Saturday, October 27, 2012

More Kangaroo Flower 10-27-12

I am crazy about Kangaroo Flowers and these white blossoms are awesome. 

 
It is an outdoor plant, but I have this one temporarily inside so I can enjoy looking at it.
 
Each of these buds will open up just at the tip to display a sort of star.
 
They do resemble kangaroo paws and are even slightly fuzzy.

For other Kangaroo Flower colors see:
http://www.delquilts.blogspot.com/2011/11/monday-browsing-11-07-11.html

http://www.delquilts.blogspot.com/2010/08/kangaroo-paw-plant-08-14-10.html

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Friday, October 26, 2012

Friday Feet/Fanny 10-26-12


This very tall lady was in front of me in line at Starbuck's the other day.  It was about 50F and I wondered if her tights were thermal.   Not sure about the fanny, she doesn't appear to have one.  I also wonder if those are skulls with crowns or just E.T. with crowns.  
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Thursday, October 25, 2012

More Needlework Treasures 10-25-12

After I posted about handmade gifts I took pictures of a number of others that I treasure.  I'll post them over the next month.  Warning:  This post contains nudity!!

Here are two gifts I received about twenty-five years apart. 
On the left is a scissors bob made with alphabet beads by Mabel Huseby from Washington Sate who I met at Empty Spools   She made me several of these that adorn a hemostat and.  various scissors, including my favorite Gingher Craft Scissors.
  
In the middle is a scissors doll made in 1986 by my late friend Margie Vandenberg as part of a Christmas gift project that was once done by Orange County Quilters Guild.  Even with over 400 members we handmade a gifts for each and every one.  This lasted several years until, I suppose the members that always volunteer got tired of volunteering.  Margie, who made the majority of these little dolls with their eleven black French knot eyes and hair, was a pro at making multiples of anything.  She was a volunteer at a local hospital and over the decades that she served she sewed tens of thousands of handkerchiefs with lace edging that were given to each newborn in the form of a little bonnet with a poem and instructions to clip certain stitches to make it back into a hanky for the baby's wedding day (girl or boy).  It was a lovely tradition that apparently ended with her death.  Many people, including me, have loving and thankful memories of Margie.    

 
I know this one was made by Margie because she gave it to me herself before the meeting.  You see the date 1986 and OCQG.  Above the date is "Xmas", but I didn't want to get the poor girl completely naked.
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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

More on Visions exhibit "Brainstorms" 10-23-12

Although photography is not allowed at the exhibit, during the opening celebration we did take pictures of artists with their quilts and I am showing these three to tantalize you.  To make you go to see the exhibit or, if that is not possible, to purchase the catalog with fantastic pictures by Eric Nancarrow assisted by Susanna Nancarrow.   The catalog is available from the museum - http://www.visionsartmuseum.org/cart/listproducts.asp
And many of the quilts are available for purchase.  If you go to see the exhibit ask at the front desk for a price list or contact the museum.


 
Mary Pal with "Solace"  33.5"W x 44"L  at Visions Art Museum, San Diego, CA  10-21-12

 
Betty Busby with "Growth Factor"  64"W x 37"L  at Visions Art Museum, San Diego, CA  10-21-12
 
Ree Nancarrow with "Black Spruce One" 37.5"W x 16"L at Visions Art Museum, San Diego, CA  10-21-12  This one is no longer available for purchase - it is now a part of TCQC.
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Monday, October 22, 2012

Monday Browsing 10-22-12

A penny “gazing ball”:
NOTE: Pennies minted in 1982 or before are all copper and are worth more as reclaimed metal.

A few quilts from Pacific International Quilt Festival (PIQF) in Santa Clara, CA:
Ruth Power's "Bignonia" started in Ruth McDowell's Kalispell class in June is toward the end.

Tea drinker?


Palm tree in bloom.  June 2012 Anaheim, CA
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Sunday, October 21, 2012

Opening reception "Brainstorms" Visions Art Museum 10-20-12

This is the weekend of the biennial Visions exhibit and this year it is at the Visions Art Museum in San Diego.   I am not a very good chronicler of this event, I seem to do more talking than picture taking!  Photography is prohibited in the galleries, but I have taken some people pictures that show portions of quilts on the walls.  Can't be helped. 
This is a very well balanced exhibit and offers viewers a broad span of what is being done in art quilting today.  I see more handwork in these pieces and feel they are more "quilt-like" than some exhibits in the past. 

 
This picture is from the docent training group on Thursday.  The lady on the right is Kathleen Kastles from Hawaii, her work is included in this exhibit.  The third person from the right is Ree Nancarrow from Alaska, also one of the artists represented in the exhibit.  The quilt on the far left is by Marilyn Henrion, a New York artist, and Barbara Lange of Germany made the yellow piece in the center.
 
This is the view when you enter the museum with the Founder's Wall on the right and the main desk seen on the left.  All the way through is the door that goes into the rest of the building.  The galleries are on the right.  Elegant in her gold jacket is Museum Director Beth Smith.
 
Taking care of business at the main desk are Lisa Yoder, who is wearing her original, heavily beaded vest, and Deanna Bell. 
 
Phyllis Newton, a member of the Visions Board of Directors, at the entrance to the gallery.

Charlotte Bird, Chair of the Brainstorms exhibit, announces the prize winners.  
 
Charlotte Bird (Chair of Visions Biennial "Branstorms"), Beth Smith (Director of Visions Art Museum), Andrea Bacal (President of Quilt Visions).  Behind them is "A Korean Woman in Modern Times #1" by Won Ju Seo.  It is the winner of the first Thomas Contemporary Quilt Recognition Award. 
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