tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14529414124203042192024-03-13T06:21:02.444-07:00shoot the moonambitions and beginnings of an artist using quilting as the mediummad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.comBlogger302125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-87972786808635550642017-01-29T21:03:00.000-08:002017-01-29T21:03:03.886-08:00A new year, a fresh start<div>
Happy New Year!</div>
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Just a few days until February, so you may think I'm late with these wishes but the lunar year 4715 just started yesterday. Gung Hay Fat Choy!</div>
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Instead of giving you too much information about last year, though that might slip out, I'm concentrating on the here and now.<div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">And <i>now</i>, I'm in the middle of a terrific online workshop called <i>Photoshop Elements: Essentials 1</i> from the terrific Deb Cashatt and Kris Sazaki, aka </span><a href="http://pixeladies.com/" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">the Pixel Ladies</a>. Here's o<span style="text-align: center;">ne result of the first week's lessons: </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kHNLOnFwq5g/WI67JS4MDjI/AAAAAAAACHg/kw63Tc7i6EIc0N4voevgNFt--r3I1sAKwCLcB/s1600/4-IMG_1995-watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kHNLOnFwq5g/WI67JS4MDjI/AAAAAAAACHg/kw63Tc7i6EIc0N4voevgNFt--r3I1sAKwCLcB/s320/4-IMG_1995-watermarked.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's a reduced image for posting on the web and it has a watermark. The piece was juried into <i>Breakout: Quilt Visions 2016</i> at <a href="http://visionsartmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Visions Art Museum</a>, San Diego. </div>
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A much deserved shout-out goes to two machine quilting instructors: <a href="http://sandrapalmerciolino.com/" target="_blank">Sandra Palmer Ciolino</a>, for setting me on the path of thinking critically about the quilting; and <a href="http://quiltskipper.com/" target="_blank">Jenny Lyon</a>, for opening up and narrowing the quilting possibilities. Couldn't have gotten there without them! </div>
mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-28305995956993352382016-04-26T07:00:00.000-07:002016-04-26T07:00:03.770-07:00Over the moonOne of my pieces has been juried into <i><a href="http://visionsartmuseum.org/calendar-dtl.asp?calID=232" target="_blank">Breakout: Quilt Visions 2016</a></i>! Yay, I am over the moon!<br />
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Last fall, after finishing <i>Terra Verde</i> for <i>Color Improvisations II, </i>I was on a roll and kept going by finishing others that had been hanging around the studio for years. <i>Vernal Vortex</i>, formerly nicknamed High Anxiety, will be in Visions.<br />
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Here's the top after piecing:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wUsX_QGjjCs/T7Uq8zRwEAI/AAAAAAAABDg/66RuUEx9Z7AwBUHYb08h2IKJWifvaCMwwCKgB/s1600/P5150232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wUsX_QGjjCs/T7Uq8zRwEAI/AAAAAAAABDg/66RuUEx9Z7AwBUHYb08h2IKJWifvaCMwwCKgB/s320/P5150232.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>pieced but not trimmed</i></td></tr>
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I blogged about developing the design and piecing it <a href="http://mad-elena.blogspot.com/2012/04/tired-of-making-more-more-more.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://mad-elena.blogspot.com/2012/05/developing-anxiety.html" target="_blank">here</a>. That was 2012. Had no idea how to quilt it. Later that same year,<a href="http://mad-elena.blogspot.com/2012/07/fmq-milestone.html" target="_blank"> I focused on fmq and wondered if I will ever get to the stage when I could tackle this.</a> Tucked it away.<br />
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Three years later, I had a plan and was ready to tackle it. Want to see how? Here's a detail in the midst of quilting:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kEE_bYdkB4o/VgGmgSD_ARI/AAAAAAAACFw/Td6SOQRRVkY4sTOizwGEZbTsJJBsYGWXACKgB/s1600/IMG_1794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kEE_bYdkB4o/VgGmgSD_ARI/AAAAAAAACFw/Td6SOQRRVkY4sTOizwGEZbTsJJBsYGWXACKgB/s320/IMG_1794.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>small area for quilting redo</i></td></tr>
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All that fmq practice and I'd used a walking foot.<br />
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I have a thing about posting the finished piece before it debuts at a show. So come see the whole thing at <a href="http://visionsartmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Visions Art Museum</a> in San Diego. I'll be at the opening on October 15, 2016 and the show runs through January 8, 2017. Otherwise, you'll just have to watch for a post after the opening.<br />
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<br />mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-70446797892160424732016-04-25T12:51:00.002-07:002016-04-25T12:51:15.782-07:00Terra Verde<br /><i>Color Improvisations 2's </i>opening reception happened on March 11, 2016 at the <a href="http://tuch-und-technik.de/" target="_blank">Tuch + Technik TextilMuseum</a> in Neümunster, Germany. I was there but it came and went in a <i>whoosh.</i><i> </i><div>
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Here are images of my contribution to the exhibition. <div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xmnIe-X8EHs/Vx5sGoOncjI/AAAAAAAACG0/nMCH8Qt00D8xg89XadzwiBCQJJenNgFdgCLcB/s1600/01_EWong_10-2015NEW-sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xmnIe-X8EHs/Vx5sGoOncjI/AAAAAAAACG0/nMCH8Qt00D8xg89XadzwiBCQJJenNgFdgCLcB/s320/01_EWong_10-2015NEW-sml.jpg" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><i>Terra Verde</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uawEyaWUjDM/Vx5sViIH1ZI/AAAAAAAACG4/ML3tV5oqrCcZxYX-XNKX8hKjy3uvb5qEACLcB/s1600/01detail_EWong_10-2015NEW-sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uawEyaWUjDM/Vx5sViIH1ZI/AAAAAAAACG4/ML3tV5oqrCcZxYX-XNKX8hKjy3uvb5qEACLcB/s320/01detail_EWong_10-2015NEW-sml.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Terra Verde</i> detail</td></tr>
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Finally. Six weeks later. But I'll spare you the excuses this time.<br />
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The exhibit will travel in Europe. Robert Shaw is working on continuing its tour in the United States starting in 2018. Meanwhile, more information and more photos of the exhibition at <a href="http://colorimprovisations2.org/" target="_blank">Color Improvisations 2</a>. </div>
