More Sunsets 09-26-09

I'm really into this sunset thing. I dug out some pictures of quilts I have made in the past and also worked today's Daily Puzzle from Jigzone which is sunset on the Amalfi coast. You can do it at: http://www.jigzone.com/puzzles/2009-09-26-1C2D9131A

"Sunset Strip - South Pacific" Del Thomas 1999 40.5"W x 14.5"L

Original design, commercial fabrics, fused, machine pieced, machine quilted. A skinny quilt with a sunset - what could it be but "Sunset Strip"? The most unbelievable sunsets I have ever seen were in the South Pacific in the Outback of Australia. So brilliant they could give anyone a headache - they take your breath away -awesome.

And a detail.

"Sunset Strip - Orchard" Del Thomas 2005 40"W x 18"L

Background: Hand-dyed fabric from Bonny Tinling of Vista, CA. Trees: Commercial fabric .

Original design, fused, machine quilted. The bird on this quilt is in the tree on the far left.

And a detail.

Postcards - Sunrise/Sunset 09-24-09

One subject for the fiber postcards I am making is Sunrise/Sunset. I rarely see a sunrise, being mostly a night animal, but have lots of sunset pictures. And I have made a couple of sunset quilts. But postcards are only 6" X 4", requiring me to think smaller. I pulled these out of my Picasa files. The top two are from Corky's house in LBeach. The bottom two are from Corky's house in Lake Havasu City, AZ. I've printed them to see if I can get motivated.

Wordless Wednesday 09-23-09

Acupuncture 09-22-09

Not for me, although I have been considering it, but for Corky. I haven't given a 'doctoring" report on Corky for quite a long time. I took him for his acupuncture treatment today because his parents needed to be elsewhere. I'll take Corky just about anytime and anywhere - he is so well behaved and loving. He was a little more anxious this morning, but I think it was because there was a dog in the back making moaning noises and although Corky is deaf I know he could hear that dog - there would be quiet for a few minutes and he would calm down. Then the dog would start moaning again and Corky was all 'antsy'. I don't know if this picture shows him anxious or afraid - just cute, eh?

Dr. Woods uses about fifteen needles, distributed from just below Corky's neck to his hips and knees. The only time he gets a reaction is when he puts one in Corky's left knee - just that one needle - and Corky jumps. Like one would when stuck with a needle! He does not seem to feel the others at all.

Here you can see the three needles below his neck and the one in his left knee - the "handle" end sticking out is pink. Mostly Corky just lays on his pillow and usually takes a nap until Dr. Woods returns. But today he was too agitated, so I was holding him still. However, when my old hands started aching I eased up a bit and in that instant Corky shook his body all over, like he had just come out of a pool. The needles went everywhere! They had been in for slightly less than the required fifteen minutes, but Dr. Woods said not to worry.

We still don't know, and may never know, which is helping him the most - acupuncture or the holistic shot he receives each week. But he doesn't seem to be in pain at any time and has no restrictions except going up and down stairs. He seems as nosey and lively as always. We hope he has a lot of years left to live and love.

Miscellaneous stuff 09-21-09

I have set my postcard making aside to work on the Surfside Quilters Guild newsletter. What a great bunch of ladies - this is a fantastic guild with lots of enthusiasm and interesting members.

I collect things "stuff" to put on my blog or send out as "E-lint" to a list of people who have somewhat my same sense of humor and/or are curious about many things in this world of ours. This blog post is just "stuff".
First is this great video of Susan Brubaker Knapp's cat Max:Susan's blog is at... http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/

[you can hear her warn Max to not swallow any pins - no cats were harmed doing this video!]

Here is a quilt that is on EBay right now. No bids, so far. It just isn't the right place to sell such an item. If you know any Red Sox fans pass the URL to them!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Red-Sox-2009-Signed-Quilt-New-England-Quilt-Museum_W0QQitemZ160361552554QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_SM_Fan_Shop?hash=item25564b1aaa&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Did you send a "bundle" to IBOL (Iraq Bundles Of Love) It was a campaign to send sewing supplies and fabrics to women in Iraq where such things are few and far between. The project was organized by Karen La Flamme's husband (once known as Mr. Incredible, but now answers to IBOL Guy) who is stationed in Tikrit. He did not think it would turn into 3000 bundles (or maybe more), but you know quilters (and knitters) - always generous and helpful. No bundles are to be sent now - the IBOL Guy is into distribution, which is a huge project in its self. But it is interesting to keep up with the project. Check the website:http://ibol.wordpress.com/

And, finally, here are a couple of amazing videos demonstrating what we do not see, even though we are looking. I love this!
http://www.awarenesstest.co.uk/   [corrected URL 03-11-12]



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A June Underwood quilt from TCQC 09-20-09

There are several June Underwood quilts in the Collection as I admire her art. She is now doing more painting than quilt making and I also admire her paintings. However, some years ago I decided that I would only collect quilts to hang on my walls, therefore I can only admire her paintings in photographs. As the years go by, one realizes that there is finite time and space and limitations are necessary.

"Farmland" June Underwood 2005 43"W x 36"L

Whole cloth quilt. Hand dyed cotton, painted, machine quilted.

I never asked June why she named this quilt "Farmland" - it must remind her of the autumn colors of grasses. Maybe she will add a comment! The machine quilting makes this piece quite elegant.

However, regardless of how June viewed the design, I think it works better upside down! I do hang quilts different ways and it always helps me see something new and interesting. This one revealed a different feeling, so I usually hang it "my way". Once I decided I prefer it with a different orientation I put another sleeve on so it can be hung either way.

When I look at the quilt in this orientation I see the black areas as trees and it makes me think of farmland that has been allowed to go fallow so long that clumps of trees begin to grow and fill it in - eventually it becomes a woodland again. Some viewers have commented that upside down gives the quilt a less ominous feeling. I suppose this is partially because we humans view the earth as dark and the sky as light - reversing these views might be threatening to some.

No Post Tonight 09-19-09

Whew - boring day, but I did get some laundry done. And worked on the Surfside QGuild newsletter.

I lead such an EXCITING life. Del

Don't forget that the Studio Art Quilt Associates online auction continues. The price on Sunday (starting at 11am Eastern) will be $250, $150 on Monday, $75 on Tuesday. There are some lovely pieces to try for.

The third and final segment of the auction starts on September 24th and runs for six days with the price reduced each day. Check it out at http://www.saqa.com/newsebulletins/Squares09_3.aspx