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Canon in D, Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, Vivaldi's Four Season or any other and I'm sure you can think of one artist, one orchestra or one symphony who performs your favorite version. It is their creative version that inspires you not their regurgitation.

4. When you see a 13th, 14th or 15th century tapestry hanging in a museum or stately home do you see a regurgitation of fabric, fiber, thread and design or a creative, artistic and heartfelt view of the world at the time it was lovingly hand made by women with something to say?

Quilting can be view in much the same way. Yes, I will agree there are many patterns and designs that have been around for years, maybe centuries. But, quilters today have creative ways to give their own interpretation of those patterns.

The quilter today has tools, fabric and techniques her quilting predecessors could have never imagined. Computerized sewing machines, long arm quilting machines, rotary cutters, design software for the computer, a multitude of fabrics in every color of the rainbow and design, books, magazines, guilds and so much more are at the fingertips of today's quilter or as I like to call them - textile artists - to inspire their creative juices.

Out of the old, new can evolve. Yes, quilters can take old patterns and use them in new innovative ways. New designs are born, sometimes by even combining elements of the old.

You can look at two quilts, born of the same pattern - pieced or applique - and more than likely you will see very different quilts. Why? Well, it will be the creative interpretation of each quilter that makes each quilt different, even though the pattern in the same.

The interpretation and use of color is a very artist and crucial element in the making of a quilt. The use of color will make a big difference. A quilt made with a particular pattern, say the Honey Bee, could be made in a monochromatic color scheme, or with two colors, or with a kaleidoscope of colors or any where in between. The end result is this - each quilt will be decidedly different, unique and a creative product of the maker.

Furthermore, creative variety is imparted into a quilt through the quilting stitch (the stitch that holds the quilt "sandwich" - top, batting, and backing - together), fabric use, setting (and/or sashing) design, border design and placement and embellishment.

Now, all this may just be "words" to you, but let me explain how in practice I have employed the creative process while quilting.

For years it has been quite

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