QFestival LBeach #4 posted 07-31-09

Here are two more quilts from the exhibit "West Coast Wonders II".

I don't think this would necessarily have to be a redwood tree, It could be almost any long needle evergreen. But whatever it is, I think it is beautiful. I'm fairly certain that this quilt was purchased when I was talking to Vicky at the Festival table - the lady was torn between two quilts, she couldn't buy both. She went back and looked several times before deciding. I hope she can live with this quilt the rest of her life, I know I could.

If you click on this detail image you can see the raw edges and the great variety of green fabrics Carol used. Some are cottons, but there are rayon, silk, poly, etc. and the strips are cut.

This is the whole quilt - it is about 28"W x 38"L.

I met this quiltmaker when I was working at the SAQA table on Saturday morning. She was very proud to have a quilt in the exhibit. I think it was even more special because it depicts her grand girl and grand boy.

The colors are good enough to eat. She constructed a patchwork background - which has always appealed to me and makes me wonder why more quiltmakers don't follow suit.

She did a great job with the quilt wrapped around the children, it looks very dimensional. And the free motion embroidery is very well done.

This shows the patchwork ground and the bare grapevines.

QFestival LBeach #3 Posted 07-30-09

One of the comments I have heard about this event is that there weren't enough traditional quilts. I find that odd, because it seemed to me there were quite a few. This entire Festival is Special Exhibits, some are at the end of their travels and some are just beginning theirs

The "19th Century Patchwork Divas" is a group devoted to using traditional patterns and reproduction fabrics from the 1800s. Their work is very precise and the quilts could deceive us into believing they were a hundred years old and had never been out of the cupboard. They were quite beautiful. Above and below are two general views of some of the twenty-three quilts in this special exhibit.

There were also quilts using traditional patterns in other exhibits. This one was shown as part of "Country Living Classics" co-sponsored by Country Living Magazine and Int'l Quilt Festival.

You may notice that all the signs in my pictures are on a slant - that is because when the image is straight on the light reflects on the printing and it is illegible.

The blue is much more "old indigo" than in these images, but I could not adjust the color without showing the red-orange becoming neon. I think this is a most amazing use of African fabrics, an outstanding quilt in my book. The balance of the verticals, horizontals and diagonals is just 'melodious' to my eye.

How many of us would think of using these unusual prints in such very familiar block patterns? Good for Mickey Beebe.

Corky's Birthday 07-29-09

Corky was born July 29, 1996, so he turned thirteen today. And I didn't take a single picture, although Sherry and I were both with him this morning for his visit to Dr. Woods who does acupuncture for animals. About four years ago Corky had problems with his arthritic hip and Dr Woods' treatments seemed to do a world of good. Might as well try it again - and Corky was more himself after today's treatment.

These pictures were taken at his birthday party in 2007. Sherry had asked me to make hats for Corky and his two "girl friends", but they were having none of that. Dali in particular resisted hat, picture taking and even holding - guess she wasn't in a good mood that day!

Sherry, Corky and Jim Loos on their patio in LBeach.

Joyce with Gracie, Sherry with Corky, Peggy with Dali.

Bill with Gracie, Jim with Corky, Dennis with Dali. And the photograhers reflected in the mirror - Joyce, Sherry and "Auntie Del".

Quilt Festival - LBeach #2 posted 07-28-09

This quilt was part of the Special Exhibit "West Coast Wonders II". I am very impressed with it. At first it doesn't have a "Wham" impact, but is more subtle in its beauty. Unfortunately Quilt Festival doesn't post or print sizes so I can only guess about each quilt.

"Coastal Ovals" Sandra G. Hart from Los Gatos, CA (approx. 38" x 50")

These bottom three pictures are taken on the right edge of the quilt - top to bottom. What a great job she has done with the images, showing creatures and plants from shore to air.

Quilt Festival - LBeach #1 07-27-09

Quilt Festival - LBeach opened with classes midweek and the exhibits and vendors opened on Thursday evening. I didn't go until Saturday when I worked two hours at the SAQA booth, then wandered around for about a half hour before going back to check on Corky. On Sunday the PParents were both home and they took Corky to the hospital. They dropped me off at the LBeach Convention center about noon and I had three hours to see what I wanted to see. I don't usually do the vendors and I didn't this time either. The galleries were so spacious there is plenty of room to see all the quilts completely from near to or a long view. I did take about a hundred pictures, but half are of the signs that match the quilts. I am only posting one quilt tonight because I am still tired after being asleep for about five hours and need to go back to bed. I will post some more photos tomorrow.

I am showing this quilt because I posted this past week about lightning depicted in quilts - this one is quite wonderful. It is an actual photograph applied to the fabric as a photo transfer. Good choice of quilting lines. You will be able to see them by clicking on the pictures.

I like this small horizontal slice of reality at the bottom.

Other images of quilts included in the Quilt Festivals in Chicago and LBeach:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leannderthal/
http://www.handmadebyalissa.com/long-beach-quilt-festival/

I have also posted for 07-23-09 - delayed due to computer problem

No quilt, no pictures, another long day. 07-26-09

Corky went into the hospital this morning and had an MRI, for which he must have anesthesia. The MRI was interpreted and the conclusion is that he is not a candidate for surgery. The treatment will be medication, acupuncture, chiropractor and to confine him for 30 days - groan! He is on "complete bed rest" if that phrase can be applied to a dog. Especially one who has never been confined! He loves his walks and now will only be able to go out in the stroller! He must spend a lot of his time in a kennel or cage because he can't walk around except to do his business. Right now his mommy is in bed, Corky is in a cage (lovely with padded bottom and bumper pads decorated with cute animal outlines) crying and fussing, Jim and I are both on computers. We all (except maybe for Corky) are exhausted. We will all have a huge adjustment to make to take care of him adequately. I'm not sure how much time I can give them in the coming weeks.

I did go to the Quilt Festival today and took some pictures. But, AGAIN, my computer is giving me fits and won't download the pictures, so they must wait until I get home tomorrow. I can download them on my very tired Dell laptop. I hope. Am I having rotten luck with computers these days? I am using Sherry's computer and am limited. I'll have to talk about the Festival another day. I did see quite a few people I know and some that know me because they read my blog and were kind enough to introduce themselves. I think it is so great to meet these people, I appreciate the kindness you all extend to me.