Welcome to the Quiltblox 12 Days of Christmas! Today is the final day for this year’s quilty Christmas. I hope you’ve enjoyed the series so far! Today’s word is: Inspire.
“If You Are Working On Something That You Really Care About, You Don’t Have To Be Pushed. The Vision Pulls You.” – Steve Jobs
“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” – Pablo Picasso
I chose this word because:
I love the feeling I experience when I’m inspired. It’s a special kind of creative energy, and it’s so exciting. I can see possibilities everywhere and in everything, and it can be contagious (in a good way ; )
“Inspire” begins with a breath — quite literally, it comes from the idea of breathing life into something. Its genesis is energy and connection: one creative soul sparking another into motion.
Inspiration is both a gift we receive and one we give. Every quilt, every idea, every act of kindness can inspire someone else to create, to dream, or to believe in their own possibilities. As we wrap up the year, let’s take a moment to celebrate the ways we’ve inspired one another—and look ahead to the beauty we’ll bring into the world in the year ahead.
Where I find inspiration:
I find inspiration in lots of ways – but I find I’m more likely to be inspired if I find different ways to look at something. For example, when I go to a quilt show, I love to stand way back and look at the whole quilt. Then I get up very close and take pictures of the details – these go into a digital folder so I can revisit them when I’m looking for ideas.
Getting outside and taking a walk can also be useful – have you ever thought about how many colors of green you see just standing in one place and turning around slowly (360 degrees)?
Think about where you find inspiration and take a moment or two to really notice it. What are you seeing, feeling, using all of your senses? Inspiration can come from a walk down the tile aisle at the home improvement center, the colors of a row of books on a shelf, the architecture of a building or a cliffside, or the way the light hits – nearly anything at all.
Your assignment: should you choose to accept it:
- Make notes in a journal each time something inspires you – be sure to note “why” it inspires you.
- Use your phone to “see” and record a sight that grabs your attention.
- Change your perspective – get really close up, or higher, or lower from what you are noticing. How does that change what you are seeing?
- Keep a “swipe file” of ideas, images, resources – anything that stimulates your imagination. It can be an actual paper folder – or digital, whatever works for you.
Inspiring Resources:
I chose these resources to share with you because sometimes discovering our creative voice is easier with some guidance.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this years Quiltblox Quilty 12 Days of Christmas
As we close out this series — and this year — I want to thank you for being part of this creative journey. These twelve words remind us that the beauty of quilting (and of life) comes from so much more than fabric and thread. It’s about friendship and learning, the courage to dream, the patience to practice, the joy of sharing, and the inspiration that keeps us stitching forward.
Each word is like a block in a larger quilt — together, they create something beautiful, meaningful, and whole.
As you move into the new year, may your creativity feel fresh, your heart full, and your hands ready for whatever project calls next. Remember to pause and breathe, to celebrate your progress, to teach and explore, and to keep dreaming big — because the world truly needs the warmth only makers like you can bring.
Thank you for spending these 12 Days of Christmas with me. I can’t wait to see what you’ll create next year — one word, one stitch, one spark of inspiration at a time.
With gratitude and holiday cheer,
Deb @ Quiltblox
Happy stitching!