BCQG QShow 06-14-08

Jan Hirth is a popular quilting teacher in south Orange County. Her quilts are usually colorful and fun. I know that quite a few of the quilts in this show were done in her classes or inspired by her work.

"Flowers are Fantastic" Jan Hirth from a pattern by Lori Andrews

"Flowers are Fantastic" Jan Hirth "Candy is Dandy" Kathy Stewart

Kathy is one of Jan's students - I thought it was interesting to have the two quilts hung next to each other.

"Wheels of Fun" made by Polly Hada in a class with Jan Hirth. The pattern is from the book "Quilts with a Spin" by Goldsmith & Jenkins

DETAIL "Wheels of Fun" Polly Hada

BCQG QShow 06-13-08

Pat Pardoen does lovely hand embroidery and fine hand quilting. She showed these two examples of her work at this quilt show. And I love both of them.

Click on pictures to enlarge.

Just look at the variety of patterns she has used in the letters - so perfect for the feel of this quilt!

This is such a charming piece! The distortion in the edges of this quilt are due to the camera operator, not the quilt maker!

BCQG QShow 06-12-08

Judy Macurda and I were in the same Ruth McDowell class at Asilomar this past March where Judy was working on a quilt showing a little boy at the beach. But prior to this year she created this quilt in another Ruth McD class - also at Asilomar. Many of Ruth's students never finish their class projects, mostly because they start out with an idea that is too ambitious for their skills and once they are back home they are overwhelmed. But Judy came through with this lovely depiction of her daughter and g'daughter at the beach. Congratulations, Judy, on a lovely work of quilt art.

Using the sawtooth in the border gives a nice reference to traditional quilt making.

This detail picture gives an even better idea of the great fabric selection.

Birds in the park 06-11-08

Corky will be with me for twelve days, so I am getting that daily walk that the doctor keeps prescribing. One place we walk is at Tri-Cities Park - where I was involved in a duckling rescue not long ago. http://tinyurl.com/4edxlw

Today there were fewer birds than usual, Corky ignores them, but I find them fascinating.

These are Egyptian ducks. They frequent ponds and lakes across the country and presumably in Egypt.

This is a grackle (and a mallard lurking behind the rock). It looks a little like a crow, but is smaller and has a tail out of proportion with its body. They are always found around water. In some areas there are boat-tailed grackles whose tails are even longer and flare more at the end. Grackles are gregarious and as a flock they make a lot of noise.

A common crow, which also forms flocks and can be deafening. We have not had as many crows around here since the bird virus killed off a lot of them a few years ago. It seems that they are repopulating the area - new birds or descendants of those that survived.

BCQG 06-10-08

More quilts from the BCQG QShow this past weekend.

These are both by Sherry Glidden. Please respect her copyright.

"My World" Sherry Glidden

This is Sherry's 2007 Challenge Quilt, it hung at the show as part of a special exhibit of the challenge quilts. which were shown at the Spring Tea 2007. She is attached to her three dogs and loves gardens and birds. Notice on the left side there are two fabric dolls, these are the fun awards that the QShow committee gives out. Things like "The most pieces." or "The brightest quilt". Different "awards" are handmade for each quilt show.

Sherry is adept at thread painting and used it to show the fur on her dogs.

"Geranium Fairy" Sherry Glidden

Pieced, appliqued and machine quilted, this was a big favorite at the show. It is Sherry's original design - great color.

Click on any image to enlarge.

BCQG QShow 06-09-08

I've known Nancy Ota since the early 1980s and have always been in awe of the detailed and precise work she does. She is surely the best embroiderer I have known and her quilts are perfection. Her quilt "Infinity" was a top prize winner in Paducah and is in the collection of the Museum of the American Quilter's Society. She had six pieces in the BCQG QShow this past weekend - each unique and lovely.

"Sea Leaves" Nancy Ota This piece originated in a Lorraine Torrence workshop.

"Sashiko n' Vest" Nancy Ota

Nancy teaches classes in sashiko - it is a technique that requires even stitches to create a regular pattern. Originally it was used in Japan to patch and strengthen garments and has become a decorative technique over the centuries.

"Fuji - San" Nancy Ota

This was Nancy's entry in the BCQG 2007 Challenge. All of the quilts were shown at the BCQG Spring Tea - 2007 and some members loaned their quilts back for a special display at the quilt show.

Beach Cities QGuild QShow 06-08-08

Debbie DeLuca showed four quilts in the BCQG QShow this weekend. This is a picture of my favorite. Debbie has given me permission to post these images, please respect her copyright.

Click to enlarge images.

"Fat Free Chocolate Bunnies"

Nice fabric choices and impeccable hand applique.I haven't seen the pattern so I don't know what suggestions were given for color and fabric.

This is my favorite block. Since I frequent San Juan Bautista, which is known for its wild chickens who have free rein in town, I find a bunny on a rooster a particularly hysterical situation.