Abstract Challenge 08 07 Summer Storms & 08 09 Moon

Meltdown & Burnout ... was an interesting workshop with Eileen Neill. We explored using dimensional paint, acrylic paint and melting synthetics, with a dozen other fun techniques.Eileen is an excellent teacher - knowledgeable, patient and encouraging.
http://www.connectionsfibreartists.com/Artists/EileenNeill/EileenNeill.htm

The pieces below were made at the workshop. I came armed with my list of little quilts I needed to do for the Internet group I belong to:

Abstract Challenge ... Summer Storm: On the prairies of Canada - storm clouds move in, dark and swirling. They can cause thunder & lightening or even tornadoes.

This piece started with a textured upholstery fabric. It was painted with dimensional paint and then drizzled with the lines. The heat gun raised the texture. The paint bubbles up giving a raised line. Acrylic paints added colour. It is not stitched.

Abstract Challenge ... Moon - the moon is near the horizon and very bright. Stage 1: This piece started with a cotton upholstery fabric, then was painted with dimensional paint. To add texture, the paint was swirled with a tool used to spread the grout for tiles. Then, the fabric was blasted with a heat gun to puff the paint. The next step was to paint with acrylic paint.

Stage 2: tyvek was painted with acrylic paint and the heat gun was used to shrink it, producing a stiff plastic with a bubble texture.

Stage 3: the tyvek was cut and placed to create a fantasy tree, blowing in the wind. A silver moon was placed under the tree branches and silver paint added to produce a haze around the moon. The piece was stitched to attach the tyvek and to hold the layers of top, batting and backing together.

The workshop was a good boost to get active in the studio again.

Gunboat Bay and FAN 'Elements'

In May we took the ferry to Gibsons and headed north to the Pender Harbour area. With friends Colleen and Eric, we went to see the Fibreartnetwork Exhibit 'Elements' at the Yurts. Located on Gunboat Bay, the all-weather yurts are built on a large platform. Here is the link to the full show: http://www.fibreartnetwork.com/exhibitions.php?exhibition=12
'Elements' was beautifully hung in two yurts. This was what greeted you as you walked in the door: Susan Duffiield's indigo panels and Patt Wilson's hand painted cloth.

A a couple of casual shots: Pat Crucil who did a fantastic job of organizing the show!

Judy Villett and Colleen Peake ... Here is a link to the gallery where the show was held: http://www.gunboatbaylodge.com/fibreworks.html

Yvonne, the owner of the gallery provided snacks and a beautiful sunny day!

Yvonne's studio is in another yurt with a wonderful array of fibre and yarn.The dogwood was in bloom, the floral emblem of BC This is the view from the deck of the B&B we stayed at:

A sailboat slips by in the dusk. Hummingbirds buzzed around and, of course there is security on patrol!

The house is perched on a bluff and well designed for two couples to share.

Arbutus grows along the coast, a tree that loses its bark, not its leaves.
Seagulls are a standard on the Pacific Coast.

A fisherman hangs out at the local General store.

The Sunshine Coast has fascinating names: Gunboat Bay, Buccaneer Bay, Secret Cove and Smugglers' Cove.

One of the pirates must have lost his parrot!

Home again ... watching the patterns left in the Ocean by the ferry.

April-May in Schelt ...

We headed up to Sechelt where I had the pleasure of judging the Sunshine Coast Quilters' guild show. It is a large guild, gathering members from ferry-to-ferry along the Sunshine Coast. The show was very impressive, decisions were difficult! My goal was to critique what was well done and to suggest options that might make the work more effective. Putting your quilt into a judged show is an opportunity to grow and appreciate your successes!

This cute little tulip blooms among the rocks.
A little Schelt humor ... a birdhouse made from drift wood.

A wild fruit tree grows amid the rocks and driftwood.

Silouhette on the seashore.

