When the ground outside is still covered with snow you just have to bring some colour into the house… We picked a little plant on impulse yesterday. By the evening the flowers had begun to unfold and this morning I discovered this triple bloom from one stem. If this doesn’t scream spring I don’t know what else would!

I just read the spring weather predictions for Canada and it doesn’t look so “hot”… This calls for some extreme measures and I think I found a way to ignore the weather for now.

Here is what happened a couple of days ago. I was on a phone call with a friend and we discussed deadlines and setting priorities. I was reminded of a couple deadlines related to Art Quilt Campus challenges that are due within the next couple of weeks. My friend belongs to one of the groups and has her challenge all planned, but there are additional goals she wants to meet.

I shared that in cases like that I have learned to prioritize. I also exclaimed that I had no inspirations for the challenges and that I have resigned myself to the fact that I will not push myself to finish a challenge piece. There, I said it out loud. I was OK with that and felt no pangs of guilt for letting down my groups.

Soon after the conversation was finished, we said good bye and I hung up. I continued my walk. And then it happened: Call it whatever you want, within seconds I had a clear image in my mind what I could create for the first challenge… and within a minute I clearly envisioned the second challenge piece as well. I have not been “hit” with inspiration and ideas for a while.

I smiled and sped up my walk feeling the urge to go straight to the studio to paint some fabrics. I knew just the colour schemes I was hoping to achieve. Fully focused I entered the studio, gathered white fabrics and acrylic inks (my preferred way to colour fabrics these days) and since most of the studio is packed (for an anticipated house sale and move)… And then I came across a small box labelled “painted fabrics – small.” I opened it and started to lift a few fat quarters and there they were: The colours and textures I had envisioned during my walk.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I will admit, they are from my stash and harken back to my City & Guilds days… so they are “well seasoned” but ideal for the one foot square challenge pieces.

I began layering and stitching that afternoon and am so pleased with the first piece that is nearing completion. I don’t know what opened the door to creative expression for me only a few days ago. I am oscilating between my loudly expressing that I was not inspired and the fact that spring has arrived. I always feel more energized when a long winter comes to an end and the promise of blue skies and new plant life lies ahead.

For now, I will just accept my renewed energy and inspiration and embrace the urge to create. Thanks for stopping by today! Hope your first day of spring is filled with colour and sunshine!

 

20 Mar This entry was published on March 20, 2018 at 12:27 pm. It’s filed under Art, Contemplative art practice, Creativity Update, Design, History, In the News, Journaling, Motivational, Refocusing Creativity, Something to Smile About, Special Project, staying in touch, Studio / Workshop / Creative Space Challenge and tagged blogging, challenge, changes, creativity, Design, fiber arts challenge, fun, Inspiration, just for fun, reflections, when inspiration strikes, writing. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post.