The last shadow of 2009 12-31-09

No flash still, so I thought I would see what I could take a flash less picture of before the sun went down. This is the shadow of the weeping birch tree on the lovely grey siding of the house. The sun tints the air for the last time in 2009 and, I think, makes quite a lovely image. Every year has shadows, some more than others. This has not been a good year for many people in this country and all over the world, although my investments have 'rallied' so things don't look terribly dark for the future of the TCQC. More new quilts in 2010, I hope. Most of all I look forward to better health and fewer losses, perhaps some long distance travel and LOTS of creative sewing. I have no resolutions - just hopes. And they extend to all of you around the world who read this blog regularly or periodically. I hope this new year fulfills your dreams.

Wordless Wednesday 12-30-09

A Friend 12-29-09

What sustains us better than our friends? Since I stopped celebrating Xmas I have discovered that everyone else is terribly busy just when I am not! They are shopping, wrapping, cleaning, preparing for company, cooking, etc....! Meanwhile I might clean out a drawer or two and do my usual chores (or not). And I certainly have lots of time to think about friends I am missing. The list is long, but here are two friends who are close to my heart.

Friend Toni Mahoney at her 2nd home in Colorado in August 2004. Toni and her husband live in Tustin, CA, with their amazing cat Stanley. http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3236658054810119404&postID=8710554107460630782 Toni belongs to quilt guilds in California and in Colorado, although she seldom attends those in CO; she has in the past year returned to playing the violin and is involved in several small groups. Her husband's health is not good, so they seldom travel these days. Toni and I are determined to get together soon - between her schedule and my poor health these days we most 'talk' via e-mail.

I took this picture of my friend Maggie Ezell in Feb 2007 - the occasion was Karen Kolwalchuk's birthday party held at Maggie's house. A perfectly lovely party - bittersweet because we knew that Karen was moving east before long.

Maggie has just had major surgery and is waiting for results from biopsies - so everyone is sending good thoughts, prayers and meals (unfortunately I live too far away to be much help in the food department). Maggie is one of those amazing people who always makes others feel good when she is around; she has done several jobs for Beach Cities Quilters Guild (including President) and is active in a number of none quilt related philanthropies in south Orange County. I have not seen her for sometime, between her busy life and mine it just doesn't seem to work out as often as we wish. I hope we can get together early in the new year to catch up on all our news. Meanwhile I solicit your good thoughts and prayers for a very special lady.

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Rachel Maus Workshop for Surfside QG 12-28-09

Rachel Maus came up with this design - or perhaps "method of working" would be more apt - over a period of time. She did have that 'light bulb' moment to start with, but worked at the measurements to provide for many different sized blocks. She calls the method "It Doesn't Matter" and I find it quite fascinating. I admire her desire to share the method with others in the old tradition of quilt making when everything new was happily passed on to others without charge or copyright barriers. Since I have been so busy being sickly I have not been out to purchase a new camera, so there is no flash used in these images.

I really enjoyed the day, but by the time I had stopped at the 99 Food Market and driven home in semi-heavy traffic I just walked into my bedroom and collapsed. Later, when I tried to work at the computer, I could not stay awake to type one sentence. Sure hope this sleepiness disappears with tonight's last antibiotic. Other than that little problem and an occasional residual cough I think I will be well in a couple days.

My table mate, Sharon Pembrook, is in deep concentration - not over the technique, but listening on her cell phone to the misbehavior of her grand girl! And she still accomplished more than I - I am so slow. Behind her are class samples for the shop workshops - you can see other pictures and descriptions at the "A Time To Sew" website:

http://www.a-time-to-sew.com/classes.htm

One of the "It Doesn't Matter" quilts on the left and more shop workshop samples on the right. Barbara Seidel checks out fabrics that Rachel brought and Julia Maben contemplates more cutting.

I'll post more about the "It Doesn't Matter" quilt sometime this coming week.

"Middlesex Fells - Late Fall" 12-27-09

"Middlesex Fells - Late Fall" Ruth B. McDowell 1996 95"W x 75"L

Commercial and hand dyed cottons, batiks, cotton thread, cotton batting

Machine pieced, raw-edge pieced, machine appliqued.

Sometimes this quilt is referred to as the "Plaid Forest" - it perfectly demonstrates Ruth's use of plaids off grain to give the impression of many different small branches and twigs in the density of the trees.

This is the largest quilt in the Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection. So large that I told Ruth that I would buy it if I had a wall large enough! I went home and measured and e-mailed her that YES it would fit on two different walls of my house. Since it is so large it is consequently quite heavy and I don't always include it in presentations, even if I can hang it. But it is a very unusual quilt in that it is pieced in the "old fashioned way" (sewing the pieces together face to face and then pressing open) and also in a "new fashioned way" (overlapping raw edges and sewing them down). Ruth had completed three vertical sections for this work, but wasn't happy with the over-all quilt. She took it to a meeting of her small group and hung it up for their opinions - after looking for a bit one of them moved the middle section up and the right section down. And they all agreed it worked. Ruth then had to figure out a way to put the three pieces together since they were designed to fit perfectly, sewn face and face and turned/pressed. Thus her early use of raw edge applique to join the sections and some raw edge surface applique, presumably to 'even things out'

.

