Whimsical Hoarding.
I'm one of those Library patrons... The ones that keep books waaaay too long. In fact, for a period of time, I believe the book is mine in the most selfish way. If I remember, I renew my books for as long as I can; however, all too often I forget to renew them, and the fees rack up. I'm sure my name is hung somewhere on the staff bulletin board as one of the founding members of the library, or perhaps the sign is thanking me for the week's supply of staff room donuts (okay, probably not, but it's a nice thought, isn't it?)!
My latest books are about quilting. Not the typical, straight-and-always-perfect type of quilting, but free form and artistic. Bright and colorful. Haphazard and creative. The quilts of Gee's Bend. (Do go check out that site and read the history---so interesting)...
My favorite of the bunch is Gee's Bend, The Architecture of the Quilt. This book describes the shapes found in this region of the country and how these shapes, colors, and landforms formed the creative basis behind these unique quilts.
There are pages of photographs of these shapes and colors and the reader can draw the line between these real-life images and their resulting quilts. I enjoy books that not only provide inspiration but also provide a bit of explanation of the artist's creative process. Often, artists use such differing means of eventually finding their artistic niche.
I don't know if I can consider myself an artist, but I do find inspiration in the strangest images or snippets of things. Such as the photo at the top of this post. Another piece of tea-dyed linen that looks rather like a crumpled up remnant of something whole. I showed my Mom and she said, "Hmmm... interesting," with a look of confusion.
I know to others it doesn't look like much, but I think there is so much potential in that little piece. Not only am I picturing adding to it but it also reminds me of one of my favorite museums of the Old West nearby. I love to gaze at the bits of old fiber there----some of them parts of old quilts that traveled the high desert in a covered wagon, or old petticoats that brushed along the sagebrush. All of them have that off-white old look to them that I love.
There is a reason I named this blog Whimsy. I go through these phases. I went through a fairly intense quilting phase many years ago. In that phase I learned the "proper" techniques of quilting. Perfectly straight blocks. Color technique. Itty bitty hand quilting stitches (my stitches are pretty "rusty" now). Now living in quilting country again with one of the nation's best quilting stores nearby, I'm feeling that muse calling me again, but this time with more of an art quilt inspiration. It could be a passing whimsy or it could be here to stay for awhile... I would love to one day exhibit some of my work.... and therefore, I will!
Meanwhile, I'll continue to hoard my quilting books from the library...
Reading: Inspiring Quilting Books
A children's book: Stitchin' and Pullin'
