Timberline Gallery, Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis is the theme for March and April.  Joyce Wycoff, Lura and Kerby Smith, Davis Caris and my pieces are in this photo.

The large painting in the center is by Kathleen Mattox, a weaving by Jacqueline Kurtt, and a small framed piece by me.

Julie Michell creates the wonderful figures that you find in the gallery. David Caris makes the colorful masks as well as the ceramic bowls.

We have an amazing Card Rack.  Cards make thoughtful gifts for special occasions and they can easily be framed later for hanging or setting on a table.

SMQA's Spring Quilt Retreat 2012

Sierra Mountain Quilters have a Spring retreat at ECCO Conference Center every year.  I think I have been to all but the one when they had snow causing a big scattering of the ladies that had come up from the Valley.  This year the weather was in it's splendor, bordering on the feeling of Spring. Cold evenings and warm sunny days.

However, when I went to leave and was all packed up to go, my car decided it's battery was not up for the job.  I must say I am grateful, it was warm, I had a cozy place to wait, it is close to town, and my hubby was handy.  It could have happened in a scary place, like the freeway or in the pouring rain.
So blessing to my car for choosing a relaxed easy place to be towed from and close to town.

Mike MacNamara Quilts

It is always inspirational to see what quilters in other parts of the country are doing. That is why I strongly believe in Quilt retreats.  Besides, the amazing experiences, lively discussions, the learning of new techniques, and lots of sharing.

Mike  ( can be reached for guild talks, mmac009@yahoo.com,) always brings the newest quilts he is working on.  Sometimes, we believe that our ideas are crazy, or this block does not fit with that one,, Maybe the Quilt Police will see an error in the stitching.

These thoughts are crazy, Quilting is for your enjoyment and sometimes as gifts.  Look at the quilts by Mike and Joe.  They are fun, they have fun, quilting is about having fun and sharing.

Now, this quilt is something I would never start, or worse, never finish.  It is amazing and lively.

Here is a close up,,, Do you have lots of scraps left from a project? Start sewing them together... Have a grand time with it... Thank you Joe and Mac for always showing your quilts, inspiring us and reminding us to have fun and laugh. 

Joe Cunningham and Mac McNamara

Each year I attend a quilt camp with about 60 women. Have been going here about 15 or more years.  Each year Joe Cunningham and his friend Mac come to visit and show what they have been working on during the year..
Joe came to the mountains and SMQA Quilters, and gave one of his delightfully funny presentations about Joe the Quilter.
If you have not seen this you should book him for your guild meeting.

As usual Joe and Mac, kept us laughing the whole time, and showing their amazing quilts.

 
The squiggles you see on this one is with Bias tape... am going to try that some time,, have tons of it from eons ago in my mothers sewing box.
You can find Joe on the net, and check out his busy schedule.

 

Ning Yeh, Chinese Brush Painting.

 

Ning Yeh is a well known Chinese Brush Painter. In the 80's I was fortunate to have taken some Brush Painting classes with him..He lives in Huntington Beach, and you can read about him on the net, so I will not go into detail. 

We have been having a discussion regarding Chops in our Postmarkd'art group.  I have been on the search for mine, but sadly have not found it. I have only the one painting left with my chop on it, and am checking with friends that have Asian connections, because I don't even remember what my chop says.

I wanted to share with you his amazing horse painting! You can  see the beauty and movement in each brush stroke.. I have the book he wrote when we took the class, it sits in a place of honor.  Isn't it wonderful to have beautiful memories,,, be sure to enjoy the special moments  in your day.

The Neighborhood

This is not a great photo,, but in my rush I framed it and had to take the photo through the glass.. I believe I did show this before and most of you know that I show at Timberline Gallery in Oakhurst.. The discussion has been frame or unframed for fiber.. That discussion aside, and an opportunity came up...

