Sunset in Placentia 10-29-10

I couldn't decide which was the best one.

Halloween Decor #2 10-28-10

This one cracks me up. I think these people slammed the door on the witch. I wonder if that is what they intended.

Halloween Decor 10-27-10

I've read several times in the last few years that Halloween is BIG holiday for retailers and I believe it. In Corky's neighborhood some houses are decked out from street to rooftop. Last year one house had this guy on the lawn and, after the day was past, in their trash can - not even the recycle one! I couldn't resist taking it because I knew that this year my little neighbor would be at just the right age to think it was cool to have a skeleton climbing out of his lawn.

I took it over one morning last week when he was at school and planted it in his yard. His mother said he thinks it is cool, but her boyfriend is even more jazzed. Maybe it takes some maturity to get the full effect. BOOOOOOOO!

Miscellaneous Monday 10-26-10

Other than going to the Visions events I have not done much of anything for so long I have lost all connection with time and "normal" life. I am feeling much better, but still run out of steam several times a day. Right now I am working on the Surfside Quilters Guild newsletter and it is an important edition because of our fund raiser "November Fest" on Nov. 9th. So I need to get it finished and posted to the SQG website.

Corky was with me for a few days, but unfortunately he had a reaction to a medication and was soooo sick, I was very concerned. I decided he would be better off in Long Beach, just a few minutes from his vet. He was in the care of Jennifer, the young woman who helps with the clerical work involved in Corky's parents business. She loves Corky and he loves her - will even sit on her lap, something he never does with me. BOO HOO. Off the medication Corky was fine by Saturday evening.

One of the quilts in the Surfside November Fest live auction is this one we named "Big Flowers". The top was made and donated by Nancy Miller. It needed to be quilted so I sent it to Sharon Winter in Monterey, CA, who does fabulous machine quilting on her home machine. She was free to do whatever she thought worked best and I think she did a fantastic job.

Just look at the great background pattern - which goes by different names: pumpkin seed, wineglass, and, I'm sure, many more.

The flowers are outlined, with some additional lines inside to define the flower. I am so impressed by Sharon's quilting skills I plan to send her a quilt or two of my own! If you would like a contact for her just e-mail me.

Finally, I would like to solicit your consideration to support of Kristin La Flamme's participation in a walk for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International. Juvenile diabetes is such a terrible burden for children, it is important to find a cure as soon as possible. You can support her and the research by going to:

http://walk.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=extranet.personalpage&confirmid=87865846&sr=facebook

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Visions 2010 @ Oceanside Museum of Art 10-25-10

The biennial Visions exhibit has a special place in my life - I've been attending since the very first one in 1987 which was held in Fallbrook. I still remember the thrill I felt as I walked through the quilts displayed - a feeling I experience with every Visions exhibit. The friend who accompanied me was much more of a traditionalist and she was disappointed! I was amazed that the quilt she liked the most was the most traditional one there. Yesterday I attended the special events in connection with the opening of "Quilt Visions 2010: No Boundaries", as always, I was thrilled. The Oceanside Museum of Art where the exhibit is held is adjacent to the Oceanside Civic Center - a breezy, tiled, water-filled pavilion.

I seem to discover unusual flowers there. This is a hibiscus with two-colored petals than turn down instead of flaring open. Lovely yellow - I can almost taste it.

Looking to the west the water flows gently around islands of palms toward Pacific Coast Highway. Beyond the buildings in the middle of the picture is the ocean.

There are always gulls wading and bathing in the fountain. This guy stood pat after the others took wing. He refused to spread his wings on my command!

Across the street at the Oceanside Museum of Art ( http://www.oma-online.org/exhibits.html ) art quilt fans gathered on the front terrace waiting for the doors to open for the 11am artists' tour of the new exhibit. I understand there were 25 artists (out of 39) in attendance. But there was a large crowd packing the galleries, so I saw little of the artists as they spoke, but I could hear every word over the p.a. system. It is fascinating to hear what they chose to say about their technique or inspiration or just their selection as a Visions artist. Afterward they all seemed friendly and approachable and I collected a few autographs in my exhibit catalog. Photos are not permitted.

"Before Sunset" Nelda Warkentin 14"L x 50"W

This is the quilt on the cover of the exhibit catalog and is also on the Visions website.

http://www.visionsartmuseum.org/exhibits/exhibitions.asp?pg=biennial

"Zinnia" Velda Newman 87"L x 212"W

This is the quilt that appears on the exhibit postcard. It is absolutely gorgeous and one that I would buy in a split second if #1 I had the money and #2 I had some place in my house large enough to hang it.

There are seven or eight quilts that I would love to add to the Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection and at the top of the list is Judith Content's fabulous "Cataclysm" which was inspired by a book about the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883. I have always coveted Judith's quilts, but, so far, all I have managed is one of her narrow silk scarves which I hang on my wall when I am not wearing it. I have my fingers crossed that "Cataclysm" will become part of the Collection.

It was a great day and I came home to fall into bed. Although my bronchitis is almost gone, I still tire very easily. In fact, instead of joining acquaintances for lunch I went back to my car and stretched out for a little snooze - it helped me get through the afternoon. Featured then was a panel of four artists answering very interesting questions asked by moderator Judith Content and also questions from the audience. The panelists were Deidre Adams, Gloria Hansen, Jane LaFazio and Katie Pasquini Masopust. They all work in different styles, using different techniques and all were very forthcoming about how they mesh their art and their everyday life.

Last of PIQF 2010 10-24-10

Again, a big THANK YOU to my friend Mary Leakey for taking pictures at PIQF '20 when I could not travel up to Santa Clara due to bronchitis. These are just a few last images that she shared me with.... and you.

Mary and her grandgirls are fond of fairies, so it isn't surprising that she took pictures of this quilt from the UK. When I stay with Mary I get to sleep in the 'little girls room' and feel the protection of the many fairies around the room.

It is so sad that this quilt was folded face-in across the width creating an ugly crease. BOOO.

The see-through wings are a nice touch.

With the traditional log cabin blocks and the rich, dark colors this looks to me like a quilt from the 1880s in the USA.

And the fabrics look much like the silks of that era. Nice quilt.

I wish there were more of an explanation on this quilt. Why pockets? Interesting colors.

A very interesting quilt. The fact that the background is whole cloth with layers of hand printed motifs and then applied with clear 'raindrops' gives the quilt an unexpected depth.