DeCampStudio

In the studio

2012-02-11T19:59:00.000-08:00

Pat was here for a little sewing and to give me some much-needed help with postcard design.

Suki graced us with her presence and helped by holding down my quilt for me.

Pat is participating in the Quilt 2012 challenge and is finishing up her newest quilt for this week.

GVQC meeting

2012-02-10T19:46:00.000-08:00

The Genesee Valley Quilt Club had its regular monthly meeting yesterday.

One of the on-going activities that the Club sponsors is Comfort Quilts. Members make quilts of all sizes that are donated to area groups that distribute them to people who could use a little extra comfort and care.

The monthly meetings also offer the opportunity for members to host a sale table. Bev is behind her table where she offered some of her hand-dyed fabrics along with items from her stash.

Pat was there to offer some antique quilt tops and blocks, which were all taken.

Another camera test

2012-02-08T14:48:00.000-08:00

Our resident deer appeared (as they do on a daily basis) so that I got another chance to test out the zoom on my new camera.

Although they are several hundred feet away at the far end of our pasture, they carefully observe the photographer.

Our four regulars seem to feel very at home here and may very well have been raised here or very near by. Many acres of woods and open farm land surround our property, and no houses or street lights are visible in the miles south of this pasture. There's lots of room for the herd to wander.

They are attractive and a pleasant addition to our enjoyment of country living --- too bad they are so destructive!!

New camera

2012-02-07T09:23:00.000-08:00

I was ready for a smaller Point and Shoot camera that had a bit more zoom power than my old Nikon Coolpix and wanted to show you my new pretty red Coolpix.

Suki insisted on helping and couldn't seem to stay out of the picture, but at least her tail helps indicate the size of the new camera!

And with the new 10X zoom, I have a better chance of capturing some pictures of more of our backyard visitors.

These Canadian geese looked like they wanted to settle down under the tree, or maybe they were interested in the flower bulbs I have planted there.

They're so alert, though, that they were immediately on the move when I came out of my door.

They flew off toward one of our ponds, and I wonder if they are the same pair that has had its spring nest here in recent years.

Weekend visitors

2012-02-05T14:48:00.000-08:00

We haven't seen many pheasants on our property in the past few years. They used to be quite common, but the rise in coyote population has kept their breeding pair couples at a minimum. Here, a lone male is looking for companionship.

The open winter has allowed the deer to prosper. A large buck (maybe eight point?) and his harem stopped in the pasture to feed. A young male was also part of the group, and all were alert and on guard.

Very few, if any, will be lost to lack of food this winter. This will mean more hungry visitors to our garden this year!!

Hang with AQE 2012

2012-02-02T18:51:00.000-08:00

Art Quilt Elements (AQE) began in 1999 as ArtQuilts at the Sedgewick and is celebrating its 10th exhibition this year.

A special part of AQE 2012 will be "Hang with AQE" in the Link Gallery, where they will present 6" x 4" fabric art postcards during the opening weekend.

This postcard is my contribution to the project, which I made from a piece of shirbori-dyed fabric.

Each piece will be priced at $50, and all funds raised will help support the full color catalog for the AQE 2012 exhibition.

The show runs from March 30 - May 31, 2012.

For more information check HERE

MAQF XXIII

2012-02-01T20:51:00.000-08:00

These two quilts have been selected for the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival XXIII and will be displayed from February 23-26, 2012, in Hampton, Virginia.

Appian Way (48 x 48)

Earthquake Compression (43h X 36w)

A BIG ruler

2012-01-31T20:36:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite tools. I don't get it out of the closet very often, but it's very handy for trimming up finished quilt tops (and any other job where a 6-foot straight edge is needed).

When our local Chase-Pitkin home improvement stores were closing a while ago, a friend from our quilt club found a great sale on these in the hardware section and shared the tip (Thanks, Anne!).

A little hand sewing

2012-01-29T17:58:00.000-08:00

I had a little company in the studio for some hand sewing and a bit of paper work. Pat was working on sleeves and signatures for some of her newer quilts, and I was finishing a facing.

We had some rain, and even a little sleet, and then the sun came out at the end of the afternoon.

We were admiring the shine on the trees in the hedge row, but had a hard time capturing it with our cameras.

I did capture a few of the beautiful pink clouds though.

Phelps

2012-01-26T18:43:00.000-08:00

On a recent trip to Auburn to pick up quilts from Schweinfurth, I took my favorite route that goes right through the town of Phelps.

It's pretty easy to drive right over this little creek without realizing how beautiful its falls are.

Check it out the next time you're on Route 96!

Visitors - continued

2012-01-24T21:14:00.000-08:00

These are a few more of the quilts that were shared by the group.

Bev has been finishing up the quilting on this piece, and we like the circle shapes she added with her quilting.

This is a new piece that Bev started recently.

And Bev also has started quilting this piece.

Karen shared this piece that she recently completed for a guild challenge.

Denise finished this piece, but is thinking of taking it apart and using sections of it in new compositions.

She's also been making random blocks in two shades of teal and red for a red quilt for her home.

Studio Visitors

2012-01-23T19:42:00.000-08:00

We spent a lovely afternoon looking at the fiber art that everyone brought in.

Jeanne has set up a challenge for herself and anyone who would also like to participate to create a 20" X 12" quilt each week. She issues the challenge on Sundays, and you can get the details on her blog,

http://www.quilt2012.blogspot.com/

These are the first three quilts she's made for the challenge.

Jeanne also finished up a quilt she started in the fall that uses hand-dyed and discharged fabrics.

These are Pat's quilts made for two of the challenges.

Pat is using her challenge quilts as inspirations for larger pieces.

Fiber Art Now

2012-01-22T19:16:00.000-08:00

Have you seen the new fiber magazine, Fiber Art Now?

It's well worth checking out.....

And not just because the current issue includes an article by Pat Pauly reviewing the recent Quilts=Art=Quilts exhibit at the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn, NY....

And which just happens to include a picture of my Whirlpool quilt that was in the exhibit.

Winter is here

2012-01-14T09:19:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures for our friends and relatives living and traveling in warmer climates.

While we did not have a major storm by most winters' standards, this was our first snow on the ground.

And it felt like there was plenty of wet, heavy snow to shovel!

GVQC meeting

2012-01-13T19:20:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the January meeting of the Genesee Valley Quilt Club. More than 200 members attended.

The activity of the January meeting is called Demo Derby. Eight stations were set up around the room, where a topic was presented for 15 minutes. Each topic was presented three times, so participants could choose three areas of interest.

This is Pat Berardi's lovely quilt. She talked about "Manipulating Silk Fabric" and showed how to make the fan block in the corners of the quilt.

This is Chris Wickert's quilt. Chris's beautiful hand quilting is well known, and she talked about trapunto work.

January yard work

2012-01-09T19:50:00.000-08:00

A very cool day framed our January Monday.

We tackled a spring job with leaves and small branches being gathered and placed in large receptacles.

The handy old bucket on the tractor was loaded many times, and the branches were hauled off to the burn pile.

Usually we are moving snow at this time of the year. We prefer today's job!

There are very large willow trees that contribute to today's task. They provide a nice row of shade in the summer, but provide lots of work with clean up of dead branches and leaves.

There have been some cold nights, and one of our large ponds is at least partially frozen.

