projects. We selected some beautiful photos as our starting inspiration. With some analysis of each landscape photo we tried to interpret the overall feeling with fabrics and projects. It was very fun and challenging. Paring down and simplifying a design can often be more challenging than making it complex and representational. My goal with our quilt designs is to make them interesting and pleasing while still being easy to make.
Rocky Revelations may be one of my favorites. Courthouse steps is a classic traditional block and with the fabric we used I feel we captured a look that can as easily be considered modern as it is vintage. I love how the shapes resemble the stones with the snippets of orange represent the leaves scattered among the rocks.
The rows of warm colors in Desert Dimensions mimic layers of clay in the stone canyon walls of the Southwest desert. The green brush and blue skies bring in interesting color contrasts. I think the rows of simple triangles accomplish this representation well and would be stunning displayed on the wall or as a bed topper.
Red poppies along with yellow and white daisies frolic across the quilt top of Meadow Melodies. This cheery color story represents my favorite hues of high summer. When I look at this I can breathe in the fragrances of the meadow and even feel a little breeze across my face.
We also cover other wonders from Mother Nature in River Reflections, Seaside Serenity, Mountain Masterpiece, Forest Foliage and Floral Flamboyance. Colors from Nature also includes a couple of appliqué quilts and a unique and clever assortment of decorating and crafting accessories. Please enjoy this glimpse into the pages of the book and I hope you find lots of inspiration to create!
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Left Dangling
May 12, 2008 in Crafts, Creativity
I used to think that being left Dangling was not a good thing. Now I think, the more Danglers the better!
This can be your solution for all your Creative Gift Creations for the summer. They Sparkle on the Patio, they Sparkle in the bath room, they Sparkle in a tweener’s bedroom, they Sparkle in the kitchen window. And they certainly will bring a sparkle to the eyes of the recipient of this fun and easy project.
You can explore a variety of themes for Spring and Summer like birds, butterflies and flowers. But any favorite theme can be achieved by incorporating themed ornaments and trinkets along with assorted beads. You can try different styles, colors and materials for different looks. Some of our examples show a variety of materials such as stained glass, wire, colored glass, rusted metal, painted wooden cut-outs, glitter, decorative and word rub-ons, and even napkin rings! Us collectors of “stuff” always seem to have an assortment of little trinkets and baubles that we’ve been holding onto. You weren’t sure what you were going to do with those until now! Click here for some great basic directions to assemble your own Dangler. You’ll be hooked!
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Quote of the Month
May 7, 2008 in Creativity, Family, QuotesIt’s May! It’s May!
I just love May – maybe because it’s Spring, or Mother’s Day or maybe because it’s my Birthday month. I’ve always had such positive associations with May. I love the Quote of the Month that Kris brought us for this month. “Happiness is the art of making a bouquet of those flowers within reach.” Being grateful and happy for all that you have in your life and then making something beautiful with those gifts is really what makes your life a success and is such a joyful way to live with appreciation. I certainly appreciate being reminded of that simple, yet meaningful lesson. Kris also went to her Scrap Bin for all the materials to embellish and decorate her quote which brings a double meaning to these words. Use what you have! (especially your talents) 
That’s one of the many reasons why we love Crafting – we use our resources and create something tangible. Happy, Happy May!
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Quote of the Month
April 8, 2008 in Creativity, Friendship, Quotes
First of all – Wow! - we’re already well into April and I’m getting in the mood to “play.” And, I certainly do feel out of practice. Not that I’m going to go out there and play ball or anything. I’ve long since given that up. 
(Although, I was the left-handed pitcher for a couple years on a B-League Ladies softball team – that was more than a few years ago now)
Kris brings us inspiration this month from Jerry Seinfeld who has always had a great sense of “play” – especially when it comes to verbal quips. I guess we each need to come up with our own version of “Spring Training” so we can “play well” all season long.
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Cute Idea
April 2, 2008 in Crafts, Creativity
A young girl named Leah, who loves our calendars came up with a clever idea for recycling calendar images after the year is over. If you’re a pack rat like me, it’s hard to make yourself throw away outdated calendars so I always save mine. After years of saving - I have big piles of them now. (I can’t throw away art!!) But it is fun to come up a way to re-use the images. I don’t know if I would mail my bills out this way – but for a surprise note to your Mom or a friend – how cute would it be to “scrapbook” a little card and then use a folded up calendar page for your envelope. It’s dripping in Creativity!!
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Quote of the Month
March 5, 2008 in Creativity, Friendship, Quotes
A little Irish in us All
When it comes to seeking good luck, full pockets and light-hearted fun this Irish Blessing applies to us all no matter our nationality or ancestry.
Thanks Kris for our inspiration for the month!
