Route 66 along I-40 (Part I) 06-10-11

Route 66 is remembered as the "Mother Road" and it still holds a fascination for a lot of people.  There is a lot of online info about it - just Google Route 66.  Travelers still choose to trace its path across the country, so some of the "artifacts" are still standing and some new ones have been added.  Arizona seems to have more points of interest than California or New Mexico.    

I don't drive anywhere that there are as many billboards as along I-40.  I assume they are on Indian land. I haven't driven around Mt. Rushmore for years, but I remember the unending billboards along the roads there and was told they were on Indian land. 

They pretty much say the same thing.

Although there are different stores advertised.

Some effort has been made to make the locations attractive to tourists.

Another tourist attraction is Petrified Forest National Park.  I've been through it a couple times, enough.

Along the way, from New Mexico into SCalifornia there are many dinosaurs - realistic and cartoonish.  There are in Holbrook, AZ. 

Also in Holbrook is the Wigwam Motel which has been there forever.  I don't know anyone who has stayed there, but someone must stay since it is still in business.

Outside each wigwam 'cabin' there is a vintage automobile - more atmosphere.

 
Another dinosaur, this more realistic one in connection with a motel. 

Wordless Wednesday on a Thursday! 06-09-11

(scrobiculate)

Fiber Postcards 06-07-11

I answered a call for additional fiber postcards for the Alzheimer's Alliance, but it came just the day before I left on my Road Trip.  So, I threw some things in a plastic tote box and planned to borrow Ruth Powers' sewing machine when I was in Kansas.  I had thoughts of doing some fusing in the evening in motels, but I always think that and never find the time.  Or the energy. 
 I had these two already started and did the machine work at Ruth's.

"Yellow Flower"  Del Thomas  6" x 4"  2011  Shadow machine applique, fused applique, color pencil marking,  machine quilting. 

 
"Which Ball?"  Del Thomas  6" x 4"  2011  Fused machine applique, machine quilting.

Flowers & Fruit 06-06-11

In looking at birds at the Arboretum on Saturday we also were able to look at the plants and trees.  Things have grown a lot in the years (maybe a decade) since I last visited and I seem to have forgotten the names of plants I once knew.   Here is one new to me and an old friend.

 
The guide pointed out this Monkey Hand Tree which has flowers that attract the hooded orioles resident to the area.  It is a medium to large tree (up to 40 feet) which originates in Guatemala and S.Mexico

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiranthodendron

The "cup" of the large flower holds nectar for the birds and the monkey's hand reaches upward.

You can see the size of the flower in the hand of one of the birders. 

These are the flowers of the pomegranate tree.

 
And here is a very young pomegranate - it will grow to maybe six times this size and turn red as it matures.

When I was a child my sister and I lived for several years during WWII with our paternal grandparents in Los Angeles.  I suppose I was too young to know that pomegranate trees didn't grow in my neighborhood in Oregon, but we did think they were wonderfully exotic.  They were common in the backyards in LA and hung over the fences into the alley behind our grandparents' house.  We were little thieves and would reach with sticks under the fences to fish out those lovely red orbs that had fallen on the ground.  I doubt that anyone minded and it was so wonderfully "evil"!  We just cracked them open and ate the seeds out of hand.  But I always wished there was more juice and less seed!   

TCQC quilt by Bodil Gardner of Denmark 06-05-11

As I check through the records for the Collection I have found a number of quilts that I have not posted on this Blog.  I made a list, but now I can't locate the list.  So, I will have to make a new list.  I do remember this the two Bodil quilts I purchased at the SAQA 2007 online auction had not been shown. 

"Lady With a Mug" Bodil Gardner - Denmark  12"x12"  2007

Mostly cotton fabric.  Machine appliqued and quilted.

 I always enjoy Bodil's quilts and have previously posted one that was at PIQF (check the sidebar for her name).  She has such a sense of whimsy and an eye for color.  

The satin stitch applique is rough, but fits the subject matter.

Great baggie eyes and pop out ears.  And notice the fabrics she uses for eyelids, bags and under nose.  And the yellow edge for the aqua hair.  Her work is very different and very special.  

 

A very plain back and a very plain label.  She did not title this quilt, so I did.