No Idle hands here

My quilting history

Yes, of course I’m busy being creative, problem is, most of what I’m working on is gifts, so I can’t share yet. I realized, that since I’ve been quilting for over 30 years, I should share some of my older quilts. I went searching for my first quilt and I can’t find it!!! I’m a little disturbed by this, I can’t believe that I have thrown it away – it is very warn since we did use it for years, but it is not something I would throw away. Oh well, onto to another quilt.This was my inspiration. On a visit from Israel to the US I had seen an exhibit of the Book of Kells, the Celtic designs and their illuminated manuscripts were so foreign to anything I had seen before. I fell in love, I bought a book on the Book of Lindisfarne and poured over every page. This image really grabbed me, sure here it is the title page for the Gospel of Mark, but the lion has long been a Jewish symbol as well, and there were no crosses or other Christian symbols. So off I went to make my masterpiece.I made this quilt 27 years ago, I finished it shortly before my youngest son was born. Even though it has a water stain in the upper left corner – that just adds to it’s being special and loved. It has hung in every single home we have lived in, and there was leak behind it in one of the homes. Of course I could wash it gently in my bathtub (no machine washing for this one), after almost 30 years I probably should. Not a bad job of recreating the image as a quilt.Sometimes it pays to tackle a project without rules. I did my best to trace out the lion on one large piece of paper. Then I went section by section doing a combination of paper piecing and appliqué. Of course I have no pictures of the process, this was long before digital photography. At some point the lion was complete, then the tedious work of removing the paper started. Btw, the background is simple muslin, the quilts is 45″, the width of the fabric which did determine how I fit everything in.

Once I had my lion done, I figured out the placement of the red lines and the purple boxes. I made sure to figure out the placement of the words, Imago Leonis – image of the Lion. I appliquéd the red bands down first, then I put the lion on top and appliquéd him down, finally, I needle turn appliquéd the words down. I bought all of the fabrics on a visit to the US, at that time I never could have found any of those fabrics in Israel, I’m very glad I chose both solids and what today we would call low volume. Back then it was simply quilting cottons.I didn’t skimp on any detail, if it was in the original image, I did my best to get it into the quilt.I didn’t stop there, it might have taken three months to create the quilt top, another seven to hand quilt the whole thing. Yes, I quilted in the ditch on the lion, I also used the quilting stitch to create the definition of toes, and then I filled the whole background with celtic swirls and keys and anything else that I found on the pages of my book.So sorry if I snigger when I see hand quilting that is large, done with embroidery thread and where each stitch is practically the size of a quarter of an inch. After ten months of working on this, I made the label with cross stitch! What was I thinking??? Also, one of the best names I ever came up with, naming is not my strong suit.

So now it hangs in my hallway, I must confess that I don’t really ‘see’ it all that much. Which is why just taking these few photos reminded me of how wonderful and labor intensive it really was. And it has survived very very well. I think I will take it down and wash it, and when I do, I’ll probably get some better quality photos.

I have made many quilts since, I hope to make many more, but this will always be my masterpiece. I’m fine with that, its ok to have my masterpiece done when I was young and simply continue to be creative.

Happy New Year

It’s the Jewish New Year, 5776. So busy busy busy. The High Holidays go on for almost a month. I’ve reached back into some of my pictures from Chicago that didn’t make it into other posts. In no particular order.Something of a tie in to the water towers of Mendocino, here’s a lovely old one on a brick building that probably won’t last much longer, bigger shinier buildings going up all around it.I use the photo editing program Picmonkey, and the photo on the front page looks very similar to this one. This one is on Navy Pier.40 cars on the Ferris wheel, the things you learn when you study your own photos. Btw, this one is coming down and a much larger one, like the London Eye is going to replace it. But it still won’t be as big as the original Wheel in the 1893 Columbia World Fair.You can’t go to Chicago and not take a picture (or ten) of the bean. Once again, I’m enjoying how I caught the people here, most are hiding under the bean because it was raining.Before the rain it was just fun to see the reflection.Of course we took a Chicago River Architectural cruise.I thoroughly enjoyed the old bridges. This actually should be video, the center of the bridge was being lowered right as we came to it. Notice the big concrete counter balance to the right. The guide himself had never seen this happen.A different bridge with another type of counter balance. These wonderful old bridges still stand because the traffic over them has diminished, less cargo coming into this part of the city. I hope they keep them maintained as long as possible.Cuz I just love this wonderful old metal work. I even see a quilt pattern, or a few to be honest.Not all of the river is urban, this could be out in the country somewhere.Here is a new flower to me, very big brash and pink, in a planter on Michigan Ave. The cone flower (Echinacea) is quite common, I still enjoy photographing flowers no matter how common they may be.

