Somewhere in Nebraska

So Tues we drove and drove so that we could arrive yesterday in Lincoln Nebraska in time to visit the International Quilt Studies Museum.  There are currently 3 exhibits at the museum in the 2nd floor gallery.

The gallery has a wonderful layed out and is well lit and the lights even turn off when no motion is detected to save light exposure to the quilts!

The show in the first wing of the gallery is called...

I learned a lot about indigo not to mention viewing some stunning quilts!

This was one of the oldest quilts in the exhibit (early 1800's).  The sashing fabric was beautiful but the reason it was included in the show was because it had some examples of indigo fabrics that show some of the earliest type of indigo printing which was accomplished by brushing the dye directly onto the cloth.

This is a whole cloth quilt made with a toile 'like' print.  It's not considered a true toile du Jouy because the dimensions of the print are to small but it is like a toile because of the all over pattern of a pastoral scene. Also early 1800's.

This is a print produced by applying a paste on the white areas like a resist technique.  This dates from 2nd quarter of 1800's but the fabric could be older because it is thought that the fabric was scavenged from bed curtains.  Notice the odd seams in the lower right of the center.

It's hard to see the little dots are tiny 5 pointed stars.  I have a quilt top with this same print.  This print was produce around the time of the first centennial =1875 but I always thought that the style of applique on my top looked much older and I think based on this quilt it maybe...

Sorry the description got cut off I could not get the whole card in the frame and get it big enough to read at the same time.

There were several quilts showing how once copper roller techniques were perfected and then synthetic    dyes were discovered and indigo dyes became commercially very wide spread (later part of the 1800's.  I liked this example the best.  I just love the medallion layout.

Of course what show about indigo would be complete without a denim quilt!

This quilt was made by a contemporary quilter, whose name I should know but do not recall; but it certainly shows how beautiful a monochromatic color scheme can be!

Well I've gone on enough I'll share the other galleries pix in

my next post! cheers, CW

Road Trip...Waa Hoooooo

We decided to visit our son and his wife in Indiana.  A quick visit to my mom in Berkeley and we were off like bats out of Hell.
Well not really,  but this was what my father use to always say sarcastically on Road Trips cause with 3 kids and a dog our progress was considerably slower!
Anyway we hoped on the I- 80 and away we drove.  It did not even occur to me to get out my camera until lunch time in, Winemucca, NE, 'cause the CA. terrain was so familiar.  But the 'Georgia O'keef' sky and 'rock formations inspired me to take some pix

We ended our first day of driving, having crossed the width of CA and NE in the little border town of Wendover Utah.  I would show you a pic but there's not much there but some casinos on the NE side. 

Next day crossing the Salt Flats West of Salt Lake City.  I think the Salt Flats create a kind of primatic effect to create the illustion that the mountains appear to float above the plain.  Very cool! 

Mountains just East of Salt Lake City.  Spring has Sprung! 

But there is still alot of Snow in the Mountains a little more East across the border in Wyoming.

We took a little detour to the Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Altitude 6100 Ft. The gorge is fed by the Green River.  We passed through the cute little town of Green River where I spied a Quilt Store but I could not cajole DH into stopping!

How do trees manage to grow like that!!! 

DH really delights in trying to scare the #&*%&  out of me!

Spring was very much in evidence at this higher altitude! 

And of course I have to include a picture of the Dam 

There were lots of Factoids on a sign at this vista but the only one I remember is that the Dam took 7 Million Cubic Yards of concrete to build!

Next stop somewhere in Nebraska!

cheers, Claire W.

Market Pictures

The Market had a really nice ( smallish) show of really outstanding quilts. Here are some of my favorites. Also check out Moda's blog .  Yesterday they posted a great video of their "School House" session and today they had some great pictures of their booth.  This really gives you a flavor of what it's like at Market!  I was sooo much fun and not just a little overwhelming!!!

Another Finish

Well,  I have lots to share about Quilt Market but I still have to get my pix organized.  In the mean time here's another finish with a chaser that I'm donating to a Raffle that's being organized by my sister and her friend who collectively run a small neighborhood Farmer's Market in the heart of LA!

I finish this top almost a year ago, but just got around to quilting it after my sister requested a donation.  It helps to have a few (well I have more than a few) tops hanging around that can be quickly completed for donations! 

Simple quilting and the Pear fabric worked well with the Farmer's Market idea.

The backing is an African Kanga (swahili word for sarong) with a strip of the pear fabric. I thought it matched the front colors rather well. 

Since my sister is not shy when it comes to asking me for donations she asked if I had any baby quilts lying around that she could stuff in a 'baby themed' raffle basket.

I groaned, but then whipped up this receiving blanket.  Doesn't take long if there's no batting and no binding. Just two layers, quick turned and away it goes!

I'm thinking about doing open studio's again this year I think I will whip up a bunch of these to sell.  They are so cute and easy!

cheers, Claire W.

3 For The Road

I've been working on some donation quilts for  City of Hope cancer patience.  This has become kind of a regular donation spot for me 'cause my husband was a patient there last year and he received such incredible care.

Finished this one from the scraps that Randy gave me.

Fun to quilt, free form feathers and loop de loops.

I used a plush throw for the backing, very cushy and no batting needed and the quilting really stands out.

Started this one at Randy's Sun River house in December.

I just love these fabrics!  They are so pretty.  Notice the flat edge no binding!  I will blog how to do this  in a future blog.

I finished this quilt for the fair and I was going to keep it as a class sample for my Scrap Strategies Class but I decided to give it away instead.

Quilt details.

It feels good to know these quilts will be given to patience who tho' they are getting the best of care are going through some really tough treatments.  I hope the recipients are warmed and comforted by them!      

                                                                     cheers, Claire W.