By now I think most of you may suspect I may be a bit flighty.  I prefer to call it a bit of controlled, OK sometimes uncontrolled, brain chaos.  However, like a lot of you, I too suffer from a short attention span.  No one ever believes me at shows when they see my quilts but it is true! I am not as methodical as you may think, I am just good at faking it.

I went to the big Sewing Expo in Puyallup Washington last week to check it out since I haven’t attended since one of the first ones.  I went with my mom and we stayed in Tacoma.  Of course it is the hotel just beside my all time favorite restaurant (take note those of you going up for the show in August) the Pacific Grill.  The food truly is my definition of heaven. sigh

So what did I buy?  Well, we shopped up the interstate and again down the interstate with a little expo thing of vendors in-between.  I am always on the look out for the items that are hard to find or really new to me.

Obviously I found and purchased lots of fabric for the upcoming Titmouse kits when it came to fabric. However, at the Expo I ran into a familiar name, “Barbara Willis” of Barbara Willis designs.  Picture me excited!

Some of you may know that before I started quilting, I loved making the cloth dolls.  I had that same attention to detail early on in making the costumes of my dolls that I show in the detail work of my quilts. Quilting took over my time and life and I put away my doll-making urges and supplies. I just did not have time for both.

I am dating myself, but when Barbara first started releasing her fabulous small doll patterns, I was mesmerized by the fabulous detail.  I think I can attribute her doll creativity with sparking my imagination as to what is possible with fabric and thread.

I had a delightful time talking with her at the show and thrilled to finally meet her in person.  I get star struck too you know!  To me, she is a star.  I never did gravitate towards the high voltage celebs in any industry, just the quiet unpretentious ones.  I always found those to have the most interesting ideas and personalities one on one.

Barbara Willis Designs

I am still star struck by Barbara.  She had the most beautiful (the pattern cover does not do it justice) pattern for a small dressmaker form pincushion.  You know I instantly thought, “Jenna!” for her Parisienne boudoir.  It was perfect.  Well of course that led to a full on shopping excursion for the right fabrics and materials. I could no longer suppress my urge to make a “doll”.

I did not plan for that in my spending budget–oh dear.  Of course it did not stop me and as always, a book purchase was in order….

 Cloth Doll Artistry

I am not sure the Expo trip was a good thing as I am unsure if I will be able to pack up my love once again for costume design through doll-making.  Fear not though, I have a strong work ethic and the priority is to get the next Naturalist’s Notebook done and ready for you.  The doll should only take me a day.

Inspiration can come from many places.  Being able to talk with Barbara reminded me of another area and passion to draw inspiration to create what I love and how it can directly influence my other creative endeavors.

Every now and then a diversion provides fresh inspiration and usually results in something lovely to look at when all is done. Oh and my dear friend Boop? your projects also had an influence here as well.  Bring on the diversions.