Glow-a-rama and Cool Globes

During the week-end following Thanksgiving, my family &  I wandered into downtown Houston to view the first annual Night-time Art Car Parade, the Glow-a-Rama!   We arrived early enough for a good spot ... then learned we were on the wrong side of the road!  Quickly, we made a dash across the road with time to resettle before the Glow-a-rama parade begins.  It was such fun!

This wide-open mouth was an early crowd pleaser.

Other favorites included anything that shot up flames or tooted horns, especially when the driver slowed before our curbside spot along the route.

 

This Rooster was another top art car.

When the parade ended, we strolled through Discover Green Park, admiring the Cool Globes, a public art exhibit currently on display.

November 28, 2009

almost a scarf

I've finished my first knit project and it is almost-a-scarf!  In other words, I ran out of yarn sooner than anticipated ... but I like my creative solution....

I began this project in an earlier post (click here), except it is not quite long enough to be the scarf I had wanted.  When I realized that my yarn was running low, I knit in a button hole (clever idea -- thank you to Sara who told me how to do and to Amy for her additional coaching!).  By adding a wooden button, Ta-Dah!  my first knit project is complete and ready to wear on the next nippy morning!

For my second knitting project, I tried knitting with two yarns.  Actually I am finishing a project originally begun by Linda (who has seriously downsized her studio in preparation for a move to another town -- missing Linda's smile already!). 

This scarf is lusciously soft and fuzzy and really, really long!  If you look carefully, the end I finished is the one that flares out .... My first time to knit using two yarns was successful, with the exception that I inadvertently added stitches to each row (how did I do that?)
Inspired by this project, I started my own long and fuzzy scarf.

Alas, I ran out of yarn too soon .... and now I am debating whether to unknit back to a location suitable for locating a buttonhole OR whether I should unknit the entire project and begin again, with a skinnier original size OR whether I should create something entirely different from this almost rectangular piece of knit fabric ....

A Legacy of Quilts

A new exhibit featuring antique quilts has opened at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Texas.  Titled A Legacy of Quilts, this exhibit runs from November 21, 2009 through January 3, 2010.

A Legacy of Quilts is the first public display of the Briscoe Center's Joyce Gross Collection. Spanning more than 100 years of quilting, the exhibit features 28 quilts made approximately between 1844 and 1950. Each of the quilts is a story written with fabric, needle, thread, and loving hands.  Included in the display are award-winning quilts from the 1930s, red and green appliqué quilts that were popular in the mid-19th century, a Hawaiian flag quilt and two remarkable album quilts.

Additional programs offered:

High Noon Talk - American Quilt Makers

Wednesday, December 2  
Noon - 1 p.m.  FREE

Marcia Kaylakie, a quilt collector and AQS Certified appraiser, will speak on American quilt makers Bertha Stenge and Pine Eisfeller.

Explore the Story: Stitch and Kitsch - Intergenerational Stitch Party

Saturday, December 19  
1 - 3 p.m.  FREE with exhibit admission

Spend the afternoon at a 1930s-style stitch party, set to hot tunes from Aunt Ruby's Sweet Jazz Babies. Bring a current project or start a new one; enjoy knitting lessons, special prizes, and more.

Be sure to come to Austin to view this special exhibit of quilts.

Read more about the Joyce Gross Quilt Collection (and how the University of Texas acquired it) by clicking here.

To learn more about the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum (including directions and admittance fees), click here.

Quilting Quartet

My newest group of quilting friends includes two that I have not met face to face .... at least not yet.  We're a small group, numbering to a grand total of four individuals, all quilt artists, brought together by our fearless leader, Robin Koehler.  It all started with Robin's wish to honor the memory of her grandfather who helped build the LEM, the Lunar Exploration Module.  (I met Robin at Quilt Market this year - click here to see our smiles.)

LEM on the moon

Robin heard of the Dream Rocket project and wanted to join in -- but how and with whom?  So she posted a query on the QuiltArt list to see if anyone there was intrigued and interested.   Chris Gilman replied first and the idea grew.  I read their posts and joined them, as did Robin's friend, Katherine McNeese.  Our group was formed.  Our plan is to make a quilt together for the Dream Rocket, which is the third and latest project of the International Fiber Collaborative.

