Miscellaneous 11-11-23

I think I may have  to start posting  stories from my past.  I just don't seem to accomplish much  these days.  Lots of naps, two walks a day with KoKo,  keeping  up with bills, and keeping up with Facebook, SAQA, Surfside QGuild, etc.  Since I have a few days without outside obligations I went to CVS  this morning for a flu shot.  My arm has started to  swell  and itch - as it usually does with any vaccine - so I have been putting an ice  pack on part of the  time.  Interested to see how it  will be in the morning.    After  another  week  I'll  have another  few  days free  and  I  will go for the "biggy", a Covid booster.   In the past they  have put me  off my feet for a few days.  Maybe this  one won't  be  so bad.  

A few days/weeks? ago I posted a picture of the local bird bath and said I would try  for a better image.   Didn't see many birds this morning, but we walked earlier and the shadows were  better.  All the  darker spots are holes  the birds made  with their feet  and wings  as  they  bathed in the dry, sandy soil.

I  have managed some sewing.  Mostly mending, but  here are six recorder covers for music students at a south county school.   They needed   over  200!   A small group of SQG members got together to  cut out the two  layers (cotton  outside  and  flannel inside). They made up kits with instructions and Velcro  for members to take  home  and  sew together. I thought it would be an easy project, but I have  lost  some  of my sewing skills and it took me a long time.

They are 16" long X 3"wide and hopefully sturdy enough to last a few years.

Autumn is sort of here in  SCalifornia.  We have  mild  daytime temps and a few nights down in the  high 40s.    Not low enough for a rush  of  fall color, but there is some color. This Nandina (known also  as Heavenly Bamboo) grows along the drive-thru line at Starbuck's.  KoKo is not smelling it, just sticking his head out the window.

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Halloween quilt in the past 10-31-20

Here is a Halloween quilt from 2013.  Surfside Quilters Guild has a Monthly Mini every month where a member donates a quilt, purse, table topper, etc., and the guild sells tickets at the meeting.  Whoever holds the winning ticket wins the Month Mini.  I've donated most years and in 2013 I did this fun quilt in October using a Halloween print for the background to provide the eyes and bats and other spooky things.  

(Thanks for the correction, Carol)

"Jack"  Del Thomas  2013  Fused, Machine appliqued, machine quilted.  I don't find a measurement on this quilt, but I think it is about 30" wide. 

I don't usually even look at Halloween fabrics, but I did for this one and was delighted to find this creepy black cat for the backing. 

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KoKo time again 09-08-20

Is this a lazy dog?  I know that dogs sleep an inordinate amount of the day, but lately it seems he sleeps even more than usual.  Partially because I am having trouble with my left hip and am in my recliner quite a lot of the time.  Hope to see a doctor sometime this week, meanwhile it is Tylenol, heating pad, and PTherapy exercises on my bed.  

Today was the ZOOM meeting of the Surfside Quilters Guild and he was asleep right next to my laptop. With Froggy, of course.  

 

On my lap with full frontal exposure.  This was begging for a tummy rub, but then he just went to sleep. 

On my lap while I am reading and his head is supported by the chair arm. When he wakes up he paws at the book until I put it down and pay attention to him.  He runs the place! 

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Surfside Quilters Guild Challenge 08-13-19

Every other August our guild has a Challenge Reveal of the challenge quilts members have made starting with the same four fabrics.  It is always amazing the different designs they come up with.  Here are just a few from today's reveal.   

This quilt is the Viewer's Choice and it is the one I voted for. We choose the same "theme" of "Hang Ten Quilts", but I think Odetta's is a much more successful piece. 

"Hang Ten at the Quilt Show" Del Thomas  2019  26"W x 21"L

Ten little machine quilted quilts plus the guild logo in the top left corner. 

I think the background should have been larger and anything but the stripe for the borders.  

The following piece is one of four non-quilt works.  The tote bag at the bottom is made by a different member.  This mobile is by Dawn Johnson one of our newer members.  Clever.  

Impossible to take a decent picture because there is no solid background available. 

Maybe a dog?

An angel with eyelashes. 

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Christmas trees 12-11-18

This morning was the Christmas meeting of the Surfside Quilters Guild.  Many of the ladies wore their Christmas finery, including me!   Even though I don't celebrate Christmas anymore, I enjoy seeing the Christmas decorations and the special quilts, cushions, table runners, etc., that the members have created.  I have particularly enjoy the Christmas trees associated with the holiday.  And I do sometimes hang a Christmas quilt in my house. 

Such a simple idea, but very festive.  You could whip one of these up tomorrow!

Barbara Seidel  2012

Susan Adams looked at a picture and came up with her own design.   2012

This is not a Christmas tree quilt, but it is so colorful and "Christmasy" I do hang it during the season.  It was made by Nikki Wheeler of the International Twelve by Twelve group. 

 Dec 2012

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Sewing Again! 08-28-18

After at least a year and a half I have started sewing again.  Sitting down at the machine (newly cleaned and oiled) I really enjoy hearing that sewing machine buzz again.  