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mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-4066803811273850012015-10-03T14:52:00.005-07:002015-10-03T14:52:58.093-07:00Quick burialsHere's a tute on burying your threads in your quilt without a self-threading needle.<br />
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All you need: one sewing needle and about 30" of thread. Fine threads don't work well. Use a grabby thread. I use glazed cotton hand quilting thread and a long thin needle with a big eye. </div>
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1. Thread the needle with the thread doubled: fold the thread in half and put either the end loop or both cut ends through the eye. </div>
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2. Pull the thread so the loop end hangs longer than the cut ends. </div>
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3. Optional: on the quilt, pull the bobbin thread up to the top and tie it the top thread. You could bury each thread individually, but then you'll have twice as many to do.<br />
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4. Insert needle near these thread ends to be buried and come back out an inch or so away. For a smooth end, I bury it just about in the same place where the bobbin thread came up. Also if I direct my needle back toward the line of stitching, it seems less likely to pull out. </div>
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5. Grab thread ends and pull through the loop. As you pull the needle out, keep threads end in the loop. </div>
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6. Cut excess thread ends as needed. Voila!</div>
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After you get the hang of this, burying threads is easy and speedy. And you can make thread starts and stops just about disappear.<br />
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After composing this, <a href="http://cindyneedham.com/videos.html" target="_blank">Cindy Needham</a> made a great You Tube video of this technique. So follow the link. Much better than any photos! </div>
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mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-70028742658651992202015-09-30T21:19:00.003-07:002015-09-30T21:19:55.654-07:00No more walkingAfter spending 120 hours quilting one large project, I kept the momentum going. When I ran out of bobbin thread on the <a href="http://mad-elena.blogspot.com/2015/09/intense-swirls-pebbles.html" target="_blank">bed quilt</a>, I switched to another ufo.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lkrdLu8t5u0/VgGvXj8hRHI/AAAAAAAACGE/aCqGmEdIFHw/s1600/IMG_1779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lkrdLu8t5u0/VgGvXj8hRHI/AAAAAAAACGE/aCqGmEdIFHw/s320/IMG_1779.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>quilting another ufo</i></td></tr>
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Then this thread started running low. I diverted my attention to problem areas. Plenty of bad stitches to redo which slowed my progress while I await more thread. Here's an area that developed tucks and creases:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_P9W59_nBQ4/VgGmaA92HsI/AAAAAAAACFk/1uZ-8oaa8pU/s1600/IMG_1790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_P9W59_nBQ4/VgGmaA92HsI/AAAAAAAACFk/1uZ-8oaa8pU/s320/IMG_1790.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>unstitched quilting to smooth it out</i></td></tr>
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Quilting lines run on the bias in this area. More basting. Will it behave now?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kEE_bYdkB4o/VgGmgSD_ARI/AAAAAAAACFs/JrHrY2GCipM/s1600/IMG_1794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kEE_bYdkB4o/VgGmgSD_ARI/AAAAAAAACFs/JrHrY2GCipM/s320/IMG_1794.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>basted grid</i></td></tr>
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Predicting problems elsewhere, I added more basting there too. That's when the walking foot fell apart. Spring unsprung!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ukvzCa6JP68/VgGmmjHa0zI/AAAAAAAACF0/b0ZUfuG__DM/s1600/IMG_1793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ukvzCa6JP68/VgGmmjHa0zI/AAAAAAAACF0/b0ZUfuG__DM/s320/IMG_1793.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>. . . couldn't put it back together again </i></td></tr>
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The dealer/repairman had reassembled one for someone else before, but it was fussy and fiddly work. This time they're ordering a new foot. No charge but no walking foot for at least a week. Fortunately threads arrived. Back to fmq on the<a href="http://mad-elena.blogspot.com/2015/09/intense-swirls-pebbles.html" target="_blank"> bed quilt</a>. Saved from housework.<br />
<br />mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-55348703427693660202015-09-24T11:28:00.000-07:002015-09-24T20:38:54.032-07:00Intense swirls & pebblesIt has been a nose-to-the-grindstone kind of month. Back to quilting the bed quilt. I want to finish and gift it before winter.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IDCjvXFMHgA/VgQ-S0A2d9I/AAAAAAAACGU/aArdoY8wHSs/s1600/IMG_1799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IDCjvXFMHgA/VgQ-S0A2d9I/AAAAAAAACGU/aArdoY8wHSs/s320/IMG_1799.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<i>Swirls and pebbles à la <a href="http://www.quiltingismytherapy.com/" target="_blank">Angela Walters</a></i></div>
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There's a reason for those gaps. Filling it completely with swirls and pebbles was <i>so</i> intense. Turning out lovely. But makes me want to tear out the quilting elsewhere.mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-31913994517687536902015-09-10T16:56:00.000-07:002015-09-10T16:56:20.055-07:00Working back to normalBlogging had to take a back seat in the past two years. That period has been all about deadlines. Not only was I immersed in work for <i><a href="http://mad-elena.blogspot.com/2015/09/when-stars-align.html" target="_blank">Color Improvisations 2</a></i>, I also filled a position as Program Chair for my local guild, EBHQ. So I had to stay on top of everything.<br />
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In those two years I've selected artists for a presentation and two days of workshops to fill 19 months of programming for the guild.<br />
