I really love LA, there is so much going on here and I only take advantage of a smidgen of it. Last year I missed this event, I’m very happy to have gone this year. Most of the artists do not want people taking pictures of their art, so I got my impressions of the Brewery complex. This sign is seen best from the freeway, I took this picture from the bridge that connects two buildings, so the angle isn’t great.
visited here a year and a half ago and wrote up a post, I saw different things this time. I love the Art Deco facade of some of these buildings.
Look at the view this artist has! The whole complex was full of people enjoying a lovely Southern CA fall day. Funny story, as I was leaving a gentleman asked me what is going on here, I told him it’s a free art show. He asked where the beer was. I had to laugh and explain that the complex was originally a powerplant, then the Pabst Beer company used it as a brewery and 30 years ago it became an artist colony. But, Barbara’s Brewery would be more than happy to sell him some beer if that was all he wanted.
I should have taken the time to go up those stairs, each building is unique. Well, all this means is that I need to go back in spring for the spring artwalk.
Quite a few of the artists have their homes/studios in lower industrial buildings, which gives them small patios as well. 
The interior courtyard of the Art Deco building, I love what they have done here, literally planted trees inside.
Those who have access to the outdoors use it well. How could you not with the lovely weather we have here.
Cats are popular here.
I had the pleasure of meeting Teresa Coates. Small world story, I listened to Abby Glasenburgs Podcast: While She Naps, this episode is an interview with Arvin Pairavi, owner of Shannon Fabrics. He mentions Teresa as education coordinater, we spoke for close to an hour. Having worked in that industry and her being a quilter – we had a lot to talk about. I’m sure our paths will cross again. She will be at Quiltmarket next week and I am looking forward to seeing what she posts on Instagram.
The interior hallways are fun as well, these are artists, after all, they are going to decorate their environments. 
Love the bright colors and the sign is cute.
More hallway decoration.
Here is an artist who encouraged photography. Patrick Guerre Arts, he is painting 10,000 of these hearts to raise awareness and to raise funds for his wife’s’ autoimmune disease. This project is called hearts for Gina. I love that he is using his art in a happy way to help his wife. 
Then I had the pleasure of meeting Andre Miripolsky.
I first saw his work 3 years ago in a lobby in DTLA. I reminded him of this building, took him a moment. He has been very busy painting much larger installations. What is really exciting is that he will be creating and LA Historama for the convention center. This will be fabricated by Judson Studios. I am so excited about this and I hope this comes to fruition. Here’s an article about his work and the plans for this mural.
This all happened on Saturday, Sunday will be a whole new post. Have I mentioned that I love LA?
Yes, the owners were influenced by the big one at the Huntington, but small is more manageable.
Turns out these guys need hand watering and a lot of cleaning up debris, which isn’t easy to do with all those thorns.
I am grateful for their efforts. Sure flowers are fleeting and lovely.
This one looks like a ruffled camelia, but it grows on a desert plant.
Flowers turn into fruit. There is plenty of animal life around who have figured out how to live among the spines.
The succulent world is full of oddities, this one starts new growth with green leaves and then turns thick, fleshy and wrinkled.
This type of growth is a ‘sport’ even on this plant, but with regular attention, this is what the growers have managed to encourage and keep.
There are the tall ones that reach for the sky.
With interesting flowers….
… but really, it’s the leaves growing in spirals along the trunk that are interesting. Beware, the leaves do hide very sharp thorns.
I think it’s true, nature abhors a straight line.
I know there is some kind of mathematical formula going on here. The twists and turns aren’t arbitrary.
Not a saguaro cactus, but close.
The barrels are always intriguing, there are rare ones that one can never find at the local nursery.
especially like these stair risers in Santa Fe, look how the tiles create a secondary design, which really the focal point.
A close up of the entrance to Old Town, mosaic using tiles, many broken tiles, others shapes that are made for this purpose.
Outside a local museum, using just the broken tiles to create floor designs. None of those shapes here, the floor needs to remain flat.
Incorporating animals into the architecture, an owl for me!
A rabbit for Becky.
One cannot be in New Mexico and not have one of these ram skulls as decoration, it’s obligatory, just like the red peppers.
Speaking of red, nature is busy providing its own reds…
… and orange….
… and yellow.
We walked along the river path.
The army corps of engineers created a more permanent channel for the river and its tributaries. They did the same in Los Angeles but concreted the whole 54 miles, well, except for the Glendale Narrows. I wish they had left the river bed natural, but at the time they were just so gung-ho about the biggest project they ever were involved with.
Ducks, Canada Geese and soon Cranes will all enjoy this waterway.
As do these turtles, this red-eared slider is native to this area. Although many like him have been given away at school carnivals and then released in other waterways where they become invasive pests. At least this little fellow is where he belongs.
Old town Albuquerque is very nice. Most people think that the US started in New England and moved west, new communities being built in a straight timeline. Not so, much of the south, from Florida to California was being developed by the Spanish, or in Louisana’s case – the French.
