Angles and curves

Downtown on a summer evening in August is magical. Food at Grand Central market, Music up on California Plaza and a walk down Grand ave.  A lot of people walking, sitting, relaxing, enjoying the gorgeous California evening. P1100705Two icons of modern downtown caught my attention.  The Disney Hall of course and next door, the New Broad Museum which has already been photographed by many people.The BroadThe veil, which is what the exterior is being called is made out of fiberglass reinforced concrete Panels.  It reminds me of the wonderful terra cotta tiles we have all over older buildings downtown.  This is an updated take on the same concept – giving a very different feel to the building- a modern fluid appearance.The BroadIt is fun to see the panels through the curved window, of course I’m looking forward to seeing this image from the inside.Angles at the roof line of the Broad MuseumLooking up at the corner of the building, the curves, the points, the angles,  I’m loving it all.Roofline of the Broad MuseumThe golden California sunlight being captured within the blocks.

Disney Hall, dtlaRight next door, The Disney Hall,  once again, I can’t say enough about the light and what it does to all these wonderful curves and angles.P1100699Not to mention that this would make an incredible quilt.P1100701The glass captures the light differently from the metal surface.P1100703And of course reflects other wonderful building, like City Hall.Los Angeles City HallWhich viewed on it’s own is a remarkable example of Art Deco.P1100689Capped by a pyramid. As well as modern implements – probably modern technology. Although these circular objects mar the surface some, in the overall scheme of things, they don’t really make a difference to this beautiful landmark.

Linen sweater finished

P1100360The bottom half of the sweater has a lace pattern, all knitting looks wonky and messy before blocking, linen more than most.P1100526I finished knitting the sweater on the long drive up to Mammoth. We got there in the late afternoon and immediately went out for a walk in the meadow. It gets a little chilly and the linen sweater was perfect! It’s a little shapeless here, but hey, the company is so worth while.P1100627As soon as I got home, threw the sweater into the washing machine and then the dryer – linen can take a lot of abuse, actually it needs it to help soften the fibers. I then ironed it to give it back some shape.P1100620If the sleeves look too long, that is because they are,  I probably should have knit them a little shorter, linen grows in the blocking, but will grow no more. Unlike cotton that for some reason just keeps stretching no matter what you do. I may end up doing some sweater surgery and taking some length off before the lace section.P1100621There is a reason why I didn’t take pictures of the sweater on me. It is cozy and yummy but a little shapeless – I know I will love wearing it on summer evenings and into the fall, this one is all about comfort and some pretty details (the lace) but one doesn’t get a nice well fitted sweater out of linen.P1100629Having a large button stash enabled me to find three matching buttons that work just fine. Add a little punch but no big sparkle.P1100628I do love how the lace opens up when blocked.

Will I be knitting another linen sweater? Probably not, I like my sweaters with more shape. I do have a lot of linen in many colors and I’m thinking of a crazy idea – knit a colorful throw.  I am one who hates knitting afghans, even for babies – but what can I do? Sure I can knit another shawl, but I’ll still have a lot of linen left.P1100637I’m thinking of a long term project, and I mean really long term, with no rush whatsoever to finish. Meanwhile, I think my next knitting project will be made out of the best fiber on earth for knitting – wool.

Mammoth

Mammoth is the ski destination of Southern California (Northern Californians go to Lake Tahoe). But to my mind, Mammoth is so much better in the summer.  P1100607The majestic crags of the Eastern High Sierras.P1100558The crystal clear mountain lakes.P1100604Where the color is strong and the contrasts sharp.P1100567The mirror smooth surface of the water.P1100522Summer brings a meadow full of flower.P1100530With flowing grasses.

P1100512And busy bees.P1100582

YellowP1100580Red
P1100523P1100606PinkP1100584WhiteP1100518

P1100519P1100533P1100534At the height of summer some of the flowers are already going to seed.P1100548Decorations that can only happen in the summer

Paper Flowers

This week a movie is coming out called Paper Towns, based on a Young Adult novel about towns that may exist on the map – but don’t exist in the real world. Last week a friend mentioned something called a Paper Road, a road that exists on paper in the city planning department but never came to fruition. This friend is dealing such a road that actually runs right through her house.  The hope is to remove that road from city plans – so it never does become a reality.

