I am part of an online group, The Endeavourers, whose members produce small art quilts around a theme.  This time around we did a round-robin exchange of inspirational words or objects.

How to Make an Inspired Quilt in Eight Easy Steps

1. Receive inspirational fabric scraps from the lovely Fiona. Discover from the note she sends that she lives in Largs, in Scotland. Further discover the scraps are Liberty of London lawn, Harris Tweed wool, and a length of lace that may or may not have been made by her grandmother around 1890. Resolve to make something worthy of said scraps and lace. Go have some wine.

2. Lay fabric on guest bed and stare at it a lot when the kitten isn’t throwing it on the floor or carrying it off somewhere. Think to yourself that Liberty stuff reminds you of the groovy paintings of 60s-70s artist Peter Max. Google Peter Max and study his work.

3. On a whim, google Largs. Ponder the waterfront with the seawall, shops, church, and water. Discover the graffiti capital of Largs aka Kelburn Castle. 

4. On another whim, google Scottish Artists. Discover the enchanting work of Ritchie Collins. 

5. Mull. Mull. Mull some more. Discover the Paul McCartney song Mull of Kintyre (featuring bagpipes) is on repeat in your brain. Bagpipes on repeat. That’s just wonderful. Have more wine.

6. Lay out first, second, third iteration of the quilt. Think, “Eh…” Cover layout with cardboard anyway so kitten leaves it alone. Kitten doesn’t leave it alone. On second night put a chair on top of the cardboard. Listen to kitten yell all night in frustrated protest. Decide against getting out of bed to have some wine.

7. Finally get a vision at 3 AM one night to graffiti the Largs waterfront! Lay out vision. Resolve to use every last piece of gifted scraps, along with added stuff from stash. Make quilt under close supervision of kitten. And…

8. Ta-dah! Present “Largs Graffiti Moon” on August 1st.