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The illustrious guests for 2014 included <a href="http://patpauly.com/" target="_blank">Pat Pauly</a>, <a href="http://veldanewman.com/" target="_blank">Velda Newman</a>, <a href="http://sandrabruce.com/" target="_blank">Sandra Bruce</a>, <a href="http://barnquiltinfo.com/" target="_blank">Suzi Parron</a>, <a href="http://peppermintpinwheels.com/" target="_blank">Stacey Sharman</a>, <a href="http://janedunnewold.com/" target="_blank">Jane Dunnewold</a>, <a href="http://quiltskipper.com/" target="_blank">Jenny Lyon</a> and <a href="http://elsvanbaarle.com/" target="_blank">Els van Baarle</a>.<br />
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The lineup continued in 2015: <a href="http://judycoatesperez.com/" target="_blank">Judy Coates Perez</a>, Terrie Hancock Mangat, <a href="http://suerasmussenquilts.com/" target="_blank">Sue Rasmussen</a>, <a href="http://youngminlee.com/" target="_blank">Youngmin Lee</a>, <a href="http://jeancacicedo.com/" target="_blank">Jean Cacicedo</a>, <a href="http://jofitsell.com/" target="_blank">Jo Fitsell</a>, <a href="http://analisahedstrom.com/" target="_blank">Ana Lisa Hedstrom</a>, <a href="http://cynthiacorbin.com/" target="_blank">Cynthia Corbin</a> and <a href="http://jiyoungchung.com/" target="_blank">Jiyoung Chung</a>.<br />
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Still yet to come in 2016: <a href="http://leslietuckerjenison.com/" target="_blank">Leslie Tucker Jenison</a>, <a href="http://daintytime.net/" target="_blank">Sherri Lynn Wood</a>, <a href="http://rosaliedace.co.za/" target="_blank">Rosalie Dace</a> and <a href="http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jacquie Gering</a>. Check<a href="http://www.ebhq.org/classes" target="_blank"> the guild's website</a> to see who's coming soon.<br />
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And the members enthusiastically responded; enrollment averaged 18 to 19 students (out of 20!) per workshop. So if you are considering any of these wonderful people and want to know more, just ask.<br />
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My tenure ended on June 1st. After some residual business, I am a free-er and more relaxed woman who intends to post less erratically as well as keep on working in the studio!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HT0jy9oSxVY/VfIXr2B7CXI/AAAAAAAACFM/X5sjOcHiIbE/s1600/IMG_1732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HT0jy9oSxVY/VfIXr2B7CXI/AAAAAAAACFM/X5sjOcHiIbE/s320/IMG_1732.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>in the studio</i></td></tr>
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mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-53589900728589427222015-09-01T18:16:00.001-07:002016-04-25T12:52:32.685-07:00When the stars alignI remember taking my second workshop at the Crow Barn, before the <i><a href="http://www.color-improvisations.com/home-english.html" target="_blank">Color Improvisations</a> </i>exhibition<i> </i>was slated to open in 2010. It was to be a stellar line up - one I wanted to see up close and personal. But that didn't happen: I didn't make it to Europe and it didn't travel to the United States.<br />
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Most of all, I wished for an invitation from Nancy Crow to participate in a exhibition. Now the stars have aligned!<br />
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I have been juried into a group exhibition, <i>Color Improvisations 2, </i>curated by Nancy Crow and featuring 50 works by 43 artists. I am honored by the invitation to participate, blessed by the acceptance of my work, <i>Terra Verde</i>, and flattered to be included with many acclaimed artists. A sure bet: I'll be there for the opening!<br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Color Improvisations II</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Curated by Nancy Crow</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Organized by Ginie Curtze</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://us-mg205.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f32%5f352790%5fAGNpimIAAA9VVeBJWwymSER8qBE&m=YaDownload&pid=2.2&fid=Crow&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" id="yiv51166451900C2A7D60-0FF6-4451-913B-1EDC728E493C" name="ColorImprovisations2_Logo_rgb.jpg" src="https://us-mg205.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f32%5f352790%5fAGNpimIAAA9VVeBJWwymSER8qBE&m=YaDownload&pid=2.2&fid=Crow&inline=1&appid=yahoomail" style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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March 12 - August 28, 2016</div>
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Opening reception March 11, 2016 7pm</div>
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Museum Tuch + Technik Textilmuseum</div>
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Neumünster, GERMANY</div>
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Kleinflecken 1<br />
24534 Neumünster<br />
Telefon 04321 559 58-20</div>
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<a href="http://www.tuchundtechnik.de/" rel="nofollow" style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.tuchundtechnik.de/" rel="nofollow" style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://www.tuchundtechnik.de</span></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9wc_Ss7YMcM/VeZFNLIovqI/AAAAAAAACEU/vX9pu_uCXTU/s1600/IMG_3128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9wc_Ss7YMcM/VeZFNLIovqI/AAAAAAAACEU/vX9pu_uCXTU/s320/IMG_3128.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>detail from </i>Terra Verde</td></tr>
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<br />mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-16813650323284177022015-05-05T10:38:00.001-07:002015-05-05T10:38:17.890-07:00Tat peeps<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0vFzf1jkG_Y/VUj_W1-wNgI/AAAAAAAACDY/PJXp87c-0o4/s1600/IMG_1590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0vFzf1jkG_Y/VUj_W1-wNgI/AAAAAAAACDY/PJXp87c-0o4/s400/IMG_1590.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Showing off our matching tats at SAQA's Fiberlandia</i></td></tr>
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mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-80118470445161102742015-04-26T22:43:00.000-07:002015-06-03T12:51:01.675-07:00Lost in transition<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D8pSJYGxHkw/VT3IMG_XBQI/AAAAAAAACDE/ij39EwNHfLs/s1600/IMG_1548%2B2015%2BSAQA%2BFiberlandia%2BSpotlight%2BAuction%2B-%2BVersion%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D8pSJYGxHkw/VT3IMG_XBQI/AAAAAAAACDE/ij39EwNHfLs/s1600/IMG_1548%2B2015%2BSAQA%2BFiberlandia%2BSpotlight%2BAuction%2B-%2BVersion%2B2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Done my good deed for SAQA. I finished this mini quilt (thank you, Colleen and Sandy for feedback), completed the participation form and mailed it off with days to spare. It was to be part of the Spotlight Auction at Fiberlandia, the conference in Portland, OR. <br />