The beach is pebbles due to the pounding surf. The Trail Islands are in the distance. They are privately owned. In previous years when we visited friends on the Sunshine Coast, we used to row out to the islands. Chocolate lilies grew on their shores at Easter.
Patterns in the rock tell of the seabed being pushed and buckled. Layers of seabed break away forming huge flat boulders.
A little humor ... as a fisherman casts his rod.
An abandoned wharf was bleached by the sun and at low tide, sported bracelets of starfish.

The predominant colour is purple, with a few coral coloured.


Heading home to attend a Paul Anka concert. He can still belt out a song and is the ultimate showman!
The following day, we had our high school reunion. Delbrook opened in 1958 as a small school. We have always grouped the first three years together. It was great seeing everyone! So many memories ... where did the years go?

a little painting

I recently took a photo of one of my watercolours from back in the '80s. It is a favorite - painted on the beach on Saltspring Island. The tidal pool blurs objects that are deeper in the pool.

from 40,000 feet ...

We leave the Abbotsford Airport and turn south. The Fraser River spreads out across the rich delta farmland.

We are soon over the Gulf Islands and the Olympic Penninsula.
Boaters below head out on a sunny day.

The Cascade Mountains are still capped with snow ... resembling waves with white caps.

Mount Saint Helens is clearly visible.
It erupted in 1980. http://www.fs.fed.us./gpnf/mshnvm/ You can view the mountain and learn about the impact on the area.

Crater lake reminds us of a volcano that blew thousands of years ago. http://www.nps.gov/crla

One of the wonders of the world, you can drive around the rim and look two thousand feet down to the clear blue water in the collapsed dome of the volcano. The lake is almost two thousand feet deep - the deepest lake in the U.S. The Klamath native legends match the geological science, telling of the 12,000 ft. Mount Mazama that blew a mile off the top ... 7,700 years ago.
Soon the land flattens out and a curious lanscape blossoms with green and yellow circles. Fields grow in the circular range of irrigation.
And then, the red hills appear, as we head into the Las Vegas airport.

Las Vegas ... sunny days in April

On an average day, 400 planes come in and 400 leave.

The 'City Center' is being built ... worth billions. Gambling pays, but not to the player! These incredible buildings are powered by money left in Vegas.

The Paris hotel includes a scale model of the Eiffel Tower and has one of the most colorful displays.
At the Bellagio Hotel, a block long fountain dances to the music ... a highlight on a beautiful warm evening.

Gardens of tulips glow in the artificially lit dome.
A Japanese tea house and large rocks are surrounded with meticulous sand designs.
This is a glass globe with water spilling from the top and tulips reflecting.

A statue sleeps in peace.

A ladybug is made from carnations.
In the huge dome, a large hanging butterfly is a hint of what is to come. A potting shed contains a butterfly display.
The area is humidity and heat controlled with lots of vegetation.

Design is where you find it! This is a mosaic floor with shadows.

The Venetian Hotel is Italian style and one of the most beautiful hotels. We went to see the 'Phantom of the Opera'. It was a wonderful performance in a small theatre.

The Red Rock Casino had some interesting fountains - one with fire.


New York skyline includes a roller-coaster that snakes inside and out.

The MGM lion is now a senior and sleeps his day away ... with an attendant watching to see that no one disturbs him.

Photos are taken with a little FugiFilm camera and no flash.

playing with patterns ...

From the roof of our hotel, we looked across to the new 'City Center' building complex ... worth billions!

In the reflections you can see patterns ...

You can increase light and look again ...

Then, you can cut and find a complex abstract design ....

The reflection in the windows of this building shows multiple abstracts ... ready for the choosing. And, I chose this ...

The final crop turns up something reminiscent of a desert after a rain.

Las Vegas ... cruising the strip at night

The Paris is one of the most beautiful exteriors.

Caesar's Palace beckons.

MGM is flashy on the outside and very 60's on the inside.
The original Las Vegas is located on Freemont Street, covered with a huge canopy studded with stars.
Wedding Chapels come supplied with Bridal and Tux rental.
There are views we have seen in gangster movies.
Neon signage is eye candy.

