noun
1. an inspiring or animating action or influence: I cannot write poetry without inspiration.
2. something inspired, as an idea.
3. a result of inspired activity.
4. a thing or person that inspires.
5. Theology .
that frees them from being obligated to listening to what I have to say
that frees both of us to explore quilting in a way that suits us
a. a divine influence directly and immediately exerted upon the mind or soul.
b. the divine quality of the writings or words of a person so influenced.
in·spire – [in-spahyuh
verb (used with object), in·spired, in·spir·ing.
1. to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence: His courage inspired his followers.
2. to produce or arouse (a feeling, thought, etc.): to inspire confidence in others.
3. to fill or affect with a specified feeling, thought, etc.: to inspire a person with distrust.
4. to influence or impel: Competition inspired her to greater efforts.
5.to animate, as an influence, feeling, thought, or the like, does: They were inspired by a belief in a better future.
I had coffee with a couple of friends this afternoon. It was lovely. Simply lovely. Lovely in a way that just makes me happy. We talked quilting and other stuff for a solid 2 hours. Part of the conversation that has stuck in my head was about inspiration.
Inspiration is a pathway that leads us in ways that we can not begin to imagine.
Today I’m inspired by color (usually spring and autumn); wrought iron; geometric shapes and blank canvases (i.e. whole cloth), art style quilts.
That’s changed a lot in 20+ years of quilting. Once upon a time inspiration was found in patterns, books, magazines, some online stuff and listening to the advice of others.
Inspiration is a pathway that leads us in ways that we can not begin to imagine.
Today I’m inspired by color (usually spring and autumn); wrought iron; geometric shapes and blank canvases (i.e. whole cloth), art style quilts.
That’s changed a lot in 20+ years of quilting. Once upon a time inspiration was found in patterns, books, magazines, some online stuff and listening to the advice of others.
The major shift in inspiration probably started about 10 years ago or so when I started to be more comfortable in my own quilterly skin. How I viewed patterns started to change: from thinking I needed an exact copy to a pattern is a jumping off point. How I viewed magazines: intensely reading to flipping through the pages to find something that resonated with me. when I listen to the advice of others now it’s partly to hear things I may not have though through and to eliminate possibilities.
When I got advice years ago I thought I had to follow it exactly. Uh, no. When I gave advice I thought quilters should listen to me exactly – because you know I invented quilting and I’m all seeing and I know everything about quilting. Uhm no. Now when I get/give advise it’s like an idea ready to be fleshed out or lived with or discarded. I don’t care any more if a quilter follows my advice. Seriously. What matters, that the quilter is happy with the end result. yeah that.
When I got advice years ago I thought I had to follow it exactly. Uh, no. When I gave advice I thought quilters should listen to me exactly – because you know I invented quilting and I’m all seeing and I know everything about quilting. Uhm no. Now when I get/give advise it’s like an idea ready to be fleshed out or lived with or discarded. I don’t care any more if a quilter follows my advice. Seriously. What matters, that the quilter is happy with the end result. yeah that.
that frees them from being obligated to listening to what I have to say
that frees both of us to explore quilting in a way that suits us
This photo inspires me. I draw breath and get giddy when I see it.
What inspires you?
Happy Quilting!
Teri
