Pat Sloan the Power of 12

Today is 12-12-12

For some reason I never thought much about the other dates in the last 11 years.. 01-01-01 through 11-11-11... but when my friends on Facebook sent out a call for a 12-12-12 celebration I was startled into thinking about this day.

How would I celebrate it they asked? Would I share the joy of creativity with my readers on this day? Would I take photos, would I do something twelveish?  Would I make people think on this day?

That's a lot of pressure!

I decided to jump in and give it a go by sharing 12 photos today that spark my creativity

Shall we start with the one above?

My Design wall is the core of my creativity.

It's a little bit mood board, little bit inspiration board, and a whole lot of work board.  This design wall means business.  Today I have a bit of my 'Lets Be Scrap Happy' up there, some odds and ends on the left side, and a piece of fabric on the top that i just love looking at!

2- Jamie Fingal's Typewriter

I am so inspired by Jamie's work. She was the person who sent out the "12-12-12 call". I interviewed her on my radio show Nov 14, 2011 (just 3 days after 11-11-11.. does that MEAN anything I wonder?) and I had a chance to catchup with her in Houston.  CLICK HERE to read how she made this typewriter quilt for the Quilt Alliance Auction.  oh by the way.. it took the highest bid... I'm not surprised

3- Jane Davidson, QuiltJane for short

Having a GREAT laugh is the best creative medicine I know. I've been on twitter and email with Jane for a long time and finally had a chance to give her a hug in peson! She has the best personality and the most awesome use of fabrics.. do you see the little block on the design wall on the top left? it's from Jane. And she makes me LAUGH.. laugh out loud! When she sent me this photo I had to keep reading it.. know what i mean? (click for a larger image to read it!)

I interviewed Jane on Nov 19, 2012 and you can visit her blog HERE

4- Lissa Alexander - Moda Lissa

I have immensely generous friends. First meet Lissa from Moda. I've worked and shared with Lissa since almost the day I started my business. She is a person I look up to in this creative industry. Her ability to spot a fantastic trend is amazing. And she works hard to support the designers in our industry.  She blogs here.. and I interviewed her on March 19,2012 when she turned the tables on me.. wink! Now do you see those "Fascinators" we are wearing?  Keep reading!

5- Amanda Herring - The Quilted Fish

Amanda is an amazing designer and friend. I knew she had the cutiest little hat pattern. When I needed one for my event, I asked if I could borrow one, but no! Amanda insisted on making me not one, but TWO out of my "Eat Your Fruits and Veggies" fabric!  Amanda is one person I always look for to get a hug and a laugh.  And she inspires me with her fabric designs and her patterns.  I had the luck to interview Amanda July 11, 2011 (hey.. that is TWO of the 11's!).  Visit her blog HERE

 

6 - Linzi Upton - The Yurt in Houston

Sometimes I'm inspired by the random creativity of others. People I don't know. In Houston this year there was this Quilted Yurt. The amount of detail and attention that was put into this project made me smile from ear to ear. How FUN to create, for the pure JOY of creating. It does not need a purpose. Visit the maker Linzi Upton HERE

Remember that.. it does not need a purpose

That is very important

7 - Victoria Findlay Wolfe - BumbleBeans

Many of you follow Victoria's blog HERE, and her 15 minutes of play HERE, and I told the story of how we got to be friends HERE.  But the heart and soul of knowing Victoria is that she inspires ME to create with wild abandon. To keep that 'play' in my work.. even work that has no purpose.. and maybe MOSTLY the work that has no purpose. The work I do for the pure joy of it. I interviewed Victoria Nov 12, 2012 about her new book HERE... listen in...

8 - Pinterest

ahhhh... the pure visual joy of pinterest is hard to explain. Maybe you know it.  You click to see what people have pinned ... you put something in the search box.... you click one photo, then to that person's boards and look around.  As a visual person I find Piterest the most exciting place in town.  Anytime of day or night I can be inspired by what others have found. I'm not sure why this is more satifying than a google search, but it is... much more.

Follow me at my page.. CLICK HERE.. let the visual obsessions begin

9 - The Zen Frog

Sometimes we JUST NEED TO LAUGH.

This Zen Frog was in our hotel this year. I have sort of made him my creativity mascot.

I need to be calm to create.

I need to channel my inner Zen Frog.

10 - Brigitte Heitland Zen Chic

Speaking of Zen, Brigitte has it all.

Style, Modern look, Color, Flair!

Brigitte is from Germany, she is the powerhouse designer behind Zen Chic. We meet online taking a business course and have become great friends. I love looking at her work and want to make that GIANT circle for my home. Well I'd like HER to make it for me but I doubt that will happen so I'll settle for buying her pattern and putting in on my 'to do' list.

We ALL have a "To do list" right?

I interviewed her on June 5, 2012. Now I do have one request of Brigitte.. she needs to post MORE OFTEN on her blog.. ok. I'm sending her this link now so she reads it (hi Brigitte!)

 

11 - My Extrodinary Best Friend

Gregg is my best friend, my business partner, my cheerleader and my husband. He is creative in ways that I'm not. Need a hole in the wall fixed, he's on it.  Need the gas tank of the car repaired, he's got it.  Need electronics rewired, he does it with his eyes closed. Fixing your computer is his middle name. His creativity in fixing and managing our home amazes me... but we don't let him pick color

His favorite color is white

But I love him anyway.

Quotes carry me, inspire me, make me laugh, make me think.  This is the one Brigitte had in her booth this fall, and it perfectly express how I feel about what I do.

So today on 12-12-12

My 12th inspiration is YOU.

Here, in a classroom,  at Facebook, At my online group, Twitter...