<br />
<i>Was to be. </i><br />
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Lost somewhere between the post office here and Seguin, TX or New Braunfels, TX. Probably in Texas (the recipient moved). Three were lost. I hope they have many more for the auction.<br />
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This doesn't stop me from going to the conference! See you there?<br />
<br />
<i>Update</i>: The other two showed up in time to make it to the conference, but not mine. It showed up at the original address the Monday following the conference.office. Perhaps it was having such a good time going first class, it wanted to spend an extra month with the post office!<br />
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SAQA sent it back to me, nicely matted. Unless it finds another happy home, I'll resubmit it to next year's conference.mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-11174267625619519292015-03-07T19:46:00.004-08:002015-03-07T19:46:19.152-08:00Fiberlandia Spotlight<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last year I joined SAQA and attended the quarterly Northern California regional meetings. I even participated in two of the featured programs: one on critiques and the other on long term learning. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year I’m heading to Fiberlandia, the conference in Portland, OR and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've something to donate for the Spotlight Auction. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is it before trimming:</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lkm4G-OxaRo/VO63xtuu5WI/AAAAAAAACBg/uTrtrAtp4do/s1600/IMG_1504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lkm4G-OxaRo/VO63xtuu5WI/AAAAAAAACBg/uTrtrAtp4do/s1600/IMG_1504.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>before cropping</i></td></tr>
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's bigger than the requested size – 6" x 8". I'll crop it, they'll frame it. But which orientation to show in the 4.5" x 6.5" window? </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-6CqWHTbmA/VO64BKd3rGI/AAAAAAAACBo/X7rQgduLDus/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-6CqWHTbmA/VO64BKd3rGI/AAAAAAAACBo/X7rQgduLDus/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A: horizontal 1</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMP2tbv1PqM/VO65sIDRFqI/AAAAAAAACCI/zWr9vJjS-y0/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMP2tbv1PqM/VO65sIDRFqI/AAAAAAAACCI/zWr9vJjS-y0/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>B: vertical 1</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L4TalRP0bKM/VO65WDkNNpI/AAAAAAAACB0/iEH0hQgxyTY/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L4TalRP0bKM/VO65WDkNNpI/AAAAAAAACB0/iEH0hQgxyTY/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>C: horizontal 2</i></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2TLqBL-MyFY/VO65iAcKTMI/AAAAAAAACB8/7hRRwf1d_BI/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2TLqBL-MyFY/VO65iAcKTMI/AAAAAAAACB8/7hRRwf1d_BI/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>D: vertical 2</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After seeing them here, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have my druthers</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. Then a little more Shiva Paintsticks to finish it off. </span><br />
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mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-84537554224741086162015-02-25T21:37:00.001-08:002015-02-25T21:37:48.485-08:00Results may vary<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m gearing up for major fmq by getting rid of the cobwebs around the hand-eye-sewing machine-fabric coordination. Just stitching samples, four inches squares. Just practice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here’re two samples based on an interesting pattern shown on <a href="http://www.freemotionquiltingadventures.com/2014/07/zen-free-motion-quilting.html" target="_blank">Amy’s Free Motion Quilting Adventures</a>. </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All straight lines. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s a stitched version of a</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://mad-elena.blogspot.com/2011/01/twisted-girl-y.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Twisted Log Cabin</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She has a video showing how she did it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 13px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SwO2IkY4Cc8/VO6u-qdSL7I/AAAAAAAACBQ/JiA1pScpCI0/s1600/IMG_1505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SwO2IkY4Cc8/VO6u-qdSL7I/AAAAAAAACBQ/JiA1pScpCI0/s1600/IMG_1505.JPG" height="164" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>same pattern, different results</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The one on the left was stitched first. No rulers. And other than the perimeter square, no marking – spacing eyeballed. I did turn the square so I am stitching the line straight on from back to front. </span></div>
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What if I don’t turn it? Thus the second sample on the right. Yeah, I could use more practice stitching in other directions. The lines aren’t as straight, the spacing is uneven, the resulting curve is rougher, and the center is off. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s got wonky charm, doesn't it? </span></div>
mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-22238365133641073742015-02-04T16:30:00.000-08:002015-02-04T16:30:40.261-08:00Gussied up & stepping out!<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Plain Jane</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> before:</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1WKJLMnEVAU/VNK4JCH5ViI/AAAAAAAACAc/MebGydcmCtA/s1600/IMG_0187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1WKJLMnEVAU/VNK4JCH5ViI/AAAAAAAACAc/MebGydcmCtA/s1600/IMG_0187.jpg" height="320" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Plain Jane in 2013</i></td></tr>
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In response to </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FiberShots Community Challenge: Embellish Your World at the <a href="http://sjquiltmuseum.org/" target="_blank">San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles</a>, </i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I gave it a makeover:</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tKyTdkSYno8/VNK3VYPhwpI/AAAAAAAACAU/bO6ZqHmg1_A/s1600/IMG_0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tKyTdkSYno8/VNK3VYPhwpI/AAAAAAAACAU/bO6ZqHmg1_A/s1600/IMG_0039.jpg" height="320" width="309" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Vega Alpha Lyrae</i></td></tr>
