Where Inspiration Comes From

Personal inspiration, where does it come from and how do we tap into it? Both are questions I have long asked myself.

While it is very different for each and every one of us. I can show you my journey and hope you can gain some in site on where to start, on your very own journey.

Last year, I took a class on finding your creativity. You can read that post HERE. Truly, the biggest tool you can use, is that personal journal. You can find bound journals at almost any craft and hobby store for just a few dollars.  Heck even a 3 ring binder with blank pages will do the trick.

Clip out all those pictures you see that "speak to you". Saving them in one place will give your creativity a place to land. When you selectively crop out all the extra "stuff", it's kind of amazing how it starts your creative juices flowing.  Your journal is yours, so keep things you love. Greeting cards, doodles, secrets, anything important to YOU. It  will become the basis of your next work of art!

A example of what I am talking about, is my Ghastlie Family Tree. This is a direct result of a photo I saved from an online Australian Quilt Magazine. I have to share a little secret. I was a crafter for many years. While most of my fabrics are long gone, the mauve was the last of a sheet I had purchased to make doll aprons. We all remember those mauve and blue days of years gone by, don't we!  I am most hate to date that poor ole fabric!!  :-) Who knew years later it would be the perfect match for a Ghastlie creation...  So does this mean I can never throw anything away again?  YIKES!

                                           :-)





Here you see, is the photo that I saved. I loved the look of the Ginko leaves and the simple lines behind them. I am sure the artist of this quilt would cringe, at that though of their beauty turning Ghastlie, but what can I say?  :-)

For my quilt, I started the top piece on a background of timtex. It gave the stiffness I needed and  allowed me to be able to attack a ring to the back for a quilt hanger, which worked out quite nicely.  A top sleeve would never had been an option, with the shape I went with. The 3 other blocks, were done the traditional quilting way, with fabric and batting, then bound. Using the beads to attach them together, was a play moment for me. I had seem some quilts at shows done this way, but never ventured into that realm myself. It worked out quite nicely I must say, and allowed things to hang straight!  Some times I can't even manage that, in my regular quilting.  :-)  :-)









Another example of a quilt coming out of my journal.

This guy was a couple of patterns combined. One I purchased, the other I was able

 to simulate from a very poor quality online photo I saved in my journal.

 Here is a peek into the other pages of my journal.

 I hope it inspires you to start your own.

Ghastlie Give A Way

As I sit here, still in shock over the Ghastlie Blog hop, I can't help but be humbled by all you wonderful folks, who shared a little part of their day with me.  The over 160 comments and so many new followers!! WOW 

I have responded to everyone who was not a no reply blogger, and please know, from the bottom of my heart that I it means "sew" much to me!

But I must admit, that I am just a little let down. It has been such a fun time, that I didn't want to see it come to an end. What will I do with my time now???  I'm out of fabric and can't play anymore... whah whaw whaw. I know, pull up my big girl panties and deal with it right?   :-)  :-)

Hummm... Christmas is coming and I do need to start on those projects!  Hey, does anyone know if ole Alexander Henry has come up with something outrageous and hideous for Christmas???   That might be fun  :-)  :-)

Ok, back to serious now!! I have a winner for my Daily Doodler -Ghastlie Edition.  

TA-TA-TA-DA   ( be very thankful you can't hear me sing ) 

It's    Quilting B  from BC Canada
who said

"I love all your projects but the slippers are my favorite. You are one very talented lady. Thank you for sharing. I will be following your site from now on and I am sure I will find lots and lots of inspiration."

Now on that note I personally am not so sure about the talented part, but I am thrilled Quilting B dropped in for a visit. I will try to make you laugh and keep you inspired, that's for sure!
Congratulations. Your Ghastlie creation  will be winging its way to you shortly!!
Do Enjoy!!

Now we have yet another, who's name has been sent on to our Ghastlie, yet wonderful Madame Samm. You see, she has a grand prize giveaway.  

Michelle
 who said 
"I too am having a really hard time picking just one favorite Ghastly project from all the fantastic ones showcased during this hop but your slippers certainly earned high marks. Thank you all so much for such an enjoyable way to spend my mornings (ans sometimes be late getting out the door in the process)."  

Ahhh yes Michelle, the late mornings. I can't tell you how many times I am screaming out of the door late because I lost time in blog land!  :-)
Best wishes to for a win with our MSAMM!

There were a lot of questions and comments about the slippers. They are from a McCalls pattern. It's a current pattern  M6449.  The only change I made to them was to make the binding out of fur, and I added a little strip of fur that I gathered a bit to the tops. You won't believe how fast and easy they were to make.




Now if I can find some hilarious Christmas fabric, I just might have the perfect gifts!!   hehehe   Oh, oh, the mind is turning, and that always signals trouble!! Watch out family. If any of you followed me last year, you know it was the year of the boxers and I tormented everyone with lots of em. My brother-in-laws are still afraid of me, over it all!!  :-)  :-) Wonder how they would feel with slippers??????  No probably should stick to the girls instead!!  What the heck, it is their turn after all!

On that note, you all have a wonderful weekend and thanks so much for visiting me!! Hope you enjoyed the Ghastlie Hop as much as I did!!  :-)

Hidden Wells Ghastlie Edition

Oh that Alexander Henry. He has done it again. OR, I guess I should say "they" have done it again. I'm guessing that there is not a little man, named Alexander sitting in a corner, designing off the wall designs.