The Alliance of California Artists had a call out for their Major open annual show, theme this year is "Cityscape" and the venue is the Visalia Arts, in Visalia Calif. My friend Kathleen Mattox was going to enter also... and she volunteered to take my piece in.

We are both delighted that our art won ribbons. Mine in Mixed Media, there was no fiber category, Kathleen's in two other categories.  So stretch ladies, the artwork is in the gallery at Visalia Arts till the end of the month.. If you are in the "Neighborhood" do stop in...

Metamorphsis 2

I had so much fun with the Karen's challenge, referencing Rayna's book, that I went a step further and finished this block and mounted it on a painted gallery canvas.. Am delighted with how it turned out.

Thank you both for inspiring me to push the envelope again.. Both pieces will be hanging in Timberline Gallery in Oakhurst, Opening March 6th..   If you get a chance, take a look on Karen's blog and you will see a the completed quilts and how varied they turned out..

English Paper Piecing

My dear friend Ann Kimble gave me this beautiful English Paper Pieced top. This was in exchange for the knitted hat I made for her.. I kept looking at it all year, and decided to take it to camp  for suggestions on how to quilt it.. As much as I love hand quilting, lots of time is involved in that, so I knew I had to do machine quilting.

After chatting about the variable ways of completing the task.. I sat down at my sewing machine and just started hoping that ideas would come, and fast.. Echo quilting was what first came to mind,, then I thought I should add some leaf shapes. I could stuff some green yarn and really make them trupunto, how ever.. Isn't it fun to have something finished.. You can't see it, but I used variegated threads on the sides and in the lower block areas.. This was fun and it even has the binding and sleeve! Now, I can hang it and really enjoy! Done is so wonderful!

Postmarkd'art, Steampunk

I keep forgetting to show you my Postmark'd art postcards. We are on our 14th round, and I signed up for 3 different themes. I just finished Steampunk. I used commercial fabric, and my hand-dyed orange.. Rubber stamped the design, added the metal, I think they are called  gears with pukka beads and small brass beads. Glued some tiny beads to the edge of the design.  Used an ink pad to subdue the commercial fabric, it was just too white..

Received some wonderful postcards in the mail... we are all sort of running with the same idea... I guess that is what portrays "Steampunk" wheels, watch parts, moving creative pieces.. I looked up Steampunk Art on the computer and the art exhibits are very creative and fascinating.Visions of Jules Vern.

Karen's Challenge, Rayna's Book

While looking at blogs, I came across how to  spray baste vertically.. This project is small enough... although the artist did say, she had basted a queen size piece with her husbands help. It worked beautifully.. and was easy.. not to worry about over spray.. the newspapers on the side took care of that.

All finished and bound.. (32W X 24 L) You might notice that it is up side down from the way the photos were taken previously. Color photo is more accurate in the precious photo...
Well, I started to sew the binding on and forgot to put the sleeve on.. So I turned it up side down, or right side up, which ever you want to call it. Instead of taking out stitching.. Lazy? maybe, but good abstract art should be able to be hung any which way,,, or so they say.

A close up of some of the blocks.. I used variegated thread by Superior.  And, well ok, I did not start out to sew straight lines or shall I put it another way.. up and down, and across.. I had visions of circles and lines, and... However, my machine did not want to work that way.. I had to take out lots of stitching.

.
Guess my machine was right, straight lines worked out better.. I did not fuss with really "straight" I just zipped some close together, some wide apart,, after all that is the way the pieces are also. I might add some beads... maybe this is not done. What do you think?

Thank you Karen and Rayna, this has been great fun..  I used the Challenge fabric, in it's Original state, and also dyed it in red and brown.  It was a great Challenge Fabric and started lots of "What If's".


 

Challenge Blocks-Rayna- Karen

This block is not exactly exciting, Needs something.

Recut and pieced back together with some other strips. Sorry if this is a bit blurred, getting near dinner time and it is Valentines.

A little more cutting.

 

A few rows done.. Almost finished with the top. I found I started to cut smaller and smaller pieces.