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Post transformation<i>, </i>I’ve donated it, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">as </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vega Alpha Lyrae,</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> to the museum.<i> </i>It will be exhibited from March 7 to April 26, 2015 along with</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> many other works to be auctioned off to support their worthwhile efforts.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The museum</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> issues these FiberShots challenges annually.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Check them out! </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Support the museum by starting or adding to your own collection of 16-inch squares. </span></div>
mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-37827052534862123062014-03-23T19:02:00.003-07:002014-03-23T19:02:39.524-07:00Prepared for PaulyI'm ready with two strip sets for next weekend's workshop.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7rTeSFdoOYM/Uy-KbbhDJOI/AAAAAAAAB94/3oIdOl7YNDA/s1600/IMG_0808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7rTeSFdoOYM/Uy-KbbhDJOI/AAAAAAAAB94/3oIdOl7YNDA/s1600/IMG_0808.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>two strip sets </i></td></tr>
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<div>
Instead of the usual solids, I am using prints in hopes of reducing that print stash. One is a set with five different fabrics. The other is a set with five similar fabrics. Can you tell which is what? Maybe I'm stretching the directions just a little due to limited tolerance for combining prints.</div>
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<a href="http://www.patpauly.com/" target="_blank">Pat Pauly</a> will teach a two-day <i>Slash and Burn, Techniques for Improvisational Quilts </i>at my <a href="http://www.ebhq.org/" target="_blank">guild</a>. This will be the very first workshop I've added as the guild's Program person (I'm now the Program Chair). A two-day workshop is usually a harder sell, but it's full with a waiting list! My critique group will host a dinner for her next Saturday. Maybe she'll share how she does it all - maintains her good humor, her energy and her productivity. Wouldn't you like to know? </div>
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mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-91184987551747233382014-03-08T15:06:00.002-08:002014-03-08T15:06:36.223-08:00Gobble gobbleBesides the usual squirrels, moles, skunks, raccoons and deer, we have wild turkeys!<br />
<br />
Last year a pair were prowling around the hood and were seen hopping off my neighbor's roof. Last week a family of a half dozen congregated around another neighbor's front yard. Guess they're not practicing family planning! This week I captured this one:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-szeYhVDMVSo/UxuhQSVLWkI/AAAAAAAAB9o/pc1zkg0DEt4/s1600/IMG_0799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-szeYhVDMVSo/UxuhQSVLWkI/AAAAAAAAB9o/pc1zkg0DEt4/s1600/IMG_0799.jpg" height="320" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>turkey on my front fence</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They look robust and healthy but I've been advised to avoid these unfriendly creatures.<br />
<br />mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-37899377019439449102014-02-14T23:03:00.003-08:002014-02-14T23:03:53.386-08:00Pause after battle<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J3WldiBvuV8/Uv6KUKY63hI/AAAAAAAAB8s/2CSPcZv7MyY/s1600/IMG_0775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J3WldiBvuV8/Uv6KUKY63hI/AAAAAAAAB8s/2CSPcZv7MyY/s1600/IMG_0775.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>taming the bedquilt</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Quilting this monster bedquilt was like doing battle: fierce fighting in the middle and a few skirmishes elsewhere.<br />
<br />
I'd walking-footed along both sides of major seams and fmq'd in the ditch within each nine-patch triangular block. As <a href="http://www.cindyneedham.com/home.htm" target="_blank">Cindy Needham</a> says, stitch E-S-S (every stinking seam).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9SLxazFYkmE/Uv6Mr-S_NrI/AAAAAAAAB9A/WASXWEuZ_GM/s1600/IMG_0776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9SLxazFYkmE/Uv6Mr-S_NrI/AAAAAAAAB9A/WASXWEuZ_GM/s1600/IMG_0776.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>laid out on my bed for inspection</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've learned . . .<br />
<ul>
<li>the open toe walking foot lets me see enough for straighter and truer stitches;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>using the fmq foot is like driving a sports car instead of a moving van; and</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>when restarting, take a stitch in place <i>and</i> relax the finger hold so that the first stitch is not tugged awry. </li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tLumEAO33t4/Uv6Kj13n6DI/AAAAAAAAB84/VgplkJFVyUc/s1600/IMG_0778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tLumEAO33t4/Uv6Kj13n6DI/AAAAAAAAB84/VgplkJFVyUc/s1600/IMG_0778.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>wool batting puffs up each triangle</i></td></tr>
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Quilting is on pause as I contemplate motifs: may leave the printed triangles as is, and add feathers and swirls in the larger solid areas. </div>
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mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-14524760267365996142014-02-06T11:42:00.003-08:002014-02-06T11:42:57.186-08:00FMQ inspiration & evolutionLove the patterning on this building spied in an architectural magazine:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.floornature.com/media/photos/30/4556/newsperrault_1_popup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.floornature.com/media/photos/30/4556/newsperrault_1_popup.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>rendering of expansion to Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg proposed by Dominique Perrault</i></td></tr>
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Inspired, I stitched these samples as a warm-up for fmq:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VY1NA2oIGwc/UvPftNLKshI/AAAAAAAAB8c/0l7g1jD61mg/s1600/IMG_0769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VY1NA2oIGwc/UvPftNLKshI/AAAAAAAAB8c/0l7g1jD61mg/s1600/IMG_0769.JPG" height="320" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>pattern evolution from straight lines to s-curves</i></td></tr>