This city is where more dreams are lost than gained.

Red Rock Canyon, Nevada ... the rocks

The Red Rock Canyon is a Federal Park, located about 30 minutes out of Las Vegas in Nevada. It is the southern tip of the Grand Canyon. Rugged & dry, the area was home to native Americans.

The fault shows layers of different coloured rock. The red and white sand of ancient hills began as an ancient sea floor. Millions of years later, they were part of a desert larger than the Sahara. The sand dunes were shifted by the wind, creating ripples of colour contrast.

Mountains in the distance are the oldest rock. The 'white' & 'red' rocks are younger and in some areas, lay below the old rock. Plate Teutonic motion crammed one layer under another.

In some areas, iron was present, producing red sand.
Erosion leaves rocks tilting to the wind.

Skeletons of trees twist in the dry heat.

Calcium carbonate from ancient sea shells dissolved, hardened and then 'glued' the sand together to produce rock. You can see a heavy Calcium layer in the rocks.

One can only wonder what caused the dark red stain in this rock. Some rocks had dots of deep red.

This pine tree clings to the side of a cliff, despite the dead wood on one side.
Fire has left its mark.

Dots on the mountain side turns out to be climbers!

Layers of sandstone are eroded away,
creating fantastic shapes.

You can imagine these large flat areas being ceremonial locations. Mother Nature peeled off a slice to make a platform for the gods!

Red Rock Canyon is certainly a place to visit and wonder at the history of millions of years ... etched in the rock.

Red Rock Canyon, Nevada ... flora & fauna

This is the landscape you see from the road.
We visited during the wild flower period that comes before the really hot temperatures. I don't know the names of the flowers ... they dot the landscape and vary from area to area.

This delicate flower is smart, it only grows within the branches of a sturdy bush that has thorns.

This is the only insect we saw ... perhaps they come out in the twilight.

The Banana Yucca plant was used for food.

These ancient plants look like cactus, but on a closer look, are Yucca plants that branch.

Fire has taken its toll in areas, leaving Yucca looking like this ...

The plant can regenerate from the bottom. The Yucca we are more familiar with is the younger plant. The fibres that peel off the spikes make fascinating designs.

Different cactus grow in each area. They seem to thrive in specific soils as well as the amount of rain and sun. These plants have very effective self-protective spines.

Other foods were: wild rice grass, agave, pine nuts and prickly pear. The natives also used plants for treating disease. This grain was ground to make breads.

Lizards & snakes live among the rocks.

Wild burrows wander. Mountain sheep are sometimes seen. Small frogs and even shrimp can appear when the temperature and rain is suitable.
There is an interpretive center, with illustrations of the native tribes and their relationship to the canyon. Life would not have been easy here.
There is evidence of 'roasting rocks' where fires were built to slowly roast food.

Some areas have petroglyphs.

Water pools exist where animals visit to drink. Otherwise when rain occurs it tears down a with a 'wash' with a force that can sweep cars away. Plants in this area benefit from increased water, but must have deep roots and flexible branches - perfect for basket making.

Feathered Friend ...

We got home at 3:00 am from a trip and were wakened at daybreak. It sounded as if someone/thing was slapping the window.
This was the culprit ... a young male robin attacking his image in the window!
The photos were taken through a window with a reflective surface and a screen.

This 'abstract' is the robin in flight with blurs and a little colour enhancement.

bees & flowers

As busy as a bee ... these amazing little creatures pollinate the largest percentage of the plants that supply us with food. And, yet ... we poison them with blanket pesticides.

Five years ago, this Western Trillium was rescued from a woodland area that was to be clear cut. It blooms proudly each year. Daffodils ... one flower the deer don't eat!

Delicate ... brightening our day.

Pristine. The star magnolia bush is home to our humming birds.

my feathered friends ..

Yesterday was sunny and warm, I put the feeder out at 11:00 and by 12:00 both male & female hummingbirds visited. (male was shy, or sly ... I'm not sure which) Black Cap Chickadees are enjoying a suet/seed feeder in the cherry tree.