Paper Flowers on the other hand are real things and I had the pleasure of taking a class with Robert Mahar on how to make some of these beauties.P1100445The first flower is very large and made from simple templates that we cut out ourselves.P1100447Staples and hot glue and the flower takes shape.P1100448The next stage was to make the stamens, which is basically a glorified Turkey frill, the instructions in this link are exactly how we made this much larger version.P1100453Here it the final flower, which of course can be made in many sizes.P1100458As you can see, this one is quite large.

Then we went on and made some smaller flowers, Robert used the Sillhouette Cameo to cut the template pieces. What a wonderful tool, but I’m not going full time into paper crafts; so it’s not something I will be buying anytime soon. For the occasional flower I’d like to make, I’ll cut it with scissors.P1100460The flowers are adorable, I learned a lot in this class. Simple things  like using the eraser side of a pencil while using the hot-glue gun. Any tip that helps avoid glue gun burns is a good thing!  Yes there are silicone finger caps that are more effective, but once again, I don’t use my glue gun all that much.P1100462A little more size comparison. IMG_3464When I got home I felt the flowers were missing something. I dove into my vast button collection and solved that problem. Of course I sent Robert my adaptation, he may use this idea in another class.

At home it was time to see what I could make on my own.P1100469The purple template is what Robert cut out on the Silhouette, I made the other templates by hand.P1100470Using a colorful $1 book I bought at the The Last Bookstore I set about cutting out the flower.P1100476No, it’s not as clean and perfect like the die cut flower, also, a lesson learned from quilting – a busy print will look very different from a solid color.P1100477For a first attempt I’m very happy, of course it takes practice to get better at this flower making craft.  P1100479Side by side, paper flowers can be very fun.

Crazy like Fox 1, second gift

Glenni asked for something hand knit, either socks or fingerless mitts. Off to Ravelry I went and found many patterns on Revelry, I ended up using this.P1100392I added a thumb, but used the basic pattern. For knitters out there, this little pattern calls for 3 strands in a row, not hard for such a small project. It does give the foxes their character, eyes and muzzle. P1100394You can see what a perfect match the two foxes are.P1100395Another gift, I had started fussy cutting these squares a while ago, not sure what it would become.  The simplest thing is to make a little zippered pouch.P1100397Reversing the direction of the blocks.P1100399And adding a little bling on the zipper pull.

I think I really hit the mark with this one.

July gifts delivered to Crazy like fox 1

I am really enjoying the year long Instagram birthday gift exchange. It is fun coming up with creative gifts for women all over the country.  Sometimes I really tailor the item to their request and sometimes I just get creative.Elizabeth Hartman FoxElizabeth Hartman is a very detailed creative quilt designer. She now has patterns for many animals. These are all created by strip piecing, no cutting out tiny squares or triangles.  Of course I made the fox.Elizabeth Hartman hedgehogAs well as some hedgehogs.  These patterns work very well in solid fabrics, it was fun to play with prints and see if I could get the correct values so the image stands out.P1100372Not so much, the top left hedgehog sort of disappears into the background, out he came (I’ll find another use for that block) and another one replaced him.P1100376Much better.P1100383Practice makes better! I can really see how my quilting has improved. Here I was working with rulers to get the straight lines, that is an interesting technique.  So far I’ve been working on small projects and I’m getting the hang of it.

P1100388I did use the quilting to give the hedgehogs some little toes.
P1100405The final mini,  a spiral  gives the fox cuter cheeks.  Most of the quilting just fades into the busy prints.P1100390On the back, a sleeve for hanging.

https://instagram.com/p/5ZnyBfoxRL/?taken-by=threadedmess

Olaf Dress

Like all little girls, Shira likes Frozen, her favorite character is the little snowman Olaf. I’ve been keeping my eyes open for Olaf fabric. Anna and Elsa are easy to find but so far no Olaf.

