Libby Leman 05-31-08

Corky has been at "Camp Del" since Wednesday and I have been so tired I never quite get to my blog. He is home tonight, happy to be with his mom and dad. I thought I would show one more quilt from the TCQC.

"Silent Partners" 1995 Libby Lehman 35"W x 35"L

I bought this one from Libby when she was doing a guild program in my area. After the meeting I went up and asked her if any of her quilts were for sale, this one specifically, and she said yes, gave me a price and wrote up a receipt. I took it home, hung it on the wall and stared at it for a long time before I could go to sleep. I think this is such a fascinating quilt. It is just a one-patch quilt made with hand dyed fabrics. But Libby has stitched over the background patches so that it appears to be a pattern on point. No, all the patches are set square and the stitching, using rayon threads, is superimposed over them. Some of the stitching was done just on the top and some goes through the top/batting/backing.

Here is a detail showing the variety of stitches that she used.

Libby's website is http://libbylehman.us/

The quilt at the top in "Quilts for Sale" is "Skyview II: Crop Circles". I was so glad when someone bought it, because I was sorely tempted and I really couldn't afford it. I think it is just luscious.

Ruth McDowell's "Jacaranda" 05-29-08

"The Jacaranda Tree" 1996 Ruth B. McDowell 45"W x 39"L

When Ruth came to Orange County, CA., in 1996 to present programs and workshops for guilds I was her hostess. When I picked her up at John Wayne Airport the first thing she said to me was, "What are those blue trees?" She was really animated about them. So, on her one free day we drove around looking at gardens and trees, especially Jacarandas. She took lots of pictures for reference and sometime in the next eight months she made this quilt. Of course, I HAD to add it to the Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection and I am so glad I did. I think it is a terrific quilt and, additionally, it brings nice memories of Ruth's visit to Orange County.

I do love Ruth's quilts and there are quite a few of them in the Collection. There would be more except sometimes I run out of money! Check out her website at: www.ruthbmcdowell.com

Elizabeth Barton quilt & blog 05-28-08

"Chimney Pots" 2005 Elizabeth Barton 47"W x 40"L

This is another quilt from the Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection. I like Elizabeth's work very much and there are four of her quilts in the Collection. She is a serious studio artist and has just started blogging, so she will probably have some astute observations to make. Check her blog at http://elizabethbarton.blogspot.com/

I also talked about her on 08-27-07, 09-04-07 and 09-01-07 when I showed another of her quilts.

Blue Trees 05-27-08

I drove around in some of the older neighborhoods where there are Jacaranda trees of enormous heights, probably planted when the houses were first built in the 50s and 60s. Many homeowners find the trees are too messy and pull them out to be replaced by something that doesn't shed flowers, leaves and pods.

This is my favorite Jacaranda because it has never been pruned, showing off the graceful branches. Trees that have not been pruned are subject to more broken branches during heavy winds.

This one has been pruned so it has the upward branches and the flowers are more dense because they are closer together.

This is a good image of the color, even if it is out of focus.

The tubular flowers curve up to make it easier for the hummers and bees to dine. Standing under a tree in full bloom one can hear the buzzing and humming going on above.

Here are two seed pods - as they dry they open up and the seeds fly out. Years ago my Girl Scout troop decorated these to make Xmas ornaments.

Humor 05-26-08

Color Bowls/Skinny Strips Qltd 05-24-08

This is a replacement picture for the one I posted on 05-24-08.

I finally finished the quilting. It has two different colors of Valdani 35 variegated thread. The color on this image is good. This quilt is 15" square.

I replaced the original detail picture - this is more true to color.

Click on the pictures to enlarge.