I believe that everyone is capable of creating beautiful things.  But how often do we just allow ourselves to be creative, for the sake of being creative?

About 15 years ago, I discovered the quilts of Paula Nadelstern and I haven’t looked at fabric the same way since. This is a quilt I made using her technique and I can’t remember when I felt so creative.

If you look really closely at this section, you will the the centre is made up of polar bear faces.  Does it get any better than that?

I also came to appreciate all fabrics, especially ones that are truly symmetrical.  There are many fabrics that may look symmetrical, but are not.  So don’t be fooled!  This is a classic example of a symmetrical fabric brimming with possibilities.

Although beautiful, this is not a symmetrical shape.  Symmetrical simply means that you can cut the motif right down the middle and end up with mirror images.

Truly symmetrical fabrics are very rare, and so you should pick them up whenever you find them.

Joan, at Vibes and Scribes (in Ireland!) very graciously sent me two fabulous fabrics that just happen to be truly symmetrical.  Let me show you what I did with the first one….

First, I laid it on the table and drooled.  Who wouldn’t?

I knew that I wanted to make a vase from this fabric.  I found a shape in the fabric which I thought to be very vase-like and traced the shape onto a piece of template plastic.  Next, I used that piece of plastic to make a freezer paper template and ironed it onto the back of the fabric and prepped the piece the way I normally do.

Here is the beginning of my vase.  I could have easily left off the outside gold trim, but I just love the effect it has.

…and of course, every vase should have a base.

So far, so good!

The creative wheels starting turning and I wondered if I could make a few of the flowers from this same fabric?  Of course I can!  I cut a few simple shapes and starting playing.  I think the key is to keep the shapes simple and let this stunning piece of fabric speak for itself!  I added a dark chocolate brown piece which I used in the flower on the far right.  I added this fabric to help define the shapes and so that the flowers do not look so smooshy.

Of course, when you are being truly creative, you are in total control of the situation.  Just do what you want to and remember…changing your mind is certainly an option.

This piece is made of 3 simple leaf shapes.  But look what happens when you flip them around and change the placement just a smidge.  I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

Speaking of changing my mind…..do you remember this picture?  And have you noticed there has been no further progress?  That is because I changed my mind and decided to have this quilt machine quilted by Ruth at Stitching Impressions.  So I spent an afternoon or two ripping out all of my hand-quilting stitches, knowing I was making the right decision.  (Anyone who thinks that hand-quilting stitches are not very strong should spend a day or two ripping them out.  Yikes!)

Ruth contacted me earlier this week and said my quilt will be ready to pick up next week.  Here is a sneak peak. Major goosebumps!!!

And last, but not least, I am working away on Block 4 of Bed of Roses.  Scrumptuous!

Til next time…

Kerry