Until Hawaii that is.IMG_0711The Calico Cat in Honolulu had this fabric – yay!!  Not only is it Olaf, this fabric is really adorable.

So I went into my stash of patterns and pulled out the Roller Skating Dress and got to work.  Oliver and S patterns are easy to work with, in no time I had this:roller skate dress, Oliver and SOf course I had to use a different fabric for the collar, it sort of looks like snow flakes, well it does for those of us who rarely see snow.P1100365Cute from the back as wellP1100366Got to use another one of that treasure trove of buttons and I only needed the one.P1100367Nice top-stitching if I can say so myself.P1100368Putting in a lining is what gives the neckline, sleeve caps and elastic casing such a nice clean finish.
P1100426Shira just turned four and it wasn’t hard to get her to model the dress.P1100427Or to pose with Saba.

Carolyn Friedlander

The modern quilt world has it’s stars, one of them is Carolyn Friedlander, although she is so quiet and unassuming, that star doesn’t quite fit the bill.IMG_3453It is very rare to have our monthly quilt meeting on a Friday night, but when a special designer is in town, it’s worth going.  We had a smaller crowd than I had expected – I’m sure changing the day had a lot to do with it.IMG_3444Carolyn trained as an architect before discovering quilting. (sorry about the quality of the picture – taken at night with my phone). She is comfortable creating house blocks, but it is much more than that, there is a certain meticulousness to her work, not perfect symmetrical blocks, just an overall feeling.IMG_3449Her outhouse pattern, using many of her own prints. I love her sense of color, her ability to use low volume fabrics with pops of bright. Her quilting is very well thought out, nothing is left to chance.IMG_3447Turns out her favorite methods of piecing are needle turned applique; seen here in the circles – or rather the rows of trees one would see on an architectural drawing. IMG_3450The other is paper piecing, all those house were done that way.  Here she is playing with color, she had a few samples of this quilt – each using different fabrics;  each one taking on a very different character as a result.IMG_3454She learned applique by making Hawaiian blocks (something I plan on doing very soon).  She uses the ‘snowflake’ method of cutting the appliqué patch. Here she folded the fabric 8 times, I’m still trying to wrap my mind around that. The appliqué section here is cut from on large piece of fabric.  This is a perfect example of using different fabrics to achieve very different results. The far left is bold, graphic and the quilting gets lost in the design. The center one is calmer, staying in the same color family. The far right is where the quilting sings, since the fabrics are all solids.

Someone asked her about using fabrics other than her own, I loved her answer – I love fabric.  The fabrics here are so different from what she designs; of course she should avail herself of everything out there – just like the rest of us.IMG_3448Another example of needle turned appliqué, I think in this case she folded the fabric like an Thiaccordion before cutting.IMG_3445This quilt is what I’m talking about her meticulousness – the outer circle  matches, the inner ones don’t. She has achieved a very pleasing balance, both in design and color and of course the use of quilting.IMG_3455This quilt is Block of the month tutorial, its’ a lesson in needle turned applique, can be purchased either as individual segments or as the whole pattern. For those who don’t like the cutesy or the juvenile one often finds in appliqué; this is a very refreshing modern approach.

Finally, our gift for showing up on a Friday nightP1100402Everyone got a charm pack (2.5″ squares) of her prints together with Kona solids that she feels compliment the prints.  Mind will probably end up being combined with other charm packs, the idea of sticking with only one line of fabric, no matter how creative it is – just doesn’t work for me.

A number of my friends took classes with Carolyn, from their IG posts I’d say that she is as good a teacher as she is a lecturer, quilter and fabric designer.

