Empty Spools 2020 Continued

More troubles - with phone, with AOL, with sciatica, and KoKo has a lame front left leg!  He saw the vet yesterday morning and she thinks it is mild, perhaps a pulled muscle.  So, he is not allowed to run, jump, climb stairs, etc., and is taking Gabapentin with peanut butter.  Cheese only worked once!   He is much better already in just 34 hours.   As for my sciatica - it looks like I will have to do PTherapy again.  If I could only force myself to do it daily at home I'm sure it would be more effective.  

Here are pictures of some of the "big" projects done in Sue Benner's Abstraction class at Empty Spools.  No size or subject limits on these, but since our space was limited none were very large.  I have not worked on mine since I returned and Andrea has not worked on hers either.  I have done entirely too much sleeping this past week and a half, thus I barely keep up with KoKo and other necessities. 

Irma Lubb

Ann Moats

Jackie Seidell

Alison Lockwood

Annette Bracken

Ricki Selva

Judy Ousterhout

Del Thomas

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Empty Spools 2022 Continued 03-31-22

I have been so wiped out since returning from Empty Spools, mostly I have slept the days away.  In between naps I have gradually put some things away, edited my photos, taken care of KoKo, including two walks a day, and taken more naps.  I don't have Covid, so I guess it is just old age.  I haven't made it to the market, but will have to go tomorrow.  All I have left is some milk, some eggs (from my neighbor's chickens), and a few slices of bread.  Even the freezer is mostly empty!  

Sue Benner's class was very busy and she keeps the tempo up with assignments, slide shows, lectures and demos.  Our second assignment was to make six quilt "sandwiches" (backing, fusible, batting) either square or rectangular and I chose the 8" X 10" size.  Using the inspiration picture that we brought from home we were to make one realistic interpretation and five abstractions.  My inspiration was Angel's Trumpet Flowers and I found abstraction difficult. 

The original image is below my name, below that is a template I cut to use in some pieces.  The piece to the left is my realistic piece with yellow flowers. Below that is just a sort of outline in fabric, but there is something missing and I don't know what!  On top is one cut and fused with lace on the red backing - this will improve with quilting.  Below the lace one is a failure of three birds cut in the shape of the flowers which just doesn't work.  And, finally, on the far left is my REALLY abstract effort which everyone likes best!   The off kilter at lower left is the back of the sixth piece - I used this sale table banana fabric on the back of all the others.  

My tablemate, Andrea Bacal, brought a picture of a sort of garden gate with a wall, some potted plants, and an exit sign.  I think her abstractions are much more interesting.

Jackie Seidell sat behind me and started out with a picture taken in a fabric shop (India, maybe).  The photo is below her name and her realistic interpretation is to the right of her name.  At the bottom of the image are small pieces she made and rejected.  

Nancy Butterfield has her 1st project (12") on the left and her abstractions from a beach photo on the right.  

At the end of the class Irma Lubbe has all her work on her board. Lower right is the first 12" project, on the left the five 8"X10" abstractions with the small inspiration photo.  And her larger and final project on the top right.  

Colleen Babcock's 1st project on the right
is based on a picture of a bunch of people in round hats and a person who might be ill - I can't tell.  Her 2nd project on the left started with the image of the front of a train on a bridge.  

Elizabeth Littlefield brought a bright sunflower as her inspiration and did six abstractions using bright colors.  She also had a little sign posted on her board, "Keep it Simple".  Good reminder for this class.  

I hope I will have more energy and fewer naps tomorrow and will post more images from the class.  We went on to do a larger project, size and subject of our choice.  With the limited space in class my piece is only about 22".  

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A few more from PIQF 11-01-08

I am a great fan of Pamela Allen's, I think one reason is that she does wonderful things that I cannot - because I am too structured in my thinking. I will have a class with her in the spring and I hope I don't get an "F". Maybe I should practice!!

BUGS AND OTHER LIVING THINGS - Pamela Allen 2006 , 57"x42"

"A sort of micro view of the garden, one that I learned to enjoy once the grandchildren explored our backyard with me. Little people see the little things!"

Shown at Aullwood Audubon Museum 2006, Chandler Art Center 2006 /07, PIQA 2008. This quilt is covered with bugs, including gold metal snakes, grasshoppers and fish (not a bug, I know).

 

Notice that Pamela put a little box in the fairy's left hand - for the teeth or for the money? Gotta be the teeth, all that money wouldn't fit in there.

I guess I was so impressed with the traditional quilt below that I forgot to photograph the sign, so Jackie kindly e-mailed a copy of the sign info.

“Nearly Insane” Jackie Seidell - Walnut Creek 90”W x 90”L

"This quilt is a reproduction of an 1870’s Pennsylvania quilt made by Salinda Rupp. Liz Lois drafted each block from a picture of the original quilt that she found in a book at a friends garage sale. There are 98 six-inch blocks that are all different. Some were quite simple, but some were very challenging (block #18 has 229 pieces). I was inspired to make this quilt because of the challenge of piecing the intricate blocks. Each square was like a miniature quilt. I also wanted to try using the original color combinations which I find fascinating."

I think the colors are brighter 'in-the-fabric', but I still have the problem of photos getting darker when I transfer them to Blogger. Awesome workmanship and it hangs square and flat.

 

This quilt is 64"W x 65"L.

Both Mary and I think this is another knockout quilt. It was in the "New Quilts from Northern California" so there isn't much information about it. The colors are wonderful - perhaps even brighter than this. I'd like to take a class with Angie Woolman, I see so many great quilts from her students.

Sandi's choice of quilting pattern may have been inspired by the great Marimekko cherry fabric in the top middle of this photo. If you click to enlarge you can see that the pattern is vertical rows of big cherries, each attached to the one below with a long stem. Whimsical.