DEL QUILTS: 10/30/11

Friday, November 4, 2011

Friday Feet 11-04-11

One thing that I love about my quilting friends is that they are such individuals. They usually dress just they way they want to - regardless of the dictates of "fashion". I am amazed that so many of them enjoy "Runway", although I suspect it is the creativity rather than the "style" that attracts them. The current trend among 'the ladies who lunch' is no stockings or socks, but many quilt lovers recognize the comfort of having something between one's feet and one's shoes. This lady was sitting in the foyer of the convention center when I was leaving PIQF on Saturday. She looked as tired as I felt and I was struck by her socks and the 'all in' position of her feet. She was willing to submit to a photo... of her feet.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Memories in Autumn 11-03-11

Toward the end of October 1989 my late husband and I took our last trip together up to the east slope of the Sierra to camp at our favorite fishing spot, Bishop Creek Campground. It was a glorious autumn that year, with brilliant yellow and gold all around us. This year I had hoped to take a few days to drive up there on a sentimental journey, but I may have missed my chance this year as snow is predicted for the Sierra.

As you can see from the label below, I made this 17"W x 22"L quilt for the 2007 Journal Quilt project which required the artists to use new techniques. I had not done many photos on fabric so I needed to do some experimenting to get what I needed. There have been a few photo-to-fabric efforts since 2007, but not many. I like the way this quilt turned out, but I don't hang it often because it makes me sad. After 21 years and 9 months I still miss him and think often of how things might have been without the cancer.

Wordless Wednesday 11-02-11

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

The Poodle Prince in Bat Wings 11-01-11

Photos from Halloween 2009

"Those kids had better show up soon - it is past my bedtime."

"You'll have to tell me, remember I can't hear a thing - including that annoying doorbell."

"Are they here? Let's get this over with so I can go to bed."

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Monday Browsing 10-31-11

This gorgeous (and huge) bouquet was sent anonymously to a local Starbucks with a card saying how much the sender appreciates the service and the coffee. It made every one's day - they were very attentive. Such beauty certainly cheered my day - we never know how a caring gesture - large or small - can ease some one's stress filled life.

From the Quilt Show: http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4d6a63784e4451794d7a6b3d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link

http://woodhavenstudio.wordpress.com/2010/05/24/quilt-art-international-expressions-june-12-august-29-2010-minnetrista-center-muncie-indiana/ One minute video of Kathy Sward and quilts.

http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/blog/archives/6516 Fiber finds in England

http://www.seehowwesew.wordpress.com/ Blog for Laura Nownes, Dara Williamson, Christie Batterman, Jennifer Rounds

Monday, October 31, 2011

Halloween excess 10-30-11

These pictures are taken of the first house going into Corky's development and they don't do Halloween excess exclusively - they do every holiday to excess. They must have a storage unit somewhere because the first thing one notices about these houses is that they have very little storage. But every holiday out come these inflated things right on the corner.

Here the bubbling pot and the gnome are permanent fixtures. Some people go in for lawn decorations and some don't. I'm on the "don't" side.

Quite a rig, eh? I do like the pumpkin stem, but what a pitiful horse!

OOPS! One flat tire and the horse is going to keel over.

Just after sunset, so the sky is still light. So is the pumpkin carriage with its load of skulls. I suppose kids love this sort of thing, but there are few in this upscale neighborhood. Of course, on Halloween night there are carloads who come just for the treats. Corky will wear his bat wings and distribute tooth brushes, which the kids seem to like.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

12X12 Quilts From TCQC 10-29-11

Some of you will be off to Houston soon and I want to put in a plug for the Special Exhibit of the 12X12 group http://www.twelveby12.org/ and for their book "Twelve by Twelve: The International Art Quilt Challenge", published this year by Lark Crafts, a Division of Sterling Publishers. Twelve quiltmakers, connected by the Internet, each committed to create twelve inch square themed quilts within a given time frame (60 days?). They have completed two "sets" each composed of twelve quilts from each quilter and all of the quilts will be displayed in the Special Exhibit. Only the first set (144 quilts) is included in the book.

I have enjoyed this project from the beginning theme of Dandelion. Watching the work of each quiltmaker as they struggle with designs, techniques, and deadlines, I have seen each one grow in ability and confidence. I think that sharing their experiences in the book and showing the results of their efforts in the exhibit provides a chance for many quilters to learn and enjoy new directions in their own work. So, I agreed to sponsor the exhibit at Quilt Festival in Houston and continuing to the subsequent venues in Cincinnati and Long Beach. If you attend any of these Festivals I hope you will take some time to visit this Special Exhibit and study the quilts "in-the-fabric"

The quilts below are not part of the 12X12 project, but are quilts that were made by four of the twelve artists and are part of TCQC. All were purchased from SAQA online auctions.