The long-range weather forecast is for more normal winter weather arriving soon. After all, the N.A.O. is heading negative, and the Artic oscillation is moving polar air pressure!!

Sunset

2012-01-08T17:38:00.000-08:00

As non-snow lovers, we are enjoying, beyond words, our mild open winter weather.

The sunsets have been just gorgeous, as the tree line to the west of our property, sans leaves, opens up spectacular views.

The corduroy skies are another special treat. (Double click to see the detail above the trees.)

They are caused by wind currents and the temperature differences at various altitudes.

Let's hope this continues until spring!

Studio Visitors

2012-01-07T11:29:00.000-08:00

Priscilla is starting a new project using a beautiful cross-stitch piece.

She's making some seminole strips and trying out additonal fabrics to add to the piece.

Jeanne is busy working on her challenge pieces.
She's started a new blog (http://www.quilt2012.blogspot.com/) and would love to have anyone interested join her.

From her blog:
Challenge: Make a quilt measuring 20"x12" each week for the year 2012. These "sketches" should be experimental in nature, approached intuitively and completed quickly. A random theme/inspiration will be decided on each Sunday with the deadline of completion each Friday. A quilt shall be loosely defined as a product consisting of three layers. Join in every week or at will. Send a picture to me by Friday morning and I will be happy to post it.

The theme of the first challenge was "The Kiss," and this is her piece.

Ladies who lunch

2012-01-05T17:54:00.000-08:00

Another lunch date --- Twice in one week! Have I become one of those "ladies who lunch"?

Today's date was at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, and their restaurant is now "Max's". Our lunches were excellent.

When Bill's mother was a student at the University of Rochester, this part of the MAG was the Women's dorm and dinning hall.

This is the fountain in the atrium.....

And a sculpture at the other end of the atrium.

Lunch in Canandaigua

2012-01-04T20:30:00.000-08:00

At the end of 1983 I left my teaching position at the college in Canandaigua to start my software business.

And today I met two friends and former colleagues at a restaurant on the lake for lunch and a lovely reunion and visit.

Lakeshore Boulevard and the whole general area has undergone major changes in the ensuing years. Nolan's used to be Kellogg's, which was a family-run business for many years, and we ate there often. (Bill still remembers their shrimp salad with much fondness.)

Kershaw Park has had major upgrades, including a large new bathhouse to serve the beach area. Of course, Roseland Amusement Park was there long ago and has been converted to town houses with a large resort hotel and condo development approved and due to start construction soon.

A new highway with fancy street lights and a median upgrades the area, where old restaurants and a mobile home park have been removed. The now vacant acreage awaits further development.

New Legacies

2012-01-02T09:24:00.000-08:00

The Lincoln Center Galleries in Fort Collins, Colorado, held its 29th annual art quilt exhibit, titled New Legacies: Contemporary Art Quilts, last October and November.

I just received some installation photos (Thanks, Louisa!) that include my Yellow Brick Road quilt (shown in the center of the picture).

It's always great to get to see a bit about an exhibit that we didn't get to see in person.

The Lincoln Center just completed an $8 million renovation of its galleries, which look lovely and spacious.

The brochure from the exhibit shows that the top three prize winners were Patricia Mink, Elin Nole, and Betty Busby. Honorable Mentions were given to Mary McCauley and Pamela Allen.

Xmas flowers

2011-12-24T18:40:00.000-08:00

We received this beautiful cyclamen plant with lots of lovely white blossoms.

2011-12-23T18:24:00.000-08:00

Priscilla is finishing up a new vest made with the "butterfly" pattern.

This is the back.

This is front of the vest. The kitty appliques are from Panama.

Priscilla and I made bog coats from some wonderful material that she found. I finished mine with a band of black sateen.

A holiday lunch

2011-12-22T18:11:00.000-08:00

We had a lovely lunch with Jim and Doreen.

(My apologies for the bad photography.)

The Steamboat Landing in Canandaigua was decorated for the holidays, and we always enjoy seeing its timberframe construction.

This is the view of Canandaigua Lake from the window, with just a slight dusting of snow starting to settle on the ground.

Goodies for my stash

2011-12-20T17:44:00.000-08:00

I couldn't help myself!

Several wonderful goodies that Priscilla brought back from Guatemala now reside in my stash.... :-)

Woven piece and belts that could be part of a jacket.

Scarves that match the belts that could be used as fabric in jackets.

A couple of yards of Guatemalan fabric.

More belts with wonderful woven designs

A woven piece that could be used as a table/dresser scarf or used as fabric.

Pat's pumpkins

2011-12-18T19:57:00.000-08:00

This is the current state of Pat's Halloween pumpkins.

The resident squirrels think they're mighty tasty!

Pat's cat "Attie" looks comfy on her color-coordinated pillow.

Goodies from Guatemala

2011-12-17T19:35:00.000-08:00

Priscilla recently returned from a week in Guatemala, and we had a chance to go through some of the goodies that she brought back.

Purses, belts, scarves, beaded necklaces and earrings, and lots more.

Pat likes the beaded ornaments.

Trying out some scarves....

Priscilla added this beautiful embroidered piece to her collection. It was probably used as a baby carrier.

Holiday Gathering

2011-12-16T18:23:00.000-08:00

Instead of a sewing day, we decided to celebrate the holiday season at Pat's.

Pat's living room is ready for Santa.

There was LOTS of great food.

And the Xmas cookies wished Priscilla a Happy Birthday!

Kitchen duty included keeping a lookout for those pesky deer.

December ?

2011-12-13T19:16:00.000-08:00

The ground is frozen, and we are cutting back the tarragon and rosemary so we can cover the plants with several inches of bark mulch.

Hopefully, this procedure keeps the cycle of freezing and thawing to a minimum and enhances the chance of the plants' winter survival.

Our mild weather allows some spring clean-up chores to be completed several months early.

We like the late start to winter. In fact, we wouldn't mind if it never came this year!

Some berries appear on the perennial garden shruberry. It makes good feed for winter birds, although no need for such as yet.

Wonderful clear, mild days follow one upon another. Our western sky presents a series of colorful sunsets even if it is before 5 pm!!

SAQA at Schweinfurth

2011-12-11T16:50:00.000-08:00

SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) was on the program today for Schweinfurth Art Center's Sunday series of trunk shows.

Before the program, several SAQA members from New York state and one international member from Toronto met for lunch and discussions about being fiber artists.

Thanks to our SAQA reps, Jeanne Simpson and Pat Pauly, for organizing the day's events.

A large audience gathered for the trunk show.

Pat Pauly introduced the SAQA group, and then more than 20 of the SAQA members each introduced themselves and showed their work.

This is Mary Diamond at the microphone, talking about three of her pieces that are being shown.

Sewing with Suki

2011-12-08T20:00:00.000-08:00

Even though it was a lovely sunny day (especially for early December), Suki chose to spend her time in the studio so she could participate in the sewing activities.

She likes to help, particularly when she can be right in the middle of things.

And, as you can see, Suki found a perfect spot to hold down Nancy's quilt while she basted it.

Later, she selected a spot next to her scratching post to stand guard in case any invading little critters showed themselves.

Art Quilts at the Chandler

2011-12-07T18:41:00.000-08:00

The "Art Quilts XVI: Something to Say" exhibit is on now at the Chandler Center for the Arts in Chandler, AZ.