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Quote of the Month
February 4, 2008 in Creativity, Friendship, Quotes
Happy February! January as I mentioned was a killer month here in Spokane with our crazy snow and weather. 
So, February (so far, sans snow) was a welcomed change. And what better way to greet the new month than with a new “Quote of the Month” courtesy of Kris Clifford. It’s the LOVE month and for all that means to us. If we can approach our friends, family, co-workers, strangers and particularly ourselves with love (and maybe a touch more patience too) – it really can open the way to more happiness and ease in our lives. 
Thank you Kris for this reminder in the quote you brought to our attention this month.
Love, Debbie
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Quote of the Month
January 10, 2008 in Creativity, Friendship, Quotes
I know so many creative gift-givers! Kris gave everyone at the office a special gift that will keep on giving all year long! She started us out with a quote that she chose for January. I displayed on my desk - so I can read it often. She plans on updating us every month with a new quote. I look forward to being inspired. Happy thoughts!
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Can you tell the Difference?
July 28, 2007 in Creativity
A very creative and industrious former staff member just sent me photos of a couple recent projects. She often uses my fabrics to sew fun Jammie pants for everyone she knows. She sometimes whips up 12 at a time. Robin looks so darling in the cotton summer dress she made, I just had to show you.
But what blew me away was the darling top she made for her look-alike daughter, Mandi. 
Mandi spotted this blouse in the Nordstrom catalog priced at a whopping $189! Robin went to work to duplicate what she saw and recreated the trendy style for a mere $10 of materials. Compare the photo from the Nordstrom catalog and Mandi modeling her custom-made one. Her Mom
proudly reports that "she loves it and gets compliments on it every time she wears it."
Amazing job Robin and thanks for sharing with us!
Debbie
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What a creative woman!
July 25, 2007 in Creativity
Look at this cute tote bag that Diane from Royal Oak, MI (US) just sent me. Well, she didn't send the tote bag, but emailed me the photo of the tote bag. 
She made it from my Creative Woman fabrics and used several fabric and notion designs from my Embroidery Card.
After all her work, she donated the bag to her Quilt Guild as a grand prize for a drawing at their quilt retreat. This woman is not only creative, but generous too!
Thanks for sharing your project with us.
Debbie.
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Driver's License Renewal
May 14, 2007 in Creativity
I had an early Birthday party and got my Driver's License renewal taken care of at the same time! Look at the fun, creative and (absolutely truthful) birthday cake my friend Crystal came up with for me.
When she surprised me with it - the first place my eyes darted to was the weight! 115 lbs! Cool! Then, the birthdate.....1973! Then over to the height.....5'9"! You can see why she is my friend. She feeds into all of my fantasies.
She concocted the driver's license image in Photoshop and brought it into the local Grocery store bakery. 
They were also excited by the concept and whipped out a masterpiece. You can see by the photo that I laughed hysterically (along with everyone else!) for some time before we chowed down the cake.
Give you any ideas!?
Debbie
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Spring Cleaning
May 6, 2007 in Creativity
OK, I must “fess” up…..I have not made any progress on my office. OK, well very little anyway. Here is my excuse. Due to changes in tenants in the building we are in, we needed to reconfigure our office space. So, in between our real work (making art and projects) we have been moving everything around. And we have been sorting through years of accumulation of stuff and purging as much as we can. Sometimes it is shocking how much stuff you manage to accumulate over the years. I must say it has been extremely satisfying to scale back all the clutter. It’s been the ultimate in spring cleaning. And since it is Spring, I guess it’s all the more appropriate. In fact, it’s been SO satisfying, I’m ALMOST tempted to consider Spring cleaning at home. I did want to share with you a few fun ways we organized some of our supplies in our Craft Room.
We used a decorated wall sconce to hold a spray of paint brushes. It's handy, off the counter top and they will dry in the open air between uses. A cute hand-painted shelf (previously used as a dust catcher) now holds an array of craft paint on the shelf and from the pegs we hung scissors, tape, brushes and more. Using your wall space for storage helps you keep your work surface open and your supplies where you can grab them easily. I do better when as much is in view as possible.
Okay, so much for all my excuses.......just trying to buy a little more time.
Debbie
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20 tips to keep Creativity a priority in your life
April 10, 2007 in CreativityHi! I hope you’re been spending more time exploring your creative self. Hopefully, you've had time to read and re-read a few times......so here come ten more. Visit these lists periodically and forward to your creative friends. Oh, Tip # 21 - go for coffee with a creative friend and talk about how commited you will be to your creativity from here on.
