Where did this come from?

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

Yes, Baltimore is getting closer and closer. February 21-23 to be precise.

I awake in the morning planning the next quilt I have to make. How will it look in my booth? Is it like anything else I have? I sketch out the idea. Know it will be great. Know that unless there are too many snow storms I should be able to get it done. Finish just a few things first to clear the desk.

And then it occurs to me. What if I make something else instead? One with seemingly random blocks of color. Hmm. That would be fun. I don't know for sure what this will look like. That intrigues me.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

Well it is a concept I have played with for years. The first one was when I had just met my DH. I didn't have my studio then and instead was working in a downstairs room. Yes, I had two kittens. What fun they thought it would be to climb the design wall and knock all the carefully arranged "random" blocks off the board. Oh I was not happy. Random is so much harder than it looks. Last I heard that quilt is living in Colorado.

Then there was words for the dawn. 

words for the dawn--45x45"--Ann Brauer

Yes, I love this quilt. Twenty five different colors of the dawn. But this time I wanted a quilt that would have solid blocks of color. Well, not solid solid. But with the thin micro strips that I have been using a lot. I love the control they give me. The substance they give the quilt. And I want new colors. Pinks and black have been intriguing me. I think of a fabric that I did not buy--aren't those the fabrics that continue to haunt you? It sat in the fabric store but I wasn't sure if I would use it. Aren't those the ones that stick with you?

OK. There is no time to think. After all Baltimore is coming soon. Tick. Tock. Why waste the time planning? Worrying if it is the right quilt to make? It is a quilt I have been dreaming about for more than 20 years, isn't it?

So I pin fabrics up onto the wall. This is how I often sketch out a quilt.

An interesting arrangement. I think in the end it will be hung horizontally but I don't have to worry about that now do I?

Tick. Tock.

Instead I start piecing. Make what I know. Hope the rest will come to me as I sew. After all there are lots and lots of seams to sew.

 Not bad. I keep going.

Yes, this is getting interesting. Add another block.

 
I am on a roll. Oh I love this feeling. Can I figure out how to recreate the dance of the butterflies? Hmm. I look through my fabrics.  Not colors or patterns that I tend to choose. Yes, I could drive into the fabric store and get that fabric that started the whole thing but that takes time. Instead I pull out those that might work and try it. Why not?

Yes, this could work. Not sure about the greens yet. Really feel clueless about the off white.  Should I redo the black. Is it too dark? How do I join it together? I have a couple of ideas. I think my usual method may be a bit cluncky. I will have to see.

I still don't know if it will work. Am I wasting time before Baltimore? Taking too much of a risk? Or is this exciting part of creation? What do you think? Does this happen to you?

And will I see at least some of you at the Baltimore show? For tickets and more information:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2014-american-craft-council-show-in-baltimore-tickets-8022827493 and using this code BWI2014GUEST.