Wednesday, December 29, 2010

New Quilt Update

I've done no work on the new quilt since my "accident" last week, but had managed to get off to a good running start before things went amok...

This is the main "super-structure" of the piece - vertical rows that will be filled in with piecing between the rows.


Here, the rightmost two verticals have been attached to their horizontal "filling" strips...


One section down and six to go, and I'm practically out of my mind wanting to get back to work! Likely won't happen for at least another week, as this process involves endless amounts of cut/audition/sew/press/repeat... up and down and up and down between the cutting board, design wall, ironing board, sewing machine, and back to the design wall - movements that are almost impossible for me to execute at this point. At least I can hobble over to the studio, sit down at my work table and fondle fabric and design in my head! Believe me... I'll never take my good health and mobility for granted again.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Bah! Humbug!!


This has been THE WORST holiday season ever! Flat on my back in bed, in more pain that I could have ever imagined, and nothing to listen to but foghorns and cat fights, instead of sleigh bells and carols! Not to mention rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, etc.

A couple of weeks ago, I thought I'd be slick and schedule some major dental work for last Monday... you know, get it over with before the holidays... make my smile beautiful for happy holiday photos, yada, yada. That was the first disaster. Midway through the five root canal/four filling/peridontal treatment procedures, the work was aborted because the dentist found more than he'd bargained for. Since I'd been under anesthesia for almost five hours, he did a quick patch up and set me up to come back in two days to finish everything. Home I went, under the influence of loopy-making pain killers, and, sometime in the middle of the night, on my way to the loo, I fell down and smashed my hip. I spent the next twelve hours in the emergency room, in and out of a purple haze of pain and morphine. Four x-rays and a CT scan later, it was, thankfully, determined there were no fractures. I had, however, sustained a massive contusion, and bruising and swelling were roiling up by the minute. And PAIN! Ach! It was indescribable! Since there were no fractures, I was, of course, deemed "fit for release" and sent home, whereupon the real fun began.

Let me tell you, if I didn't know it before (actually I did), at this point I can totally verify I'm married to a Saint. My DH gets squeemish when I sustain a cat scratch that draws a little blood, so he was totally unprepared for what lay ahead this time. To his immense credit, he's weathered it all beyond any expectations I could have had. I'll leave it to you to imagine the details of caring for someone who couldn't move without screaming, couldn't carry on a rational conversation, and pleaded for another pain pill every ten minutes. He lovingly prepared soups for me, applied ice packs every two hours, propped me up with pillows, endured my howls and cries, cared for nineteen cats, fed the outdoor birds, did laundry, washed dishes, went shopping, picked up my prescriptions, and on, and on.

I'm happy to report, I'm feeling better today. I'm a long way from walking, but can now navigate my crutches with a decent amount of grace, can put about 2% of my weight on my injured leg, and can go for over 8 hours between pain pills. I was able to get to the computer for the first time since last Monday, to be greeted by nearly 300 e-mails! A daunting lot, but I plowed through all of them. I received lots of good wishes from FaceBook friends, for which I'm very grateful, along with the usual array of tasteless jokes from my crazy chiropractor - all of which made me feel even better... proving how important laughter is in the healing process.

I'm beginning to feel the effects of being vertical, so I'm back to my cozy bed now, made even cozier by a large assortment of furry rocks snuggling all around me.


I hope deliciously happy holidays were enjoyed by all!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Sold!!!


I'm participating in the Vallejo city-wide Open Studios event this weekend, and today I sold one of my quilts! I'm over the top!!!

I made this quilt in 2001 to honor Lee Hackmann, a teacher with whom I studied at PIQF in 2000. "Ladies of Senegal" will now be hanging in a doctor's office in Novato, where it will, hopefully, bring much pleasure to patients and staff alike.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Strip Quilt, my way...

I've been spending many hours over the past few days doing the quilting on one of my quilts, and, frankly, my dear, I'm bloody sick of it. So today I said to myself, "Self... let's do something quick and put the quilting on hold for a few days." Since I can't seem to stop buying African fabrics, in spite of the fact that I have more than I'll ever use, I decided to rip through that section of my stash and blow a few away. Some of my quilting friends have lately been having fun doing Strip Quilts... it's a great way to put a hole in your stash, but I'm not too crazy about the "traditional" kind of strip quilt. Sooooo, I'm going to do my own version using some of my overstock of African fabrics. I pulled these out of the mix today, but will probably use many more before I'm done. I just love African fabrics... all that color... it makes me happy!


