How do you find inspiration?
What about information for learning new techniques?
If you're like me, perhaps you have turned to Google when searching for new ideas and information. I have found that if you can find just the right words to place into the search bar you can come up with some fabulous links that will offer a variety of ideas and inspiration for all things quilting related. Or to help you find the just the right answers to your quilting questions. Most of the time.
But what about for those times when you are sitting there in front of your computer. Say first thing in the morning - with a fresh cup of coffee. You're not quite ready to begin your day. And you are looking for something to spark your interest and get those creative juices flowing. But that empty search bar is just sitting there - staring blankly back at you. You can't think of a single NEW thing to type in to find what you are looking for.
Get cozy with that first coffee of the day and check this out!
There are some really great quilting bloggers out there who are sharing all kinds of good stuff. From tutorials and tips to free patterns. And lots of yummy eye candy!
The first thing that has caught my eye is the Pineapple Block.
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| Photo used with permission of Amber of A Little Bit Biased |
This is the Pineapple block paper piecing tutorial by Amber of A Little Bit Biased.
I mean, I am not a Paper Piecer....
But this bright happy block certainly has me rethinking the whole thing!
And if I get scared, there is also this NOT paper pieced Scrapbuster Pineapple block tutorial by Amanda Jean of Crazy Mom Quilts.
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| Photo used with permission of AmandaJean of Crazy Mom Quilts |
Just as pretty, bright and happy! But sans paper!
Okay. What else is there?
Ohhhh!!! Look at this!
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| Photo used with permission of Lee of Freshly Pieced |
This is the Hexing Around Block tutorial by Lee of Freshly Pieced. I'm all for a hexagon block that can be pieced by machine and what a great use of scraps! Wouldn't this block be perfect for a pillow?!!!
Or how about this?
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| Photo used with permission of Faith of Fresh Lemons Modern Quilts |
This is the Ribbon Star Block tutorial by Faith of Fresh Lemons Modern Quilts. You know what? I click on through to Fresh Lemons and guess what.... This is a whole series of free blocks! It's a quilt along!
What do I really LOVE about these tutorials and projects? They bring you the pretty pictures. They provide an enticing and informative description of the project. And they make you want to stick around to visit for a while as you enjoy that morning cup of coffee....
Now what else can I find?
I do love baby quilts....
Look at this!
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| Photo used with permission of Lee of Freshly Pieced |
Simply scrumptious! This is the Kissy Fish Baby quilt pattern by Lee of Freshly Pieced. Again this is a really sweet block design and a great use of scraps. What a perfect gift for a baby shower!
Now then....
What's Hot?
Well, certainly not my coffee by now. I must pour myself another cup.
While I am waiting for that kettle to boil, I seem to be thinking of the upcoming winter and the gift giving plans that I am formulating. I love to make runners for a quick project when I'm between quilts. And they make such lovely and thoughtful gifts!
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| Photo used with permission of Melissa of Happy Quilting |
This is just the ticket! It's the Midnight Frost Table Runner tutorial by Melissa of Happy Quilting. Now you have me dreaming of a White Christmas!
Now this one is not new to me, but may be new to you....
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| Photo used with permission of Lea Anne of Podunk Pretties |
This super sweet Back Porch Blooms block tutorial is by Lea Anne of Podunk Pretties. Lea Anne is a clever designer and I remember her sharing this tutorial not too long ago in the Let's Bee Social linky party!
So now that I have refilled my cup, I have just a few more minutes while I enjoy this coffee, before I head into the day and get to work. So what else is there to see?
YOU TELL ME!
Where do you go when you don't know what to google?
I'd love to hear what you have to say. What are your thoughts?
PLEASE, if you do check out some of these great links and click through to someone's blog because you love their tutorial, please let them know you love it. By leaving them a Thank You in their comments section. Tell them Lorna sent you!
And then spend a few minutes checking out their site and getting to know them. Click on a few of their page tabs. Consider following their blog. It takes a lot of work to make a good tutorial and I am so glad these generous quilty folks are willing to share their talent with us!
I can easily get lost on pinterest. I also like that under a pin they'll show you related pins.
ReplyDeleteFor the moment, I google a lot binding tutorials. I need to bind my birds quilt, and as it is the very first quilt I made (thanks to your irresistable design Lorna!) I need to 'study' before I actually bind it !
ReplyDeleteWhat I would love to see in quilt blocks (hint hint) are cactuses , sansevierias, and pilea plants.
Love from Belgium!
I tend to do my inspiration searching using Pinterest these days more so than Google (though it's Google for most everything else I need). It's amazing what pops up when you type "fun quilts" in the search bar.
