Thursday, May 23, 2013

INSPIRATION COMES



Hi Everyone!

The “Design” notebook began when I wanted to replace mini blinds in the studio. 


With two windows in the room, there is a semi-need for privacy, especially with the window facing a neighbor and a partial view to the street. Researching Roman Shades on the Internet was slightly overwhelming, with SO MANY options for shades available. There are the How To's and Custom Made's and with each one you must chose style, colors and patterns, etc.  When I thought I might be at wits end, I came across appliqued pictorial landscape shades and the light bulb went off:   “hey, I thought, I’m a quilt maker why not make patchwork shades of my own”! I knew I'd never make the landscape appliqued shades (too much work, not enough time) but patchwork was certainly an doable option! Ok, with that decision made I can let it percolate in my brain for a bit, mentally working out patterns. A few days later, an email pops up from a quilt shop in the In Box offering a Kaffe Fassett Roman Road Quilt Kit. I'm a big fan of Kaffe Fassett, so I opened the email to see what was what.



 Ah ha, there was the idea for the “Roman” quilt pattern and the name (Roman Road/Roman Shade); well it was just meant to be!! Unfortunately, the cost of multiple (4 x $79.99) kits was more than I could afford for two windows. 

Still I loved the pattern Roman Roads and it just so happened to be the perfect piece of Kaffe Fassett fabric in my stash closet, just waiting for this occasion! Love when THAT happens! I worked out the color scheme, pattern and dimensions visually in the Design Notebook all centered around the Kaffe Fassett fabric!



Ta Da! Here's the Roman Road Quilt pattern (turned horizontally) on the side window facing my neighbor's house (it stays down for privacy). And the window facing the backyard stays up. See how the colors are illuminated when the sun shines in the morning? 




         In the afternoon, the larger shade lights up too! It is like having stained glass windows!  I fell in love with the Kaffe Fassett fabric!!!  
                        
                           I painted a page in my journal!



                          But that just wasn't enough.



                                                     

                                  Totally inspired!



                       I painted the flower shapes three times!                               


Three years later, I still love the Roman Road shades and these paintings inspired by Kaffe Fassett fabric!

Look around to see what inspires you today! 

Bee Happy! Bee Creative!! Have Fun! 

Suzy 

Linking to: Paint Party Friday, Sew Many Ways;Crafty Thursday Obsessions

13 comments:

Anne Payne said...

Oh man! Those are AWESOME!!! I want some for my kitchen windows. Get started now and you can give them to me next May when you come up :) xoxo

Rosie said...

Clever you! I love them.

Netty said...

oh wow your blinds are awesome.

Happy PPF, Annette x

http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

Valerie-Jael said...

Sensational! Valerie

Mary C. Nasser said...

Turned out just gorgeous!
Wish you could create something for my French doors!
♥♥♥
Happy PPF!!
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art

sharon said...

Wow and wow! Those blinds are gorgeous.

Giggles said...

Very cool blinds and I love the flower painting...great job!

Hugs Giggles

Unknown said...

I love them - the blinds and the paintings. I love how when you have an idea and you are open to the universe it answers you pretty quickly!

Thanks for popping in and leaving such lovely comments on my painting this week
Kirstin x

KarenB said...

These are really, really pretty!

Karen Smithey said...

I love the blinds, and ESPECIALLY love that you kept going with the theme--Gorgeous paintings!

Happy Paint Party Friday!

Karen said...

I'm so impressed! The shades are like sparkling jewels! Wow!

Linda Kunsman said...

wow-your roman shade is stunning!!!! Love your floral journal page too.Thanks for sending me the correct link :)

Unknown said...

Yay, I finally figured out how to comment on these blog posts!!! I have been wanting to say for a long time that your blog posts are very inspiring to me!! I enjoy receiving them in my email inbox. We are kindred spirits in that we like fun & bright colors and patterns! I found this blog post particularly inspiring and painted my own picture of the flowers. In fact, I think I'd like to write on my own blog about how you inspired me and share a link to your blog. Is that ok with you? In either case, thank you for sharing your colorful inspiration! We are all a color that God wishes to express in the world! -Anne :)