Specifically, the Dream Rocket is a zany idea to make one large quilt to cover the Saturn V Rocket standing in front of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center® in Huntsville, Alabama.  This quilt (planned to be 30,467 square feet) will unite the work of individuals and groups from across the earth into one unified piece.

The mission statement declares:
"the Dream Rocket aims to connect art and education through a global collaborative initiative .... The Wrapping of the Saturn V Rocket will recognize the power of global collaboration and in turn, The Dream Rocket hopes to inspire individuals all over the World not only to dream, but also to recognize their power to pursue their dreams"

Anyone anywhere on our planet Earth can be a part of this worldwide collaborative art project!  How cool is this?   Over 8,000 panels will be needed to fulfill this dream. These individual panels, in 2' or 4' squares, will be assembled into the finished quilt.  For 60 days in the months of May and June of 2010, the Saturn V Rocket will be cozily wrapped in this Dream Quilt.  What an amazing sight this will be!  Can you imagine it?  Join us ...

Click here to reserve your spot in this international art quilt project.

Back to my Quilting Quartet led by Robin ....
As mentioned above, Robin's initial idea was to honor her grandfather who helped to build the LEM, the Lunar Exploration Module.  The four of us have named our team the LEM-4.  Our team quilt will be comprised of four smaller quilts, one designed by each member.  We have determined the themes for our four pieces, and are beginning our individual work.  I will post updates as we progress.....

Until then, here is an artist rendering of the LEM on the moon.

Click here for the original source of this image.

IQF Group quilts

Time to feature five favorites from the Group division at this year's International Quilt Festival.

Tulip Mania

by Shannon Shirley and her friends:

Marianne Gravely, Jane Miller, Beth Wiesner, Allison Wilber, Mary Kerry and Kathie Buckley

of Woodbridge, Virginia  USA

In Shannon's statement, she explains that she split her photograph of tulips into 7 vertical sections and gave them to six quilting friends, asking each to interpret their portion in any method they chose.   I love the diversity of their work and how they are united by the one commonality -- the red tulips.

Boston's Fenway Park

by Bobbie Sullivan and friends:

Lynne Conover, Betty Crowell, Anne Marcin, Sandy Gregg, Geri Barr, and Penny Myles

of Scituate, Massachusettes, USA

From Bobbie's statement:

The sun sets, the lights come on, and there's excitement in the air when they yell, "play ball!"  This 'slice' quilt captures, with a variety of innovative techniques and embellishments, a night at the park.  Can't you just hear the crowd? 

This is a fun quilt to examine and admire.  The judges thought so too as it won Third Place in the Group category.  It is also a favorite of my baseball loving family, even though we root for the Houston Astros.  Go 'Stros!! 

Group Conversations

by Sherri McCauley and friends:

Frances Holliday Alford, Jean Dahlgren, Barb Forrister, Pearl Gonzalez,

Connie Hudson, Leslie Jenison, Diane Sandlin, and Kathy York

of Lakeway, Texas, USA

According to Sherri:  As the Austin Art Quilt Group transforms, so does the art we create.  By working on the blocks independently and then re-grouping to compose the quilt, many conversations took place.  These ongoing conversations, along with way too many buttons, led us to the creation of this group quilt.

Don't you wish you can participate on a project with this group?  I can only imagine how many buttons constitute "way too many."  Good work!

The next quilt is in two photos, upper portion and lower portion ...

 

My Quilt Room

by Yasuko Ito and Oharibako

of Chiba City, Chiba Pref,  Japan

This quilt won Second Place in the Group Category.  The intricate detail that each member of this Japanese quilting group used to create each "room" is delightful.  It is another original design (as are all the quilts above in this post) and uses a variety of techniques and materials, including clay.

This photo is perhaps my favorite of all the rooms in this fabric-lover's home:

It looks just like my studio, but without the extra clutter that I own!

This last quilt does not show a full view  since my own Art Quilt Group, Beyond the Borders (BTB) has embarked on a challenge with the same theme.   I did take a few close-up photos and will share those.

Le Souvenir de Alice

by Misako Tsuro and friends:

Usada Kazue, Kawai Kiyo, Kimura Yasayo, Kunii Hideko, Komachi Tomoko, Sakurai Keiko, Taguchi Masumi, Tamai Chikako, Tunoda Yasuko, Kiguchi Yuko, Huzinara Emiko, Maruta Motoko, and Mikami Kimiko

of Machida, Tokyo, Japan

In her statement, Misako expresses her hope that "you recall your own memories (of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland) with this quilt."  I am sure these images recall favorite scenes from Alice's arrival down the rabbit hole, to meeting the Cheshire Cat ... and ....

