My Mind's A-Buzz...

These are the books that sit on the table next to my side of the bed. I've been looking at techniques and color palettes and planning for something completely different of my own. I read and look at photos and then put them aside, only to return to them as a relaxing way to wind down at the end of the day.

I'm a huge fan of Yoko Saito. I love everything she creates and am inspired by her designs. They are an inspiration, but I've decided that what I create will only be influenced by her work, not a duplication of it.

 

Then, there are wonderful stumpwork embroideries from Di van Nieken and Kay Dennis. Imagine combining these two arts into one creation. Now, you get a sense of what's keeping my mind buzzing. 

I'm concentrating on finishing those UFOs first, and then...watch out. I can already tell it's going to be fun.

Yoko Saito and My Japanese Fabric Stash...

These two books have been on my mind for weeks. The book on the left was a 

surprise gift from Quinn's mom, Carol. It's Yoko Saito's "Scandinavian Quilts"

in the Japanese version. It's full of photos and patterns, and I can't wait to make

something from it. Thank you, dear Carol, for gifting me with this beautiful and

generous book. I can't wait to show you (and all my friends) what I plan to make first!

The book on top is called "Strolling Along Paths of Green", and is a perfect book

for this Nature Girl! I page through both of these books and dream of long walks

through woodlands and across wide open fields of wildflowers. Paging through

them is a restful and inspiring process, and I'm anxious to start creating from them.

No. These aren't shelves in a local quilt shop. They're closeup images from my

own studio. The folded fabrics are some of the fabulous, gorgeous, glorious

fabrics I purchased in Wisconsin from Primitive Gatherings last month. I had 

 one of the books with me so that I could choose what I needed to make a few

a lot of the projects within its pages. I purchased with specific pieces in mind.

More Japanese fabrics. Same shopping trip. See the peachy fabric on the upper

right hand corner of the stacks? I was tickled to find that. I know just how I'll use it.

I do have two different shades so that I can make this lovely zippered pouch.

This is the first project I'm going to tackle from the book! (Start small and grow.)

I see so many possibilities in these stacks.

I don't intend to create an entire quilt...at this point. I'm leaving my options open.

You'll see pieces of royal purple wool here, too. That's also for a specific project.

I'm constantly awestruck by Yoko's choices in subtle color variations, combined

with her use of textured and patterned fabrics. I'm going to savor every second

handling, planning and sewing with all of them to create my finished pieces.

I see many joyful days in the studio - and stitching from my favorite chair - ahead.

Just A Peek...

 In the upcoming days, I'll share some of the purchases I made when Kathy

and I went shopping in Sun Prairie and Spring Green, Wisconsin on Tuesday.

I can't tell you how many times I walked past one of Yoko Saito's books while

shopping in Country Sampler. I finally decided to pick it up (I'll show that one

another time), only to walk past this one and "have" to purchase it, too!

 This scrumptious applique' quilt immediately caught my eye. 

Being an outdoor Wisconsin girl and my affinity for all things "nature",

I was immediately taken with the stitched and appliqued' plants in this quilt.

I know a shop that carries Japanese fabrics, so I may have to do a few online

orders to get the fabrics just right to be able to create this one, but I'm in no

hurry. Doing it right is always more important to me than doing it quickly.

 There are also patterns for the most gorgeous handbags and accessories.

I'm going to have a difficult time deciding just what to tackle first!

Here is another closeup of some of the botanical appliques'.

The price for the two books I purchased was not inconsequential - each one was 

over thirty dollars - however, I can see myself creating multiple projects from them. 

I take excellent care of my books, too, so when I'm finished gleaning all the yummy 

goodness out of each of them, perhaps I'll decide to recoup some of my costs by 

sharing them with someone else. They really are too wonderful to keep all to myself!

I know it won't be anytime soon, though. I think I'll spend a lot of time dreaming on 

them before I ever take a single stitch. When I do, you'll all be the first to know. I can't 

tell you how much I enjoy sharing this creative journey with all of you. I hope that I can 

inspire you to try something new and enjoy your own creative processes along the way.

 

One more thing before I close today...

I'm really loving my new laptop (using the latest Mac operating system), but I haven't

been able to receive or send any of the emails coming to my Brynwood email address.

I'm reading each of your notes to me every day since we left Florida on my iPhone,

but I'm sure you understand when I tell you what a pain it is to type replies on a phone

 keyboard. I want you to know that I'll answer all your notes to me when I get home,

and ask that you bear with me while I continue to train my new laptop to behave.

Thanks. 

xo