Great class at Empty Spools/Asilomar 03-24-15

I am taking Elizabeth Busch's class with nine interesting ladies.  It is great to be in a small class after the years of Ruth's very full classes.  The weather is wonderful and my sweater has been hanging in the classroom since arrival.  Don't know what the projection is for the rest of the week, but supposed to be hotter inland which might create fog on the coast.

 

I am enjoying the class and greeting many acquaintances from previous years.  There are about 250 at this session with several male quilters and what seems like an inordinate number of husbands in residence. 

 

I hope to find a chance to take some photos and will post them when I can.  This is not a class where there is a lot to photograph as it is mostly about developing one's ability to critique one's own work and how to progress smoothly through developing a design idea.  We  hope to each create two or three small quilt tops before the class ends on Friday, but most have indicated that they don't want their pieces posted on line, but I will ask each individually before I post anything. 

 

It is late, I need to shower and get to bed for a 7am alarm in the morning.  

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On the Road Again 03-21-15

I am en route to Pacific Grove, CA, for my annual visit to Empty Spools Quilting Seminars.  Beth Smith of San Diego is with me and we will be taking a class with Elizabeth Busch.   It was an easy drive with few trucks and not that many cars - once we got past Pasadena.  Tonight we are at Harris Ranch where 189 crosses I-5 and will have about a three hour drive in the morning to Pacific Grove.

 

The contrails of jets traveling to or from LAX to the Bay Area are always interesting and today they were very bright and clear.  Here are a couple shots, including a lovely "Y' for my Alphabet Project. 

 

 

Fishing birds in town 03-20-15

I've shown pictures before of the Anaheim Lakes that are located behind the Starbuck's I frequent.  Today there were more birds than I have seen in quite a long time.  These pictures were taken through the chain link fence.  

 



This is a lake where people pay to go inside the fence and fish.  It is regularly stocked with trout and (I think) catfish. It was a gorgeous day in the mid-80s and there were a quite a few fisher people.

There was a giant flotilla of water birds - gulls, cormorants, and the migratory white pelicans.  Along the shore were several dozen little egrets fishing in the shallows.

Here is maybe a family of white pelicans - an adult male, a juvenile and a female.  They are gorgeous when in flight with their wide wing span, tipped in black. 

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Inspiration 03-19-15

I am continually amazed at what inspires me.  These are the outside of the windows at the carwash.  They remind me a bit of Diedre Adams recent work. 

 

 

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Wordless Wednesday 03-18-15

 

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Getting it Right 03-17-15

Visions Art Museum has challenges at various times of the year.  In the past the criteria called for a 12"X12" size, but this year they are mixing it up with different sizes for different subjects.  Due on April 1st  is "Abstract" - 10"W x 14"L - Portrait orientation.  The art quilt group I belong to, closely associated with Visions, made this our group challenge for March.  I have been doing a "series" of "Color Bowl" quilts for a number of years and decided one would be appropriate.  Unfortunately, I am not happy with the results and have tried various "adjustments" to make it work - to no avail.  As time is disappearing fast, I decided to cut up an unfinished top that has been hanging around for decades (at least one).

 

 

"Color Bowls - Three/Autumn"  Del Thomas 2015 10" x 14"  incomplete

 

This is what I have come up with as a substitute for Color Bowls.  It is all finished except for the binding.

"Yadach" Del Thomas 2015 10" x 14"

Cotton fabric, batting, thread.  Machine pieced and quilted.

 

All of the challenge quilts will be hung at the Museum in connection with the exhibits that run from April 18 through July 5.  Most of them will be for sale. 

 

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Monday Browsing 03-16-15

Tips on looking your best when you have your picture taken:

http://www.stylelist.com/view/look-in-amazing-in-any-photo-with-these-10-easy-tricks/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl38%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D627608

Next February QuiltCon will be in Pasadena:    http://quiltconwest.com/

Quilts from QuiltCon 2015 in Austin, TX:  http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/44452704/list/see-winning-modern-quilts-on-display-at-quiltcon-2015

 

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