The exhibit opened November 28, 2011, and runs through January 28, 2012.

Thanks to Sherry Kleinman, shown here with her "Bedtime Stories" quilt, for sharing some pictures from the venue.

The artists included in the exhibit are

Pamela Allen, Sandra Branjord, Sarah Bowker, Sherryl Buchler,

Betty Busby, Benedicte Caneill, Erika Carter, Lisa Chipetine, Gerrie Congden, Denise Currier, Marcia De Camp, Linda Engstrom, Deborah Fell, Linae Frei, Susan Garrity, Claire Gimber, Terry Grant, Nancy Graves-Green, Virginia Greaves, Betty Hahn, Marla Hattabaugh, Georgia Heller, Gwen Jones, Margit Kagerer, Kathleen Kastles, Margaret Keeney, Pamela Price Klebaum, Sherry Kleinman, Sandra Lauterbach, Anita Mabante Leach, Jill Le Croissette, Denise Linet, Linda McCurry, Frances Murphy, Nancy Nakamoto, Kathy Nida, Marti Plager, Nancy Proctor, Wen Redmond, Sue Reno, Maria Shell, Brenda Smith, Mariana Smith, Hazel Stone, Mary Vaneecke, Marilyn Wall, Kathryn Wild, Heidi Zielinski

My "Jet Trails #9" quilt is on the center column in both views below.

Pat Pauly at RIT

2011-12-06T20:43:00.000-08:00

Tonight was the opening reception for Pat Pauly's exhibition, "Design in Fiber."

The exhibit is in the University Gallery on the RIT campus and is open through January 13, 2012.

Pat is on the right, chatting with a couple of friends.

The gallery provided refreshments, including lots of fancy cookies.

This gallery provides a beautiful display space for Pat's large quilts with its tall ceilings and even lighting.

Pat with one of her younger guests.

Scarves

2011-12-05T20:12:00.000-08:00

Friend Liz Anderson came to spend a Sunday with me dyeing a few scarves, some of which just might end up in some Christmas stockings. Of course, that assumes that we don't have to keep them for ourselves!

My work space with the big sinks is in a part of our basement that can be chilly in colder weather. So we were very happy that it was sunny and mild outside and in the 70's in our work area.

Our experimenting with making dye colors turned out really well, and we had turquoise, plum, rust, and black to work with.

For a few of the pieces, we "scrunched" the scarves in plastic containers and poured the dye over them. We didn't do much manipulation and got some lovely soft patterning.

For one of the scarves, I folded it and applied lots of clothes pins to act as a resist, and let it rest in the dye. The scarf has small marks where the pins pinched the fabric and gave it an interesting pattern.

This scarf have its own pattern made by the burnt velvet, so we just put it in the bucket of dye.

We dyed both silk and cotton scarves.

These are a few of the ones that I dyed and doesn't include the gray, black and other turquoise scarves that we did.

Form, Not Function

2011-12-02T14:17:00.000-08:00

I'm very pleased to announce that "Jacob's Coat" has been selected for the "Form, Not Function: Quilt Art at the Carnegie" exhibit.

The jurors are Kate Lenkowsky, Marti Plager, and Jennifer Sargent, and they accepted 24 pieces from 278 individual entries received from 107 artists.

The Carnegie Center for Art and History is in New Albany, Indiana, and the exhibit will be held from January 6 through March 3, 2012.

I've included the postcard for the exhibit and the list of artists below.

Katherine Allen; Fort Lauderdale, FL; EVENTIDE(Triptych)
Brooke Atherton; Billings, MT; They Melt Like Mist, the Solid Lands
Deborah Bein; Poughkeepsie, NY; ALLELE (The Genome Project Series)
Peggy Brown; Nashville, IN; Changing Colors III
Betty Busby; Albuquerque, NM; Fracture
Erika Carter; Renton, WA; Cradle 2
Marcia DeCamp; Palmyra, NY; Jacob`s Coat
Jayne Gaskins; Fernandina Beach, FL; Morning Train
Martha Hall; Vernon, NJ; Double Talk
Liz Kuny; Mendham, NJ; Airborne
Valerie Maser-Flanagan; Carlisle, MA; Chrysalises # 2
Patricia Mink; Johnson City, TN; Tapia Study
Kathy Nida; El Cajon, CA; Feeding Time
Sandra Palmer Ciolino; Cincinnati, OH; Fractures #3: Intersections
Pat Pauly; Pittsford, NY; Pink Leaf 4 (Yellow)
Lisa Penny; Ridgefield, CT; Wall Street
Julia Pfaff; Richmond, VA; Contrast IX - Yellow
Shawn Quinlan; Pittsburgh, PA; The Fix Is In
Mary Ruth Smith; Waco, TX; Crossover
Virginia Spiegel; Byron, IL; Boundary Waters 53
Janet Steadman; Lanley, WA; Why,Why,Why
Linda Walburn; Grand Rapids, MI; Entropy 3
Marianne Williamson; Miami, FL; Pollution in the Gulf
Charlotte Ziebarth; Boulder, CO; Autumnal Equinox 3: Before the Frost

Sewing Day

2011-11-30T19:47:00.000-08:00

It was a busy sewing day in the studio today.

I don't have a picture of the seminole strips Bev was making for a jacket that's in process.

Nancy was working on her quilt with the Japanese blocks and symbols.

This is one half of Pat's newest quilt.

Pat wasn't happy with some of the quilting that she had done on the second half of the quilt, so she was busy with the seam ripper "un-sewing" it.

Linda worked on a piece that uses some fabric that she made this summer.

Priscilla was close to finishing a beautiful new vest that had been in her closet in a box of UFO's.

The Studio Quilt

2011-11-28T18:51:00.000-08:00

"The Studio Quilt, No. 6: State of the Art" by Sandra Sider is now available from Amazon for $15. (Search for Sider Studio Quilt.)

cover photo: Melisse Laing, Seeing the Light (2009, photo by Bill Bachhuber).

(See the blog entry of June 14 for a list of all the work included in the book.)

The following quote is from Martha Sielman, Executive Director, Studio Art Quilt Associates:

“The Studio Quilt, no.6: State of the Art is a stunning showcase of 60 studio quilts, with works ranging from realism to abstraction. Each piece brings some new delight—sweeping lines of stitching, unexpected bursts of color, surprising juxtapositions of imagery. A must-have for the library of anyone who appreciates contemporary art.”

My quilt, Jet Trails #10, is on page 46.

Holiday Lights

2011-11-27T19:17:00.000-08:00

We are not traditionalists when it comes to holiday celebrations, but we do put up lights on the bushes in front of our house each Christmas season.

Trying to remember placement and sequence from year to year becomes more of a problem as time goes by. We tend to move some around from spot to spot after initial placement.

The weather was a pleasure this year, as temperatures in the low 60's framed our efforts.

The evening brought forth the light show. We'll do some 'tweaking' tomorrow.

The windows on the north side of the studio appear at the upper right. The warmth of the timberframe studio adds to the festive impact.

Gourds on Display

2011-11-25T13:55:00.000-08:00

We managed to field a good display.

The dominant goose gets to overlook the studio from a perch above the bookcases and under one of the great recycled Douglas Fir king beams. A handsome spot indeed.