Debbie
The next 10 Creativity Tips
11. If you experience frustration or even rejection in your creative endeavors - go ahead and mourn or even cry - get it out of your system. But then get back up on the horse and get back to it. Artists are not always understood, and you know, artists do have to suffer a little for their craft. (you don’t have to cut off an ear or anything)
12. Realize that a mentor or advocate is very important. They can help lead you down your path of choice and prepare you for some of the obstacles you may encounter. Observing others that do what you want to do can be a great teacher.
13. It is important to be "real" and "authentic" in your expression or joy will be absent.
14. Initiate or join a group who is interested in developing their creativity through similar processes or mediums. It will encourage you to be productive and create meaningful relationships with people who have similar goals. Sharing and connecting with others in a passion is very powerful. I’m thinking about joining a drinking club.
15. Trust yourself at the onset of a project, even when you have no idea where you'll take the project. Your creativity, your heart, and your mind will collaborate to give you a direction and will keep working with you to your final result. (This is something I do every day.)
16. Fake it until you make it. Try new things, keep doing your best, and before you know it you'll be teaching it to someone else. Been there, done that!
17. If you're not getting support, know your endeavors are absolutely worthy; first of all, just because they are your endeavors and they are meaningful & important to you. Ignore all those who may try to discourage you.
18. Practice, practice, practice your craft. As you become more skilled - your mind will allow more ideas in because you won't be limiting yourself. In other words - your skills and confidence can keep up with your imagination.
19. Expose yourself to ideas continually, even if you don't act upon them. That's why we buy books, look at others’ work, go to galleries and shows, and one of the many reasons why we shop. (oops, I mean “market research”) It's all exposure to design - which is color, pattern, and composition. Learning by osmosis is valid. It always comes back to excuses to shop more!
20. Attend quilt expositions and classes. They offer a wonderful chance to learn new things, meet new people, and to give your time and attention to something that is very important to you. The creative you.
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20 tips to keep Creativity a priority in your life
April 6, 2007 in CreativityEven though we know expressing our creativity is such an essential part of who we are, in the business of daily life and the battle that constantly goes on in our priority list.......exploring our creativity often gets left out. The reason I'm able to focus on it more is because I've made it my job to do so! So, it's always on my list - but where it lands on the list becomes the challenge for me. I'm on "vacation" this week - so I'm able to re-group a little and think about how important creativity is and some ways to maintain it.
I've compiled 20 tips to keep Creativity a priority in your life. We'll start with ten. Digest those for a couple days and I'll follow with the next ten. Hope you find something meaningful to you. Debbie
20 tips to keep Creativity a priority in your life
1. Be the artist that is inside you! We are all creative! Celebrate, express and develop your talents!
2. Build up your creative muscles—do a creative process of some kind every day. Live as a creative person. If you think of preparing a dinner, setting a table, arranging your towels on the shelf, or organizing your jewelry as a creative opportunity (instead of a chore), just think of how much more satisfaction you will get out of it!
3. Declare a space and create the environment that will allow your creativity to blossom.
Set the scene by organizing your environment and then decorate it to your heart’s content to reflect your personality. Just walking into your custom-created space will start your juices flowing. You'll know what you're there for.
4. Prepare to create by collecting inspiration—Make a fun box where you can keep notes, gather impressions, colors, textures, photos, and ideas. If you really like to organize and like to multi-task - when you're watching American Idol or CSI - put them in a planner and organize them by categories like holiday or florals or by rooms like guest room or den. If there are pockets or pouches, you can keep track of loose items before they are categorized. Look over your references any time you need a creativity jump-start.
5. Provide and schedule time for yourself to create (let others in your house know about your schedule and ask them to respect your time) - set a specific time to dedicate to a project and decide when you want to complete your project—I’ve always said that a deadline is the ultimate inspiration!
6. Experiment and be prepared to learn—the beauty of the creative process is that it is an evolution. Try new tools. Try new colors. Try new stitches and techniques. I know that many people get locked into a color scheme, and sometimes it’s hard to move past it. I really recommend trying new things and you will feel empowered by your expansion of what you can accomplish. You just may amaze yourself.
7. Broaden your horizons—seek out new experiences and information. Quilting classes are great, of course. But also consider other creative stimulation by stepping out of the box a little more. What about a pottery class or a beginning drawing class? Maybe art or music appreciation? Browse through art galleries. It will all stimulate you creatively and help you grow. (Even if you're not aware of it.)
8. Persevere—not everything is going to turn out every time. Call mistakes a learning experience and move on. One thing I’ve learned in creating hundreds of projects for our books is that sometimes you have to know when to let something go. If it just isn’t working, you've got my permission to abandon an unproductive idea and move on to something new.
9. Enjoy the creative process. The whole purpose is joy. Have fun. Do this for your own pleasure. Creativity IS joy. Joy is really what it’s all about.
10. Never let anyone (including yourself) convince you that your creativity is not important. It's at the core of your heart and expressing it makes you alive.
