Category Archives: Japan

Creative Nudge – Houses and Neighborhoods

Larger trends in Home Dec, Graphic Design and Fashion often make their way to the quilt fabric designs in our industry, and also to the quilts themselves. This image collage features a House-themed detail from a Japanese quilt, as seen … Continue reading

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Creative Nudge – Black & White & POP!

One of the great trends going on now in quiltmaking is all about COLOR – Graphic modern quilts are using that old Black + White + Color combination. Here is a Black + White + Orange quilt made up of … Continue reading

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Creative Nudge – Mommy’s Little Helpers

Tonight I am writing to you from the lobby of an airport hotel in Denver. I had 2 flights canceled today, and I decided to crash at a local hotel and catch an early flight. Oh the joys of travel! … Continue reading

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Credit Where Due

I am starting to upload photos from the Tokyo Quilt Festival. It takes me a little longer because I edit in Photoshop to make up for the less-than-perfect lighting in the baseball stadium, and also because I want to make … Continue reading

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Creative Nudge – Leaves of Morris

I’ve got a thing for William Morris. He was considered a radical Victorian designer, which is why his work still inspires us today. This gorgeous quilt “Acanthus” by Yoko Ueda, was a star attraction in the special William Morris exhibit … Continue reading

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Konnichiwa!

I am back tonight from my whirlwind visit to the Tokyo Quilt Festival!….just arrived home from the airport a few hours ago. Watch for my Creative Nudge newsletter on Weds morning. I have photos of some absolutely breathtaking quilts, plus … Continue reading

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Creative Nudge – Bunny Smiles

Tonight I am writing to you from Tokyo, as I prepare to attend the Quilt Festival here. Today I went to a Kabuki performance, then wandered around the Ginza shopping area, looking for trends and design inspiration. One thing that … Continue reading

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Free Pattern – Akahana Cranes

This Bonus Free Pattern features a panel with a pair of elegant Tsuru cranes flying over luscious peonies and mums, in sophisticated shades of coral and lacquer red, willow green and ivory, against a tonal graphite black background. Swirling ribbons … Continue reading

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Wanderlust

I have been saving up my United miles all year so I could get a free ticket to Tokyo, and I am so tickled that I got a seat on a direct Dreamliner flight from Denver to Narita. I am … Continue reading

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Creative Nudge – Modern Gestures

As I am preparing to leave for Tokyo this coming weekend, I am thinking about how Japanese quilts have changed since I started going to the Tokyo Quilt Festival. I see the influence of Modern Quilting and Modern Design in … Continue reading

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