But You Got to Use Your Own Two Hands

So, Ben Harper is one of my fav musicians/songwriters/singers. This is his new video on his website. I love his Motown sounding voice, the way he sings about Jesus, life, love, his outstanding lyrics. I could go on and on, but I won't. What does this have to do with quilting? It's about inspiration. I am never at a loss for inspiration and today I thought I'd show you some of what I see that gives me good vibes or makes me want to sketch, sew, make something, in no particular order other than my brain's.

First up, Lucyellen06 who also has a great flickr photostream. Her quilts are whimsical, brilliantly colored, fun, beautiful, and exciting. Ah. I truly enjoy seeing what she comes up with in her sewing. We are in a flickr quilt bee together and when she sent my block, she also sent this fun chipmunk with some of my fabrics:



Second is something I have on my wall. I got it during a beach weekend with my girl friends from high school. The ones that know me better than I know myself often. One of them, the bossy one, said we HAD to get some tchotcky to remind us that we must always have beach trips. Me and the other friend smiled and rolled our eyes, called her bossy, and went along. They said this is definitely me- the quote, not the likeness:


Soooo true. I try to remember that in my creative endeavours when the doubt creeps in and I look up at that and laugh like mad. Yep, I do.

Third up, new friends and old friends who do different creative things. I have a good friend who is a Montessori teacher. She could also give the Dog Whisperer a run for his money. She is smart as a whip and reads like the wind and listens to NPR!We have great discussions about everything from Ikea furniture to POTUS' latest policies. And she loves to laugh and I always do around her as well. Her impersonations always crack me up. I have a new friend who is a mystery writer. She also is a broadcast journalist, a prolific blogger, and a great public speaker. Just two examples of many friends that make me feel like making stuff because they live so fully.

And art. I have no formal art training. I even had to drop out of art appre in college because I kept falling asleep in that cool, dark room. I find that I cycle through artists that inspire me. I've been enjoying Chagall for awhile now. His paintings tell stories of people in love with each other, and often feature random goats and chickens here and there. Really! I haven't done any research on the symbolism of the animals, so I don't know. I just like them.

I could go on and on, but enough for now. I need to go make some stuff!
One last thing: the NY Beauty quilted!! Ta Da!