Creative Play Challenge No. 2 – Nature/Organic; Kawandi Style Quilt

I’ve partially adopted a more sustainable lifestyle since moving back to a rural area almost 20 years ago. Reduce, reuse, recycle has always been the name of the game out here in the country. And historically, quilting began as a way to upcycle or recycle and reuse bits of fabric from other projects or purposes.

I decided to add a new skill to my quilty toolbox and chose to make a Kawandi style quilt. (Check out the hashtag #Kawandi…it’s super inspirational!)

It’s an interesting technique where you hand stitch pieces on a foundation starting from the outside and working your way towards the center. Kinda like a reverse log cabin block.

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Creative Play – Challenge #1

This year, I’ve decided to challenge myself to a bi-monthly (6x a year) creative adventure. I’ll be sharing more details in my newsletter and on my blog, but here’s the gist of my self-imposed constraints for my first personal creativity challenge:

My first prompt will be “icon/symbolize” (noun/verb format for flexibility).

The piece should be approximately 12″ square.

Limited to 6 colors, including background.

“Deadline” of Friday, February 24, 2023.

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Creative Play in 2023 with Rachelle Handmade

“The comfort zone is the great enemy to creativity.” -Dan Stevens

If you’re anything like me, you enjoy being comfortable. Give me a cozy blanket, fuzzy socks, and a hot beverage and I’m in heaven.

Unfortunately, for artists, the comfort zone is a place of creative stagnation.

Last year, I made roughly 20 production/editorial quilts. While I enjoyed making these pieces, I wasn’t especially creative during the process. I stayed well within my comfort zone.

Last year, I made about five (10) smaller quilts/pieces. I reallllly enjoyed making these pieces. Gifts for friends and family, challenge mini quilts, a couple of pieces to help me mourn.

This year, I have challenged myself with embracing more creative play. I have scheduled six (6) projects throughout the year with a set theme.

Each challenge will be assigned size requirements and have limitations set on the design (number of colors, shapes, medium, etc.).

Feel free to play along throughout the year. I will be posting updates here on my blog and via my newsletter (sign up below).