What today is New Mexico was at the far reaches of New Spain – Mexico. Albuquerque and Santa Fe date back to 1706. This church, on the plaza in Albuquerque in from then. 
Interior of Church.
Back to Old town, on weekends and during Balloon Fiesta, the central plaza is full of activities, traditional music and dances are de-rigor.
Since Day of the dead is approaching, these flags were all over the place. Traditionally they would be cut from crepe paper, these will last a little longer, being die-cut from think sheet-plastic.
New Mexico really embraced the adobe look to many homes and buildings.
Certainly, gives a recognizable cohesion to the state.
In Old town, all kinds of decorations abound.
The American style finds it’s place alongside the pueblo style. With the rich blue skies, blue is a popular color.
The Cathedral is in Santa Fe, which was established one hundred years before Albuquerque. Yes, New Mexico’s history goes way back.
It was a short visit to Santa Fe, the art scene and galleries are what it is known for. I loved the shadow cast by one sculpture under the other. We just walked around the central plaza, didn’t really have time for much else. We even ended up going back down for dinner. I did find a lovely little place near our hotel with fresh tasty food, they also serve alcohol, but this trip, I did without. 
In New Mexico, they put green chili pepper on everything! Once the peppers turn red and sweeter – they make them into these strands and wreaths. Of course one can remove peppers to cook with, but they are really mostly for decoration.
I can’t go anywhere without visiting fabric stores! We visited four of them, but only got a picture outside this one. Each was wonderful and unique in its’ own way.
First, toasting a successful Fiesta and a good friendship with some good old Colorado beer.
Assembling the basket components.
Stretching out the balloon.
It’s a powerful fan, the balloon fills quickly. There are all kinds of flaps that can be manipulated with ropes, that is how Clayton controls assent or descent.
Moments before liftoff.
And they are off, now it’s time to look around. Thursday was shape day, I only saw a few of the shape balloons. Becky got some great pictures so I’ll wait to see them.
Then the chase started, we all piled into the truck and followed the balloon. Jared was in touch via walkie-talkie, we also kept eye contact. There was Doppelganger – another balloon very similar to Finish Line. The weather was perfect, they were up in the air almost 1.5 hours and they ended up at the very far reaches of one of the outlining suburbs. The Albuquerque region is much larger than I expected.
Starting to come down in this field, none of us wanted him to land there, too much brush and who knows rattlesnakes. I missed it but some of the guys saw a jackrabbit the size of a coyote.
So although he did touch down briefly and very smoothly, he got enough lift so we could walk him a quarter of a mile down to a nice grassy area.
I took a few pictures, then I joined in walking the balloon, Clayton made sure to keep it afloat, so no dragging on the ground.
This wasn’t easy, maneuvering down a slope.
On the ground, now it was necessary to hold on to the basket so it didn’t lift off again.
Jared grabbed the rope and is pulling the balloon to the ground. They got a sponsor this year, a Boot store, I hardly saw the sign, it was small compared to the whole balloon.
Deflating.
Deflating, rolling up the balloon and stuffing it in the bag takes a lot less time when you have a large crew.
We were awarded tank tops, courtesy of Clayton, then we sat back and enjoyed a nice tailgate party out on the field with other balloonists.
Clayton is in the green and his wonderful partner Jared, who I just met this week is in the red. I think you can figure out which one is Becky.
Up at 4:30 in the morning, going out to the field and preparing the balloon for flight. It was freezing, standing around till almost 7 am, frost on the ground, I’m not built for that kind of cold.
You better believe I stood close by when Clayton tested the propane.
The balloon itself, named Finish Line, is laid out, ready to fill.
First a fan is used to fill as much air in as possible.
Jared is holding the line attached to the top, stretching it out so the balloon fills evenly. No way can one do this hobby alone, it takes a number of people.
Once it’s pretty full, Clayton turns on the heat.
Those flames are hot.
Into the basket we go, a quick picture before liftoff.
Then, we glide up into the air.
Looking back at other balloons who are preparing for their own ascent. 
The view from the air is incredible.
It was a little too windy, so not many balloons made it up. They aborted the lift-off for many balloons. I didn’t notice how strong the winds were until it became apparent that we were over the city, rather than out into open space.
I didn’t get any pictures of the landing, I was busy getting bounced around, but you can see, trying to land in a city isn’t easy.
Two more balloons landing right next to us.
The Albuquerque balloon had their chase crew at the ready, about 4 guys grabbed the tether and pulled the balloon down gently. Unlike our basket, can you see it toppled over practically on that log? Luckily we were dumped out before the log then it got dragged further. No damage to us, basket or the balloon.
Wrapping up and getting ready to pack everything up.
Loaded up in a bag, ready for a field trip.
I know this quilt is destined for a bed, but quilts are often used outside as picnic blankets, beach blanket or to build forts. Quilts are very resilient
.
