October Review

October was such a busy month! In the previous blog post, I shared images of my Fall 2015 Quilt Market booth showcasing my newest fabric Coastline for Art Gallery Fabrics.  The fall show is always held in Houston, TX during October. Visit the AGF Blog to see more images and videos from the show.

Photos courtesy of Art Gallery Fabrics

Last month two quilting and sewing publications hit the newsstands with Sketchbook fabric projects. I love seeing the projects in print and finally being able to share them with you.

2015-1016 International Quilt Festival Quilt Scene magazine

It's an honor to be included in the Quilt Scene magazine. This issue is a feast for the eyes with amazing art quilts, luscious fabrics, and designs. My project is definitely the easiest one in the magazine but is a great project if you're looking for a quick gift idea for your favorite artist. 

Use a store-bought dish towel and turn it into a work apron. Use your favorite scrap prints to customize the look. I love how Quilt Scene photographed this for the magazine. 

Winter 2015 Stitch magazine

This beautiful issue of Stitch magazine is their final issue. After seven years the magazine will no longer be printed. I had always wanted to have a project in this magazine. One of my most favorite quilts was made for my Sketchbook fabrics Spring 2015 Quilt Market booth. Kilim Quilt was inspired by kilim rugs and was so much fun to create. 

Last up for the October Review it's time to revisit October's Sharon Holland Nature Study photos. I have given myself a personal challenge to photograph a flat lay image each week for a year. The parameters I set for myself is the contents of the photo must be of natural origins. So far, I have also included a color mood for the photo as a way to further categorize and connect the objects.

Sharon Holland Nature Study no. 12

Sharon Holland Nature Study no. 13

Sharon Holland Nature Study no. 14

Sharon Holland Nature Study no. 15

Sharon Holland Nature Study no. 16

Sharon Holland Nature Study Photos

I have been meaning to make a post about my flat lay photo collages for some time now but other posts just kept taking precedence. I am calling these grouped objects photos by the hashtag #SHnaturestudy on my Instagram account and have also started a Pinterest board S H nature study.

The reason I started taking these photos came from my need to reconnect with the world around me and give myself a personal design challenge of creating a new photo each week--for a year. I am always too absorbed in my work and I forget to take time to enjoy the world around me. Life didn't used to be that way for me so this is my wake up call to regain a little of what I used to enjoy so much--nature and beautiful things, brush up on photography skills and just do something completely different.

So, here are the parameters I set for myself when setting up these shots. I want to use objects that are natural in origin. Obviously plants and flowers are a good choice but will be hard to come by during winter in the midwest. So, I am allowing myself to add other objects to the grouping to help fill it out and support the weeks' color mood. As you will see, I am also creating a color story each week as well. I have no idea if this is all sustainable but want to complete my year challenge and push myself creatively. 

Here are the first 11 photos out of 52 weeks to get you up to speed. I will plan to recap at the end of each month with a post of the newest photos so you can follow along during the year. 

S H nature study no. 1

S H nature study no. 2

S H nature study no. 3

S H nature study no. 4

S H nature study no. 5

S H nature study no. 6

S H nature study no. 7

S H nature study no. 8

S H nature study no. 9

S H nature study no. 10

S H nature study no. 11

I hoped you enjoyed the images. I sure am having fun taking them each week. Remember to take time to marvel at the little things and connect with the world around you. We all need to "stop and smell the roses" now and then.