You can see one of those added applique pieces here on the top left border of the quilt.

She used many different quilting patterns - including this one which her students call "NZ" or "New Zealand quilting" since it resembles the letters NZ.

I have put in all these detail shots so you can see the amazing selection of cotton fabrics Ruth has used to create the impression of an understory of many different plants and stones beneath fallen leaves.

If you click to enlarge you will be able to see the fabric insertion where she has used some of the fancy stitches on her Pfaff of the moment.

Another quilting design - leaves in the leafy understory of the forest.

Unfortunately I have posted this picture up-side-down! I could delete it, or delete the entire post and start over again, but I have decided to just leave it as is. The space across the bottom is the backside of the quilt - I had it hanging folded over the top bar of my quilt display stand. You can identify several different quilting designs and also some machine buttonhole stitches used on the raw edge.

On the back of this quilt Ruth has used a furnishing cloth printed with large colorful parrots and tropical foliage and flowers: note her hand printed label and also the TCQC label above it. The fancy backing fabrics she uses make her quilts so distinctive and special. Although I had previously used some 'fancy' backs on quilts, I didn't go berserk until after I had a class with Ruth - guess she gave me "permission" even if unconsciously.
www.ruthbmcdowell.com

I am feeling better every day and tomorrow I am going to keep my committment to take a workshop offered by the Surfside Quilters Guild. I have been waiting a long time, through many delays, so I am excited about it. If I run out of steam I will just curl up under a table and have a nap! I've been getting really good at napping.

Miscellaneous 12-25-09

Marine Stadium sunset 12-21-09 Long Beach, CA

I save things for my blog posts that might be of interest (or not) to some of you or because I think they are interesting. Categorize them as you will!

http://www.walletpop.com/specials/seasonal-products-we-wish-were-year-round

(Those "peeps" will take over the world!)

http://www.blogdoctor.me/

I may have posted this one previously, but it has been a great help to me and you may find it helpful also - traveling the 'blog road' can be rough.

http://eccentricroadside.blogspot.com/

There are similar websites out there, some of which are referred to on this one. And I have my own album of "wrack and ruin" photos taken while traveling. Those of you familiar with Art-O-Mat may enjoy this recent post: http://eccentricroadside.blogspot.com/2009/10/art-o-mat-vends-art-good-like.html

http://fadingad.wordpress.com/

Another website that explores offbeat and not-so-offbeat places in our world.

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I did roast a little five pound chicken, made some corn "pudding", and cooked the last of the Brussels sprouts for my Xmas dinner. But before I could eat I had to have little rest! I do feel almost like my usual self, but I still seem to run out of steam very fast. Guess I won't be running any marathons anytime soon.

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Christmas Eve Day 12-24-09

I woke up this morning feeling GREAT, which almost made me believe in miracles - but I know my improvement was the wisdom of Dr. Debin, the medications and my self knowledge that "rest in bed, drink lots of liquids" is (for me) one of the most effective methods of healing. I felt so much improved that I dressed and went out to TJoe's for a roasting hen to cook for dinner tomorrow. Since I was out there I made a stop at Corner Bakery (sold out of cinnamon muffins) for breakfast to go with my Starbucks latte.

I lingered, along with this unknown lady at a different table. Definitely short sleeve weather with an intense blue sky behind the jacaranda tree and the palms. Lots of bird song and some of the cutest little doggies I've seen in one place! I didn't linger because I knew I would run out of steam quickly - that can happen after almost three weeks mostly in bed.

My catty-corner neighbor has slowly, but steadily, been improving his yard and now has these brilliant blossoms in the front corner flower bed to brighten our Christmas season.

Hot pink and bright orange - a traditional Mexican color combo.

Christmas in SCalifornia.

Maxine on Xmas 12-24-09

Wordless Wednesday - Weeping Birch 10-06

Portrait of the Eggplant. 12-22-09

I was looking for this picture when I posted about selling the Caravan on 12-18-09, but couldn't remember when the image was taken - not even close. Hardly over a year ago and yet my brain has created a vast muddled space to track through - no more linear clarity here!

The original post was 09-29-08.

Getting better + pied billed grebes 12-21-09

One thing to do when one is not supposed to actually DO anything, is look at birds - if one is lucky enough to have them come around. Today was dreary and cool at Marine Stadium so photography was iffy. Here is a pair of pie-billed grebes from a year ago October. Lots of grebes around the last few days including quite a number of Western Grebes. I thought I would post a picture of a quilt I did sometime ago, showing a Western Grebe , but I can't find it in Picasa - must have been before the advent of digital in my life. And, of course, no flash on my camera right now, so I have to photography in the daytime. I'll get back in the groove soon. .

I did come home late this afternoon. Took almost more energy than I had to get all my stuff out of the Lexus. A serious nap was required. And now I need a good night's sleep.

Corky being princely 12-20-09

Corky was being very princely in this lovely velour chair in the guest room.
But he wasn't in the mood for photos.

Shaking all over usually deters the photographer.

Followed by some staring.

Then some head shaking.

And rubbing face and ears all over the chair.