YOU inspire me everytime you share by being here, commenting, showing me photos

SMOOCH!

Now....

Think about making something

Think about why you make things

Think about creativity

I'd love to hear your thoughts .. please leave me a comment

Have a WONDERFUL Day!

Comments

[Pat Sloan]

thank you everyone for being here!

FYI - I'm not hosting cruises at the moment.. but I am traveling to teach across the country. See my event page.. maybe your local guild or shop would like to have me do some classes and a presentation for you!

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_events/

[Sandy Clawson Freeo]

Pat, I think the reason Pinterest is so exciting is because it is designed for Visual People. Visual people are creative people.

Just my two cents worth. Considering taking another cruise with you next year, if you are doing one!

[Marilyn]

I love love love the cheer you share!

[deb Poole]

One of the things I LOVE about your quilts........THEY ARE SO HAPPY!
Thank you for making me smile when I read your thoughts and admire your handy works!

[Susan K]

Thought about your post all day yesterday. After posting my comment, I thought of other things that inspire me:
Nature
Travel
Pets
Books
AND YOU!! I love your radio show and enjoy meeting your guests. I almost always go to their websites and are even more inspired.
Thanks for opening up my world! Merry Christmas!

[Marie]

I didn't get a chance to read this yesterday but I wanted to comment that you have inspired me and my friends! A couple of years ago???? you gave a UFO finishing challenge and you helped us by having us list our ufo's and focus on how important they were to us. We have kept up the "tradition" by doing a UFO list every year and trying to work on them. Some of them have even gotten finished!!! woohoo! Thanks Pat!

[Mary Ann]

I so appreciate all the work you put into...well everything. You inspire me to try new things, you have led me to new blogs, people and friends and you most often make me laugh...thank you!

[Mary Lynn Wolfe Hughes( Noni)]

Pat ,I enjoy everything you create , I value your friendship. You make me laugh when I really need one . I too enjoy Pinning I feel like I create a wonderful magazine of my favorite things and wishes ,your friend from cyberspace .Noni

[Kate]

What a great post! it is always wonderful to sit down and really reflect on the things we have to be grateful for including the people and things that inspire us, motivate us and love us- it is too easy to reflect on things we don't have!

As others have probably said, I create because I have too! It is just part of me. And I love to see what others create because it is always inspiring. Maybe intimidating too, but always inspiring.

Thanks for all you do!

[Debbie B]

Thanks for all you do, Pat! And thanks to your hubby, too. You make quite a team. You are an inspiration to me and a ton of others. Keep up the great work!

[Linda Roberts]

You make my day, Hugs

[Dixie]

Thank you Pat & Greg for all you do for us. I'm very honored to be a part of our "small gang" of quilters. I quilt because I have to. I have to create & nothing gives me more pleasure than to just sit & sew my "crumbs" together. And, then to think of ways to use them in quilt blocks. Between you & V & Bonnie Hunter, I have more inspiration than my head can hold LOL See you on the forum, smooches

[Amanda Herring]

Well, you made my day! Even had to wipe a tear! Thank you for your kindness and for the constant inspiration you feed into our industry! Love you, Pat!!!

[Machelle]

Wow! Great post. I just love that quote. I am so stealing it! Thank you for your non-stop inspiration,stories,projects,HUMOR!!! Great pic of you and Greg, by the way:) I hadn't given much thought to today's date before this morning. Like the way you approached it-springboard for me to take a moment and think about all the things that inspire me. Thanks i needed to do that today!

[Francine Warren]

Love the idea we aren't all just friends, really a small gang! We're part of the best group of people n the world! Quilters! Just scanning other people's pages can inspire s to creativity & when necessary many acts of kindness! Merry Christmas Pat!

[4dreamsr]

Great post Pat! The creativity that flows from quilter to quilter makes me visualize a bouncy ball that never stops bouncing. Love the entire quilting family & so glad I'm a fly on the wall nobody's swatted! Such wonderful company to be a small part of.

[Mary Ellen H]

I love this date as it's my DD birthday (12/12/73), and she is planning a big party!. Enjoyed your 12 powers and your inspirations. Thank you for the giveaway.

[Jocelyn]

i love this post. esp the quote. we should always remember that when someone tries to squash our creativity. you and the many other amazing designers inspire me. i am not an artist, but i appreciate art. i am not a musician, but i appreciate music. i am not a designer, engineer or even a draftsman, but i appreciate all that you do with lines and circles. thanks for the inspiration.

[LJ]

I think the process of creating is the best part. After I have it finished, it seems kinda hum-drum at that point. I usually need some time to appreciate my own work. :)

[Sharon Hughson]

Sometimes I get burned out and don't want to create anything. Then, someone mentions something I did, said or made and I'm off to the races again. So nice to be awakened.

[shirley tener]

I love quotes that move me and I never thought of myself as a poet, Quilting is a thing I am doing as I should now for my grandkids, but I love to cross-stitch and find new passions all the time, Fabric now that has a beginning for me, I have loved buying fabric this year.. mmmm 12122012 mark this day for me..

[MarciaW]

I like to make things that are pretty and cute -- and then give some of them away to people I love
This is my inspiration.

[Ivory Spring]

What a fun post. Good to see Mr. Sloan's picture! Happy 121212 to you too.

[leslie tucker jenison]

Oh Pat! I love your list of twelves! You inspire me constantly, and I'm thrilled that we are friends! There is a lot to look at and think about in your post. Thank you!
xoxo
Leslie

[Pat Sloan]

I'm so delighted to hear that you are ALSO thinking of 12 inspirations for your creativity... I'd love if you share with me!