Inspirations for Artists and People Who Want to be Happy

So as many of you know I am inspired by what I see on any given day. Whyile in Oregon (a beautiful state!) I took photos that might inspire me while I am designing and so I am sharing the wealth of my photos so you might be inspired to do a story quilt or a fun quilt! We are visual if we do art and we need things to take in and inspire. Ignore downers like the news (it always brings you down), friends who are not adding to your upbeat happiness, situations you need to take yourself out of....AND instead Write down five things that make you happy and that inspire you and then write down five more that most people would not think of....NOW you have a gratitude journal and you can be upbeat by using this instead of reading something that you take in and are upset about whether you realize it or not. Get yourself some upbeat, positive friends and go their way if you need to. There are so many positive quilters out there....

Isn't this sunflower and person art wonderful? Medford airport provides alot of inspiration!

Fabrics Make Our Quilts Exciting and Oh So Fun To Experiment With!

While shopping in Medford, we stopped by the Bernina shop called Top Stitch. It was great to see so many good fabric and I was really excited to see these two black prints that I designed. I had ten yards of each and they are long gone because they were so cool. I hope to do something similar when I design a new line for a new company. I will finally have time in october. Phew. Anyway, I thought I would share some of the fabrics I bought while I was there....so fun to bring stuff home. I am working on some projects from fabric given to me and that is really fun....stay tuned.

I loved what I bought and then there is what I didn't have room for in my suitcases too....

We also stopped by a little town called Jacksonville- adorable and look what we saw...I had to take a photo....

I have no idea whose bike this is but it was kind of funny. glad my husband did not do this when he had a bike! As you can see I have lots of plans for my time this Fall. I have alot of teaching gigs ahead and I am excited about the quilts that are going to the quilters and the ones that are in the works....Together I should have about 7 and I have great plans to show how to do Flower Power and Hoochy Blocks using some of the great fabrics I got from Manufacturers.....such fun and I am so inspired....I have too many ideas...

I love chickens and roosters and I am always looking for inspiration for quilts and paintings. I found this mural in Rogue River this week and had to share it...I am certain it will inspire some of you also....

Everywhere I travel, I try to get photos of things I could use for quilts and sometimes I just want to energize my imagination....Murals are alot of fun and this one was quite wonderful don't you think????

I am home and It Is Fall!

This photo was taken at a delightful kitchen store in Oregon where the Shakespeare Festival is held.,...I am having a senior moment. Oh thank you Sandi, "yes" it is Ashland. Grants Pass was fabulous too and I took many wonderful photos. I just got home from being gone three weeks and I wanted you to know I am well and wanted to show photos and tell about a fabulous woman I met from Afganistan and what we should know about how lucky we are. We are cetainly blessed. I have to pick up my Granddaughter soon and so I am going to write what I can here and I will do more this week. The dishes abover are McCoy. Wonderful shop. I will post the name of it for you once I settle down and can think....I just got home.

Hot dog, I took a photo of the shop door so you could ask about anything you see here...they had everything one could imagine but as usual I was drawn to the colorful stuff. I had a lovely conversation with a woman who was darling about my age and she had just had a double mastectomy and she had the most delightful attitude and spirit...just happy, uplifting, and friendly....loved her great personality and positive attitude...so NICE to be around fun girls like the ones who worked there. Be a "light" in a world of darkness....I am trying not to read the paper and pretend I am living in a perfect world. Because the quilters and other women and some men I am around are good and happy people. I love that.

The girls who work here are fabulous and friendly...like one of us quilters and they love Pinterest just like us! If you don't do Pinterest, you are missing out on loads of inspiration friend.

Count your blessings today and if you aren't used to doing that "quick name three things you are thankful for and three people"..later on do five and ten is my most favorite every single day and I don't repeat...it streteches you and makes you happy and grateful and full of creativity! I will be adding things here about my Hawaii trip with my nice husband and also please check out my blog called "Mary Lou and Whimsy Too" and I will be putting different things on there to ahare also. I am thankful for YOU and I am really thankful for comments friends....

Remembering Dawn Tonoili, a creative and wonderful person

Can you believe this is made of buttons? Isn't it wonderful? Think what you could add to any quilt or textile in the form of buttons...delightful!

I adore this photo because so many of you are dear and I have known you for a long time....I am thankful for classes because I have made many wonderful and lasting friends.

Here is a small COW by Dwn Tonoli. Dawn passed away last week and she was a lsting and wonderful friend who I met years ago in a retreat and we kept meeting at my retreats and California when I was there. I am going to miss Dawn and her wonderful sense of humor and fabulous creativity. She always amazed me and it was fun to go on an artist trip with her as she came up with great ideas. Many of my students and friends remember her ondly. Here is more of her work.

MoochoVilla

MooeyChristmas

Dawn earing lunch outdorrs at my retreat in Idaho

Moolah

Dawn belonged to my block swap group and here she was working on a bird quilt

Dawn's story quilt drawing for her daughter in law...she finished this wonderful quilt

I know I have more photos but I cannot find them. You can see that she was fun, pretty and creative and a wonderful friend to many. I will miss her alot.