Mr. Chickadee above and Mrs. below.

A pair of crows have a nest in a nearby maple tree.

Hope everyone had a happy Easter!

Our 19 year old cat (~105 in cat years) didn't like this little bunny who sang a song and did a hoppy dance while his ears flapped! The next moment, she cuffed him, knocked him over and left with a sniff!

Abstract Challenge 09 April Green

My 'green' challenge began with a block print of leaves, black on green. I used black to stitch, following the design lines and adding 'pebble stitching' in the negative spaces.

I also added an edging to my 'no beginnings, no endings'. (Dec 08)

Signs of Spring ...

On a sunny day, their were at least 100 bees in a 10 ft. square flower bed of Scylla. Double click on the photo for a large view. The cherry trees are finally blooming! Paper thin in gentle rain. The star magnolia lights up the garden. The tree is huge.

Violets, a sure sign that spring is here.

And, we can't forget the daffodils!

Fire & Darkness

The FiberArtNetwork is having a show with the theme of ELEMENTS.

My thoughts went to a definition.
We think of the 'elements' as weather.
If you have taken a chemistry course, you are familiar with the Periodic Table of Elements.
My mind then went to the origin of the elements
... an explosion of energy, fire & the darkness of space.
Method: reverse applique using a twin needle. Size 33"x30"
May 01 to June 28. 2009: FibreArts Network (FAN) contemporary quilt exhibit - "Elements" - Exhibit Reception - Saturday, May 09 - 2-5 p.m.
FAN website: http://www.fibreartnetwork.com/
FIBREWORKS GALLERY: 12887 Sunshine Coast Hwy, Madeira Park, Pender Harbour, BC. Website: http://www.gunboatbaylodge.com/fibreworks.html

studio finished!

Come on in ...

The addition of the design wall marks the completion of my studio!
I decided to take some photos while it was clean & uncluttered. My work station is an L shaped desk with my Pfaff Visions. I use the table top on the left as an ironing surface. The design wall is cork on plywood. The center wall hanging is my Trend-Tex Challenge for CQA. Abstract Challenge quilts on the right, ATC's on the left.

Lots of storage ... with Phoenix ... symbol of new beginnings. My Innova Quilting Machine by ABM. 18" of pure quilting pleasure! The back of the machine. Mirror reflection shows the frame. Mirrored doors hide large shelves for storage. Shiny & new ... now if I could just remember where I put everything! Gotta get to work ... pull some fabric for the next project ... catch up on the Abstract Challenges. The studio is just too neat!

Cherry Blossoms ...

One sure sign of spring is when the ornamental Cherry trees burst into fragrant pink clouds of blossoms! The Japanese culture has made its mark on Vancouver and t is celebrated by a Festival! FibreEssence has a show at Mason's on Fraser St. in Vancouver ... organized by Judy Villett.
The beautiful panels below are Judy's.Wall quilts, kimonos, embroidery and a weaving.
Cherry Blossoms: A Textile Translation ... until April 25th. Well worth a visit!

At the opening, Eri Akai demonstrated how to wear kimono. She explained some of the culture around the Kimono. Kimonos for the young and the bride were more colourful with long flowing sleeves. A More mature woman was reflected in her Kimono.The process of dressing would be difficult to do yourself. It consists first of tying the Kimono up, depending upon the woman's height. Next the waist is bound in. The Obi is wound and tied into the bow.

Finished - for a young woman to be a guest at a wedding. Here is more information: http://www.japanesekimono.com/wear_a_kimono.htm

Ridge Meadows Raffle Quilt

Ridge Meadows Quilt Guild makes a raffle quilt each year. This year the wall quilt is felted wool with hand applique. The lucky winner will be drawn at the Maple Ridge Summer Fair.
The Maple Ridge Agricultural Fair is a community fair located at the Albion Fair Grounds in mid July.