Revisit a quilt by Franki Kohler 02-12-17

 

"Gingkoes II"  Franki Kohler  2008  15" X15"

Fabrics: cotton, organza, tulle.  Threads: cotton, rayon, silk.  Beads.  Machine quilted.

http://frankikohler.com/

I especially appreciate the use of print fabrics which are transformed by free motion stitching following the veining in real Gingko leaves - that lovely radiating fan from the stem to the leaf edge.

Notice her use of a variegated thread to give a touch of fall color.  Also the earth, sky, tree bark, leaf colored beads creating a formal framing.  I made this image a little darker to show the textured background fabric - very subtle.  It makes me think of Doreen Speckman's advice on choosing fabrics, "Are you glad it is there?  Do you miss it when you take it away?"   I would miss the texture if it weren't there, it adds a lot to this piece.

 

A plain printed label - I have added the size because it is helpful when I am arranging quilts.  I do wish artists would put a contact on the label - e-mail, address, whatever. These days it is a lot easier to find an artist through one of the important quilt organizations, but it is nice to just flip to the label for a contact.     

 

A plain back, but a great textured fabric that allows the quilting lines to be seen.  I like that Franki let the hand stitching on the beads show - sort of the mark of her hand. 

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How about Friday Flowers? 02-10-17

These cone flowers were blooming in Ruth McDowell's yard when I was in NW Massachusetts last August.  Since I have hardly been anywhere for three months I haven't seen any interesting feet.

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Not much to say 02-08-17

It was a lovely sunny day in Placentia, with temps in the low 70F.  KoKo and I walk twice a day in the morning and evening and have extended our walks gradually.  Sometimes even 20 minutes is exhausting, but he gets me out and drags me around.  He is a very good walker, stops and sits until I say "come" before crossing a street.   During the day he goes out into the backyard a couple times and I go with him because we have coyotes in the neighborhood and at eleven pounds he would make a nice meal.  We play toss and fetch with Froggie during the day until one of us gets tired of it.  Froggie remains his favorite toy although the new rabbit toy I bought him last week is fun because it has long floppy legs and a squeaker.  He adds a lot to my life.  If only he could talk!

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Wordless Wednesday - No Rain 02-08-17

 

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Not a good day.  Started out in the rain at 9am at the dentist's office.  He replaced a crown.  The worst part is having that big needle stuck into the joint.  Ouchie!  I have never gotten used to that.  But the procedure was quick and I was back out in the drizzle. 

About 2pm it stopped raining and KoKo had his morning walk.  We only walk for about 20 minutes twice a day, which is not enough for the little guy.  But that is what I can do.  We are walking further than we did in September, but haven't made it all the way around the almost two blocks the form the perimeter of our tract.  Someday.  We also made out evening walk about 7pm when it was still cloudy but no rain.  We did it just in time because soon thereafter it started raining again.  Supposed to be clear tomorrow. 

I've finished the Surfside newsletter and sent it to the web mistress.  If you are interested it is at:
 http://www.surfsidequiltersguild.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=3gmQEn33vc0%3d&tabid=179&mid=736

Some months are easier than others.  This month my printer was in the shop and I cannot do the treasurer's report without printing it out first.   I also had a problem with my laptop and had to visit the Geek Squad to get it straightened out.  My computer guru, Dick, had triple bypass surgery about a week and a half ago and isn't 'consulting' while he is recovering.  Sometimes I can figure out the problem and, more often, I cannot and need to find a "professional" to help me. 

Taken just inside the garage door - didn't want to get wet!

 

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I didn't realize so much time has passed since I last posted to my blog.  Think this is the longest recess I have done.  Sorry.  I just haven't had anything to write about.  I think I am completely over my bronchitis, but have been slow to get up to speed again.  Guess it is my advancing age, eh?

Today I drove to San Diego for a meeting of the art quilt group I belong to down there.  We have not met since September.  Illnesses, travels, family responsibilities, and, of course, the holidays have all taken up our time.  But today we had a lovely meeting with lots of show & tell (but none from me) and a fabulous Greek lunch served by our hostess.  After the meeting I went over to Visions Art Museum to see the new exhibits that will continue to April 3rd.  What a wonderful display of quilts about people!   One of the best all around exhibits that I have seen there.  Do try to see it sometime in the next few months.  The artists are Jennifer Day, Sherry Davis Kleinman, Lori Lupe Pelish, Susan Polansky, Joan Sowada, and Susan Else.  There is also a small showing by Valerie C. White, but her work, unlike all the others, is not about people.  Of course the Susan Else pieces boggle the mind.  How does she come up with such wonderful ideas and how does she stuff her figures so tightly?  All of the artists do beautiful work and the quilts are interesting to see close up or at a distance.

Then home about 6pm.  KoKo is staying with his favorite doggie sitter and I will pick him up tomorrow.  I wasn't sure what time I would be home today and I knew I would be very tired. 

This is KoKo's friend Sophie who lives in San Diego.  Her mommy was disappointed that I didn't have KoKo with me today,  Next time!

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The sun returns 01-24-17

After a weekend of almost constant rain the sun was out today, shining through drifting chunks of cloud.  I'm sure that there was rain in the LA basin, but not in my neighborhood.  I had to go to Best Buy to see the Geek Squad because there was something weird going on with my laptop.  Turned out to be the operator, not the machine.  All is well now and I can proceed with the SQG newsletter. 

It is however, getting colder.  This morning at 7:30 or so it was 41F, but when KoKo and I returned after our 20 minute walk it was only 39F and I think it went down from there.  But it didn't get over 60F today.  I'm not sure about the morning temperatures because there was frost on the roof tops and on the grass in shaded areas.  At what temperature does frost form?  I thought it was 32F.  Wherever you are I hope the weather will be kind to you. 

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