Stuck On A Theme

Do you ever get stuck on a theme and go down a rabbit hole where you keep obsessing about the subject with everything you make? 

I am an art quilter and fabric designer. I love to create things in collections. So it's natural to really focus closely on a single subject and get some good mileage out of it. 

I have this thing for armadillos, I have no idea why because I've never even seen one for real! 

Armadillos have found their way onto fabrics I've designed, packing tape for my business, appliques, thread drawings, and products... they are everywhere!

I did the same thing with Dragonflies, donkeys, and chickens.

AND then there are the cats... I have made so many cat quilts. 

Cats from Outer Space

Home Sweet Home (More cats in spaceships)

Home for the Holidays (More cats in spaceships)

Cats in a Lamp Shop

The Cat's Lamp Shop

Sushi Cat

My Cat's Brain

Cats in a Maze

    House Cat

Do you have favorites or go-to things you quilt? 

I think the reason we do this is that starting a new project is hard. 

If we purchase a pattern or have a continuing theme it makes it one tick more familiar and comfortable. We start thinking we know how it will end and so the time, money, and effort

 we put into it is more of a sure bet.

 Knowing the results before we start is not always good. 

If we are going to stretch and grow our craft, I think it's important to take deep dives into the unknown - try things that don't have a guaranteed ending. That's when we learn. 

Belonging to quilting guilds is a wonderful way to stretch. In the short time, I've been a member of Charlotte Modern Quilt Guild I've been exposed to so many different schools of thought - each one has stretched me and grown my thinking and skill set. It has made me better.

This won't keep me from going crazy on different things, but it will make my crazy more interesting!!!