Four other arrangements are proudly part of the late fall season. These two are in the studio as a lower level for viewing and enjoyment.

The final two are in Bill's office, where he can contemplate their majesty and be benefit of consequent inspiration.

We like the wire baskets, which we found last year at the Schweinfurth Museum gift shop in Auburn, NY.

Harvesting gourds

2011-11-24T13:06:00.000-08:00

Our long growing season allowed for extended time for our crops. This is not always a good thing, as this summer did not favor our ornamental gourds.

Here the entire harvest is spread out on the barn floor to facilitate cleaning.

The harvest was contained in three five-gallon pails, while a good year fills the whole tractor bucket.

We'll try to do better next year!

The ever-popular swan neck variety gourds are always a bit difficult to grow and somewhat unpredictable.

Many seeds and plants produced only a moderate crop.

We will try to do better next year!!!

Sunday at Schweinfurth

2011-11-20T20:24:00.000-08:00

The Sunday trunk shows are part of the activities that are on-going during the Quilts=Art=Quilts at the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn, NY.

Today's program was presented by members of the Quilt Inspiration Group from the Syracuse area. Here are four of the group's 12 members, and I'm not sure I have their names right (corrections are welcome!) -- Carol, Linda, Sally and Corrine.

We saw quilts from all the members of the group and heard abour their group challenges.

Our friend Liz Anderson is at the podium on the right side of the picture, and she is telling us about her Christmas quilt.

We had a chance after the presentations to look over all the quilts.

In the center of the picture, Caris and Pat are chatting with Linda from the Syracuse group.

I think this quilt was made by Carol.

Sewing Day

2011-11-18T20:21:00.000-08:00

We gathered today to work on projects we had under way.

Jeanne, Pat, and Bev are focusing on what Nancy is putting up on the wall across the room.

Nancy has nearly finished her Japanese-inspired quilt.

Priscilla has completed several blocks for a new piece that she started at a recent quilt retreat.

Bev shared some of the pieces she worked on in a recent QBL2 class at Schweinfurth on Sets and Variables.

Here are two compositions she developed using her motif.

And this is a composition Bev made by elongating and enhancing her motif.

These are fabric blocks I constructed by adding to some leftover fabrics.

After moving the blocks around in many configurations, this composition seems to have some possibilities....

Pink and Red

2011-11-14T13:40:00.000-08:00

Sweet, pink blossoms this spring from a bush in our side yard.....

And wonderful red leaves last week in front of the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn, NY.

Caris at Schweinfurth

2011-11-13T20:19:00.000-08:00

This Sunday's program at the Schweinfurth Art Center was a trunk show by Caris Burton.

Caris is a member of Genesee Valley Quilt Club and is well known for her applique and hand-quilting skills, as well as her beautiful wearables.

The first quilt she showed us was worked on by her grandmother in the 1940's, by her mother in the 1990's, and that she completed.

This is her Tree of Life quilt, which has won awards, including a ribbon at the Lowell Quilt Show in Lowell, MA.

The quilt being held up was made in Pat Pauly's Slash and Burn class.

The quilt hanging on the right is one Caris designed for her son's office.

Caris showed us several of her wonderful garments, and I especially liked this silk vest.

Beautiful November

2011-11-09T19:50:00.000-08:00

We've been enjoying many mild and pleasant days for early November.

Bill took advantage of the warm weather to hose off the tarp that will cover the Jeep in the barn for the winter.

I captured this view from the outside of the perennial gardens with my iphone.

And I found lots of lovely plumes on a walk through Bill's ornamental grasses gardens.

Sunday at Schweinfurth

2011-11-06T07:09:00.000-08:00

In conjunction with the Quilts=Art=Quilts exhibit, the Schweinfurth Art Center is hosting a series of trunk shows/talks by regional quilters on Sundays.

Today's program was "Quilts: What's Their Worth?" given by Genie Barnes who is a certifed quilt appraiser. Genie is also an Executive Consultant for Schweinfurth and has been involved in organizing and supporting this yearly exhibit since its inception 31 years ago.

It was a beautiful sunny day for the trip to Auburn, and the sun was setting as I drove home. The skies were full of jet trails, and I tried to capture them with my iphone through the car's windshield.

More Houston views

2011-11-05T06:31:00.000-07:00

Again, thanks are due to Marcia Murphy for more views of the IQA Festival in Houston.

This panel shows samples of the new fabric designed by Marcia Derse, whose hand-dyed fabrics are now produced on commercial fabric.

And it's great to see more of how the quilts are displayed on the show floor with lots of space and ropes to keep the viewers back. The information for the quilts is on the stands near the ropes.

My quilts are at the left edge and right edge of the photo.

Views from Houston

2011-11-03T14:47:00.000-07:00

Our lucky friend Marcia Murphy is spending a few days at the International Quilt Festival in Houston this week.

She sent some pictures, proving that she was there and that two of my quilts were there too! Since I don't often get to see what my quilts look like hanging in shows that are out-of-state, it's a treat to get photos from an exhibit.

First, she sent this photo of the the program, which includes the listing for my Mola Wings quilt.

And here on the right is Mola Wings, which was inspired by the design on a mola that Priscilla brought back from the San Blas Islands in Panama.

This photo shows Purple Sunset, which is 2nd from the right.

Thanks, Marcia!

Fall CleanUp

2011-11-02T17:44:00.000-07:00

We took advantage of a beautiful fall day with temperatures in the middle 60's to tackle a big job that was long overdue. A very large wild thorny rose bush had climbed over, around, and through one of our pergolas.

It has probably been 15 years or so since we cut it back, and today was the day. After a lot of hard work and several bucket-loads for the burn pile, we declared victory. We have several clematis vines that share the space, and they will never again have to compete with the wild space hog.

A more regular fall clean-up is the trimming of our reliable trumpet vine. This grows each spring and summer and spreads over another pergola that houses our lily pond. A new pole snipper helped this task to be completed from the ground.

Several more bucket loads were collected. Both of us find that a few hours of such effort brings forth some aches and pains that weren't there last year. But surely we are wiser and more accepting as time goes by -- not so sure the trade-off is an equal exchange.

Q=A=Q Sunday

2011-10-30T21:14:00.000-07:00

The Sunday brunch that is part of the opening activities for the Quilts=Art=Quilts exhibit was held at the Springside Inn, which overlooks Owasco Lake.

Elin Noble, one of the jurors for the exhibit, was the guest speaker and talked about the jurying process.

Back at the exhibit, Pat posed in front of the second quilt she has in the show.

This is Priscilla's entry, whose title I believe is "If Leaves Were Blue."

Before the start of the Walk About Tour, there was a chance for a little chatting. Here is Donna Lamb, Director, along with Genie Barnes, Executive Consultant for the Museum, and Priscilla.

Genie Barnes conducted the Tour and asked each artist to talk a little bit about their quilt. Lindsey's camera caught me in front of my quilt with my mouth open.

Q=A=Q Opening

2011-10-29T20:51:00.000-07:00

We attended the opening reception of the Quilts=Art=Quilts exhibit at the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center in Auburn, NY.

The awards were announced, and we were pleased to find out that Pat Pauly won First Prize for the second year in a row.

And coincidentally, this award is sponsored by our guild, the Genesee Valley Quilt Club.