Could not leave a scrap on the table... Till I decided that I could always do an other wallhanging.

Maybe a smaller one for the gallery. 

Plan: This may work for next months Theme at Timberline.

Metamorphosis- Transformations

What do you think?

Quilts in the Attic- Karen S. Musgrave

Quilts in the Attic is a fascinating book. I recommend it to anyone that loves reading history and quilts in particular. Many of the designs and names of quilt blocks are familiar to quilters. However, now we can see how the history was followed and the research that Karen has accomplished.  Quilts in the Attic is very interesting to non quilters, and genealogists.. It is about friendship, families, and our country.
 It reminds us of the challenges some families have gone through, and how the quilt has been handed down in  the best and the worst of times. The quilt has survived and in many cases the story, the emotions and the lives of the past have been honored.

I met Karen through Postmarkd'art and over the years we have become e-friends. She has demonstrated how one person can do so much and share her thoughts and achievements beautifully. If you would like to know more about Karen Musgrave, please check out her site and her blog.

We are in the middle of a Quilt Challenge and the format is Rayna Gillman's new book, "Create your own Free-Form Quilts". Another accomplishment of Karen's, is to bring quilters together in a common bond... Friendship.

Challenge, Karen Musgrave

Yesterday I had the opportunity to spend some time in the studio... I am rearranging my blocks and having fun. Tomorrow I think I am going to make some more strips... Progress, and Fun!

First Aid Course, Sierra Amblulance

Yesterday was cold and rainy looking.  I had been invited with the Search and Rescue group to attend a First Aid; CPR Course given by the Madera Sheriff and Sierra Ambulance Service. I must admit I really did not want to spend an 8 hour day participating.  However, when I gave it some thought, I changed my mind.

Sierra Ambulance, is a non-profit that services the mountain area. Most of the citizens support them with their annual dues. 
But back to the day at hand.. I decide to take the course, for several reasons, 1. We live out in the country, and the time required for help to get to us is probably 15- 20 min.  That does not seem like a long time, unless you are ill, and in maybe many cities with traffic that could be the same amount of time.. But it is vital when an injury occurs that help is right away.

2. There have been some changes in how the Heart Asso. suggests that emergency care be given to someone when they think they are having a heart attack.. And I am guilty of always saying to my husband, " Let's wait and see how I feel in the morning or later".. Thankfully, it has never been a health issue that needed immediate attention. But they stressed that calling help right away when you feel it is  an emergency, is the best way. The Paramedics can make an evaluation when they arrive.

 
I could go into many details, but I won't. What I would like to do is stress, that for your well being, and the well being of your family, if you have the opportunity to participate in such a class, DO IT.

There was so much information that was important to hear, changes that have been made to improve chances of survival.  I hope I NEVER have to use any of this knowledge, but I am better equipped mentally to help in an emergency, and that is what it is all about.

Check locally, is it best to call 911, where does your cell call go, vs. your house phone. Have the phone number posted where it is easy to read.  Sierra Ambulance, has a magnet  you can put on the outside of your refrig.  In case you are alone in the house put any medical information there also.

Some of my quilter friends have said their information is in their Freezer.. so pull out the info, and put it on the door to the refrig.

Let us all be prepared to help each other.


 

Western Sierra Nursery

                    Shapes and designs, circles and sky. The nursery is one of my favorite places to photograph. There is always a variety of wonderful goodies to enjoy.

Love little benches, especially this  bright color, can't you just see that in your yard!

Donations, for the Eastern Madera County SPCA facility, were cheerfully accepted, and love the chili.

 
Mark and Robyn Holland the owners of the Nursery, cooked up a batch of chile, the old fashioned cowboy on the range style.  It smelled so good, and it all went for a great cause,  to help our lost animals in need.
The chili was free, and delicious, of course, donations were appreciated.
This is an annual Christmas time occurrence, be sure to stop in next year.