Creative solutions: What happens when you work with what's on hand?

When it's time for dinner, sometimes you use the ingredients you picked up for the special recipe you've been planning to make, sometimes you get creative with what's in the fridge and the pantry, and other times you get creative with your favorite takeout.

Clearly, finding creativity in working with what you have is not unique to quilting.

Recently, I've been enjoying working with "found" materials for my quilt tops. There are so many designs, so many quilts that could be made, if only I could dream them up! Sometimes, asking questions like, "What can I make with what I have?" or "What can I add to make these things work together?" helps me focus and keeps my creative muscles in shape.

If you've read some of my previous blog posts, you'll remember that my current "fabric pantry" is dominated by a gifted trove of plaids and stripes. For example, the top I made with all those half-square triangles is just about finished:

The project I'm working on now still features plaids, stripes, and shirtings, but also makes use of a couple of regular print fabrics. (Perhaps from the fabric fridge?) I chose two palettes -- one from my solids, one from the plaids and stripes -- with the help of an inspiration fabric I've been wanting to use. It's a print with wild animals in greenery that I have in two colorways. Giveaway table for the win!