Priscilla and I had a chance to chat with Elin Noble, who was one of the jurors for the exhibit.

This is my "Whirlpool" quilt as it hangs in the exhibit, where it has the end wall all to itself in one of the side galleries.

Here are the six members of Genesee Valley Quilt Club who have work in the show, standing in front of Pat's award-winning quilt:
(from the left) Nancy Hicks, Marcia Eygabroat, Priscilla Kibbee, Caris Burton, Pat Pauly, and me.

Shibori class

2011-10-27T21:05:00.000-07:00

I participated in a QBL2 class at the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center in Auburn taught by Elin Noble on making shibori-dyed fabric --Folds for Clamp-Dye Resist.

Elin started us out with some practice making folds with paper and using ink on the paper to test our designs.

We learned lots of ways to fold fabric and made many practice pieces with various resist items -- from chop sticks to blocks of wood.

These were some of the sample pieces that Elin brought to inspire us.

To wind up our class, we had a chance to look at some of the pieces made by our classmates.

It was a great class, and lots of fun was had by all!

Visitors from Florida

2011-10-25T18:32:00.000-07:00

My brother and sister-in-law were in New York for a college reunion and flew into the Canandaigua airport so they could visit us.

We decided to take a drive around the Macedon Center area where we grew up and stopped to visit Longacre Farms. They are known for their Amazing Maize Maze, which was attracting lots of visitors.

We didn't go through this year's maze, but enjoyed the pictures of prior years' challenges.

There were lots of things to see and do all over the farm. The goats were enjoying their visitors and all the snacks that were being offered.

Lots and lots of pumpkins

Pedal-powered four-wheelers for the kids

We went to Canandaigua and watched the sun set over the lake,

and had dinner at the Steamboat Landing.

Art Quilt Elements

2011-10-22T20:47:00.000-07:00

I'm thrilled to announce that my quilt “Whirlpool” has been accepted for inclusion in the Art Quilt Elements 2012 exhibit at The Wayne Art Center in suburban Philadelphia.

Forty-eight quilts were selected from 666 quilt images received from 273 applications, representing 42 states and 11 countries around the world. There will be 28 first-time Art Quilt Elements artists.

The information from the AQE committee said that "Jurors David McFadden, Sandra Sider and Elizabeth Barton focused on elements of design, techniques, craftsmanship, and were also influenced by the quality of digital image when viewing the 666 images. They chose an exciting collection that represents the professionalism, diversity and expertise evident in this medium."

The joint National SAQA and SDA conference, Identity: Context and Reflection will be held at the Philadelphia Marriot West, Conshohocken, PA, March 30, 31 and April 1, 2012 and will coincide with the opening of the exhibit on March 30, 2012.

I see a road trip in my future!!

Sewing on Friday

2011-10-21T19:47:00.000-07:00

Jeanne, Nancy, and Priscilla kept busy working on their quilt projects. Jeanne was finishing the facing on her new quilt, Nancy was creating more blocks for her Japanese-styled quilts, and Priscilla was getting fabrics ready for a new quilt.

Bev made a lot of progress on her jacket.

The lovely piece on the design wall is a work-in-process that Bev brought in.

My latest quilt is on the table, where I was sewing on the hanging sleeves.

Sewing Day

2011-10-18T16:24:00.000-07:00

We set aside today to work on various projects.

Priscilla is cutting Kaffe Fasset fabrics for a new quilt she plans to work on while she's away at a retreat a couple of weeks from now.

Bev joined us and got a great start on a new kimono-style jacket.

Bev brought Rufus with her, and he decided to try out one of Suki's napping spots!

Still harvesting

2011-10-16T16:35:00.000-07:00

The red raspberries are still producing a couple of quarts of berries every other day. This is really late in season, even for fall raspberries. More berries are still ripening, so we'll continue to have them until we are hit with a hard frost.

This picking was definitely the last of the green beans. There's still a little late spinach and leaf parsley to harvest, but then we'll be done til next season.

Canadian Geese

2011-10-14T16:51:00.000-07:00

We live on a direct fly-way used in the Spring and Fall. In addition, there is a multi-acre pond that marks the West side of our property. Literally hundreds of geese stop in both transits to spend many days and nights. They ascend into flight and return many times during daylight to forage nearby corn fields for food.

The groups in the video below are circling as they prepare to land on the pond. Perhaps the noise they make is claiming rights as to where and when they glide onto the water and gracefully float to a stop. In the many years we have watched them, we have never seen a collision of any sort -- amazing and spectacular!

(Double click to make video full screen)

Art Quilts at the Chandler

2011-10-13T21:21:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased to announce that my quilt, Jet Trails #9, was selected to be exhibited in "Art Quilts XVI: Something to Say" at the Chandler Center for the Arts in Chandler, AZ.

The exhibit runs from November 28, 2011, through January 28, 2012.

Jet Trails #9 (2011 36h X 22w Hand-dyed cotton fabrics)

The artists included in the exhibit are Pamela Allen, Sandra Branjord,

Sarah Bowker, Sherryl Buchler,

Betty Busby, Benedicte Caneill, Erika Carter,
Lisa Chipetine, Gerrie Congden,
Denise Currier, Marcia De Camp,
Linda Engstrom, Deborah Fell, Linae Frei,
Susan Garrity, Claire Gimber, Terry Grant,
Nancy Graves-Green, Virginia Greaves,
Betty Hahn, Marla Hattabaugh, Georgia Heller,
Gwen Jones, Margit Kagerer, Kathleen Kastles,
Margaret Keeney, Pamela Price Klebaum,
Sherry Kleinman, Sandra Lauterbach,
Anita Mabante Leach, Jill Le Croissette,
Denise Linet, Linda McCurry, Frances Murphy,
Nancy Nakamoto, Kathy Nida, Marti Plager,
Nancy Proctor, Wen Redmond,
Sue Reno, Maria Shell, Brenda Smith,
Mariana Smith, Hazel Stone, Mary Vaneecke,
Marilyn Wall, Kathryn Wild, Heidi Zielinski

Sewing day

2011-10-12T20:56:00.000-07:00

Today was a day for working on some of those on-going projects.

Priscilla was organizing fabrics for new items she'll tackle at an up-coming retreat, and she made some more progress on a new jacket.

Bev worked on a UFO to see if the design could be expanded.

Pat challenged herself to make a small quilt, which still turned out to be about 40 inches.

I changed my mind about which fabrics I want to include in my latest jacket. I've made the back panel from pieces of the same indigo fabric that will be on one of the front panels, and I think the sleeves will be made from a dark blue batik.

And for inspiration, this is my favorite tree from our back yard --a river birch.

Closing Camp

2011-10-11T14:20:00.000-07:00

A trip to Chase Lake each Fall to shut things down is a season-ending ritual. This year we had a warm, sunny day to drive the 150 miles.

A view from the dock highlights the reflected beauty of the quiet, natural shoreline which is descriptive of the covenants requiring homes and cottages to stand back hidden from lake view.

Steps from the dock lead down to the sandy bottom of the lake for easy entry to the water or a boat. The row boat is for fishing or a tour of the lake -- motors are not allowed in any form on any craft.

This is the side of the log cabin structure from the west. A clearing was established a few years ago and plans were drawn up for a new timberframe cottage, but plans are on hold at the moment.

