One of the things most people don’t know about me is I absolutely LOVE history. As I am working on my latest project I have been listening to the audio book, “1776″ by David McCullough on my Ipod which is so fascinating to me.  

I have also recently seen the mini-series  ”John Adams”, based on another David McCullough book, which was excellent and totally swept me away in time. 

Almost a year ago I was lucky enough to be in Williamsburg, Virginia and I was literally overwhelmed by the history I felt as I walked through the streets everyday. I spent almost a whole day, from open to close, in the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum and the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. I never wanted to leave. Talk about inspiration!  For someone like myself who loves beautiful things beautifully made and rich with history, this was an awesome experience. 

I have always had a quilt idea in the back of my head that I wanted to do. I am a descendent of two Revolutionary soldiers and my ancestors were Virginia Landowners during that period in time. A quilt idea has been “brewing” for awhile now that honors that period of history and my ancestors. It was in the museum, amongst all of that history, I had my epiphany and all of my ideas came together as to what I wanted to create. I mean come on, how could you not be totally swept away with inspiration in such a place?

 I did have a scheduled obligation so I was not able to travel outside of Williamsburg and locate the land my family owned during that period in history, but I definitely will return again to research some more and find a connection to my past and details for my quilt.

In the meantime my collection of fabrics for this quilt grows as I finish other projects that are ahead of it in line. I have way too many ideas and not enough time. One thing I do know is that when I am ready to start this project, it is going to be one of my best quilts ever!  

Where do you find inspiration?

©2009 Sandra Leichner http://www.sandraleichner.com