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Are you stretching yourself?

9/18/2013

3 Comments

 
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Last year someone challenged me to think about what I want the most from my quilting. Am I trying to be known for it? Am I trying to make money? Am I trying to meet personal goals? As I thought about that, I realized  that making money is part of it, since that contributes to my family economy, although I feel I have other ways to contribute that are even more valuable, so I want to make sure I don’t overlook those things to sew. I also want to learn and grow, and to stretch myself and try to meet personal goals. But I think what really excites me the most is seeing other people grow and stretch themselves. I love teaching just about as much as I love creating things myself. And any art form is a really safe way to stretch our comfort zone which can apply to other areas of life as well. 
 
So, where are you in the process? Are you a strict pattern follower? A quilt shop owner told me recently that not only do most people want patterns, they want the exact fabric used in the pattern photo. If that’s you that would be a good place to start, just do a pattern in a completely different color scheme, so you have to choose your own. The next level would be to alter the pattern somehow to make it your own. On my patterns, I usually put  a few suggestions for customizing them, I want people to stretch themselves and  add their own touch. I’ve never been much of a pattern follower, but I still find myself getting in ruts, it’s a constant growing process. My next goal is to get better about having the right amount of contrast, it’s a constant battle for me:-) For example, the green behind the leaves on this card is a little too dark, the leaves don't show up quite as well as they should.


I’d love to hear other ideas for going a step beyond where you currently are in your creativity!


3 Comments
Doris St John
9/18/2013 05:42:11 am

My next quilt will be made using different patterns of different sizes. I have the patterns and most of the fabric. know for the time. 1st Christmas gifts.

Reply
Erica link
9/25/2013 03:05:02 pm

I really enjoyed this post, you made me think about what I want out of quilting too. I also design patterns which I sell on line and at various markets and its incredible how people do want the exact fabric, buttons and embellishments as shown. I do encourage to splash out and just have fun with your work!!

Reply
Beret
9/26/2013 03:46:28 am

Thanks Erica, I'd love to see what you do too!

Reply



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    Beret Nelson's On The Trail Creations Blog Page

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    Beret Nelson

    I am a homeschooling mom of three fun kids, who are now old enough that I have a little time to pursue my passion for sewing! After several years of making quilted cards and art quilts, I'm now designing kits and patterns.  Some of my designs have been in Keepsake Quilting and Art Quilting Studios magazine! I  teach classes online, and am starting to do more traveling and teaching. I also have many tutorials, including some on YouTube. I am blessed to live in Alaska where I am surrounded by the inspiration provided by the beauty of God's creation!
    To see all of my patterns, click here.
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    I am also an independent distributor for Plexus supplements, since I credit them with enabling me to be healthy enough to do all these fun things! They target blood sugar and gut health, which are at the root of so many modern health issues. E-mail me for more info, or check out my website! I am as passionate about getting people healthy as I am about getting people creating :-)

    beret@onthetrailcreations.com
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  • Home
  • Shop Online
    • Art For Sale
    • Collage Art Quilt Kits
    • Store - Wall Hangings/Table Runners Kit & Patterns >
      • Sandhill Sunset Wall Hanging
      • Moonshadows Wall Hanging
      • Moonlight Moose Table Runner
      • Serenity Wall Hanging
      • Summer Dragonfly Wall Hanging
      • Summer Dragonfly Table Runner
      • Moonlight Moose Wall Hanging
      • Autumn Leaves Wall Hanging
      • Autumn Leaves Table Runner
      • Night Owl Wall Hanging Quilt
    • Store - Quilted Greeting Card Kits/Patterns >
      • Acrylic Card Template
      • Trish Stuart Collection
      • Out On a Limb Card Kit
      • Wonder Lake Card Kit
      • Moonshadows Card
      • Raven Moon Card
      • Chickadee With Berries Card
      • Whale Tale Card
      • Moose and Willows Card Kit
      • Raven Card Kit
      • Wild Iris Card
      • Northwoods Nisse Card
      • Boreal Botanicals Card
      • Winter Trees Card
      • For the Birds Card Pattern
      • Wild Flower I Card Pattern
      • Wild Flower II Card Pattern
      • Wild Flower III Card Pattern
      • Wonky Heart Card Pattern
      • Whimsical Heart Card Pattern
      • Black-Capped Chickadee Card
      • Three Leaves Card Pattern
      • Let it Snow Card Pattern
      • Happy Birthday Card Pattern
      • Tundra Swan Card Pattern
      • Milepost Card Pattern
    • Store - Coffee Kuspuks/Quilt Panels >
      • Season of Hope Velvet Panel
      • Screen Prints
      • Coffee Kuspuk
      • Moonlight Moose Potholder Kit
      • Chickadee Menu Planner
      • Spring Flowers Coaster Pattern
      • Teresa Ascone Panels
      • Scrappy Baby Bib
    • Molly Molecule Book
  • Online Classes
    • Simple Secrets for Art Quilting
    • Framed Collage Quilt Class
  • Beret's Blog
  • 40 Ways
  • About Us
  • Tutorials
    • Grace quilt tutorial
    • Sewing Machine Needle Organizer Pincushion
    • Organza silk screen tutorial
    • Polymer Clay button tutorial
    • Birch Tree card tutorial
    • Coffee Shop greeting card
    • Free Motion Stitching Tutorials >
      • Free Motion Tutorial
      • 10 minute project tutorial
      • Valentine Coasters
      • Grape hyacinth postcard
      • Advanced free motion projects >
        • Sparkly 3D dragonfly wings
        • Inktense Frog quilt
        • Dream Big flower panel
    • Journal Cover - Book Tutorials >
      • Quilted Book Cover Tutorial
      • 1000 Gifts Journal Cover Tutorial
      • Quiet Book Tutorial
    • Tutorials for Our Kits >
      • Moonshadows Video Tutorials
      • Summer Dragonfly Video Tutorials
      • Serenity Video Tutorials
    • Video Tutorials - Screenprinting, Inktense, Quilted Card Binding
    • Pocket Prayer Quilt
  • Art Quilt Gallery
  • Quilted Cards Gallery
  • Quilt Shops
  • Contact Us
  • Sked Verks
    • Sked Verks Gallery
    • Sked Verks Online Store
  • Return Policy - FAQs