The half-way point of the journey is marked by a very nice community park outside of Mexico, New York. Picnic areas and fields for baseball and soccer are nicely maintained. As you can see, a beautiful red maple was in full regalia.

Another line of fall colors sparkled in the distance at the park. What a great place for a ball game, and kids were gathering there when we stopped on our way home.

Black Walnut report

2011-10-10T19:49:00.000-07:00

A week ago I collected black walnuts so I could try dyeing fabric with them.

The results are interesting, if not very pretty, and I found you can make some brown fabrics fairly easily.

You can look back to the blogs from October 6 and 7 to see the process.

The piece on the left came from the bucket that had the "rinse water" in it. The piece on the right was in the bucket that had the liquid created by combining hot water with the husks from the walnuts. This liquid looked much darker, and I assumed the fabric would turn out darker accordingly -- but that didn't happen. I can see very little difference in the two pieces.

I think these two pieces have more interest and now I wish I had made more of them. I made them by wrapping them around the husks that were left over after pouring out the liquid in the kettle.

I saved the nuts, and once I get them cracked open, I think there will be a black walnut cake in our future.

Thanks to Kathy Loomis for the inspiration to try this!

http://www.artwithaneedle.blogspot.com/

Discharge Day

2011-10-07T18:28:00.000-07:00

The weather was perfect for working outside, and we set up to do some more fabric discharging.

Bev screened designs on her fabric using discharge paste.

Linda and Jeanne checked out some fabrics that were drying in the sun. Linda used both Soft Scrub and bleach on the same fabric and got some interesting results.

Bev added patterns to her multi-colored fabrics.

I used bleach on two pieces of black sateen. The one on the left is Kaufman's sateen, and the one on the right is from JoAnn's.

Black Walnuts - Part 2

2011-10-06T20:15:00.000-07:00

The husks on the black walnuts that I picked up had already started to turn black and soften.

I set aside the ones that still had hard husks, to wait for them to soften or until I felt like breaking them open with a hammer or a rock.... :-)

I put the husks in an old enamel canning kettle.

Handling the husks and nuts will quickly stain your skin, and you can see that even my blue rubber gloves are now stained.

I had brought a pail of water so I could rinse my gloves as I worked, and the water quickly turned dark brown.

I added a yard of pfd cotton fabric to it, and it's been soaking for three days so far.

I added hot water to the husks, and they soaked for three days. I would have liked to bring the mixture to a boil, but decided I didn't want to carry the kettle into the house!

Today I strained the husks out of the liquid.

Then I added a yard of pfd cotton to this liquid. The fabric looks a bit darker than the fabric that's still soaking in the first pail. I don't know that it will get any darker, but will leave it there for another day or two.

And then, since the husks were still left, I wrapped some fabric around the husks and mixed those parcels in what was left in the bottom of the pan.

So, will any of these pieces of fabric turn into anything interesting? I have no idea, but will report again in a couple of days.

Black Walnuts

2011-10-03T20:16:00.000-07:00

I've been reading blog posts on http://www.artwithaneedle.blogspot.com/ about using black walnuts for surface design, and thought it would be fun to try some experiments too.

I have many memories of gathering and harvesting the nuts and storing them for use in baking throughout the winter. We would gather burlap bagfuls, which would then be run over with the tractor to loosen the outer husks. With rubber gloves on, the next step was to separate the nuts from the smashed husks. And even with being careful, it was inevitable that portions of clothes and hands would be stained.

Even though it has probably been 20+ years since I've been in the nearby woods, I found the tree and lots of nuts on the ground without much trouble. We've been having more rains that usual, so the ground was very wet.

I had taken only a couple of plastic bags with me, and manged to fill them up quickly.

Now I just have to decide what I'll do with them.

Sewing Days

2011-10-01T18:57:00.000-07:00

Priscilla and Linda were at the studio for a couple of sewing days earlier this week.

Linda started a couple of tote bags and has the start of a new quilt on the design wall.

Priscilla and I started selecting fabrics for some new jackets.

The indigo fabric with the red trim is a new find from Priscilla's recent trip, and she brought home enough to share -- lucky me!

Here are the fabrics I've collected so far. The woven pieces on the left are from one of Priscilla's trips to Guatemala.

Here are more fabrics that Priscilla is considering, either for the new jacket or another one in the future.

Suki was very happy to find Priscilla in the studio and immediately made herself available for attention on Priscilla's fabrics.

Nature at work

2011-09-29T18:09:00.000-07:00

We have featured humans (Marcia and Bill) in recent blogs working hard on seasonal chores. Inspector Suki, of course, has lent her considerable efforts to those endeavors.

We turn now to the wonders of Mother Nature with the gossamer-like silk of a garden spider -- sparkling in the late afternoon sun as a first example.

Once again perfect conditions of the setting sun in the Western sky creates the double rainbow in the rain drops of an autumn shower. The prism effect clearly delineated the color spectrum in both of these pictures.

The images were captured on our iphone. These cameras are a technological wonder and a sign of the future in human communication. We are all reporters and chroniclers of an immediate present.

Going to Santa Clara

2011-09-28T19:54:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to California, but two of my quilts are heading to the Pacific International Quilt Festival XX, which will be held October 13 - 16, 2011.

Five Squares (52h x 52w)

Hand-dyed, discharged and commercial cotton fabrics.

All Seeing Eyes (55h x 57w)

This quilt was designed for and first shown in the "All Mighty Dollar" exhibit in Rochester, NY, curated by Pat Pauly.

The All Seeing Eye is usually a symbol of a watchful and protective power, and is featured on our U.S. one-dollar bill.

More fall chores

2011-09-27T17:47:00.000-07:00

We dug up some peony plants that were partially covered in semi-shade near the house. They have been in the ground for 15+ years and had developed an extensive root system. After a lot of digging and trimming, they were transplanted to a sunny, protected spot along a wall in the perennial garden.

A new battery-powered trimmer makes a yearly chore easier and faster. We have a lot of work to do as the process of putting our numerous perennial hedge plants to bed for the winter continues.

We covered the sedum plants with hoops and netting to protect them from deer who savor these blooms and blossoms. It worked, and we got a decent show of color this year.

Inspector Suki overlooks the process (literally) as she drapes over the seven-foot high fence and walnut tree that marks a demarcation point between two of our multiple garden spaces.

She enjoys it very much when everyone is in the garden working together.

Fall Growth

2011-09-26T17:18:00.000-07:00

A surprise globe-like growth appears outside the gazebo garden. A hidden path leads through this part of our property, as a meditation spot with a stone bench is located along a path beyond the right background of this picture.

This is a mushroom puff ball. They are edible at this stage of development, and Marcia remembers them as a treat on her parent's farm. Sliced and fried in butter, they are tasty with a nice strong earthy flavor.

Our perennial grass garden nears full growth. A double click will bring the background Chinese Chestnut tree into view. A full crop of chestnuts will soon fall and serve as squirrel food.

The arborvitae maze garden to the right background has grown to 15-20 feet and adds a nice vertical touch to this tableau.

The most colorful late-year blooms feature the Japanese anenomes. They are part of the buttercup family and will brightly produce up to a killing frost.

Purple Raspberries

2011-09-24T13:50:00.000-07:00

We are digging up an old bed of raspberries and weeds to rejuvinate it with some transplants from another old and mostly deer-ravaged location.