Why?  You may ask and the answer is DEADLINES.  Nothing like some pressure to get the creative juices flowing.  This project is not finished, but will be by the end of the week and I can go on to another deadline.  

"White Camellias"  Del Thomas  2018  21"W x 22.5L

Commercial cottons and batiks, cotton batting.  Fused and machine appliqued and quilted. 

This will be the September monthly mini for Surfside Quilters Guild in San Clemente.  I do a monthly mini every year, some more successful than others.  The goal is to sell lots of raffle tickets at the meeting to add to the income of the guild.   Hope some people like this one. 

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The end of the month is Surfside Newsletter work 11-28-17

Surfside Quilters Guild held their annual November Fest on Nov 14th and it was quite successful.  We made about what we did last year - $15,000.  It helps us have very good speakers and lets us all have a chance to work together and make new friends in the guild. 

 

I am working on the newsletter for December and want to share the quilt that had the highest bid in the quilt auction.  It was made by a friendship group and donated to the auction.  I bid on it until it got to $400 and had to drop out.  I don't even do Christmas, but I fell in love with this quilt.  The actual color is a bit brighter, but the yellowish lights in the meeting room are hard to filter out.  This is the best I could do.  Isn't it cute?   Notice that some of the figures are snowwomen - you can tell because they are wearing heels and one is carrying a pink purse.  And then there is a snowpuppy at the bottom.  I'll put a picture in my "maybe, someday" file and perhaps make my own one day. 

 

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No browsing this week. 09-04-17

I have been working on the Surfside Quilters Guild newsletter this past week and haven't had time to do much browsing.  It is another 20 pager with the thirty-three challenge quilts pictured.  I wish I could have put in the stories with each quilt, but that would have been at least a 30 page newsletter - more than I care to do or most members care to read!  The quilts are worth a look - 33 quilters started with the same theme and the same three fabrics and every quilt is individual and unlike any other.  It always amazes me.

http://www.surfsidequiltersguild.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=d5jpANc-c14%3d&tabid=179&mid=736

 

The weather has moderated and the high today was only 87F, down from 108F on Friday.  Whew!

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Friday Flowers - there is something about a bouquet 07-14-17

Just for no reason at all, except to say that someone is loved.  Sending flowers or presenting them in person is just a special thing to do.  Here are some memorable bouquets from the past.

 

A garden cut bouquet by Suzanne Lucy in Washington state.

A garden cut bouquet on the hospitality table at Surfside Quilters Guild.

A garden cut bouquet for the 4th of July at Surfside Quilters Guild.

A formal florist bouquet delivered. 

 

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Cindy Cooksey speaker at Surfside Quilters Guild 07-11-17

Today was the July meeting of Surfside Quilters Guild in San Clemente, CA.  Our speaker was a local quilter from Irvine, CA.   I've known Cindy Cooksey for a number of years and have seen her work at guild shows, SAQA exhibits, PIQF, Quilts, Inc at Long Beach, and other locales.  She has excellent techniques and is a talented quiltmaker who does her own original designs.  It is always nice to see local quilters, but Cindy deserves a broader exposure.  I hope this will inspire some of you to suggest her as a speaker for your guild. 

 

Each of the six segments of this quilt uses a different surface design technique.

Happy Birthday quilt

Another Day in Paradise

 

Heart Strings

This was part of a Dinner at Eight Exhibit and depicts Christo's saffron flags in Central Park. 

I don't see a website for Cindy, but her blog is at  http://cookseyville.blogspot.com/

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KoKo doesn't like July 4th 07-04-17

It was a quiet 4th of July here in Orange County California, except for the fireworks which had KoKo in a tizzy.  When we walked at 7pm (84F) there were already booms and bangs and he didn't want any part of it.   He strained at the leash to head for home until I had to pick him up and carry him lest he tear my arm out of the socket.  All the rest of the evening he was on me like another skin, so I had to sit and hold him, talking and petting and soothing.  He seemed to want to be on my head and he climbed up on the back of my recliner, something he has never done before.  For a while I wrapped him in his quilt while I held him, which seemed to help.  I had read about this online somewhere.  They make special 'bundling' coats for dogs, but I don't want to invest in one for one day a year.  Needless to say, he didn't get a bath today - tomorrow, for sure. 

It is very hot again, running in the high 80s and low 90s.  A little early in the summer for that kind of heat, but not unheard of.  I am still not quilting and it looks like I will miss another deadline.  Gotta get control of that lack of creativity soon or I will forget how to sew.

Meanwhile, I have finished the Surfside Quilters Guild newsletter.  A whole week late this time.  I will do better in future months.  The meeting is next Tuesday, already! 

