Simple Still Life

Here's my version of Simple Still Life. I'm a day early, but I have time to post today and I might not tomorrow. A few process photos are below. This is not quite a whole cloth quilt since after
the thread sketching and watercolor I decided to add some fused applique, which I went back and quilted over.

This piece was done the "old-fashioned" way, just some sketching from the photo, no computer manipulation of the image. You will notice that not everything is to scale, and some of the
elements are reduced to simple line. These are the types of variations I like, and it is why I usually prefer to sketch from the photo. (I am NOT criticizing the computer approach. I think it is a worthy tool.)

I had in mind to capture a "watercolor and ink" quality, which I did, but then when I added the appliqued leaves it changed again. When I finished that I decided it needed a border, mainly because the colors in this piece of fabric were just right.

Closer view showing quilting and crayon 

More paint 

Some fabric paint, some thread work 

Start of Simple Still Life. 

VidLit

I learned about this website on my bookarts list. Kind of like a "movie trailer" for books. Not always family fare, but nice art and graphics and some very funny bits.

http://www.vidlit.com/main/

Harry Potter Quiz

Saw this over on Lisa's blog, and since I love Harry Potter, I had to play.
Even though we turned out to be the same "character", there are lots of possibilities. If you like these little quiz thingies, go play.


Harry Potter Personality Quiz by Pirate Monkeys Inc.

Summer's End

Campus is still quiet as summer draws to a close. Next week all the students will be back, and I will probably not take lunch time walks for a while. I always have mixed feelings since I like both the quiet interludes and the excitement of all the crowds and back to school activity.

My weekend was lovely and peaceful as Jerry and I celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary. When we married, I was younger in age by about six months than our son is now (21). I had a notion of dragging out and scanning a few nearly thirty year old pictures, but stopped myself just in time. Also, I couldn't find the ones I wanted. (How in the world do you misplace your wedding album?)

I am nostaligic and yes, a little sad, that the years have gone by so quickly. I also know how lucky I am to have such a good friend and companion to be my life partner

A little color 

Interesting branches 

What I've been working on...

Closer view. Just starting thread work, deciding on the rest . Not a new theme here, but it is my design.
This is what is on the design wall now...I am deciding about adding a few more vibrant leaves or whether I want a border etc. I am also trying to decide if I want to incorporate all of the seasons in the same quilt, or make them separately. I have figured out how to get pearl cotton to work in my bobbin, so that I can sew the thick thread by machine, and it's giving me great texture on my trees. More pictures when I get more done. I'm so glad tomorrow is Saturday!

I guess I put these photos up backwards.....scroll down to see how I got to this point.

When I talk about putting "all the seasons in one quilt", I have in mind to make four different
pieces (the above being just one of them).

Closeup of rocks and fabric 

Leaves and sky 

More trees 

Making progress 

Working on the background of the new piece 

How I spent my lunch break

Today was a nearly perfect day in San Diego. I had to go to work, but as you can see by the pictures here, I had a very nice walk around the campus at lunch time. I enjoyed my time, taking photos for future use. Who knows where all this lovely inspiration will lead me?

Late summer branches 

Koi and goldfish 

Turtles at the pond 

The pond by Scripps cottage 

Intriguing form and texture 

Peeling bark 

Great trees with peeling bark 

Roses 

A Quilting Day with Friends

Our friend Diane gets a comfort quilt from us.

Another quilt kit sample being finished 

Gayle and Lisa. Gayle helped Lisa make her very first quilt, all hand applique.