It is okay now - I think! 06-19-09

I have now redone the two posts about Rayna's class four times! If they are not okay this time I don't know what I will do. Move to Word press? Here are a few websites you might enjoy.

This is the newsletter from the Alliance for American Quilts. It is a very worthwhile organization and is saving information on both traditional and art quilts, so that there will be a record when future quilters and researchers look back.
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs011/1101594196900/archive/1102605119183.html

I followed a link on some one's blog (don't remember who) to find this hilarious site. I love the hat, but I never pay more than a dollar two ninety-eight! There are some really outrageous items for sale in this world. Mostly in the USA.

http://maybeyoushouldntbuythat.com/post/121225052/being-unbelievably-wealthy-is-a-lifestyle-choice

The main URL is: http://maybeyoushouldntbuythat.com/

I enjoy this blog, although it is a little different to navigate. I particularly enjoy the series about Chuck. Look in the archives and click on Chuck in the listings.

http://www.dooce.com/about

More pictures from Rayna's class later today. I hope! Love, Del-at-home

Rayna's Quilts 06-16-09

Click on photos to enlarge.

This is "Tea Leaf" the Rayna Gillman quilt that is part of TCQC. It is a whole cloth quilt made, of course, from her original fabric.
She brought about a dozen quilts to share with us - they are not large quilts since she needed to squeeze them into her suitcase. But WOW, the fabrics are stunning. I don't know the names of the quilts, however the point is for you to see the fabrics she creates.

This is a pieced quilt using just Rayna's fabrics.

This is a whole cloth quilt - fabric by Rayna.

This is a pieced quilt made from a combination of Rayna's fabrics and a few commercial fabrics.

Not a good picture and I don't know if this quilt even has a name, but it immediately said, "Bath Houses in Love" to me! I believe this is a combination of Rayna fabric and commercial fabric. The light colored quilt on the table is also one she brought with her on this trip.

The yellow "wheel" behind her is part of a hand press for students making original prints - makes an interesting background. The class was held in the print classroom at Fullerton College. since school is out for the summer it was convenient for each of us to have lots of room to spread out.

Rayna's website: www.studio78.com Rayna's Blog: www.studio78notes.blogspot.com

Deconstructed Screen Printing 06-15-09

Click on photos to enlarge.

Here is Rayna Gillman from New Jersey who does fabulous dyeing. She is in SCalifornia on a teaching trip and I snagged a spot in her two day class this past weekend in Fullerton (next town over from Placentia). She kept reminding us that there are no mistakes in this process - just opportunities to overprint, discharge, stamp, etc. until one is happy with the fabric created. I wish I could have gone on to the five day class she is doing this week at Quilters Studio in Newbury Park (northeast of Los Angeles). But I had already scheduled some things for the week and it wasn't possible. I KNOW they are having fun from the blogs I read.

Here are the "principals" in this event - from the left: Rayna Gillman, teacher; organizer Carol Henke; organizer Holly Lester. Out in the hall on a drying rack to Holly's left is a piece that I screen that reminds me of a horror movie or a massacre - it is so bloody red. But I can keep adding layers until I like what I have - or I can cut it up and use it for red pieces in a quilt.

This image is of a screen prepared for printing - it looked so great I thought I should have a picture of what I started with. I printed five images with the screen, each a little different, until there wasn't enough dye left to make much of an impression. I will post those five later so you can see a progression (or you can check on Rayna's blog right now). I didn't ask the other students if I could post their work on my blog, when I have secured their assent I will post a few pictures. However, Rayna has posted some excellent images.

Yes, it is Rayna and Del in the classroom. Rayna is wearing a hand dyed shirt made by a friend, but not using the methods we were learning. And I am wearing an original Rayna scarf that I had just purchased from her. I have worn with orange and teal and beige and they all looked great, I think it is an excellent addition to my "wardrobe".

See Rayna's work on her website: http://www.studio78.net
Read her blog at: http://www.studio78notes.blogspot.com
Buy her book "Create Your Own Hand-printed Cloth: Stamp, Screen and Stencil with Everyday Objects" - from C&T Publishers 2008 Or buy it directly from Rayna.

There are also photos on Cindy Cooksey's blog: http://www.cookseyville.blogspot.com

Testing again! 06-19-09

Just a random photo to see if it will post. If there is no picture, please let me know.
DELQLTS@aol.com

Sorry... 06-19-09

I don't know what the answer is, but I won't try posting any pictures until the problem is definitely solved. But I will do some some non-picture posts. Thanks for your patience. Del

Sorry, no post 06-16-09

I had the pictures all set up, but blogger won't let me post them! Haven't a clue why not. I'll try later this morning. Please let me know if you cannot see the images in any post - sometimes there will be a box with a smaller square containing a red X - as those images have disappeared and I will need to replace them.

06-17-09 It is a bigger problem than I thought and blogger still won't let me upload pictures. I'll keep working at it. Please, check back tomorrow.

By the way, Rayna is teaching at Quilters Studio in Newbury Park, CA. through Friday and their newsletter said it was okay to come by and see what they are doing. If you live in the area you might do that to see if you would like to take a Rayna class in the future. http://www.quiltersstudio.com

Del-at-home

Ruth McDowell quilt from TCQC 06-14-09

When the Jacaranda trees are blooming in SCalifornia I like to hang Ruth McDowell's "Jacaranda Tree" quilt and remember a lovely visit when I was her hostess in 1996. This post from my blog is from May 29, 2008

"The Jacaranda Tree" 1996 Ruth B. McDowell 45"W x 39"L

When Ruth came to Orange County, CA., in 1996 to present programs and workshops for guilds I was her hostess. When I picked her up at John Wayne Airport the first thing she said to me was, "What are those blue trees?" She was really animated about them. So, on her one free day we drove around looking at gardens and trees, especially Jacarandas. She took lots of pictures for reference and sometime in the next eight months she made this quilt. Of course, I HAD to add it to the Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection and I am so glad I did. I think it is a terrific quilt and, additionally, it brings nice memories of Ruth's visit to Orange County.

Remember - Ruth's quilts are constructed using her piecing techniques. No applique or fusing in this quilt, however, she does occasionally applique a small piece or one that has a very sharp curve. Ruth is known for her use of plaid fabrics. She explains to her students that used on a horizontal or vertical plane they can simulate architectural elements, or used on various diagonal lines can indicate almost anything you want them to.

I do love Ruth's quilts and there are quite a few of them in the Collection. There would be more except sometimes I run out of money! Check out her website at: www.ruthbmcdowell.com

Here is a close-up of the blossoms. It is a difficult color to capture since it is blue-violet.
As the blooms start to fade the color becomes more red-violet.

Blossoms and seed pod. I know I have a better image of the pod - I just can't find it right now!

The best time to photograph the trees in bloom are on a dreary grey day where the color is not lost against a blue sky.