Take (for instance) this photo of a rice terraces in China.  An amazing photo.  This announces a colour-way, graphic linear concepts, perspective and more. How can anyone look at this photo and not find inspiration?  Um  okay, so people can.  Artists can't. They can't look at this without dissecting it at some level. If even for a moment.

See the juxtapose lime green and fuchsia pink? The way the colours are interspersed and the way the eye wants to travel over the terraces? The way the trees interrupt the lines? Art is seeing.  Not just looking.  There is a big difference.  

There is a book that clearly explains the whole concept of 'seeing', and teaches how to be more realistic in your art. Specifically - how to get into the creative zone. It's designed for drawing, but is excellent for any form of art- even quilting.  

This is one of the jewels I ran across while home schooling my kids, (hey, I'll teach them to draw). Reading this explained why time seems to have no significance during creativity and why sometimes artistic expression just flows and why sometimes it is a full on uphill battle. 

If you are trying to figure out how to get more out of the 'art and ideas'  part of your work, try checking this out of your local library...it's a treasure trove.  The book info is below, the theory on the first page is a good brief read.  

Working on a sample for my Mariner's Bliss class.  Had forgotten how much fun this pattern is.  Used bright playful colours for this sample.  The off-trimmings have hitched a ride on my socks to spread around the living room.  It's signs of creativity!