Spring Flowers 04-23-11

Last year at this time I didn't know the name of this plant - it is the Orchid Trumpet Vine, originally from Argentina.  Now I see it everywhere.  It has completely covered a long cyclone fence between the street I take to the freeway and a large irrigation pond.  Right now it is solid with violet blossoms.  Very pretty.

It does come in different colors, but this is my favorite.  It has no fragrance.

Friday Feet 04-22-11

One of the delights of visiting Mary is trying to get some loving out of Bud, the 'sweet cat'.  He isn't in the least bit sweet, but I keep hoping that the words alone will contribute to a change in his nature.  After all the years I have tried he will only occasionally let me pet him and even, as a special treat, rub his tummy.  The oddest thing is that he loves my shoes, all the while disdaining those of anyone else.  These close-toed Birks are particular favorites, so I always wear them when I am in San Juan Bautista. 

And in honor of Earth Day:

"Advice from a Tree:  Stand Tall and Proud, Sink Your Roots into the Earth,

Be Content with Your Natural Beauty, Drink Plenty of Water, Enjoy the View!"  Ilan Shamir

When members of our Book Group travel they frequently bring back bookmarks from the places they visit, I've long since lost track of who or where.  Recently a member had these to share.  They are produced by www.yourtruenature.com 

Views of Asilomar 04-21-11

Here are a few more images of the grounds of Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove.  I'm so glad I have always taken many images when I attended Empty Spools Seminars in past years because of the loss of big trees to an imported insect.  These were taken in previous visits.  The original buildings were constructed between 1913 and 1928.

A sunset view of Merrill Hall one of the original buildings, the large meeting room where the evening programs are held.  04-19-09

The sunset reflects in the windows of Stuck-Ups, one of the original buildings with sleep rooms - these windows are on the side of the large living room.  Each of the original buildings has a living room where guests can meet.  04-19-09

Gathering in front of the dining room, another of the original buildings.  04-19-09

 

Jane Barnes beneath a large ceanothus tree in full bloom outside the Nautilus classroom at Asilomar.  This was April 1st in 2008 - it was a good year for flowering trees.   What a day for Jane to wear a ceanothus colored jacket!   04-01-08

Wordless Wednesday (in a Beamer) 04-20-11

Fabric Shopping & Flower Gazing 04-19-11

This morning was the Surfside QGuild Board Meeting of outgoing and incoming officers - the new year starts with May.  As tradition dictates it was a potluck and, as usual, very tasty.  For dessert I took a three pound box of See's assorted chocolates - quicker than making cookies!  After lunch here were only a few left, which I left on the tray in the car while I went fabric shopping.  Unfortunately, they melted because I took too long, so I was forced to scrap them off the tray and eat them.  Woe is I! 

At my Ruth McDowell class at Asilomar my table mate was Cecile Choi, who owns "The Sewing Party" quilt shop in Laguna Hills, CA.  It is a little out of my normal routes, so I had never been there.  Just before she went to Empty Spools Cecile had moved to a new location, but in the same area, and I was curious to visit her.  It is a bright and cheerful shop with a large classroom - check out the clever divider to make it into two smaller spaces - and lots of "modern" fabrics, including some special ones from Japan.  I've never been able to go in a fabric shop without buying something....

 
This is for a new pillowcase.  The ones I made several years ago are getting a little tatty.  Those made from quilting fabrics don't last as well as the commercial pillowcases made from higher thread-count cotton, but I love to have an original, homemade pillowcase on my pillow.  I think this one will have a black and white cuff with a strip of gold. 

 
These four fabrics don't have a "purpose", they just join the thousands of yards in my fabric library.

The wildflowers are finally out in full bloom.  I suppose it has just been too cold for them the last month or so.  Usually there are wild mustard, poppies, lupine and many others blooming in March, but all my driving lately has revealed few displays.  Nice to see them today under the very blue sky.

 
And the "tame" flowers are also blooming.  This iceplant along Moulton Parkway was dazzling.  Further along are some salmon bougainvillea (the bush type) - I think it is an odd color combination, but it is very colorful.  Click picture to enlarge.

The Clivia are Blooming 04-18-11

When I took Corky home to Long Beach last week the patio was awash in orange.  I love it with the bright orange against the palm fronds, grey stone pavers and the dark green strap-like leaves.  Gorgeous.  And very difficult deciding which images to post. 

Blogger seems to have fixed the problem with pictures not showing.  Thanks to Vivian Helene for mentioning it so I could go back to the fast posting method.  Whew!  The "work around" was laborious to the extreme.

TCQC Quilt by Pixe Ladies 04-17-11

Sometimes a quilt stands out because it is so different.  This is not a beautiful quilt, but it is clever and graphically depicts a part of textile history that a younger generation might not see.  I sometimes hang it front side out and sometimes back side out, because both sides are interesting to look at.

"Levi Strauss Discovers Gold in California - May 20, 1873" 

The PixeLadies ( Deb Cashatt and Kris Sazaki)  2008 12" x 12"

 Blue jeans fabric, commercial cotton backing, one rivet, photo transfer, machine pieced, machine quilted.

The strip with belt loops establishes this as representing the iconic garment of the American West.

The rivet centers this pool of blue with spiraling quilting resembling a log cabin block.

The backing fabric has the glow of gold (or Fool's Gold!) showing off the swirling quilting lines - both curved and straight.

Here are the gold miners in their blue jeans.

I think you can read this explanation if you click on the picture to enlarge. 

This was purchased from the SAQA online auction 2008.  There will be another auction in the fall, I hope you will check it out and consider purchasing a 12X12 quilt to enjoy yourself. 

http://www.pixeladies.com/ 

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