Plant ID & Poodle Prince 01-23-08

I think I used to know the name of this plant! But I sure can't remember it now. And if I decide to make a quilt from the picture I need to know what to name it. Ideas?

The red stems with the white leaves are gorgeous.

At the tip of some stems are red leaves - awesome!

I visited Corky and his parents in LBeach. Corky likes to lay on the landing, squishing himself up against the wall - it is almost as though he thinks he is making himself invisible.

New Color Bowls 01-22-09

I have been making what I call "Color Bowl" quilts for a number of years now. It is something I came up with on my own and enjoy doing. But I have found that I need to have a design idea and make the bowls specifically to fit that idea. I can't just make a bunch in different colors and store them for future use.

I use already fused fabric, mostly scraps from other projects, cut into sort of scythe shapes to fit inside a circle drawn on paper (this circle is about 3"). I put a Teflon sheet over the paper which lets me see the drawing of the circle underneath. Then I shape and pin the pieces started from the outside of the circle and overlapping just a tiny bit.

When I have about half of the circle done I use the little Clover iron (with a handle like a screwdriver) and fuse the pieces together, removing the pins as I go. If the entire circle is filled and pinned it is impossible to get the little iron in between the pins to adequately fuse the pieces. Then I go back to cutting and pinning until the circle is filled. Sometimes I put something in the center, but mostly not. If you click on "Color Bowls" in the tag list on the right side of the blog you will see all of those that I have posted previously. Or just click on this URL to see a small quilt.

http://delquilts.blogspot.com/2008/02/color-bowls-two-02-08-08.html

Wordless Wednesday 01-21-09

Utah 06-05

A renewal of hope 01-20-09

I rarely watch TV in the daytime, but today I was glued to the set all day. What an exciting day it was for those who have faith in our new president and believe in the resilience of our democratic form of government. The expression of hope shown by the 1.9 million people in Washington, DC, today is something I haven't seen since John F, Kennedy's swearing in so long ago. The much quoted part of his speech, "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." echoed in the words of President Obama's speech. WOW! I am sad that some people I know are pessimistic for the future. I hope the coming four years will change their minds.

What an amazing sight. I almost wish I had been there, however a crowd like this would do me in, I'm sure.

They are so poised, so calm in their belief.

I don't see how she didn't just freeze solid - 22F.

Sorry if I am a bore tonight. I am still feeling the thrill.

Hope for our future. 01-19-09

Barack and Michelle Obama

Quilt from TCQC 01-18-09

"Chimney Pots" Elizabeth Barton 2005 50"W x 39.5L

Hand dyed, painted, stamped, screened, discharged fabrics. Cotton, silk, rayon, wool, furnishing fabrics. Machine raw edge and turned applique, machine piecing, machine quilting.

Elizabeth's quilts are so individual that I'm sure I would recognize one anywhere. Her work is almost entirely based on photos taken in England where she grew up and where she travels frequently. She creates her own fabrics - starting with plain white or black fabric, she hand dyes, paints, stamps, screens and discharges to achieve the look of the surfaces she is depicting. In this quilt I particularly like the potato dextrin and shibori pieces. I was fortunate to attend a workshop at Elizabeth's studio in Georgia; learning different dyeing techniques, including shibori, along with her thoughts on developing a design. Her quilts have been juried into a number of prestigious exhibit, including Visions and Quilt National. She teaches workshops at many different locations including Art Quilt Tahoe, QBL, Empty Spools @ Asilomar, and Arrowmont. Check her website for dates and locations.

Her quilts are available at several galleries and on her website at: http://www.elizabethbarton.com/