Need Inspiration? Try Your Local Quilting Store!

Do you ever have those days when you have time to be creative yet you aren't feeling the "vibe" - or that energy that makes you feel as if you are in a river of inspiration and all you have to do is be the conduit for taking your creative vision to reality?

A few weeks ago my friend Carol introduced me to her favorite quilting store. I came home filled with ideas - dreaming about colors, creativity and potential projects... I told a few of my scrapbooking friends about how inspiring the quilt store was and they looked at me with quizzical expressions...

I thought it might be helpful for others to write about WHY a visit to your local quilting store might be in order....hopefully in the process you, too, will feel inspired.

1. Color Combinations - quilt designers, like scrapbook artists, combine many different fabrics, colors, etc. in their creations. Seeing the amazing color combinations they bring together is inspiring - I love the color combination of orange, blue, green, pink & yellow shown below, however I don't think I would have tried those colors together before seeing this...

I also love this package put together for a quilt kit -

(image taken at Quilter's Haven in Bountiful, Utah)

2. Complimentary Pattern Designs - one of the elements of design that takes me out of my comfort zone is bringing together complimentary pattern papers. I often take the easy route and just choose a few solids that coordinate well with my pattern paper. I love quilting stores because they get me thinking outside of my comfort zone when it comes to putting together different patterns...

I love this combination -

Even more inspiring in this finished project -

Some more inspiring combinations...

Even funner and quite appropriate are scrapbook designer lines that have crossed over to fabric:

As for me? I came home with these for a couple of projects I am working on:

And a charm pack (set of 5x5 inch cuts) of these fabrics - just because I loved the colors:

Where do you get your inspiration? Please share!

****(images from author's personal collection and also courtesy of Fat Quarter Shop which, incidentally, is a fabulous online quilt shop if you are looking for inspiration!)