Miscellaneous from the trip north

We hiked the fern forest, water, ferns and redwoods.The trunk of a large redwood that was cut down probably a century ago. The whole grove is second growth, they have a long way to go to get the same girth.Many don’t make it, they fall, of course in doing so they leave room for the neighbors to grow wider, they also obstruct paths.New plants find these old stumps to be perfect places to grow.The strength of the spider, one small thread is holding this leaf aloft.Others have used the old wood to make interesting gates.Plants will grow and flower anywhere they can.Even on the side of the cliff.An abalone that was pulled out of the ocean.Just a cute sign that reminded me of a quilt.Yarn!Mexican pottery and redwood shingles.Peppers at the farmers marketThe entrance to the Greek Orthodox Monastery in Calistoga.The nuns’ tools beautifully displayed and cared for.And the nuns selling their wares at the farmers market.

Quilt for Shira

Shira needs a new quilt. She had a baby one, but she isn’t a baby anymore. I like complex patterns and this one fits the bill: Eclipse by Sharon McConnell.Photo from Colorgirlquilts
Pink is a must for Shira, I happen to have a lot of fabric with foxes, from my CrazylikeFox gift exchange group.But then I decided to add all kinds of animal prints. I realize that Shira’s first quilt had only owls, so I guess I”m sticking with an animal theme.Owls of course, although I don’t have many owl prints, I know, foxes and hedgehogs have replaced the owl, thank God. If I’m using an owl print, it can’t be cutesy, it has to have some whimsy to it.6 more blocks to go. I’m trying to get a balance between dark, light and medium prints.

This is a fiddly pattern, not a quick make in a day – which is just the kind of pattern I like.

Mendocino

Standing on the balcony of our hotel, this is the view. Where the wide open park now sits there used to be homes and businesses. Back in the 19th century one didn’t waste valuable real estate on views.The old pilings have been carved into modern totems, and nature has added it’s own touch by sprouting a plant in the mouth.I love decay, this massive iron chain may have been here for 100 years, but for how much longer?I could have taken pictures of every Victorian house in town, but even I realized that is too much.Water towers are still in use, luckily they get enough rain to fill them, but there is no connection to a main water supply, so these large tanks still provide for the town. Btw, when we were there, there was water, but the town had been cut off from the internet, we were asked to use cash whenever possible.Some warehouses became parts of homes.And some homes sported wonderful design over the doorway.Who can resist the fire department with it’s old fashioned siren on the roof.This was originally built in 1866 as the Masonic Hall, later to be converted to a bank, still a bank today.This sculpture was carved out of one block of redwood by Eric Albertson, head of the Mendocino lodge. These figures are, the Angel of Death, how appropriate that he has a raven on his scythe. The weeping maiden, the hourglass of transience as well as other Masonic symbol.Speaking of death, the old cemeteries, with the Naked Ladies flowers. These flowers bloom in late summer, after the flowers die, the leaves will grow – hence the name. Once these bloom, fall is around the corner.An elaborate stele, honoring Sarah wife of John McDonald, she died at 47, he at 82, since they died a year apart, I’m sure she wasn’t his first wife. I didn’t check the other two sides to see if other wives are buried in the same plot.This is a simpler stone, probably from the Azorian/Portuguese settlers. I do find old cemeteries to be quite fascinating.Back to the living, other early settlers were Chinese, they built this Toaist Temple, one of the earliest ones in California, today it is used as a community hall. I looked in the window, it still looks like a Temple. Oh, and those stairs, very very steep, not up to todays codes.This Church is one of the oldest with a continuous Presbyterian community.The rectors wife offered to show me the inside, but only later in the day. Since we were interested in getting out and hiking in nature, I missed the opportunity. I do enjoy the view through two windows.

Little towns in California

Our first stop was Paso Robles, an old agriculture town that is getting a real boost from the wine industry. Wonderful refurbished old building.With a wonderful old time candy shop, that isn’t really all that old.There is a wonderful large green square, this building was very important, if only because of the clocks that are visible from all directions.Another old building that got a stucco coating at some point, I do like how they have broken through it to show the old brick.A modern information booth that has a very old timey feel.Art Deco Theater, no longer in use, a more modern one is just one block over. I do hope one of those tasting rooms takes over.Sometimes it’s not the buildings, it’s the wonderful juxtaposition of color. Primaries anyone?Santa Rosa doesn’t have a lot to offer. Sure, they have these big fiberglass sculptures that honor the Peanuts. Charles Shultz lived here for years. They also named their airport after him. At least Charlie himself is cast in bronze and isn’t fading and aging like the others.The hotel we stayed at in Mendocino.Our room was right off the front balcony to the left of the wooden swing. Yes, we sat out there and reveled in the view. Mendo is getting a whole post of it’s own!Calistoga in the very North Western part of Napa Valley. That Venetian Lion is very popular.Wonderful old brick buildings. Using different colors and playing with size they created some very interesting facades.Due to our litigious society, all the brick buildings have this sign. Sure it is good advice, but I’m thinking the city hopes it gives them cover if people are injured near these buildings during an earthquake.Calistoga City hall, adorable isn’t it? The police station across the street is much bigger and more modern.Look down! always interesting things right under our feet.And finally Healdsburg. An adorable little town, also has a wonderful center green with a bandstand. I haven’t done any research, but I’m thinking this was a bank. Who else could afford this Gladding McBean tile? And yes, I’m saying Gladding McBean without any research either, since the detail is impeccable and there is no other company around that did this kind of work.More glazed terracotta.Got to love the Old Theater. Don’t know how old this sign is.These raven are on the box office. They look old to me.