The reclaimed clumps from the second area are heeled in. This soil was enriched by thirty years of horse stall fertilizer and is truly "black gold." We trimmed off the above-ground greenery to encourage any new growth and enhance root development.

Inspector Suki takes a break from her supervisory duties and pauses on a bench under a nearby pergola. The ground cover is a wonderful collection of morning glories that reseeds each year. The autumn clematis frames her domain.

Suki is now ready to move on to the next work site. She is waiting for her staff to give her a ride.

Best Use of Color

2011-09-22T20:27:00.000-07:00

A nice surprise was waiting for me when I opened the box with my quilts that were returned from the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza XVIII held earlier this month --- I found a ribbon for Best Use of Color in the Wall Quilt category!

Earthquake Faults (2010 45h x 36w)

Hand-dyed and commercial fabrics; machine pieced and machine quilted.

Sauce Time

2011-09-21T19:40:00.000-07:00

A fall ritual is the production of tomato sauce.

The process starts with picking tomatoes from our several dozen plants to fill a few 5-gallon pails.

Most of the tomatoes we used are some variation of a Roma-like variety. These have a high ratio of pulp and are made for the purpose we are undertaking.

The tomatoes are washed, halved, and joined with onions, hot and bell peppers, garlic, and celery for cooking in these large pots for several hours with constant stirring.

The apparatus for separating pulp and juice is assembled in the yard.We do this function outside as it is a bit messy, and an old barn chair is soon covered with leaked juice. We had a perfect early fall day with nice temperatures and mild breeze for the job this year.

The strained sauce is returned to the stove and spices are added. Several more hours of cooking produce a thicker sauce as moisture content is boiled away. The nearly complete project is finished off with putting the filled jars in a boiling hot water bath to seal the tops.

The result is 28 quarts of a wonderful, colorful, tasty addition to many winter recipes -- Yum, Yum!

Quilts=Art=Quilts

2011-09-20T20:23:00.000-07:00

I received a "fat" envelope from the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center in Auburn, NY, which accepted one of my quilts for their 2011 exhibit. Jurors Terry Jarrard-Dimond, Elin Noble, and Cynthia Schira selected 84 pieces from 340 entries.

I hope you'll be able to attend the preview reception on Saturday, October 29, 5-7 pm or see the exhibit before it closes on January 9, 2012.

Whirlpool (2011 70h x 73w)

Whirlpool detail

Canal Views

2011-09-18T08:56:00.000-07:00

Nancy, one of our visitors from Long Island, had never seen the Erie Canal, and so we took her to visit Lock 29 in Palmyra, only a couple of miles from the studio.

Imagine our surprise and delight that we arrived just as a tour boat was entering the lock.

Of course, we told Nancy that we had planned it just for her!

The lock attendant allowed us to get near enough to watch both the opening and closing gates of the lock, and he gave lots of info on the history and operation of the canal.

Closing the gates behind the tour boat.

The attendant is on his way to the second gates to open them and lower the water level a total of 16 feet.

We watched as the water left the lock and the boat was lowered in the lock.

The gates are open and the boat can continue East to Newark and the next lock.

Discharge results

2011-09-17T21:18:00.000-07:00

These shoes weren't part of our discharge project, but they're pretty neat. Nancy painted them for herself earlier this summer, and then helped her grandaughters paint some for themselves.

Bev created the fabrics on these walls using a combination of discharging and painting.

Nancy made the blue piece in the top left corner, and I think Jeanne did the rest of the pieces.

Nancy made these strips with foil.

Marcia brought this two-yard piece of fabric she had dyed and used discharge paste to create different patterns in sections of it. I think it's destined to become parts of new bags and/or jackets.

These pieces are black sateen with discharge paste patterns and with foiled squares.

Discharge Days continued

2011-09-16T20:59:00.000-07:00

Pat did a quick demo of wrapping fabric on a pole to create a shibori pattern.

This piece of brown fabric had discharge paste applied with a stamp.

Marcia is preparing more foil to use on her fabric. She's cutting off the desired size from the roll of a multi-colored foil.

Bev is using an old disc as a resist to create a pattern with the discharge paste.

A lot of wonderful fabric started appearing on the walls.

Linda chooses another screen for applying paste to her fabrics.

Marcia shared her many screens that she had prepared and brought with her.

She left them with us for our use if we promised to send them back to her.... Hope we don't forget!

Jeanne and Nancy discuss the processes that kept all of us busy and taught us so much.

Pat and Marcia are reviewing/critiquing a piece under construction. Maybe they're deciding if more work is needed or if it's done....

Discharge Days

2011-09-15T20:34:00.000-07:00

Our friends from Long Island, Nancy Bailey in the red shirt and Marcia Murphy in the black shirt, joined us for a couple of "play days" working with discharge and foiling.

Linda is using a screen to apply discharge paste. After the fabric is dry, it'll be ironed and the discharged pattern will appear.

Pat has a large screen that she made, and she's using it to apply the discharge paste across several pieces of fabric.

Explaining the screen....

And reviewing the results....

We were very spoiled with all the supplies that Marcia and Nancy brought along to share with us.

Suki at work

2011-09-09T19:39:00.000-07:00

Inspector Suki is at her happiest when there is an outdoor project on a nice late summer's day. She will patiently stand by until some part of the activities require her attention.

Marcia was cleaning the horse barn today while Bill was mowing grass. An old horse blanket was put out on the grass to air out, and enter Miss Suki.

She, of course, was convinced that the wonderful smells of old horse sweat and probably mouse scents necessitated her "rolling around" treatment.

She covered most of one side and kept her back feet on the ground to give her a stable base for her work.

Stretching out to leave her own musk on the fabric is the most important part of her contribution. Her chin glands are hard at work. Life is good!!

Labor Day

2011-09-05T18:37:00.000-07:00

We have a very good crop of tomatoes this year. We watered during the dry July days and avoided early and late blight.

For our first harvest we gathered some of the larger varieties for canning.

We grew some heirloom varieties that we purchased from Jane Kuitems at her herb farm in Webster. We have several varieties that we purchased that day, but didn't track the individual plant names --Sorry!

They are producing very well, and we have been enjoying them peeled and sliced every day.

Here one is framed by another ceramic frog and some kitchen cacti.

The heirloom varieties were joined by other nursery varieties from Lucas Greenhouses, including Big Boys and Early Girls. Many of these fourteen quarts will be paired with macaroni and cheese for some delicious winter meals. We may be canning more of these later in September.... We'll see!

Visions - Interpretations 2011

2011-09-04T15:43:00.000-07:00

I'm very pleased to have my Jet Trails #8 accepted into "Interpretations 2011" at Visions Art Museum of Contemporary Quilts and Textiles in San Diego, CA. It is one of 38 quilts juried into the exhibit by jurors Jamie Fingal, Catherine Gleason, and Rob Sidner.

