BLOCK OF THE MONTH
IGNITE YOUR CREATIVITY
2008-9 Lansing Area Patchers Group Experience
Objective:	To look beyond tradition (or stay with tradition if you must) and experiment with the convergence of art and quilting
Goal:	Three pieces, not large - hand, machine or combination construction
Piece A:		Picture - use an actual picture (on paper or fabric) or a fabric that has a picture printed on it
Piece B:		Leaves - use leaf fabric, leaf or leaves made from fabric
Piece C:		Embellished - use beads, threads, buttons, charms, trims, found objects, etc - your own theme!
Techniques:	Please try to use different techniques
	Innovative piecing - wonky, freehand, fused
	Paint effects - paint, dye, stamping, foil
	Thread work - thread painting, bobbin threads, couching
	Any other technique that you want to try is acceptable and welcome
Inspiration:	Use all your senses to look at the world around you - be observant! Use that observation to capture what inspires you. Inspiration can be found visually in nature, art, movies, photography; written in literature or poetry; and auditorially in music and nature. Let your creativity guide you - slow down and really look at the world around you. Creative thinking requires an attitude that allows you to search for ideas and mainpulate your knowledge and experience. Open yourself up to new possibilities and change.
We have many traditional quilters in our group. I urge you to attempt the 3 pieces in your comfort zone - or be daring and get out of your comfort zone. Everyone can do A, B and C in their own way. These pieces are for YOU - no one is judging them. If you must make something functional, so be it. If you can make something for fun and to try a new technique, so much the better. If your piece ends up at a national show - WOW! There will be a special show-and-tell of these pieces in December, March and June. No piece has to be done at a certain time. Rule # 1 - There are NO RULES! Every rule can be challenged expect this one.