On the Road Again 03-21-15

I am en route to Pacific Grove, CA, for my annual visit to Empty Spools Quilting Seminars.  Beth Smith of San Diego is with me and we will be taking a class with Elizabeth Busch.   It was an easy drive with few trucks and not that many cars - once we got past Pasadena.  Tonight we are at Harris Ranch where 189 crosses I-5 and will have about a three hour drive in the morning to Pacific Grove.

 

The contrails of jets traveling to or from LAX to the Bay Area are always interesting and today they were very bright and clear.  Here are a couple shots, including a lovely "Y' for my Alphabet Project. 

 

 

Fishing birds in town 03-20-15

I've shown pictures before of the Anaheim Lakes that are located behind the Starbuck's I frequent.  Today there were more birds than I have seen in quite a long time.  These pictures were taken through the chain link fence.  

 



This is a lake where people pay to go inside the fence and fish.  It is regularly stocked with trout and (I think) catfish. It was a gorgeous day in the mid-80s and there were a quite a few fisher people.

There was a giant flotilla of water birds - gulls, cormorants, and the migratory white pelicans.  Along the shore were several dozen little egrets fishing in the shallows.

Here is maybe a family of white pelicans - an adult male, a juvenile and a female.  They are gorgeous when in flight with their wide wing span, tipped in black. 

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Inspiration 03-19-15

I am continually amazed at what inspires me.  These are the outside of the windows at the carwash.  They remind me a bit of Diedre Adams recent work. 

 

 

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Wordless Wednesday 03-18-15

 

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Getting it Right 03-17-15

Visions Art Museum has challenges at various times of the year.  In the past the criteria called for a 12"X12" size, but this year they are mixing it up with different sizes for different subjects.  Due on April 1st  is "Abstract" - 10"W x 14"L - Portrait orientation.  The art quilt group I belong to, closely associated with Visions, made this our group challenge for March.  I have been doing a "series" of "Color Bowl" quilts for a number of years and decided one would be appropriate.  Unfortunately, I am not happy with the results and have tried various "adjustments" to make it work - to no avail.  As time is disappearing fast, I decided to cut up an unfinished top that has been hanging around for decades (at least one).

 

 

"Color Bowls - Three/Autumn"  Del Thomas 2015 10" x 14"  incomplete

 

This is what I have come up with as a substitute for Color Bowls.  It is all finished except for the binding.

"Yadach" Del Thomas 2015 10" x 14"

Cotton fabric, batting, thread.  Machine pieced and quilted.

 

All of the challenge quilts will be hung at the Museum in connection with the exhibits that run from April 18 through July 5.  Most of them will be for sale. 

 

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Monday Browsing 03-16-15

Tips on looking your best when you have your picture taken:

http://www.stylelist.com/view/look-in-amazing-in-any-photo-with-these-10-easy-tricks/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl38%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D627608

Next February QuiltCon will be in Pasadena:    http://quiltconwest.com/

Quilts from QuiltCon 2015 in Austin, TX:  http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/44452704/list/see-winning-modern-quilts-on-display-at-quiltcon-2015

 

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Nancy Ota/Ellen Heck quilt in Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection 03-15-15

This quilt is more traditional than most in the Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection but it is exquisitely made.  I  purchased at a live auction in support of Surfside Quilters Guild in San Clemente, CA.  Nancy Ota  is the founder of this Guild and is  a personal friend of Ellen Heck.  I believe that Ellen did most of the applique and Nancy applied the embroidery and did the fabulous quilting.

 

"Ellen's  Magical Spring" begun by Ellen Heck, Somis, CA.  Completed by Nancy Ota, San Clemente, CA  2011  17.5"W x 18.5"L  Cotton fabric, batting, threads.

This little bird is cut from fabric print and applied - sort of Broider Pers technique.

Yarn and threads make the nest, filled with polka dot eggs.

A beautiful single rose with embroidered details.

And leaves with embroidered veins.

A sweet bud.

Beautiful, precise label, but no contact!

Nancy is one of the best hand quilter I know.

Just look at those tiny, even stitches.

Talk about perfection - this is the back of the quilt!

 

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