Tag: Inspiration

Cow with a Border

This is another one of the nature related mosaics that decorate the Ferry Building. I have walked past this particular mosaic numerous times. It wasn’t until this week when I happened to standing near a newly moved table that I noticed the border. I really like the way the border sets off the center. I also like it that it isn’t a traditional checkerboard border. I think the classic checkerboard pattern makes a wonderful element in a quilt, but the rectangular tiles (aka patches) in this piece really give the work something extra.

I hope to get a picture of each of the mosaics.

Old Tile Floor

I was in an old building on Van Ness. I visit periodically and have never been able to figure out the story of this building. It now houses part of California Pacific, a guitar/drum store, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and a car dealership. Where I go has no second floor – only 1, 3, and 4. I can’t figure out where 2 is. The other puzzle is this lovely floor. It is simple, but the tiles are old. They may be pre-1906 as the building is on the side of the street that wasn’t dynamited, but I can’t say for sure. I may have to delve deeper
Was this the entry way of a mansion that has been so obliterated that you would never know it? Was it the offices of a car dealership that no longer exists? I don’t know, but I like the tiles.

Stitch Chart Online

As you may know, I have been coveting a new machine for awhile. It didn’t happen last year and this year isn’t looking that good either. Still, I can dream and look and make my choice.

Janome just came out with the 11K Special edition and they put a stitch chart on their website. I used this to see if my favorite stitches will still be available and if the one stitch I didn’t get (kind of a serpentine stitch was available. Also, my favorite star stitch is still available. Hooray. The chart is small, but it is a great idea.

Back to my regularly scheduled dreaming..

clipped from janomespecials.com
Stitch Chart
  blog it

Walking Around and Looking

Sometimes the easiest thing to do it just look at the world around you. I was doing this yesterday and happened upon some really nice tiles. They are on Chenery Street near Church in SF.

One of the things I like about tiles is that, often, the designs of groups of tiles create a pattern I can replicate in fabric. The design is usually made of of different colored titles placed precisely. In this case (above), an ordinary terracotta tiled staircase has been dressed up using these textured and painted tiles. I like the idea of coming home each night and getting a little inspiration as I walk up the stairs. I also am interested in the designs and how they relate to quilt patterns.

I saw this one and immediately thought of a New York Beauty. It is not exactly a New York Beauty as we in quiltmaking know that pattern, but it gives the impression of a New York Beauty.

The tile above isn’t a quilt pattern that I have seen, but it would make an interesting applique’.

I really like the colors in this bold striped tile. It could easily be the basis of a quilt or one quilt block.

Parakeets’ Expression


This is a quilt that TFQ and I saw at the APNQ show. It has been on mind because of the expressiveness of the little parakeets. I think that this quilt tells a story because of the implied movement of the birds. I can appreciate realistic quilts, but don’t always see the point in reproducing a photo in quilt format. This one, however, tells a story.

Quilt vs. Art

This is a giant piece of art made from found objects – large found objects – that is displayed at the American Gallery of Art. It is by Louise Nevelson and is described as an assemblage of found objects.

As you can see from the detail, this piece is about texture. I say that because the color is very flat and the artist does not use color to move your eye around the piece.

Above is a quilt we saw at APNQ, which reminded me of the art above. I don’t know if the quilt artist was informed or inspired by the piece above, but they are definitely related.

Metal Penguins and Exciting Eating Environments

Pacific Place in Seattle is a mall downtown with shops, movie theatres and restaurants. They also have cool art – public and to buy.I like this penguin, because from far away it actually looks like a penguin. Up close it has great texture.


This is a wonderful set of table and chairs that are painted with lovely designs. They had other pieces such as a chest (like a cedar chest or toy chest).

Painted Floors

Everywhere I go, I see something that reminds me of a quilt or something inspires me to make a quilt or gives me some creative idea and I just have to show you. Towards the end of our trip we went to the National Forest Service Museum (Smokey the Bear land). These were the floors.
It looks like some kind of applique. Can you see the trees and the mountains?

This would be much easier and you could probably piece the whole thing. Yes, even the circle. For those of you are beginning to suspect that I have lost my mind, take a look at Ruth McDowell’s Piecing book. This is a classic quilt book and really should be in everyone’s quilt library. She wrote this before C&T started publishing shorter books. A newer version is Ruth McDowell’s Piecing Workshop.

Flowering Inspiration

I have been contemplating a flower quilt for a long time. As a result, I keep taking pictures of flowers in order to get ideas of flowers to interpret into fabric. I also think that flowers are beautiful and good inspiration.

This was taken at Lilypons water garden.


The above two photos were taken at the National Zoo.


The above two photos were taken at the US Botanic Gardens, a truly gorgeous place.

Look Up

Bureau of Printing and Engraving (I think)

Ceiling in the East Wing of the National Gallery plus an untitled Calder mobile. I loved both galleries of the National Gallery. It is a perfect space for art. The place was made for art and it really looks like the art is happy there.

The Apotheosis at the Capital. The dude in the middle in George Washington.

DAR Museum/Library
Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress.

Sideways view of the Capitol ceiling. I like the way the arch swoops.

Looking up can be very inspiring, so LOOK UP!

More Mosaic Inspiration

Someone mentioned that I was an idiot, because I was classifying tilework with mosaics and calling it all mosaics. I do know the difference, in case you were worried and I intend to continue on with my practice, because mosaics sound better and is shorter than Mosaics and Tilework. Searching is easier for you, dear readers, also, because all you have to do is type in mosaics and you get everything that has to do with mosaics or tilework. See? I am always thinking of you. 😉

This is from Frederick, Maryland. I was thinking it would be good inspiration for a two block quilt: ninepatch and snowball.

Also from Frederick, MD. I like the interwoveness of this design. I mulled over, quite a bit, how the colors played into into the success of the design.

This is a mosaic from the Thomas Jefferson building of the Library of Congess, though it really mimics tilework.

This is another mosaic from the Thomas Jefferson building of the Library of Congess. I love the leaves.

This is yet another mosaic from the Thomas Jefferson building of the Library of Congess. Can you say Double Wedding Ring?

Mosaic Inspiration from the Thomas Jefferson Building

The Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress is a monument to knowledge. The whole building exudes the value of knowledge. As well, it is a gorgeous building, with every surface covered in some kind of artwork celebrating knowledge, books or libraries. I took dozens of pictures of floors, some of which I may drag out later for your enjoyment. Here are a few to inspired you to greater borders and medallions for your quilts.



I love the common designs that mosaic art (and other arts) have in common with quiltmaking.