ReplyDeleteI follow many bloggers which give me motivation and inspiration to get down to my sewing room and sew. I also like to peruse the free patterns on the Fat Quarter Shop Site for each of the Quilt companies listed. They are always adding to this collection. Loved your post, Lorna! I could just follow along with that 'morning coffee routine' :) and I will check out some of those bloggers and their tutorials mentioned - thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm great at printing off 'ideas' when I find them. I try hard to include the link where I found the idea. That way, if I ever make it, I can go back and let them know that I used their idea. Usually, I will have just blogged about it, and, they can follow back and see how I used the idea.
ReplyDeleteLorna, You guessed my routine! After getting ready for work, I sit at the computer and read through my emails checking out blogs, ideas, plans for soooo many quilts etc with my coffee in hand! It's a great way to start the day!
ReplyDeleteI love all of your patterns, have done some of your quilt alongs but couldn't commit to the bear paw. Currently my favorite is the chicks quilt!
Thanks for sharing all of your ideas and talent with us!
Have a great weekend!
Well, for sure, I don't google "paper piecing". LOL
ReplyDeleteYou certainly came up with lots of pretties this morning. I use pinterest as well as looking at the blogs I regularly follow.
I normally already have ideas in my head for the next several quilts so I don't usually google that stuff. I do get lots of ideas for upcoming quilts from Pinterest.
ReplyDeleteI love clicking on a blo and then go down their list of blogs they follow. You can find some great stuff.
ReplyDeleteI'm a pinner. Love to just keep adding ideas to my boards. Some days I go back to my boards and check out what i pinned and can't imagine what i was thinking.
ReplyDeletePretty funny that you came up with some of my favorite sites, besides yours of course. Thanks for reminding me of the pineapple block with no paper piecing. I really need to use up scraps. I will let them all know of today's post.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Lorna! You (yes, YOU) are one of the main places I go for ideas. I love the photos you shared this morning. I follow a whole bunch of blogs but don't always read them, just look at the titles on my email and go with the attraction. I am currently percolating ideas for a "Healing Prayer Flag/Banner" and thinking of nature symbols, season themes, rainbow colors, etc. I do morning writing to help clear the cobwebs and see what pops out. Oh, and I dig through my fabric and make a big spread of fabric to audition. Happy Creating!
ReplyDeleteNice choices, Lorna! When I'm stuck, I just try typing "blue quilts" or "rainbow quilts" into Pinterest. Tons of eye candy, mostly from quilty bloggers. Also, do you know about Bonnie Hunter's site, Quiltville? She has a ton of free patterns on her blog, which are always fun to look at. Of course, petting fabric always helps, too! Just make some piles and you'll be amazed at the great color combinations that you never thought of before. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteI pick up quilt books for just a couple of bucks at the thrift shops and when I want to dream away or get ideas I look through those.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing some of your inspiration. I'll frequently browse through some of my favorite blogs on my reader or just hop onto Pinterest and type quilt in the search bar, then narrow down my interests for the day, adding "table runners" "rainbows" or something along those lines. Seeing all of the beautiful work out there, especially when it is on a blog and has a story or a tutorial to go with it can be very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThese are great shares, Lorna! I get sucked into the Pinterest monster so easily, but I do love how they will have things waiting to show me, even if I don't know what I'm looking for.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many places to find inspiration. I love Pinterest but find I lose a lot of time there. I have subscribed to my favorite blog sites such as yours. I have learned so much from QIAD, MSQC, FQS and Lori Holt. I find links to other blogs and go through a few older postings to see if I want to join that blog. I have wanted to make a Pineapple Quilt ever since seeing this awesome quilt-I wish they would publish a pattern. http://helennoblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/yummy-yoyos.html
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great links. I'm glad I recognised so many of them, checking out latest posts from bloggers is part of my daily routine. So much more inspirational than flicking through a magazine. I am always grateful for the generosity of quilt bloggers sharing designs, ideas and helpful tips and especially grateful for bloggers like yourself who host linkys that enable us all to find each other ☺
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! Often I'll start with my favorite blogs and linky parties, but sometimes I just type "quilts" or "quilt blocks" into Google. Usually before I've gone too far down the page I'm off with a new idea. ;)
ReplyDeleteGo for a walk or run and let nature bee your inspiration. Lots of shapes and sizes and colors. Plus time to clear your head
ReplyDeleteThank you for your blog, I love your quilts!!! I'm on Bloglovin and that's where I she a lot of blogs.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cherry looking block. Who doesn't love a pineapple block. Love it!
ReplyDelete