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I find curves much easier than straight lines. Is it that way for you too?<br />
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<br />mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-8688185445129376682014-01-27T13:07:00.000-08:002014-01-27T13:07:22.241-08:00Monster mash<span id="goog_1423805997"></span><span id="goog_1423805998"></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lEynmZ7T234/UubBNkP6_EI/AAAAAAAAB7w/HtvPhMMaUr8/s1600/IMG_0765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lEynmZ7T234/UubBNkP6_EI/AAAAAAAAB7w/HtvPhMMaUr8/s1600/IMG_0765.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
This hulk by the sewing machine is the hexagonal bed quilt. You're seeing the backing.<br />
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I wanted to experience how manageable - or not - this bigger-than-queen quilt would be on my Janome 6600. So far not very - it's like wrestling with a beast!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8UotAN0HHI/UubHjQ5ju7I/AAAAAAAAB8A/_EAzyLlDTko/s1600/IMG_0768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8UotAN0HHI/UubHjQ5ju7I/AAAAAAAAB8A/_EAzyLlDTko/s1600/IMG_0768.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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Stitches waver along the ditch even with the walking foot. Maybe free-motion will be better (ha!). Maybe a new machine with another two inches would do the trick. What I know for sure: un-stitching is in my future.<br />
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mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-12125788911000087712014-01-21T20:38:00.001-08:002014-01-21T20:38:39.920-08:00Record time for re-entry<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Last month I started a new project with the intention of putting it in the <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/ebhqbanner3/quilt-shows/vic2014" target="_blank">local guild's quilt show</a> in March. It now needs only hand stitching on the back to be done. Done ahead of time and only two months from start to finish - a new record! Wow! All other projects take years!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wV_r4mWRXqQ/Ut81TIvigBI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/wpSweEOwdsw/s1600/IMG_0764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wV_r4mWRXqQ/Ut81TIvigBI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/wpSweEOwdsw/s1600/IMG_0764.JPG" height="249" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>entry for</i> Voices in Cloth</td></tr>
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<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A three-day retreat in Healdsburg earlier this month really helped. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bhs9vtMz7M/Ut81nOzbpKI/AAAAAAAAB7g/VK4SvXCfR_g/s1600/IMG_0750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bhs9vtMz7M/Ut81nOzbpKI/AAAAAAAAB7g/VK4SvXCfR_g/s1600/IMG_0750.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>morning view at Healdsburg</i></td></tr>
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<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I had it pieced and pin basted before I went. Just decided what to do and stitched. Keeping the quilting minimal helped too.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Now comes the tough part: what title to give it? Gotta decide by the January 27th deadline for the submittal entry.</span></div>
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mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-36727587566599092842013-12-13T15:48:00.000-08:002013-12-13T15:48:05.627-08:00Re-entryLife has been hectic in the past two months. I've taken two great workshops: <i>Potpourri II</i> with <a href="http://www.nancycrow.com/" target="_blank">Nancy Crow</a> at the Crow Barn and <i>The New Complex Cloth</i> with <a href="http://www.artclothstudios.com/index.php" target="_blank">Jane Dunnewold</a> at <a href="http://artquilttahoe.com/" target="_blank">Art Quilt Tahoe</a>. Seen two great international juried fiber arts shows. Maybe I'll catch up and post about these. Maybe not.<br />
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For now I'm happily engaged in a new project. Started with the golden pieces from the workshop:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AhZPgubcYh0/Uqt5LS6zI-I/AAAAAAAAB50/x2XTW8N10sU/s1600/IMG_0471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AhZPgubcYh0/Uqt5LS6zI-I/AAAAAAAAB50/x2XTW8N10sU/s1600/IMG_0471.jpg" height="320" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>modules from</i> Potpourri II</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
and made more with some in other colors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C5tDYxyZQMw/Uqt_REm4vAI/AAAAAAAAB6g/GTnn1XEwcQQ/s1600/IMG_0698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C5tDYxyZQMw/Uqt_REm4vAI/AAAAAAAAB6g/GTnn1XEwcQQ/s1600/IMG_0698.JPG" height="246" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>more modules, more colors</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Re-arranged the jumbled mess,<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-evjcEmcK54E/Uqt_x1YgBtI/AAAAAAAAB6o/11WMuKus6HQ/s1600/IMG_0699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-evjcEmcK54E/Uqt_x1YgBtI/AAAAAAAAB6o/11WMuKus6HQ/s1600/IMG_0699.jpg" height="320" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>more cohesive but flat</i></td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1661803475"></span>auditioned more colors,<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SbRFxHiX8mc/UquAf0RvUhI/AAAAAAAAB60/0hFv-LBgGg0/s1600/IMG_0700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SbRFxHiX8mc/UquAf0RvUhI/AAAAAAAAB60/0hFv-LBgGg0/s1600/IMG_0700.jpg" height="320" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>looking livelier</i></td></tr>
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resulting in a small half-way decent composition.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zLzNgY17qI4/UquBA0mSd7I/AAAAAAAAB68/aVLMbyJA1oE/s1600/IMG_0701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zLzNgY17qI4/UquBA0mSd7I/AAAAAAAAB68/aVLMbyJA1oE/s1600/IMG_0701.JPG" height="304" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>a 36x36 composition</i></td></tr>
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Added red, and made more to make it bigger,<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W3YpHxclpts/UquCJqvOR8I/AAAAAAAAB7I/HJzvIu0uJBQ/s1600/IMG_0705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W3YpHxclpts/UquCJqvOR8I/AAAAAAAAB7I/HJzvIu0uJBQ/s1600/IMG_0705.jpg" height="261" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>a 42x53 composition</i></td></tr>
