What inspires me

Colors and patterns are what inspire me.  Everywhere I look, I see colors together that just call out to be put into a quilt.  I especially love fall because of the ways all the outrageous colors show their faces in exciting and unique patterns. I seem to look at the world with quilter's eyes much of the time.  I notice patterns, but mostly I see color.  I took this photo of the side of a trash bin in an alley because I loved the colors.  I also find inspiration in the colors in fabrics all the time.

When Victoria put up the challenge the other day about using a shirt or other piece of clothing as the inspiration for a quilt of made cloth blocks, I knew just which thrift shop shirt I would use.  This shirt has colors I haven't put together before, so I knew it would be fun.
After starting to pull scraps, I realized I was pulling mostly reds and greens, so I decided I needed to make my first Christmas quilt.  I will not be using any actual Christmas fabric, but I will be using colors I consider Christmas colors - red, green, gold, and white.  Today, I made six 6.5" blocks. I used the inspiration fabric as the first piece for each block.  Now, I only have 97 to go.  I think this will take me a while. It may be ready for next Christmas (2012).