Almost every time we get a new prompt, I have an immediate reaction to it. It is usually a form of word association. This is how it happened this time.

 

I google Cloth in Common on my phone. I find out that Martha Ressler has given us the prompt    

I think, “Well, I am currently headed home from a trip to Australia and New Zealand.” How’s that for International?

 

 

I taught while I was down under, and it was very exciting to see how quilt makers in Australia and New Zealand respond to my teaching and the assignments I gave them. 

 

 

The larger theme of Round Two for Cloth in Common is COMMUNITY.

 

What is my international community? 

 

Well, it’s quilters, of course!

 

Now, how to translate that into cloth? I have ideas. 

 

My first thought was why not use the photo I just took of the space in front of me in First Class? (This happens every so often when you fly a lot.)

 

 

Or what about creating a quilt based on the colors of the spices from around the world. Color is always a great starting place.

 

 

Or finally, and most likely, I had this really incredible experience at the end of my trip. I taught a two day version of the workshop BLOW IT UP!—Quilt Block as Structure. I was so inspired by my students work that I left thinking—How can I respond to that? How can my teaching down under lead me to producing better, more interesting work?

Tell us what you think.