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but not necessarily better. Why the heck is that?! Needs more work!<br />
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It's not too big yet big enough to become my entry for the <a href="http://www.ebhq.org/" target="_blank">EBHQ</a> quilt guild show, <i><a href="http://www.ebhq.org/quilt-shows/vic2014" target="_blank">Voices in Cloth</a></i>, coming up in March.<br />
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Gotta be big enough to hang around all those big traditional quilts. </div>
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mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-29624686251831345752013-11-01T20:47:00.001-07:002016-04-25T14:23:40.204-07:00Urban Tale: recovery of stolen vehicleThe van was stolen from in front of the house in the middle of the night in early August. We'd joked about it being the ideal vehicle for criminal activities: big black van with tinted windows and only a driver's seat. Lots of cargo room! As the weeks went by, chances of recovery got slimmer.<br />
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In late September my partner left to do a 500-mile pilgrimage walk from France to Santiago, Spain. He allowed two months, but finished in 4 weeks. You can read about it and see photos from his pilgrimage <a href="http://www.iron-age.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Meanwhile mail arrived from California Highway Patrol. Turns out the van was "recovered" on 10/19 and towed to a storage yard. To get it out he had to pay the fees: $190 for towing and $75 a day for storage. It was day five. You do the math.<br />
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They also required a release from the California Highway Patrol which meant a notarized letter from him authorizing me to pick up the van because I was not the registered owner. By this time we found this out, it was bedtime in Spain. <i>>Ding!<</i> <i>add $75</i>.<br />
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The next morning I was off to the CHP office by 8am with the precious notarized letter <i>>Ding!< add $100</i>. I paid the fees (<i>>Ding!< add another $70 for title search)</i> before they walked me out to the van. I had the key, but didn't need it. The thieves broke the ignition - anyone could've started the van with a screwdriver. And they locked a Club onto the steering wheel!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3OGH0tX6Bs/UnRxicNja-I/AAAAAAAAB5c/f5jU-Fi_6mw/s1600/IMG_0667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3OGH0tX6Bs/UnRxicNja-I/AAAAAAAAB5c/f5jU-Fi_6mw/s320/IMG_0667.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>not my Club!</i></td></tr>
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The towing yard couldn't get the Club off. Turns out the van wouldn't start anyway. So AAA towed it home. At least I didn't pay extra for that.<br />
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The $600 van has racked up costs of $810 for this incident. It obviously needs new license plates, door locks and ignition; the Club removed; and whatever fix to start it again. Unless the same thieves come back <i>and</i> fix it, it'd be waiting for him.<br />
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How much more will it cost to get it running again? Do you hear bells ringing?<br />
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Esoterica:<br />
<ul>
<li>In California, if the vehicle is picked up by the third day of storage, then no storage fees are charged. In this case, they recovered the van on a Saturday and didn't write and mail the report until the CHP office opened on Monday. Three days were up at a blink of the eye!</li>
<li>The storage yard will keep a vehicle worth less than $4000 for 30 days before selling it. If the sale price does not cover the fees then they will send collections after the owner for the difference.</li>
<li>The owner can offer the pink slip to the storage yard before the 30 days are up, but again, if the sale price does not cover the fees, then they will send collections after the owner for the difference.</li>
<li>Avoid having your vehicle towed in a city like San Francisco. The storage yard advised me they charge for storage by the hour!</li>
<li>A friend had a vehicle parked on a Berkeley street while she was out of the country. Her neighbor reported the vehicle because it hadn't moved for more than 72 hours. She had to jump through similar hoops to get her vehicle out of storage. The 72-hour rule is California law. </li>
</ul>
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The lessons learned: <br />
<ul>
<li>Don't leave the country if you are the sole registered owner of a stolen vehicle. Unresolved business comes back with a bite! </li>
<li>Get insurance coverage for theft and vandalism even if the vehicle is not worth much. It doesn't cost much and may help cover all the fees that rack up. </li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwtrO6iOWBo/UnRxuoKGycI/AAAAAAAAB5k/MyhM4T79TFs/s1600/IMG_0668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwtrO6iOWBo/UnRxuoKGycI/AAAAAAAAB5k/MyhM4T79TFs/s320/IMG_0668.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>cargo trash</i></td></tr>
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mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-38999579547784350012013-09-17T14:10:00.001-07:002013-09-17T14:19:20.459-07:00Three on display<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Three quilts in two exhibitions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A6jhk9oEXfg/UOtZPpldm2I/AAAAAAAABko/D2HueCNPAQw/s1600/IMG_0191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A6jhk9oEXfg/UOtZPpldm2I/AAAAAAAABko/D2HueCNPAQw/s320/IMG_0191.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Golden Sol</span></i></td></tr>
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<i>Golden Sol</i> will be at <a href="http://www.quiltfest.com/activities.asp?id=7" target="_blank">PIQF</a>, October 17-20, 2013, as part of the <i>New Quilts of Northern California</i> exhibit presented by the <a href="http://www.ncqc.net/" target="_blank">Northern California Quilt Council</a>. My third consecutive year of participation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zfCxR9GvR7w/Tjcp9fbBYyI/AAAAAAAAA4c/yWbF_uqabwk/s1600/3036+orange+rhymes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zfCxR9GvR7w/Tjcp9fbBYyI/AAAAAAAAA4c/yWbF_uqabwk/s320/3036+orange+rhymes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Orange Rhyme</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z57R-hlLuYM/UEpBW87_MBI/AAAAAAAABTk/D5T5dh6K7fY/s1600/P7170043+Spin+in+Brown.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z57R-hlLuYM/UEpBW87_MBI/AAAAAAAABTk/D5T5dh6K7fY/s320/P7170043+Spin+in+Brown.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Spin in Brown</span></i></td></tr>