Once home from the photo shoot, I washed and dried the quilt in my washer and dryer, using regular laundry detergent. I always do this before giving someone a quilt, I want them to know that they can do the same. The quilt will be fine, it is meant to be laundered.
Back home, I wrapped myself in this big behemoth and took some more pictures.
This was after the laundry, so I’m being very careful that it doesn’t drag on the ground. Once Leigh has it, she can do that on her own.
Since it is going to live permanently on a bed, I felt I need some pictures there. This is a king size bed, it is clearly long enough but not wide enough. If I were keeping it, this would be fine, I can’t ever see myself making a king size quilt – too hard to deal with all that bulk!
Pasadena is a fascinating little city. Most people think of this as a nice suburb of Los Angeles, but it has so much happening here. The city is beautiful, it is full of interesting buildings and institutions. The Norton Simon Museum, the Rose Bowl, a myriad of churches, and the best example of Craftsman homes around.
These wonderful buildings are about 70 years old. They all house classrooms, not dorms. Charles E. Fuller was a radio evangelist back in the 1940’s when radio evangelism was the rage. He went further and 70 years ago established this school. 
In the middle of the campus stands the Women’s club, it was built in 1945, so the rest of the university grew around it.
It looks like the members know how to enjoy an afternoon on the balcony.
The Seminary is keeping up with the times, they have added newer buildings as well as campuses around the West. As small as this campus is, there were plenty of students and faculty walking around.
I came across this, now this is a very interesting sculpture. How often do you see artwork that depicts the actual nailing of Jesus to the cross?
I have to admire the artist, what a realistic scene. Not that art has to be realistic, but it certainly is effective here.
OUCH! That is painful to see even in art, clearly, I’m not the only one who has stopped here.
Are these flowers ironic? or is someone appreciating the pain and sacrifice?
Right next door is a small quiet little chapel. With an interesting stained glass cross built into the corner.
And what I guess is a meditation corner. A pit full of pebbles that people can come in and create messages with. Like a heart, peace, and Jesus. So someone is coming in here.
My favorite paper-piece designer is 
Another one of her owls.
Side by side, she does realistic and whimsy so well.
Nope, but she did design a goat, which looks more like a gazelle than a deer. So now the quilt will be much more personalized.
This is how the blocks look in the book. A trick I learned from a class I took with 
I did, I really like the secondary designs that emerge. Yes, I’m sure people using EQ 7 are familiar with this technique, but for those of us who don’t want to be on a computer with a design program, this works really well.
First, make an actual block, not in the colors of the quilt, just to practice.
Then, tile it, yes, I am really liking the results.
Now to choose the actual fabrics. Yoch loves green, Yishai, not so much. But orange is also a good choice. So a little bit of green, hopefully not overwhelming.
I really like this, but, yes there is a big but, I think the cream background will end up competing with the animals, they might not stand out as much. Back to cutting up the fabric. Once again, people using EQ 7 will tell me they do all of this on the computer, well, I’m old fashioned, I like the hands-on planning.
Have you noticed that I am incorporating owls in the fabrics as well? Do you see the mistake I made? I didn’t see it until I tried to tile the pattern and it just looked weird. 
While fixing my mistakes, I changed the color of one of the small squares, why not?
Here I am so far, I really like the balance of shades and colors. I’m not sure exactly how I am going to lay this out, it’s a baby quilt, it will be easy to figure out.
Here is the quilt, loaded on the machine, one large backing that I ordered from 
I put so much time and effort into this quilt top, and it’s busy! So I needed to simply the quilting, not an easy thing for me to do. I have been watching 
5 hours, that is all it took, from loading to unloading the quilt, with a break for lunch. Not bad at all for a queen size quilt.
Here it is, off the frame and draped over it so you can see how extensive and large the quilt is. I absolutely love the quilting, it ties everything together but doesn’t overwhelm the pineapple pattern.
Trying to capture the whole quilt on the ground. 
I was considering piecing together the binding, but once again, I felt that would be too much. This is a very busy scrap quilt. Having one unifying binding would pull everything together. Luckily I had bought a large piece of fabric on sale, I think at the time I thought I’d use part of it in the backing.
Ironing the binding folding over.
It’s a good thing I have this large pergola to hand my quilts from. Even so, this one is dragging on the ground. You can see how different a quilt looks when you can photograph it straight on.
A glimpse at the backing fabric. I really lucked out, on sale and it fits the quilt top perfectly.
A closer look at the chickens. I quilted more detail on them, I really tried to emphasize the eyes with quilting. Then I echoed around, so they stand out from the background. Another chance to see how pleasing that background quilting is.
Outlines and echoed the bees. I did add antennae with the quilting, not that it’s that visible. Then for my reward, I got stung this weekend by a bee. A neighbor had a beehive on his fence, no he’s not doing anything about it, even though we told him that I got stung. People!
The name was pretty easy to come up with. Leigh raises chicken, bees, and veggies in her garden. Maybe some of the pineapples can represent some lettuce or beans.