Yes, we did pass through other towns, but there is only so much I can share. Yes Cloverdale had an adorable Church and wonderful old Victorian homes, but no, I didn’t get any pictures.

Knitting on the road

The nice thing about a driving trip is that I get a lot of knitting done. Usually I bring socks or another small project. This time I am making the Artemisia Sweater from Craftsy. I must have bought this class during one of the sales since it looked very cute. I also know that no matter how good I am at a craft, I can always learn something new.Webs was having a sale on their own worsted wool, and I found a color I like. I think I was a little beyond this stage when we started driving.Before you know it, I had finished the lace section. Don’t worry, it will look much better once I block it.As you can see, I made a lot of progress. It was fun to knit in a coffee shop in Cloverdale and have a group of ladies admire my work. Knitting is always a conversation starter.I was even able to try it on.Body is done and I’ve started on one of the sleeves. With the same lace detail on the pocket.One of the things that intrigued me about this sweater was how the sleeves are set in, not raglan. I love a good top down sweater pattern and this is definitely one! I have seen other designers come up with their own method of creating the set in sleeve, which means more fun sweater knitting for me.

So now I just have to finish the sleeves, do a little bit of sewing and then block it! Then hope for some cool weather so I can actually wear this.

Northern California Coast

There is something amazing about the coast of Northern California north of San Francisco. The coastline, the rock formations, there is nothing like it, not south of there, not north of there up in Oregon.The town of Mendocino, which deserves a post of it’s own.The rocks, the colors of the water.Life will thrive everywhere, lichen on the rocks.Seaweed along the waterline.Birds thrive here.Some lucky birds have their won island. They probably don’t care about the tunnel underneath them. I don’t know how long it will be before this is two islands.The birds cling to the rocks.This is what I mean about the beauty.I had to tilt the camera to capture the progression of the rocks.Sand stone eroding quickly, but it is on top of some volcanic rock.I LOVE lighthouses!! The Port Arena one is so simple but is perfect for this landscape.No, we didn’t take the tour, I’ve seen enough fresnel lenses, but it’s in there.

As beautiful as these photos are, nothing can replace the original, if you ever have a chance – GO!

California Wine

Take some grapes, squeeze out the juice let it ferment and you have wine. But selling the wine has become an enormous business. It’s all in the marketing.It doesn’t hurt that vineyards on a gentle hillside are gorgeous.Or that the vine itself is a pretty thing to behold.Not to mention that the grapes are things of beauty, jewels on the vine.Make sure to build very pretty tasting rooms, even the parking lot must stand out. Choose a cute namePay great attention to decorating detailsLike using wine barrels and other local crops as props.A Venetian lion as a logo doesn’t hurt.But this sign actually made us stop and buy some port and chocolate.

Of course sit down for a tasting with all the flowery language used to explain what we are drinking, in this case, we also enjoyed our own cheese and crackers.

The real reason for the trip, a wonderful wedding in a vineyard.Where I got to celebrate with the mother of the groom, a very dear friend, as well as wear my newest party dress.Then watch a gorgeous sunset over the vines.

The Angeles Forest

In order to get to the gold mine, we hiked about two miles.As we started out, there were still wildflowers to be seen. We were at about 4000′ of elevation, lower down all the wildflowers have died in the heat.This bright red greeted us often on the path.If you catch the angle just right, everything is green.When in reality, we hiked through pretty dry areas, where the agave thrive.Most of the hike was on the old road, so although rocky, it wasn’t hard.Until we got to washout areas like this.Or this. Nature is busy deconstructing the mountain.Since at this height the mountains get snow in the winter, trees and bushes thrive. As does the large flowering stalk of the agave.The Forest Service took down as much of the ‘town’ as it could. This must have been the base for some of the heavy mining equipment, so it remains.Of course it was the rock formations that interested the miners. Not sure this is any indication of gold, but it sure is pretty.As are these specimens I brought home. White quartz and green Mica??? I have no idea, they are just pretty rocks to me.This one is very flaky, yet very green. It means there is some kind of mineral in it, but what it may be, I don’t know.

I do know that when the weather cools down, I need to do some more hiking in our local mountains.