Friday Feet 01-27-12

Here are some more guy feet - not something I see in my house very often.  This is not the guy who came at 7:30am and finished the repair on my wall and was walking out the door before 9:30am.  I should have taken a photo of Paco's feet - he has been the best, most effective member of the "guy troop".  He did a great job, even to feathering in the paint line.  Thanks, Paco, wherever you are.

 

Compare to  http://www.delquilts.blogspot.com/2012/01/friday-feet-01-13-12.html

Fiber Postcards & Quiltcards 01-26-12

After the program for North Cities Quilters Guild on Monday night I did a fiber postcards & quiltcards workshop for the guild at Calico House Quilt Shop in Placentia, http://www.calicohousequilting.com/ which has the best classroom and fabulous fabrics in stock.   The students seemed to enjoy themselves and each created at least one postcard which they will finish at home with machine stitching.  Postcards must be 4" x 6" to go in the mail and can be sent US mail for 64cents to cover special handling, usually with a thin plastic sleeve to protect them from snagging on other mail.   Quiltcards can be any size, but cannot be sent in the mail except in an appropriate size envelope. 

Joanne Burkhart  cut a variety of shapes in different color ways and plans to work on two different cards.

Beth Stiel had valentines and ballerinas on her mind.  Cute red net tutu!

Betty Ann Lawson combined motifs from printed fabric with a cut out bluebird.

Verna Wheeler's tribute to her husband's fishing prowess shows fish chasing googly eyed bugs.

Liz Williams found this great background fabric in the remnants bin and made a Valentine for her husband.

Liz Williams also finished this card she started in a previous workshop.

Phyllis Morrow used her fabulous dress form fabric to make a postcard and a quiltcard.

Kali Stone, Phyllis Morrow's grandgirl, created this Valentine for her mom.

 

North Cities Quilters Guild President Becky Sproal encouraged everyone!

Wordless Wednesday - Sunset 01-25-12

A very busy few days

The Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection program for North Cities QGuild on Monday evening seemed to be most successful.  I took too many quilts and didn't talk fast enough so the meeting ran overtime - I hate that when I am on the receiving end.  Apologies to all who were there.  Yesterday there was a full day workshop on Fiber Postcards & Quiltcards held at Calico House in Placentia.  Everyone did at least one card and some did a couple.  I consider that successful.  I'll post some pictures later in the day, but right now I need to get into bed again - I am simply exhausted.   My "old age" infirmities are greatly cutting into what I can do in a day..  or even in a week.  Might be time to cut back some more. 

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Monday Browsing

Here is a repeat “browse” currently full of winter inspiration http://quiltinspiration.blogspot.com/

Author Tracy chevalier looks at quilts at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.  http://www.vam.ac.uk/channel/people/personalities/tracy_chevalier_quilts/

Do you think there is lint? http://bearhugquiltworks.blogspot.com/2012/01/words-to-wise.html

One Word Project – video http://vimeo.com/35413872     Beautiful!


Interested in different binding techniques? http://serendipitypatchwork.com.au/blog/2012/01/23/regeneration-cornered/

More photo blogs:  http://picayunephotos.blogspot.com/

Terry Grant quilt in TCQC 01-22-12

I haven't yet recovered from receiving twelve wonderful twelve-inch square gift quilts from the "Twelves" as a thank you for the TCQC sponsorship of their exhibit in the three Quilt Festivals - Houston, Cincinnati and Long Beach.  Since I wasn't able to go to Houston they delegated Karen Rips to carry the quilts back to SCalifornia to present them to me and we were finally able to arrange a date and a meeting place in early December.  I was (as the Aussies say) gobsmacked!.  It is a wonderful gift and a great addition to the Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection. 

When the quilts were selected for the exhibit of twelve-inch square quilts at Visions Art Museum we had to decide which of the 58 12" quilts in the Collection were going to fit in the forty available spaces - a very difficult task.   Some were not quite the right size, we had too many dark quilts, the color didn't quite go with anything else, etc., the cuts were made.  For the next month I will share with you some of those that will not be shown - through no fault of their own! 

"Steller's Jay"  Terry Grant - Beaverton, OR  2011  12" x 12"

Cotton fabrics.  Machine applique and quilting.

A colorful fabric selection to back this cheeky devil that will chase crows and cats and hawks and small dogs and someone bending over in their garden.  I don't know how the artists decided on the designs they used, but I'm sure that Terry chose to do a bird because she knows that I am a "birder" and this bird in particular because it is a resident of the West which always makes its presence known.   At certain times of the year there are Steller's in my yard, but every trip anywhere west of the Rockies will mark this bird on my list.  Terry has used her unique technique of outlining the main subject in black to give an almost 3-D effect.  See the tutorial on her Blog: http://andsewitgoes.blogspot.com/2006/04/my-fusing-method.html

The wispy weeds and dotted fabric add to the depth in the background, while the quilting lines contribute a "patio" floor.    

 

A simple hand inked label with a dedication is nicely done.  I had to smile at the backing fabric - I have always liked this design, but have never used it in a quilt, except on the back!  Thanks, Terry.