If you sew or quilt (or know someone who does) then you know the word stash does not refer to hairy green bud but the stacks of fabric that accumulates in closets and totes. I’ve never quite grasped the mechanism that allows this to happen because I swear I seldom purchase fabric. Seldom. But yet, there is an enormous amount of the stuff that tumbles out of hidden places when I start rummaging.

In addition to writing, I am an avid art-maker. I dabble with flameworking, beading, quilting, clothing refashioning, wool felting and spinning, and weaving of all kinds – among a handful of other things. Curious? Here’s my PINTEREST in case you want to explore more.

All of this results in a bit of a mess.

That doesn’t even account for the huge quantity of t-shirts that need morphing into something else. Market bags? More quilts?

The fabric has gotten a bit out of hand. So, one of my goals for 2016 is to reduce the stash – stashbusting – and make some quilts. There are literally dozens of different techniques, but I’ve decided to explore several new ways of fitting fabric together like these CRUMB QUILTS and these STRIP QUILTS. There are so many fun ideas!

Stay tuned – progress will be reported.

Once the fabric is under control then it’ll be time to address the pounds of wool and the whole fleeces that are sitting in boxes in the art studio. We’ll be washing and sorting FLEECE, prepping it for spindling once warm weather returns. The great thing about all of this is that all the while I’m arting with fabric and wool and glass, my brain is free to plot and plan new stories. It’s a symbiotic process.

What gets your creative juices flowing?