My regulars know I have a thing about the value of making samples when trying out something – an idea, a new technique, or even just doing a little thingy to hold that thought until later… Most of my sample making has been just trying something before starting a new project, however, the workshops in the Stitch Club have reminded me that regular exposure to to what others are doing is very inspiring and sometimes causes a penny to drop somewhere unexpected.

Earlier this year, Studio Art Quilt Associates, SAQA, ran a 100-day Challenge for interested members – the idea being to do some creative thing – a fabric or stitch construction, dying, painting, printing, sketch, finish off a work, audition fabrics and ideas for the next project – there are heaps of things that come under this category – just do at least one and post something on it every day on the dedicated FB page. At the recent annual conference held virtually this year, one of the presentations was about this creativity boosting activity. I hadn’t taken any notice of it at the time, focused as I was on other things, but that presentation and review of what some people did during that time, made me think seriously about the next one. Influenced by that conference presentation I decided doing one little samply thing every day before getting on with whatever I’m working on, would be a good habit to get into. In the last few weeks I have managed quite a few days, some days doing more than one, mentally allowing about half an hour perhaps – and sometimes racing in to my sewing room before I go down for breakfast, just do do a little ‘hold that thought’ thing. They’re not all ‘interesting’ enough to post, but I will share some from time to time.

This next one has just started – ‘Jump Into June’ runs for 30 days, and so far so good. Here’s what I posted today. Because I’m expecting my posts to be about shapes and textures through stitch, I’m posting images in black/white so that colour doesn’t distract from the purpose of the sample.