I was listening to the Quilting Arts Podcast #25 from January 26th for a few minutes last week. Here's the gist of what I heard - (not an exact quote):

A lot of creativity is problem solving. If you want to create a certain effect in your quilt, you have to figure out the right technique, the right tool, the right value, the right color. It can be exhausting to do the hard brain work of creating. Sometimes you need to do a simple, straight seams project to give yourself time to recoup and reset your brain so it can take on the next involved project.

I like this idea that creativity can be hard work. I find that designing and building a quilt often can be intense and take lots of energy and brain space. Other times, the solutions flow continuously and I'm in the zone.

How does creativity work for you? Is it fresh and ready each time you choose a pattern or fabrics? Or do you have to work at finding the spark again when you're starting a new project or you've been working on a quilt for a while?

Often, a spark is all it takes to reset our brains.

I had some homework for a class focused on craft and the "spirit of the maker". We talked about the basic elements of design, such as line, texture, and color, and ways to use them, such as repetition and balance.

I, of course, had left the homework to the last minute. Ignoring the directions to use a #2 pencil and paper, I cut out some shapes from fabric that was already sitting on my cutting table, and glue-sticked them to the paper. And I had to go find those orange buttons.

I pinned it to my design wall, and it's been inspiring me to get moving! January and February are not my months - lack of sunshine, and all that.

But now, I'm working on something using red-violet...I'm not quite sure what it will be, yet, but the ideas are percolating...not that I've stitched a stitch, yet!

Trying something different with scissors, fabric and a glue stick was a spark. I made a simple design that may never turn into anything else, but it helped knock me out of my anxious place of winter-rest-turned-why-can't-I-get-started frustration.

There are lots of ideas out there that people use to jumpstart their creative thinking.

• Do you like to sketch? That's an obvious one, unless you're like me and straight and wavy lines are the extent of your sketching capabilities. Except leaves - I can outline leaves.

• If you are tactile and need to touch fabrics, try resorting and refolding your fabric stash.

• A visit to your local quilt shop is always a possibility. Or maybe a visit to a quilt shop that is not your local or favorite one, so you see different fabrics, or maybe just see the same fabrics differently because they are arranged, well, differently!

• If you like taking photographs and looking through your photos inspires you - maybe one of your landscape, nature closeups, or portraits will get you started on your next quilt journey.

• Help a child or a friend learn to sew, choose fabrics, or work on a pattern. Seeing it all from someone else’s perspective can give you a new perspective and spark.

Taking a small action can lead to blossoming and blooming creativity.

What do you do to help spark your creativity?

Perhaps a new book will be your spark. Take a look at my book Conquering Color and Fabric.

Or take a class. Here are my upcoming classes.

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