Most are a little off color, just the way I like it, and some are even a little irreverent. Even better yet!
                    :-)

Alexander Henry, I have long loved your crazy fabrics, but you pulled out the stops on this line. There's nothing more sadistic than these Ghastlie prints with all the social misfits on it! Speaks to my heart, and "NO" please don't ask!

This Ghastlie creation is a "Hidden Wells" quilt. Who would use this Avocado green and pink in a Halloween print you ask? I love it because it is the absolute, least likely Halloween colors, one could imagine. Am I right??

Now,  if you have never made a Hidden Wells quilt, it is great fun and a fantastic way to use leftover fabrics. The patterns that emerge from the strip sets thrill me every time. Of course to appreciate the delightful Ghastlie characters, I had to set it off with a border of the macabre clan. Kind of reminds you of family doesn't it!  And no Mom, don't take it personally! (Although, if the shoe fits...) 

                        Here is the strip set that turned into this Ghastlie quilt!
                         

Oddly enough, the stranger the combination, the wilder the choices of color, texture, and style of fabrics the better the results. With as little as 1/4 yard of at least 5 fabrics you can create a fun, mini size "wells" quiltie, for yourself.

For those who know me, I'm a hidden wells fanatic. This pattern is no longer in print, but there are some great online resources. I have even written a tutorial that you can find HERE.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now we all know it would be a Ghastlie sin, to waste a thread of this incredible fabric.

I have had a great time coming up with projects, to use the leftovers on.

Let me just share a few with you!

Large Trivet Tuxedo

for those Hauntingly hot pans!

Mug Rug

For my Witches Brew!

Transylvania Towels!

Ye Ole Family Tree!

(inspired by all you Ghastlie girls and your projects)

Lastly

My personal favorite.

These Ain't No Ruby Slippers!!!!

You gotta just love feet with that face on em!

Kind of like, a walk in the park with my alter ego.

:-)

 Hope you had as much fun with this Ghastlie Blog Hop as we all have.

Here's to thee, the other 53!  Bloggers who have inspired me, and quite possibly turned me into a  bigger Ghastlie Monster, than I already was... And that's just plain scary!!

I promised my fellow blog sista's, I would share the story of  my

 secret love affair with Alexander Henry...

But,  your gonna have to wait. That's another post, all in itself.

:-)

Check back!

You'll see it here real soon, and it promises to be a raucously good time!

Lastly, a big thanks to The Ghastlies, you have definitely put the "FUN" in Halloween for us all!!

OH

And on that note, I "thinks" a give-a-way might be in order.

(photo compliments of My Memories software)

Here's your chance to win this Ghastlie Notebook, aka "Daily Doodler" 

What better place to store all your Ghastlie thoughts.

Complete with a zipper pocket to keep all those Ghastlie spirits in place!

Just leave a comment and tell me your favorite Ghastlie projects from this hop.

 I will pick a winner and post it tomorrow!

Have a Ghastlie Good Day!

and

be sure to visit my other Ghastlie sista's

Mrs Nan Ghastlie

Mrs. Gmama Jane Ghastlie
Mrs Joan Ghastlie  that's me!
Mrs. Nancy Ghastlie

Ms Susan Ghastlie
Madame Ghastlie

Drum Roll Please...

The winner of the My Memories give-a-way is.................

                                                        #6
                                     Debbie from Stitchin Therapy!!
                                        CONGRATULATIONS!

                              
Thanks to everyone who entered. It is a fabulous piece of software, so if your wanting a copy for yourself, just click HERE .   Don't forget my Coupon Code "STMMMS79651" for a $10 discount and a $10 credit in the My Memories online store!

Be sure to share all your photo projects with us. We love sharing!

Thanks "My Memories" for a great give-a-way!!

November Trivet Tuxedo

                               TURKEY TIME

Can you believe we are here already!

What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving, than a Turkey Tux!

This little guy was a take off, of a coloring book page that you can find HERE.

Free online coloring book pages are the greatest ways to start fusible quilts.

We will get back to him in a few minutes, but first I want to show you how to make his tail feathers. Have you ever used the Easy Dresden Quilt ruler?      Click HERE     for the EZ Quilt tutorial. You won't believe how fast and EZ it really is, !

Using their directions we put together our feathers. Fold over the edges 1/4" at both ends.

Lay your tail feathers on your background piece,  (you will find the information for that in my tutorials, if you haven't been keeping up with us) and stitch em down.  We are going to need to trim off the excess, towards the bottom.

Now, back to our Turkey.

I have reversed the pattern and broke it down into pieces for you. So your ready to trace onto your favorite fusible. If you click on the photo, it should make it large enough to print out at scale. I have drawn a 1" square on the page to help you make sure. (I hope this works out. It's first for me!!) 

Trace, fuse, and stitch around your raw edges . You can then, put your cover together.

Voila!

Your done, and with plenty of time to spare, to start thinking about that delicious meal

 that will go with him!

If your lucky enough to not be doing the cooking this year,

consider taking one of these little guys to your hostess!

Enjoy!!

Note: When I tried to print the pattern from here, it only came out at about 75% of the correct size. If anyone knows how to make it print at 100% let me know and I will fix it!

Sorry!