Friday Foot 10-06-13

Great socks.
 

Busy Days 10-03-13

The upcoming exhibit "New Acquisitions From the Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection" at Visions Art Museum in San Diego, CA. has been absorbing more of my time than I thought it would.  I worked on the photos for the Gallery Guide today, Andrea Bacal is the one who is putting it together, I just had to supply the pictures.  Now I am working on the text for the Gallery Guide, something that only I can do because I have the information in my laptop and in my head. 

All this means that I am short on time,  so I'm not sure I will blog with any regularity.  Of course, it is such a habit now that I might have a hard time NOT blogging!  I'll try to write every day, but.....

 

Wordy Wednesday 10-02-13

It was the middle of the day, around 1pm, when I pulled into the parking lot and parked facing toward the El Pollo Loco restaurant. 

And there was this guy glowing inside the restaurant.  Too weird looking, don't you think?  I tried to think of what would make the stripes on his jacket glow.  He looked like one of the construction crew guys who are thick in the area because the streets are being redone for blocks around.   This had to be a jacket with reflective stripes.  But why would it glow in the daytime?

Can you see my reflection - camera and fingers? And that is the red lamp hanging over the table.  But the guy isn't glowing!

 

That is because I was standing between him and my car and blocking the sun reflecting off my windshield into the restaurant and onto his reflective stripes.   Yes, I was the one "lighting up" this guy while he ate his lunch.  The minute I stepped away from the window he immediately lit up again.(Surely wondering why the old broad was pointing a camera at him)

Next thing I know I'll be seeing UFO's - the kind one sees in the sky.  

 

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Inspiration - Looking back 10-02-13

I am currently overwhelmed with deadlines and things that must be done - now.  But I've been looking back for some inspiration.   On a Road Trip I am always fascinated at the way the roads cut through the hills and slopes and I have made some quilts that I suppose are a series. They are all titled "Roadcut"  + whatever area or highway where it is located.


This butte is in almost the center of St. George, Utah.  Just look at those layers!  I don't think the cell tower on the top adds a lot to the view, but if I do this as a quilt I will just leave it out. I might call it "Roadcut #4 - St. George".  Very simple. 
 

I  really like the contrast on this one.  Could I do it with just fabric?  Or would I need to resort to paint or dye or ink?

 

In the top picture the fractures are horizontal.  Here they are vertical and there is a lovely tall Mullein plant growing at the foot of the cliff.  The plant is about four and a half feet tall.
In 1985 Ruth McDowell made a great Mullein quilt in an ingenious technique.  it is in her book "Inspirations" on page 74.  How I covet that one!  
 

I have no idea what they might have cut away to make space for the roadway.  The arch in the middle is created by fractures in the stone and water seeping between the layers of stone.  There is a "youngster" arch to the right and slightly higher.  How many years until it is an "adult"?

I so love a Road Trip!  It fills me with questions and answers.  AND inspiration.

New 12X12 quilt in TCQC 09-29-13

This is another purchase from the Visions Art Museum Veranda Sale in late August.  One of the things that I have discovered about my collecting decisions is that I like to add new techniques.  Although there is discharging in some of the quilts, this one is just discharge and a little quilting. 


"Weeds" Kathy Piper - San Diego 2011  12"x 12"
Cotton fabric, cotton batting, discharge dyeing, machine quilting.
I like the non-matched binding.  Same fabric but it makes a counterpoint since Kathy has made no attempt to make the color lines up. 
 

She has used a very thin thread.  Perhaps something thicker, even perle cotton would make the red more of a statement. 

With the light, solid background the quilting can be clearly seen.  With a bright color thread this could be a quilt on its own. 

Nice simple hand printed label - but no contact information.  How can I find her if I am interested in seeing more of her quilts?