by Sandra | October 29th, 2009
That is what happens when I get into designing mode. I call it my LaLa Land or otherwise know as being in the “zone”. Time is irrelevant, the outside world no longer exists and I am in my own little world and putting it into illustrated form.
As you can tell by my slower number of posts, I have been busy, but busy in a good way. It always amuses me that people assume I just instantaneously spit out perfectly drawn design gems on paper in a few minutes, OK maybe a few hours. Oh I wish I was that brilliant! But…………. depending upon the design, it can take weeks or months to fine tune a design. They just don’t happen with a quick stroke of the pen (or computer pen). Unless one is copying or “inspired by” art or an illustration already in existence. But that is a post for another day or maybe no day.
Jason’s Pumpkin Quilt design update from LaLa Land: 
For me, creating a wholly original design for applique is 50% of the creative equation in making a quilt. It is work, good work, but work none the less. This means I travel to LaLa land quite a bit during this stage of a new quilt and return only for sustenance and sleep. When I come back from LaLa Land I am always surprised (really!) by what I have created while there.
I hope my ticket to LaLa Land is never revoked.
all contents ©2009 Sandra Leichner all rights reserved
Your designs are fabulous. How I would love to be gifted with your level of creativity and artistic ability! Will you eventually make this (absolutely terrific) “Jason’s Pumpkin Quilt” pattern available for purchase? Is it easy to “draw” on a computer? Easier or more difficult than by hand? As always, thank you for sharing (and inspiring).
Ah Thanks Frances
The thing I really love about doing my illustrating on the computer is I eliminate the ugly eraser step thatmakes for messy drawings and it does save time because I don’t have to re-draw the hand illustration again on the computer. I can move stuff around and compose with a lot more ease.
Once you get used to drawing on a computer (kinda like learning to machine quilt on the home machine) it is not so bad. I still draw all of this with my mouse. I have a professional drawing tablet, but have never really used it. I should.
I will see how the construction goes on this before deciding on a pattern or not. You never know if I may run into problems with my grand schemes.
WOWEEEEEEEEEEEEEE ! I love what you have done!
I’m so glad you go to la la land !! Even thought I miss your posts .
That is going to be another fabulous creation . You have such a wonderful gift .Thanks so much for sharing it with us !!!!!
Your design looks lovely. Are using Corel draw? I was thinking of buying it. I have EQ6 which is great for traditional quilts but not so great for original designs I think.
Glad to hear that it takes other people a long time to design as well, sometimes I think that it is only me.
Linda I use Adobe Illustrator and I love it. If you are creating your own applique designs I would get this program since it is the industry standard for Graphic arts etc. If I want to send from my computer to a printer, we are on the same page. This isn’t always the case with other programs.
It has a steep learning curve, but once you get it, it becomes the toy you can’t live without.
If you know someone who is a university student or a teacher, you can get the Academic pricing and it is far cheaper and is exactly the same program as the full priced edition.
You know Boop, I am loving this one too. Jason is approving every design stage since it is HIS pumpkin quilt. LOL
I am glad you enjoy what I have to share! Thanks
Sandra,
I can play with EQ and get dozens of designs which are OK, but when I want somethng to use in a real quilt, then I use use my own ticket to someplace else.
OH !! I see the mice ! cute : ) I wish we could click on it and see it up close . I guess this blog doesn’t do that .
I’m glad Jason like it that is all that really counts .
I am loving Jason’s Pumpkin Quilt, it is going to be amazing. What size are you planning for this quilt?
My goodness, Sandra – this is going to be a MASTERPIECE!!!! I am really enjoying the progress pictures…
Boop you have mail.
Judy, I am trying to locate my EQ program (I have a recently new computer) so I have to re-install. For the first time in a long time I am going to have to design some pieced blocks and EQ, IMO, is the best tool for that. Have I told you lately that your blog inspires me to play more with piecing and EQ? My discipline is being sorely tested right now.
So what is your far away land called?
I wish I could click on it too! Love the mice, and can I see acorns?? I am seriously in jeopardy of eye strain if I keep drooling over this any longer. This is so exciting sharing your process as you design.
Judy’s blog sounds interesting; how would one find that blog?
Frances, Judy’s blog is on my blog roll under Virtual Quilter. Have fun because she posts a design everyday.
Denise I will see what I can do to display a detail image for you without the bad apples taking advantage. It really sucks when I have to be careful because of a few unethical people that make it a pain for the rest of us.
Thanks so much Ivory Spring, I am hoping this will be a masterpiece as a gift of love for my son.
Denise, I see my reply didn’t show up from yesterday…grrrr.
I only have a general idea of what I want the finished size to be while I am in the throws of designing and creating. It depends a lot on how things are working during the construction stage. I can start out with a complete idea, but then reality throws me curves and I have to change direction, and my thinking, so the final size can change at that point too.