What a mess! 12-21-13

Before I can do much sewing I need to clean up this mess. 

Clouds 12-20-13

On Wednesday it was cooler and we had these fantastic clouds.  Clouds are not as much a part of our "skyscape" as they are in other parts of the country.   And these are most unusual clouds.  The sun was just starting to dip behind the horizon creating the pink cast.  

 

Somehow they look different when the trees are eliminated.

These were not rain clouds.  Those came yesterday with rain, thunder, lightning and, in some areas of the LA Basin, hail.  Anaheim, which is about a mile down the street, had the highest rainfall, about 3/4 an inch.  So, everything is washed off and crisp and green and shiny.

Temps will be in the low to mid 70s for Christmas Day.  

Wordless Wednesday 12-18-13

12-26-11  LHC, AZ  Click to enlarge.

Monday Browsing + Portals 12-16-13

How about using fabric instead of paper?   I’m trying to work out a method for fusing.

http://www.stampingwithbluemooncreations.com/my_weblog/iris-folding-instructions-and-video-tutorial.html

Separating eggs tutorial:  http://www.handimania.com/diy/egg-yolk-trick.html

Make a tiny bow:  http://www.handimania.com/diy/tiny-bow.html

Nature photographer:  http://www.tmurphywild.com/

Dad becomes an artist:  http://distractify.com/culture/coloring-in-kids-drawings/

Cat lovers:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/05/dogs-terrified-of-walking-past-cats_n_4276499.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

Women’s History:  http://www.makers.com/blog/day-womens-history?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D415880#/blog/day-womens-history/9

I am ashamed that I had not heard of some of these women.

Paper piecing from Germany:  http://www.lenzula.de/en/

Paper piecing expert  Debby Kratovil   http://www.quilterbydesign.com/lessons.html   

        or Google her name.

Scrap quilt ideas from Martingale Press. 

http://blog.shopmartingale.com/?utm_source=Stitch+This%21+blog&utm_campaign=25348a9f54-Daily+Email%2C+Quilting&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ab6bb44864-25348a9f54-296416441

Creation Station - Buellton, CA  09-03-08

Earlier Ruth McDowell quilt in TCQC 12-15-13

This is one of the quilts in Ruth B. McDowell's "Pieced Flowers" book, published in 2000 by C&T.   The design layout is shown and photos of the individual blocks, but a picture of the entire quilt didn't make it into the book.  Ruth put all the samples up for sale on her website in 2004 and I purchased several of them.  


"Hollyhocks on Black & White"  1999  Ruth B. McDowell  19"W x 52"L
Ruth has made three full flowers, four leaves, two partially open flowers and a block of buds at the top.  This is all straight seam piecing.  

 
She chooses fabric more for the value and texture than for the printed motifs.  On the left is the bud block.   Notice that she has added a black zig-zag line that sort of outlines the plant and gives it more definition.  

Here is one of the open flowers which shows the delicate yellow/green in the center and the embroidered French knots that form the stamen.  

And here is a full leaf and a partial one down at the bottom. 

She has used an old Marimekko print on the back.  Their fabrics are slightly heavier than regular quilting cottons, which causes the quilt to lay more flatly on the wall.  Many art quilters have followed her lead and use furnishing fabric on the backs of their quilts. 

Always a nice label.  I have removed her address since she no longer lives there, but I think I will print her website address on the empty spot.   Even with the possibility of Googling her name to find a contact, I think it is best to have something on the quilt that gives a contact for the artist. .