Back in 1993 I bought some African fabrics at a quilt show, then didn't have a clue about how to use them. Enter Roberta Horton, who had just returned from a fabulous fabric safari to Africa, and was all revved up to teach a class on making quilts with African Fabrics. I took the class - four days of pure bliss - and have been in love with African fabrics ever since. In 2000 I got a further super-charge at PIQF from Lee Hackman, African Quilter Extraordinaire, who changed my life and quilting style and I've never looked back.


I absolutely LOVE this fabric, so much so that many years ago I bought five yards of it and have used it in practically every quilt I've made since then. This piece is all I have left... about fifteen inches square, I'm going to use it up in this new quilt. It'll have a place of honor, and I've even left the printed selvedge label on.

I spent several enjoyable hours working on this new piece today, but my $%#@*&?!! sewing machine crapped out on me again so I had to stop. I guess I'm in for another trip to the machine shop on Monday. Probably another 200 bucks as well. Feh!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Remembering a Legend...


John Lennon
9 October 1940 - 8 December 1980

Musician
Song Writer
Artist
Peace Activist

Timely and timeless quotes:

"Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted."

"I don't believe in killing whatever the reason!"

"If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there'd be peace."

"If being an egomaniac means I believe in what I do and in my art or music, then in that respect you can call me that... I believe in what I do, and I'll say it."

"Reality leaves a lot to the imagination. "

"You don't need anybody to tell you who you are or what you are. You are what you are!"

"Yeah we all shine on, like the moon, and the stars, and the sun."

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Open Studios Preview Reception

Next weekend, December 11-12, will be Vallejo's first city-wide Open Studios. Vallejo is fortunate in that a wealth of very fine Bay Area artists live here. Over 50 artists in 20 locations throughout the city will be participating in this year's event, and studios will be open Noon - 7:00 p.m. both days. Last night, the preview reception was held at the McCree Goudeau Gallery, and was enjoyed by a great turnout of enthusiastic guests.
Here's a sampling of wonderful stuff from last night's show...

Through the front window of the gallery...
A whimsical teapot by Vanessa Gentry...
A thingy on wheels by Matt Neubauer...
A fanciful giraffe by mixed media artist MaryJane Etchegaray-Szalan...
An oil by Ro Lopez...
Sculpture by Aaron Pearce, a drum by Kemper Stone, and a painting by Sarah Nichols...
A chainsaw wood carving by Earl Stevens...
An art quilt by Me...
Jewelery, stained glass, pottery, and clay sculpture...
Some of our wonderful friends and supporters...

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Party Time!

Today was the annual holiday party for my quilt guild - lots of food, way too much sugar, and plenty o' laughin' and scratchin' and good times. Here's my group of friends who always hang out together at meetings - we decorated our table with in a "Chocolate" theme (what goes better with quilters than chocolate?!)

On the right, front to back, Sandy, Nancy, Dale K, me, Lani. On the left, Phyllis, Dale W. and Annette.

Here's Sandy with a couple of her food-inspired decorations... styro tree forms covered with chocolate frosting and candy kisses, and choco frosting and choco chips. Silly fun!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Hannukah - My favorite season!


Anyone not familiar with the story and traditions of Hannukah can read this for a rather good overview. But miracles and dedication aside, one of the best things about Hannukah is this: for eight days it's not only totally legal, but we're actually encouraged to EAT! And eat not just any foods, but especially sweets and fried foods - all of that delectable stuff we have to avoid for the rest of the year.

Yummy stuff like:

Latkes (potato pancakes)...


...and, better yet, Sweet Potato Latkes...

Deep-fried Artichokes...

Apple Fritters...

Chocolate Hazelnut Tart...

Gelt (chocolate money!!)...

Rugelach...

And my favorite... Sufganiyot (jelly donuts)!!...

You're not really done until you can feel your arteries hardening...
L'chaim!