• Photograph. Take pictures of your (and others') gardens to use later as inspiration for landscapes, color combinations, and abstracts or for digital manipulation and photo transfer.
• Sketch. Draw flowers or vegetables up close, paying attention to seeds, stamens, leaves, and veins.
• Gather. Beach glass, shells, interesting sticks, outdated maps, seed pods, and so on can provide inspiration and materials for your next quilt.
• Shop. Now is the time to take advantage of end-of-season sales on fibers and fabrics or to get a jump on the new fall colors and innovations.
• Plan. Just like gardeners plan their gardens in winter, quilters can get organized for the next "season" of quilting at the end of the summer. Make a schedule of shows to enter and due dates; list gift projects and deadlines for finishing them; take inventory of your tools and supplies, and replenish them, so when inspiration strikes, you'll be ready!

Visit our online store to see our new products and sales on fibers, surface design materials, and books.

Save on Quilting Arts Gifts

If you're already thinking ahead to the holidays, then you'll want to be among the first to get your copy of our special issue, Quilting Arts Gifts. Inside you'll find 15 fabulous projects, including:

• a thready garland
• quilted gifts for your favorite reader
• a mixed-media advent calendar
• stitched metal ornaments
• tabletop linens and decorations
• a jolly fabric-paper stocking
• quilted gift bags
• and so much more.

Pre-order now and receive 10% off the newsstand price of $7.99. Subscribers receive an additional 10% off the discounted pre-order price.

Quick and Easy Projects