Sunday in Buffalo

I had the opportunity to accompany friend Jeanne Beck to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo and visit it for the first time.







We were specifically interested in seeing the Topographies exhibit and would recommend it. We liked the installation of Polly Apfelbaum's dyed synthetic velvet pieces that covered the floor and looked like the wonderful colors of a large bed of perennials.



Since I hadn't been to the museum before, we wandered through most all of the exhibits -- and everyone who went throught this room had to walk under the table.








A wonderful visit was topped off by a delicious lunch in the museum's restaurant, where we got to admire the sculpture garden.

A work session

A regular work-session day was scheduled, and the weather was sunny and clear, allowing for easy travel for everyone to come.












Even with a very late-night return from her trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, Priscilla arrived bright and shiny and ready to go to work.






Everyone completed their homework that was assigned at the last gathering.

As a way to study the use of line in composition, we each looked for a photo or picture that used line and then created a block or composition inspired by that picture.

Sunset and Suki

The usual January thaw arrived with some bright sunny days and rising temperatures. The beautiful sunsets closed these days that punctuated some relief from a cold winter spell.









The layered cumulus clouds provided a 30-minute light show as the sun descended toward the western horizon. Each frame was more brilliant that the one before. We'll have to learn how to use the movie function on our camera.....











Nancy Hicks uses this red bag to carry her featherweight sewing machine and she left it open for use. Inspector Suki checked it out as a possible spot for a nap.








Suki's role as defender of the property was put to the test. A large black fluffy intruder appeared at the door one recent evening. Suki immediately responded and then took up a sentry position in a chair near the door and remained ready to repulse any invasion!

Pat's Big Leaf and Suki

This is Pat's lovely "Big Leaf" quilt that she made as a sample for her upcoming class at Patricia's Fabric House in East Rochester on January 21 and 28.











Suki was immediately drawn to the quilt and wanted to help Pat with sewing on the binding.







One of Suki's favorite activities is to "tunnel" inside things and/or under blankets. So she was very happy that Pat had left her quilt folded with a flap that she could explore.











And I think at this point she had found a comfortable spot and was "keeping an eye out" to make sure no one took it away from her!

Sewing Day

There were more snow flurries yesterday, but three quilters made it out to the studio.

Priscilla had planned to come, but sent us proof of her car stuck in the deep snow instead (http://www.priscillakibbee.blogspot.com/).



Nancy was called in to help at her volunteer job and had left some of her fabric on the design wall.

Since she couldn't be here, Jeanne stepped in and arranged the fabrics for her.












While we don't enjoy all the shoveling and would really like some warmer termperatures, we have to admire the beautiful snow-covered scenery. This scene is in our back yard near the deck.









This is the big marine locust tree that is beyond our fish pond. I like the way the snow makes the tree branches look like they've been frosted with icing.

Outside / Inside

The January snow continues. We are up to a couple of feet, with more on the way. Skiers and snowmobilers rejoice, and the rest of us get good photo opportunities.















We have icicles too! Our friend Priscilla posts pictures of her home in Wolcott covered with them along with six feet of snow.

We are happy that we live further inland from Lake Ontario and are content being "baby cousins" at this end of Wayne County.

The African violets brighten up our spirits. They seem to have no particular season, but produce new blossoms all year long. It is no wonder they are such a popular indoor plant.












Our Florida orchid continues to develop. The long stems of flowers reach for sunlight as they spread out from an inner-wall spot. Their friends are across the room in a south window and are starting to show swelling buds that promise color in another few weeks.

RAFA meeting

The Rochester Area Fiber Artists group met at the Rochester Arts & Cultural Council, where its current exhibition is being held this month.

Caren Betlinski showed a new piece she has completed.





This is Marcia Eygabroat with Trish Amish, who is showing us the felted bowl she made.

Behind them are the fabric postcards that were made by members which are for sale with the proceeds going to the Arts Council.






Pat Faulkner made this vest following her trip to Egypt.

After the regular "show and tell" portion of the meeting, the group toured the exhibit.

Sewing day

Our snowy weather did not keep the intrepid quilters away from gathering at the studio to work on their projects.









Jeanne brought her mola quilt so she could take photos of it. It has a lot of wonderful quilting.












Bev worked on finishing up the quilting on her mola quilt.















I auditioned several pieces of fabrics that I've made while working on other projects that might work in a new composition.

Alice's birthday

January 3rd was Alice Blazey's 100th birthday. Alice was my English teacher in junior high school, and she is also the mother of one of my high school classmates. Her family had this banner made, and it hangs on the fence in front of the town park.

Alice lives by herself and drives to see family members almost daily. She is often out running errands and driving for her younger friends.

Click here to see Willard Scott announcing her birthday:

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=102031301

Trunk Show in Perinton

Marcia was invited to present a trunk show to the Perinton Quilt Quild. Here members gather prior to the meeting, and the boxes holding some 60+ pieces of Marcia's work are on the table.








Friends Barb Seils and Pat Berardi helped Marcia with her narrative by holding up the quilt under comment.

Note - Marcia is wearing the wonderful antique Shaman's coat which came from Vietnam and was carried home with Priscilla Kibbee's many treasures.



After the show, the audience examined the quilts as Marcia answered questions about materials and process. As a former member of the Guild, Marcia knew many of the attendees and enjoyed seeing old friends.



More inspections and comments are exchanged as the evening concludes. One of the audience members told Bill that "he married well" as the gathering dispersed.

Winter in Palmyra

We are having a good stretch of cold weather with some snow squalls every day. The light fluffy stuff is devoid of moisture and causes no particular problem as the plows easily push it aside. However, the roads are slippery and icy, and drivers who don't slow down end up in the ditch.






Our back deck and fish pond area acquires its usual snow mantle. The heater floating in the pond keeps the ice open for oxygen intake and serves as an outlet for toxic gases to escape -- the result is healthy fish!












Our neighbor, Marty Kinslow, keeps our front driveway and parking area well plowed. We exchange this service for storage space in one of our barns. Marty is very reliable and, if needed, will plow several times a day.







This is our home as seen from the road in a front view. The north-facing studio windows are on the right side of the picture. Despite the weather, intrepid art quilters come often to work on projects and plan new ones.