Patriotism

While the other Hawaiian Islands are prettier and more relaxing, Oahu has one thing they don’t have – Pearl Harbor.P1100292We didn’t visit the Arizona memorial, saw it from across the water, we did visit the Missouri.P1100268The ship upon which the Japanese surrendered in WWII.  The sister ship, the Iowa, is in San Pedro, for all people in the LA area- I highly recommend you visit.P1100263Joel is smart, a company photographer took pictures of everyone – as in 1700 people. So Joel handed him my camera and asked him to to our picture – good job!P1100270We were seated in a large tent, the back had screening so we could see the memorial. Which is why this picture is a little fuzzy.P1100283I’m actually amazed at the clarity of this photo, as the program started this rainbow appeared.P1100285And stayed throughout General McChrystal’s fascinating talk. P1100288Before he spoke, we were introduced to a Vet who was on active duty in Pearl Harbor, on the infamous day that shall live on in history.P1100291Then it was on to a cocktail party on the Missouri, with a number of docents telling us the interesting history of this ship.P1100271P1100293These battleship guns were active during Dessert Storm in the early 90s and have a lot to do with why that conflict ended quickly.P1100307Other guns are tiny in comparison.P1100295The steel chains are huge.P1100308And to my eye beautiful.P1100303Even the rust is beautiful, a rare sight on a very well cared for ship.P1100309As the sun set, the old control tower for the airport,  is off in the distance – pure Hawaii, palm trees at it’s base.P1100314The party continued at the Pearl Harbor museum of flying. I wish fighter jets were still painted like this.P1100317The party went on into the night, with music dancing and lots  of food and drinks.  The insurance business may not be sexy, but insurance people sure know how to have a good time as well as a meaningful one.

Out and about in Honolulu

P1100181 In the lobby, under glass is a rare Hawaiian flag quilt.  The four Hawaiian flags were modified, the Union Jack is facing the wrong way, I think this was done so the center design would stand out more. Hey, artistic license. P1100182The Royal coat of arms in done  in the traditions Hawaiian appliqué style, as well as the quilting stitches that echo the crown. These quilts are very rare and this one is in beautiful shape. Most people never saw this, although it is proudly displayed in the lobby right across from the elevators. But then most people haven’t trained themselves to really look closely at their surroundings.

Of course I had to go visit a Quilt Shop and found one near the resort. The Calico Cat was well worth a visit.P1100250Imagine my delight in finding the store in a wonderful mid-century modern building. Right next to the Good Will drip off bins, oh well, cities have a life of their own, I can’t photoshop what I don’t like out.

Joel was very happy to join me, no, he didn’t stay in the store (which gave me time to really explore and buy some great patterns and fabric), he found a local coffee shop and enjoyed watching the city go by.HonoluluThe big development of this area was in the middle of last century – this actually looks closer to Art Deco than mid-century. The design along the side of the building could be part of either style.  The balcony is traditional Hawaiian; open to let in the breezes. Aged and weathered because that is what the tropics will do.Queen Theater, HonoluluThe Queen Theater built in the Art Deco Style in 1936 has been vacant for 20 years. There is a movement to try and restore the building and use it either for film or small theater. I hope they succeed, This is one of the most endangered old buildings in Honolulu, clearly the idea of conserving and readapting the old has yet to arrive in the Islands.P1100338An old house that has an historical designation. This storybook home was built in 1928 and is well loved and cared for.

Someone mentioned the many interesting gates in the Kahala neighborhood – a very expensive beach community.P1100323Although there are some large pieces of land, most of these homes are crammed in one next to the other, so of course for privacy people have walls and gates. The perfect canvas for some very impressive artwork done in metal.P1100337Ironworkers must be doing well here, at least they have a lot of creative license.P1100319The flora and fauna of Hawaii being a major inspiration.P1100320This gate could be at home anywhere, if it weren’t for the tropical plants around it.P1100328Getting artsy with glass.P1100341Bamboo as inspiration.P1100340Sometimes a gate just isn’t enough.P1100318This looks to me like an old WWII air-raid siren. Of course it may be newer and is actually a Tsunami siren.  Or maybe it is from WWII and it’s been repurposed. Whenever I’m out walking I always look up, you never know what you will see.