He has been a little devil today, bossing me around and barking uncontrollably when he doesn't get his way. He is used to being "top dog". Two of his favorite people, John and Diane, recently added a poodle/schnauzer to their household, which had been dog less. Corky took one look at that usurper standing in HIS kitchen and proceeded to piddle all over the floor!! I guess everyone was so shocked they couldn't move to stop him. He will no longer have anything to do with John - even when John proffers a baby carrot - Corky's favorite treat. John and Diane are receiving the ultimate Poodle Prince freeze out

.
My cough is much better and I will go home tomorrow. I am still taking all the medications and will continue until they are gone. But I will have to be careful to take them AFTER I have to drive somewhere as one of them makes me sleepy - resulting in a number of naps during the day. Dr. D. says they are good for me. Cough, cough!
I'll try to post a TCQC quilt tomorrow afternoon sometime.

Xmas lights and a shocking image 12-19-09

Not a great picture - which endorses the need for a new digital camera. This is the first house on the right as residents enter the Spinnaker Bay neighborhood and every holiday the decorations are very elaborate. They go all out for Christmas especially and I have wondered where they put everything off season, there isn't a lot of storage in these houses. However, someone pointed out to me the abundance of 'self storage' in the area - Duh! Notice the light in the sky - the picture was taken about 6pm looking due west so there was still some "twilight".

Corky's parents went to the Naples Xmas Boat Parade this evening - along with what seemed like a million other people. I hadn't realized that the boats gather at the south end of Marine Stadium to line up for their meandering path through the canals. Hard to take a good image with all the reflections, but the lights are bright and festive, accompanied by much song, laughter and conversation which carries over the water. It was quite warm today (over 80F) and into the evening and I imagine there was a huge turnout - I have attended in previous years when my bones hurt from the cold. Nothing like the east coast is currently having, but cold for this coast.

In this guest room the small table/desk faces a mirror. I don't usually pay much attention, but today I was seeing (again) if I could get the flash to work when I looked up and saw this creature gazing back at me. How did I get to look this way? I'm amazed how much I resemble my Aunt Dorothy and also my mother. The yellow hat is a "bed hat" made for me by my friend Mabel Huseby of Mt. Vernon, WA. The brightly colored bag is the cover I made for my camera all those years ago. I take it off and wash it occasionally and I think the time has come around again. I used to make covers for all sorts of things - my sewing machines, hair hot curlers, cameras, waterpick, electric toothbrush, and on and on. Don't know how I got away from that.

I am feeling better - between the medications, the kind administration of care by the Poodle Prince and his parents and napping for part of every hour. I don't know if I want to get well too quickly - it is nice to be fussed over sometimes, isn't it?

Goodbye "eggplant" & more coughing 12-18-09

I sold the "eggplant" yesterday - saying goodbye to a friend of long duration. I bought the Dodge Caravan in January 1998 after driving my Chevy Citation for 18 years . The transmission on the Chevy went and there was no replacement part - not even in a junkyard. Corky's daddy named it the "eggplant" after he found in the market an actual eggplant that was the same color and shape. It is still a good car in good condition, but with 217,000+ miles, I am just not comfortable driving it on some of the lonely highways I take on Road Trips. The buyer said it probably wouldn't ever be driven out of the Los Angeles basin again - he needs a getting-about-town vehicle..

On an off ramp of I-40 in November 2008 en route to Thanksgiving in Lake Havasu City. .

Off I-90 in Kellogg, Idaho, I stopped to admire this 'quaint' building in July, 2005.

I went back to see Dr. Debin this morning about my cold. Actually, all I have left is the cough, but it is a racking cough and sometimes I wake up at night coughing and unable to get my breath. Scarey stuff. She diagnosed "bronchial spasm", said the treatment is to hit it hard with everything we can and then she sent me on my way with five prescriptions! I had them filled at CVS and packed some necessities to stay with Corky and his parents over the weekend. I sometimes have strange and serious reactions to medications and didn't want to be alone. So far, no reactions, except sleepiness. The vaporizer is bubbling and I've had a few hits of codeine cough potion, so I think I will go back to bed. The PParents have a number of Xmas social engagements in the next few days, so Corky and I will get in some unconditional lovin' - that is also good for what ails me.

Before the rain 12-05-09 Posted 12-17-09

These three pictures were taken on December 5th as I was driving on Hwy 152 west from I-5 toward San Juan Bautista. I do love these bleached hillsides so common in this area at the end of the dry season. I had not seen any rain the entire trip to Portland and back this far. But later in the weekend the rains came and I raced the storm south on Monday to get over the mountains before I was caught in snow.

Almost like sand dunes the way the hills interlock and curve. The firebreaks are carved by graders and other equipment along the tops of the ridges to stop wildfires from going over the top and down the other side. If you click on the picture it will enlarge and you can see that this is old cattle country by the horizontal ridges created by years of cows finding the easiest way to the other side.

On the left in the distance you can see a double fire break and in the foreground on the right a clump of brush and live oak that has survived fires in the past. Sometimes I can imagine these barren looking hills as the flanks of giant lions resting in the sun. Shades of "Out of Africa".