Embracing Creativity

I was at a planning meeting this week for one of my favorite quilt events of the year – Stitch Modern. I wanted to share with you some of the interesting events that they are sponsoring this year, but first, let’s talk a bit about embracing your creativity.

One of the things I am most excited about lately, is looking outside my normal routine to find inspiration around me. I find that choosing a different door to open (or color, or fabric, or technique) leads to opportunities I never imagined. Wednesday morning was no exception. Gather nine people around a table with some coffee and pastries and you never know where the brainstorming will lead! So many great ideas! Okay, okay, I know this happens everywhere, everyday. But, isn’t this how many of our quilt guilds, meetups, shows and events start out? Embracing a creative idea usually makes our community stronger – and definitely more exciting. It also leads us down paths not normally taken. Hmmmm. Thinking outside of that ever-looming box is most always a good thing!

So, the next time you nix an unusual idea because it isn’t the way its always been done, remind yourself that the most unique and creative aspects of our world would not exist if there wasn’t once a crazy idea that was embraced. And with that, I share with you examples of upcoming events that started with simple creative ideas. Be sure to follow the links to read about all the inspiring events they have planned!

Stitch Modern 2014

The East Bay Modern Quilt Guild’s 3rd annual quilt show. As a group, East Bay Modern focuses on modern design and personal expression through quilting. As a non-juried show, there are no hard rules – this is quilting our own way, whether it’s with the latest fabrics and traditional patterns, or free piecing with no pattern at all! Jan 31 – Feb 23rd at Piedmont Center of the Arts , 801 Magnolia Ave, Piedmont, CA. Gallery Hours: 12pm-3pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Jan 31: 6pm-9pm – Opening Reception

Feb 8: 12:30pm-2:30pm –

Needle Ceremony 12:30pm-1:00pm An informal memorial service for our spent sewing needles and pins based on the Japanese Hari kuyou ceremony which happens on February 8th. Bring your spent machine, hand sewing, and pins and join us in celebrating our tools and their service.

Beyond the Bed: Exploring Quilts in the Public Eye 1:00-2:30pm In a panel moderated by Kim Andersson of i adore pattern, we will be discussing how quilters go about getting their work “seen” and talking to professionals in the world of fiber art including publishers, curators, and artists.

Feb 9: 12:00pm-2:30pm – Family and Community Activity Day There will be quilting demos, quilt-relatated activities for children and an opportunity to create blocks to be used in children’s charity quilts.

Feb 13: 7pm-8:30pm – Lecture: Ben Venom & Roderick Kiracofe

Feb 16: 12pm-3pm – Sew Day with the East Bay Modern Quilt Guild

Feb 23: 9:30am-4pm –Workshop: Round Robin Improv with Sherri Lynn Wood

WWII Home Front Quilt Challenge

A collaboration of San Francisco Bay Area quilt enthusiasts, arts organizations, museums and historical associations, The Rosie the Riveter Trust, and National Park Service staff and volunteers. The WWII Home Front theme was chosen to promote interest in the new NPS Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, located in Richmond, California. The Park Visitor Education Center is located next to the Craneway Pavilion and the historic Ford Building, which played a significant role in WWII. Voices in Cloth 2014 is the Bay Area’s premier quilt show, produced biennially by the East Bay Heritage Quilters.Up to 80 quilts will be chosen by jury for exhibition in an online gallery beginning in March 2014, and at Voices in Cloth in Craneway Pavilion on March 22 & 23, 2014.