The Ruth McDowell class in Kalispell June 6 -10, 2012 07-23-12

I had not planned to take more than a month to post pictures from the class with Ruth McDowell in Kalispell, MT.   Somehow my computer caught a "Mal" and had to be stripped to the bones and reloaded.  I am still having picture problems and need to talk to Picasa about them.  I have only good things to say about the online back-up service Carbonite.  They were very helpful in restoring my files and they are based in Maine so their English was excellent.  I can't say the same for McAfee - I had a difficult time communicating with their agents in India and I felt that their goal was to sell me further coverage rather than solve my problem.   My mental prowess is not what it once was and I have had a lot of trouble negotiating the ups and downs of this problem.  I hope I can solve the last little problems.  Several readers have sent names for computer "gurus" who might be available to help.


The class was held at the wonderful Quilt Gallery in south Kalispell. Shop owner Joan Hodgeboom has a good eye for fabric and carries a wide range of styles to serve her wide range of customers.

I've put together pictures of the progression of the different student projects.  Not all the pictures are great, but all the projects are represented.  It was a lovely group of ladies and the quilts they created were wonderful.  I was the only student who did not get into fabric, but anyone who has been in a class with me won't be surprised - I almost never do. 
  

https://picasaweb.google.com/DELQLTS/RuthMcDowellKalispellClassProgressionPix060612?authkey=Gv1sRgCIHE7Ov2ta3_hgE#

Ruth McDowell class at the Quilt Galllery in Kalispell, MT 06-09-12

I'm sorry I missed posting last evening - I was just exhausted and went to sleep at 9pm!

One more day of class with Ruth McDowell - it does make me very sad because I don't know that I will ever see her again.  After 22 years, that is a very hard blow.  But I am enjoying the class here with sixteen very nice ladies - there are four who have never taken a class with Ruth previously and the rest have been regular students.   These first six pictures were take on Wednesday, the first day of class, and show something of the fabulous workshop space at the Quilt Gallery.
 
 
From the table where I am sitting, looking out through the shop to the front entrance.

 

Here is Ruth McDowell at the white board working on the photos or drawings that each student brought as inspiration.  The binder in the foreground has pictures of a great many of the quilts that were made in Ruth's classes here during the eighteen years she has be teaching in Montana.

 
Students Susan Hilsenbeck, Susan Vacek, Ruth Powers, Pat Andrews.  In the background are Ruth's Moth Orchids quilt, Ella (the appaloosa) and the Pink Rose - along with some student quilts I showed previously.

 
Students Sue Utt, Nola Partington, Bern Ward,  Vanelle Nurse with some student quilts on wall.

 
Students Vanelle Nurse, TJ Tack, Cathy Silva.  In the background Nola Partington and Bern Ward.

 
Student Anita Crane.

It is always interesting to see what Ruth is buying to take home for her stash:

 

 

 

 
She is a great saleswoman in a shop; she holds up the bolt and explains what she sees in the fabric and the entire bolt quickly disappears!   I've added some of these to my huge fabric library.

Show & Tell from Ruth McDowell's Kalispell students 06-07-12

The students who have previously attended Ruth classes at the Quilt Gallery in Kalispell, MT, brought some of their quilts for Show &Tell.


A desert scene by Donna Strain - made in Ruth McD Kalispell class pre 2012  06-06-12

 
Plumeria blossom by Kim Woodruff - made in Ruth McD Kalispell class pre 2012  06-06-12

Prows of canoes by Kim Woodruff - made in Ruth McD Kalispell class pre 2012  06-06-12

 
Little boy tossing a rock by Kim Woodruff - made in Ruth McD Kalispell class pre 2012  06-06-12

 "Golfer"  Trudy Berne - made in Ruth McD Kalispell class pre 2012  06-06-12

 
Forest Fire   Pat Andrews - made in Ruth McD Kalispell class pre 2012  06-06-12

 Sampler blocks from Ruth McDowell's Piecing book by Susan Hilsenbeck - made in Ruth McD Kalispell class pre 2012  06-06-12

 
Red rock cliffs w/lake by Cynda Clark - made in Ruth McD Kalispell class pre 2012  06-06-12

 
Boy w/cup by Kathy Salvador - made in Ruth McD Kalispell class pre 2012  06-06-12

 
Black Dog by Sue Utt - made in Ruth McD Kalispell class pre 2012  06-06-12

 
Blue Horse by Trudy Berne - made in Ruth McD Kalispell class pre 2012  06-06-12

 
Doorway by Kim Woodruff - made in Ruth McD Kalispell class pre 2012  06-06-12

 
Osprey on nesting platform by Joan Hodgeboom - made in Ruth McD Kalispell class pre 2012  06-06-12

 
Owl on osprey nesting platform by Joan Hodgeboom - made in Ruth McD Kalispell class pre 2012  06-06-12

 
Joey by Joan Hodgeboom - made in Ruth McD Kalispell class pre 2012  06-06-12

DETAIL  Joey by Joan Hodgeboom - made in Ruth McD Kalispell class pre 2012  06-06-12

 
Joan on her Harley by Joan Hodgeboom - made in Ruth McD Kalispell class pre 2012  06-06-12

 Quiltmaker at work (Joan Hodgeboom) made by Ruth McDowell and quilted by Joan - pre 2012  06-06-12

 
Ruth McDowell with student image for design inspiration.  Kalispell, MT., 06-06-12