... painting the white roses red,

or the courtroom scene...

... or playing croquet with flamingo mallets

and the flying flurry finale of the playing cards.

This group quilt was inspired by Lewis Carroll's classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.   Stay tuned for photos/stories/updates of my BTB group's version of this classic child's story .....

Carole's Primo Star

In December 2007, my family had a reunion.  To celebrate this rare occasion (all my siblings with their families sharing a meal together with our parents - there were cousins of all ages!), I made quilt tops using the Primo Star pattern by Thangles.

Carole recently shared this photo of her quilt and I thought it would be fun to see each of my quilts displayed in their new homes.

Oh, and yes, I am still finishing the last of these quilts, a short 2 years later!  The last one is being pieced now and I'm eager to finish it, as it is the one that stays with me! ...

Crazy for Quilts

Alliance for American Quilts is focused on tracking our quilting heritage. This year's contest, "Crazy for Quilts", encouraged participants to make a 16" square crazy quilt. A special exhibit at the International Quilt Festival featured all the quilts. They are a delightful collection, as evident by this First Place winner:

"Crazy Cow Polarity"

by Kathryn Wagar Wright of Highlands Ranch, Colorado
First place, Ages Over 30

All 85 entries are being auctioned off on eBay over a three week period as an annual fundraiser for the Alliance for American Quilts. "Crazy Cow Polarity" was one of the quilts offered in the first week of the eBay auction (which I was outbid on). I did successfully bid on this quilt:

"A Little Fairy Tale"

by Lisa Ann DuCoing, from Carson City, Nevada

Lisa's artist statement: Fairies are 1920's postcards printed to fabric and embellished with wings to make fairies. The wings are all freehand. These are my wayward fairies. This is my way of honoring women who have been forced into an unpleasant life, throughout the world, just because they happened to be born female.

The second week is currently underway with many quilts available, including this fun one:

"Crazy for Ewes"
by Sheila Rauen of Knoxville, Tennessee
Honorable Mention Winner

Classic crazy quilts are also featured, such as this lovely one by Ruth Ann Mundy.

"Victorian Rose"
by Ruth Ann Mundy of Elkton, Michigan

Join the fun of eBay bidding and support the Alliance for American Quilts at the same time (but don't bid against me!)

"One Crazy Hot Mama"
by Pamela Allen of Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Fear not as many great quilts will be 'up for grabs' in the last week of the eBay auction too (on eBay, search for "Alliance for American Quilts fundraiser"). The following will be on the auction block next week:

"Rose Song"
by Betty Pillsbury of Middleburgh, New York



"Whoooo's There?"
by Christie Eckardt of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emerates



"Folly Flash"
by Yvonne Porcella of Modesto, California

Click here to access the lists of each week's featured quilts, then bid on one -- help raise money for the Alliance of American Quilts.
In their official words: The Alliance for American Quilts, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1993, supports and develops projects to document, preserve, and share the history of quilts and quiltmakers. The AAQ brings together groups and individuals from the creative, scholarly and business worlds of quiltmaking to advance the recognition of quilts and their makers in American culture.

Visit www.AllianceforAmericanQuilts.org for more information.

Solar Power

As a child, I thought that wind energy and solar energy were not utilized to their potential. As an adult, I believe this to be true. Are today's inventors thinking outside the box and looking into these potential energy providers? Where is the innovative thought that was once a forte of our great country? Can we not get away from the classic energy sources of coal and oil?

It is my great pleasure to share the news that Tessera Solar, an American company, has designed an efficient solar power system that effectively harvests the sun's energy. If intrigued, watch this and learn more about the Sun-Catcher ...



YouTube by tesserasolar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDBFdbKcl84

Living in a large metropolitan area, I spend too much time in my car, too much time in traffic. Time spent dreaming of a life in the countryside with a perfectly comfortable climate year-round with the pleasure of having four distinct seasons each year. One day .... may we learn to harvest energy from new sources and live in peace and harmony .... always.

I love the grace and simplicity with which the Sun-Catchers move, as well as the bright sparkle from the reflected sunlight. Hmmm, future quilt designs are dancing into my head. Seem to be circular in nature .... imagine that ....