The exhibit will be open from November 4, 2011, until January 22, 2012, and will feature the work of

Pamela Allen, Jill Ault, Shelley Brenner Baird, Catherine Beard, Polly Bech, Peggy
Brown, Marianne Burr, Betty Busby, Vicki Carlson, Chiaki Dosho, Marcia DeCamp,
Carol Bryer Fallert, Linda Filby-Fisher, Annette Guerrero, Desiree Habicht, Lisa
Kijak, Harue Konishi, Paula Kovarik, Jane LaFazio, Judith Larzelere, Denise Linet,
Jeanne Marklin, Lorie McCown, Alicia Merrett, Linda Miller, Gillian Moss, Kathy
Nida, Dan Olfe, Lori Lupe Pelish, Andrea Perejda, Judith Plotner, Sandra Poteet, Wen
Redmond, Kerby Smith, Louisa Smith, Virginia Spiegel, Mary Tabar, Charlotte Ziebarth.

Jet Trails #8 (47" x 47") Hand-dyed cotton fabrics; machine pieced and machine quilted.

Detail:

Fall Happenings

2011-09-02T17:09:00.000-07:00

Our barrel cactus has produced a scond blossom on this year's cycle -- Quite unusual.

The tall cactus plants to the right evoke thoughts of the SouthWest deserts.

Inspector Suki decided to help with sewing the facing on the latest Jet Trails quilt.

We are sure it never enters her mind that she might be in the way!

We have had a resurgence of the frog population in all of our ponds this year.

Here, two buddies are content under the watchful eye and protection of their ceramic brother.

This large and fierce-looking guy is the boss of the pond off the deck. He (or she) will challenge any possible intruder, including humans!

Two more inhabitants wait quietly for a meal. The flat rocks around the pond are perfect for their purposes, and they will sit there for a long while.

Red Raspberries

2011-09-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

The fall crop of red raspberries is in full production. With the recent rains, the berries are big and plump.

There are plenty of berries to eat every day, with lots left over to go into the freezer.

I spread them on a tray in the freezer, and put them into containers after they are frozen, where they'll be ready for next winter's breakfasts.

Preserving the produce

2011-08-31T18:39:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again when our kitchen is full of activity, getting things ready for the freezer and the canning cupboard.

We don't have our own peach trees any more, but buy lots of wonderful peaches from Morgan Farms near Marion. This year we're canning three varieties: Paul Friday, Glow Haven and Red Haven.

We spread them out on the table to ripen.

Inspector Suki came to help sort out the ripest peaches and checked out the baskets.

This is the first of the five batches we've done so far.

We've harvested more than 1 1/2 bushels of peppers from our 11 pepper plants and have made a few batches of stuffed peppers for the freezer - which counts towards several meals we won't have to cook this winter!

Cleaning Camp

2011-08-27T07:55:00.000-07:00

Our camp at Chase Lake in the Adirondacks had only been used a few days early in August. A combination of it not being opened and aired out during the summer, along with a lot of hot and humid weather, caused yucky mold on many surfaces.

Friends Monica and Karen joined me for a marathon cleaning session. In addition to regular cleaning, we washed down walls, floors and ceilings!

Karen even tackled the cabin roof, clearing off the pine needles and branches, so winter snows can slide down more easily.

We had intermittant service from DirecTv, and were interested in keeping up on what was happening with hurricane Irene. In our quest to solve the problem, Monica checked all the cable connections even though we're suspicious of the receiver box.

The reward at the end of the day was a quick dip in the lake.

Sewing Day

2011-08-22T20:42:00.000-07:00

Beth, Linda, and Priscilla joined me in the studio for some sewing time.

Linda was working with some fabrics she made in classes with Katie Pasquini Masopust
and Priscilla was starting a new vest.

Priscilla is using some of her special molas in the new vest, including this unusual one with lions.

Beth was very busy basting several quilts that she plans to take with her for her stay in NC where she'll work on the quilting.

This quilt and the one in the next picture are a couple that she made from scraps.

Reunion lunch

2011-08-17T20:29:00.000-07:00

High school friends (Judy, Mary Ann, me and Sharon) got together for lunch in Canandaigua.

Did someone send out a memo that there was a black and white dress code????

We were at the Inn on the Lake, and enjoyed their outside seating and gardens.

There were a lot of sail boats on the lake that afternoon.

Bean picking

2011-08-15T20:18:00.000-07:00

A pretty spider is making its home in the middle of the string beans.

I stay far away from spiders, so there will be a few beans in the middle of the row that won't be picked!

Studio visitors

2011-08-12T21:28:00.000-07:00

Several quilters gathered for a sewing day at the studio recently.

Priscilla took two weeks of classes at Quilting By The Lake, and the she created the lovely turquoise fabrics that are behind her during her class with Katie Pasquini Masopust. I think she making plans to incorporate the fabrics into a new composition.

Priscilla also took a class with Judy Blaydon where she make these four blocks.

Pat was busy reconstructing some blocks and putting together some more to go with them.

Joyce was finishing the quilting on a couple of new pieces.

I don't know the measurements of her second piece, but it spanned across a couple of the design walls.

Linda, Joyce, Jeanne, and Nancy are all hard at work.

Old Forge, NY

2011-08-08T11:43:00.000-07:00

A visit to the Adirondacks is not complete without stopping in Old Forge. We found a park bench at the edge of the water with a lovely view to accompany our picnic lunch.

Our main agenda was to visit the new arts center in Old Forge, which has been named The View. It has lots of wonderful spaces, including several galleries and an auditorium.

One of the galleries is the Henry M. Kashiwa Eco Gallery with an exhibit of "Nature's Wonder Inspiring the Arts."

This cairn was made of rocks found in the Adirondacks.

This is a fisher, an animal that's been making a come-back. I saw a similar critter on our property a few months ago, and am now wondering if it was a fisher cat.

Another view of the lake. I think this is the tour boat that offers a ride up the Fulton Chain of Lakes.

Clayton, NY

2011-08-06T15:00:00.000-07:00

From Alexandria Bay it's only a short drive to Clayton, and another look at the scenery in the Thousand Islands.

We visited a farmer's market along the shore, and enjoyed the cloud formations along the waterway.

The main street shops included a Christmas store, and the window display had a tree complete with falling snow.

A stop for dinner before heading back at Nancy's favorite restaurant and enjoying Nancy's favorite menu item, Shrimp Scampi -- Yum!

Alexandria Bay

2011-08-05T14:56:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful day to drive to Alexandria Bay in the Thousand Islands. It was actually an interesting drive because we "sort-of" knew the way and the only map in the car was from 1970 and didn't include all the roads we encountered!

From here you can take a boat tour of the islands and stop at Bolt Castle.

At camp

2011-08-04T20:31:00.000-07:00

This is the view off the left side of the dock. We have a lovely white waterlily, along with the pickle week.

The water was very warm and great for swimming.

This is the right side of the dock, and it's the first year I remember that we've ever had this vegetation.

Please let me know if you know what it is and how to get rid of it!

There were some heavy storms with high winds, and the top section of one of our largest trees broke off. The "stump" is probably 30+ feet tall.

This is the top piece of the tree.

We have some wild berries growing near the camp, and we found they were delicious on breakfast cereal!

More at Yvonne's

2011-08-03T20:14:00.000-07:00

(Still in Natural Bridge....)

Yvonne has antiques for sale along with her hand-woven baskets. She has several smaller buildings, each full of treasures.

Bev and Jeanne got into the swing of the shopping.

Yvonne has a new supply of feed sacks that she had just purchased.

This is Yvonne and her husband moving the cute round oak table that Pat bought out to the car.

A storage unit for your threads.