Tons of ideas floating around in my head!

With all the hoopala regarding the English Flag these days I am contemplating making a hooked rug, or a quilt or a hooked or quilted foot stool or pillow of this.  Not too hard!

I love this trypdeck piece...thinking of hooked rug, quilt or a painting...Thinking hooked rug  the most!!!

 I have been looking for cross stitch patterns that look like blue and white pottery..willow ware..transfer ware...flow wear and the like that I collect.  Kind of like this one...but its is hugely expensive..

 Love these 2 tapestries.  Maybe hooked rug ideas or quilt ideas...If I crossed stitched these ...well, I would never life long enough to finish them.  So...thinking hooked rug with smaller strips or an art quilt.

Definitely thinking of how I can do this in either a hooked rug or art quilt...and no just where I want it!

fabrics from clothing items etc..

I know, this is a beautiful jacket for sure.  But it is a size small and I am a size huge..especially with Asian clothing as they tend to run small.  So...here is the thing.  I bought this for the fabric...it will be all cut up and used in an art quilt!  I am very excited about this!  My mother is appalled!  I have no idea why using this jacket for purposes of my art isnt a regal way of using this jacket!...Well, the jacket should be pleased and proud...to be used in such a  way!  :)  Kind of like The Giving Tree...by Shell Silversteen.  How the tree loved the different ways it was being used right up to the end.  My mom gave me a wool jacket the other day.  It was very out of date but a nice jacket ...the wool is a lovely shade of gold...I knew I could use it for my rug hooking.  I made the mistake of telling my mom...she gasped!  You are going to cut this up??? She asked.  Yes, mom, its lovely wool for my rugs.  She shook her head and I almost thought she was going to snatch it back and not let me have the outdated wool jacket!  Maybe when she sees the rug and I show her ...see the jacket you gave me?...here it is ...making my rug beautiful!  I told her to listen to Dolly Parton's song...My Coat of Many Colors...that my mamma made for me.  Which is based on a true story and how she loved that coat made from reused clothing and other items and the love that it possessed.  Doesnt using cloth from the past sort of give your rugs and art quilts a certain history without being old?  A story to tell?  I love reusing.  Course I am a huge thrifter...love old houses and antiques for the very same reason.  They have heart...they have soul ..they have instant warmth, energy and history.  Here is the jacket I will be cutting up for a new art quilt.  I may have to call it  My Quilt of Many Colors "that my mamma cringed that I made"!  Will I ever be understood!  LOL  :)  Happy Day to all of you....its so beautiful here.  I will soon be taking my hour walk...love this weather!!

How to make a design wall-from Quilting Daily

Your Quilts Will Be Better For It

When it comes to creating quilting designs, one of the most useful tools to have is a design wall. I know I'd be lost without mine (or at least, I would make good design decisions less consistently).

There is something about taking your fabric pieces and other elements off the table, putting them on a wall, and stepping back from them that helps you see color and pattern combinations in a new, and usually better, way.

When creating modern quilt designs with lots of white space like this 'Seaglass' quilt from Quilting Modern, it's helpful to work with a design wall.

Unfortunately, not everyone has a studio, let alone space for a dedicated quilt design wall.

But there are ways to create a portable design wall, inexpensively, so you need not go without this vital quilt design tool.

All you need is a 20" × 30" piece of foam core board, flannel in a neutral color, such as white or beige (enough to cover the board and 6" extra all around to wrap around the back), and duct tape or heavy packing tape.

You could even use a flannel-backed vinyl tablecloth, provided any design on the vinyl side doesn't show through to the back.

These directions are adapted from Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts.

1. Place the flannel right side down on a flat surface. Center the board on top of the flannel. Make sure any markings or labels on the board are facing you so they won't show through the flannel when the board is covered.2. Fold the corner of the flannel in as shown in fig. 1 and secure with a piece of tape. Fold in and tape all four corners.

Fold the corner of the flannel to the back of the board and secure with tape.

3. Fold one side of the flannel smoothly over the edge of the board to the back and secure with a piece of tape at the center. Fold the flannel over the opposite side, pulling the flannel taut, and again secure at the center with a piece of tape.

Return to the first edge you taped and pull the flannel smoothly and tautly over the edge of the board, adding pieces of tape between the center and corners until the entire side is secured. Fold and tape the flannel on the opposite side, keeping the flannel taut as you tape.4. Repeat Step 3 for the other two sides of the board.5. Reinforce the taped edges of the flannel by placing long pieces of tape across each side of the board.6. Flip the board over and your design board is complete.

Place your design wall where you will have at least 6' to 8' (1.8 to 2.5 m) between you and your design wall. Distance is important to be able to get a good perspective on your design and to see differences in value.

There are many more ideas for design boards as well modern quilting designs, piecing, and projects in Quilting Modern, now available.

I so needed to hear this today.