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And on the opposite coast,<i> Orange Rhyme</i> and <i>Spin in Brown</i> have longer engagements at the <a href="http://www.myartcenter.org/" target="_blank">Schweinfurth Art Center</a>: <i>Quilts = Art = Quilts</i> runs from October 27, 2013 until January 5, 2014.<br />
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Good things comes in threes.mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-59657930452620502912013-08-22T20:39:00.000-07:002013-08-22T20:39:35.502-07:00A simple lifeI came back from Italy only to be consumed for six weeks by two intensive projects for the job I didn't retired from. By the half year mark, my studio routine was non-existent and creative accomplishments sorely lacking.<br />
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I resolved to fix that with judicious pruning. I limited my gardening activities, limited my already limited housekeeping (furthering its decaying state), limited my social life, limited my internet usage and stole away to work in the studio. I've now re-established my nightly studio routine and made good headway on an(other) intensive project, so I can ease up on my monastic life.<br />
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You want to see what I've been working on? I'm not ready to show you the whole thing. You'll have to be at the Crow Timber Barn in Ohio to see it. I'll be there from October 7th to 11th for <a href="http://www.nancycrow.com/HTML/barnnancycrow2013fall.html" target="_blank">Nancy Crow's Potpourri II</a> workshop. This top will be there too.<br />
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Yet I can't have a post without a photo. So here's a teaser:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KiZnz9RsITQ/UhbUmIf6x1I/AAAAAAAAB5M/Dqg4wAQxdzY/s1600/P8230405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KiZnz9RsITQ/UhbUmIf6x1I/AAAAAAAAB5M/Dqg4wAQxdzY/s320/P8230405.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>corner of four modules</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A continuation of circles with straight lines.<br />
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I previously teased you with <a href="http://mad-elena.blogspot.com/2012/02/madly-piecing.html" target="_blank">this</a>. Well, I wasn't happy with <i>this </i>which was a very symmetrical four-square,<i> </i>about 40x40. I took it apart and made six more modules. Still wasn't satisfied and made another six. After 60 hours just piecing, I'm happy with this bigger (100x60) better relative.<br />
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Oh, life should be so simple!mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-50039098297848291522013-07-28T14:05:00.000-07:002013-07-28T14:09:18.689-07:00Not to be missed: Richard DiebenkornA drive into San Francisco from Oakland can be a big deal with traffic. I try to take public transit when I can. But since I had a business appointment in the far reaches of the city, I piggybacked a trip to the de Young Museum to see <i>Richard Diebenkorn, the Berkeley Years, 1953-1966.</i><br />
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I love Diebenkorn's Bay Area Figurative and Ocean Park series. I even feel a special affinity since he was an alumni of both my high school and college. Ah, if only I can paint as well as he did!<br />
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This exhibition highlights the breath of his work from abstract (often landscape-like) to figurative and back to abstract for those 13 years he lived in Berkeley. It showcases 130 works - oil paintings and many smaller mixed media pieces on paper, most rarely shown before. Most just wonderfully luminescent! Terrific brushwork and underlying textures hinting of changes. Diebenkorn worked improvisationally. He often sat for hours looking at his painting before re-doing areas his canvases.<br />
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Due to copyright issues no photography was allowed (nor can I but you can browse through the museum's <a href="http://diebenkorn.famsf.org/" target="_blank">website</a> for more information including a fewYouTube clips. His daughter's reminiscing is an especially illuminating view of his life and character.<br />
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Going home, I got stuck on the freeway for about an hour because the bridge was closed for removal of a suspicious package. That probably won't happen to you, so if you're in the area, don't miss this! Exhibition closes September 29, 2013.mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452941412420304219.post-32906980441763552882013-07-21T14:26:00.000-07:002013-07-21T14:26:34.243-07:00Wire diversions<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've long admired <a href="http://www.mariandrews.com/" target="_blank">Mari Andrews</a>'</span> sculptures ever since visiting her <span style="font-family: inherit;">studio a number of years ago. Now am </span>looking forward to her<span style="font-family: inherit;"> exhibition <i>Over, Under and Inside Out </i></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">at the <a href="http://www.sjica.org/" target="_blank">San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art</a>. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Mari Andrews' </i>Hold</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Mari Andrews' </i></span><span style="font-size: 10px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Propensitus Gravitas</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Two years ago she offered a one-day workshop called </span><i>Paperless Drawing - Wire Sculpture </i>at the <a href="http://www.therac.org/" target="_blank">Richmond Art Center</a>. But the timing didn't work. This year I had another chance so I broke with my nose-to-the-grindstone routine.<br />
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After learning about wire - types, gauges, tools, knots - I played, adding other paraphernalia to wire, to create these two small sculptures:<br />
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I'm still having fun toying with their orientation.<br />
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It was a terrific diversion from the rigors of piecing. Maybe I'll make one every <strike>day</strike> <strike>week</strike> <strike>month</strike>. Oh, heck, just make another one . . . whenever . . . then another . . .mad elenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06636131465107556516noreply@blogger.com4