 

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The Changing of the Guard 04-18-17

Today was the joint Board Meeting for Surfside Quilters Guild.  Outgoing officers, incoming officers and lunch, provided by the old officers.   We had a nice salad bar (I provided sliced olives) and it was very tasty.  Always interesting to see what people like on their salad.  We do a sign-up sheet, so we don't get five bowls of olives, three of beans and one of lettuce!  It is all very tasty and civilized. 

It was a good meeting with some new ideas and lots of input from those attending.  Of course, that means the meeting went on too long and people were having to sneak out the door. 

I picked up and dropped off Bette Bradley, who doesn't drive any more, and she will now get to ride with me twice a month - for the guild meeting and the board meeting.  I got home about 2:15p and KoKo had been a good doggie whilst I was gone.  He is SUCH a good dog.

Outgoing president Betty Collins, Incoming president Linda Rigdon

The pass through is adequate for the variety of salad fixings. 

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A week after Empty Spools 03-16-17

Surfside Quilters Guild had a great meeting on Tuesday.  We sang Happy Birthday to our three most senior members - in their 90s and still going strong.  Amazing ladies.

 

Our speaker was Sylvia Davis from Los Angeles who talked about her quilting journey and showed quilts and quilt tops from three large suitcases.  She is a great speaker - informative, humorous, full of joy for quilting.  Her forte is scrap quilts and she has come up with some new ideas on how to put them together.  I recommend her if your guild is looking for a new speaker. 

 

 

I think I am recovered from my week at Empty Spools.  It seems to take longer to put everything away than it does to pack it all up in the first place.  My stuff is not all put away yet and I have to keep stepping around it.  Wonder when that will get old? 

 

KoKo had a good time at Nancy's - there were grandchildren to play with!  But he was happy to be home and checked out every detail on our first walk, it took almost half an hour.

Then he slept for the day. 

 

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Monthly Mini for Surfside QGuild 02-16-17

Isn't this a sweet little quilt, about 15" square.  It was the Monthly Mini for February at the Surfside Quilters Guild.  It is a group quilt made by the Mini Maniacs Friendship Group.   

 

Every month a member volunteers to make a small article (quilt, bag, table runner, etc.) to be raffled at a monthly meeting.  The money goes into the general fund.

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Workshop with Bonnie Hunter 02-10-16

 

Today was the workshop with Bonnie Hunter offered by Surfside Quilters Guild.  There were 35 students, but the classroom (a community room at a mobile home park) was more than adequate with good lighting.  We were working on Bonnie's pattern "Texas Tumbleweeds" which is composed of two blocks - one that makes a chain and the other makes the "tumbleweeds".  Bonnie had us put down all of the (36) blocks we finished in class - I was fortunate that I managed to make one of each of the blocks.  Some of the students were doing what I think of as coordinated scrap, where the colors are limited, such as the three blue/neutral blocks across the  bottom or the two red/black & white blocks at lower left.  I purposely chose a mixed color palette and I wonder how successful it will be.  For some years I haven't made a quilt that required precision piecing and I struggled with sewing an accurate seam.  By the end of the day I had improved some, but it is one of the skills I have lost while doing contemporary quilts that don't require precision.  I do hope this project doesn't turn into a UFO.

 

I enjoyed the class which included some students who are not SQG members, so we met some new quilters who seem to be Bonnie groupies.  Lots of sharing and lots of laughter.

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Bonnie Hunter and Sashimi 02-09-16

Today was the February meeting of Surfside Quilters Guild and Bonnie Hunter was our speaker.  We had 164 in attendance, including 29 guests who all came because of Bonnie.  She did a great program showing about 20 full sized quilts and shared some of  her quiltmaking theories.  I'll be doing her workshop tomorrow making her quilt design "Texas Tumbleweeds".  The squares and rectangles are all cut and the sewing machine and all equipment are in the car. 

 

This is one of the quilts she showed today.  What I would call a coordinated scrap quilt because the color is limited.  Of course, I love this one because it is yellow and blue, my favorite combo.

 

This evening I took myself to dinner at Fish in a Bottle and had the tuna and salmon sashimi.  It was extra good - my hunger and the fine quality of the fish.  It was served on a bed of finely shredded raw beets - yummy.  The sushi chef kindly cuts it extra small for me because I have a hard time getting the usual size pieces in my mouth.

 

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Hawaiian quilting expert Nancy Lee Chong 03-10-15

Surfside Quilters Guild met this morning in San Clemente and we enjoyed Nancy Lee Chong as the speaker. She talked about her specialty Hawaiian quilting with many examples of her work and one of her sister's quilts.  She and her sister operate Pacific Rim Quilt Company which offers traditional and non-traditional patterns using the Hawaiian style techniques.  All of their patterns are originals with the traditional designs created using the flowers and leaves of the islands.   Check out the website, ask your program chair to invite her to do a program.  I am sure you will enjoy her presentation.

 

 www.prqc.com

Breadfruit (42") being shown by Nancy Lee Chong

Crown Flower

Sea Turtles and Dolphins

 

Anthurium

 Two Fabric Applique Quilts

Candle Light

 

 Halloween

 

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