Inspired by Sara

Last month, I blogged about our Art Group's design board challenge.  If you missed it, you can catch-up here.

While at retreat, I finished (except for embellishment) my first project.  The project took a surprising twist at the end.  Everyone at retreat held it one way when they looked at it.  I would tell them, "It's upside down," as they oohed and aahed.  As soon as I righted it for them, they looked confused and asked, "What is it?"

strange.

I took it back to my room and studied it, upside down.

I began with this:

Which I translated as this:

Flipped, it became this:

Which reminds me of this:

I took the last picture in November, when I was at Avila Beach.  Usually the sunset looked ordinary, but one night there was a big fire near Morro Bay that turned the sky fantastic colors.

Do you suppose this is what they mean when "they" talk about "Art" and "Inspiration?"

Thanks for stopping by...

Setting Some Goals

My weekly goal setting seems to have gone out the window in the wake of the quilt show.

Now that it is over and done with, and the loose ends are being tied up, I'm ready to resume.  I don't even know which week of the year it is...let's find a calendar, and see what it says...

Wow.  Week #17.  Looks like I missed a month or so of goal setting.  Am I behind?  Or ahead?  Hard to tell.  I think, perhaps, by the time I return on Sunday, I will be Just Right.

I'm leaving the family behind, and heading for the hills for Retreat.  woohoo!  I have plenty of goals for the next four days, but I'm afraid to speak them aloud, for fear I speak them out of existence.

Instead, I'll show you pictures of some of the projects that will accompany me.

These two "baby quilts" came along to the last retreat.  They need to be pieced.

 You've seen this LoneStar before.  I don't like the pink setting squares.  I've got some pale purple in the box, to replace the pink.

 The rocks at the top of this piece need to be quilted, then it needs to be bound. Goals are good.

 This box of beachy scraps has been cut for years.  I'd love to transform it into a background for a quilt swimming in my brain.

 These blocks have also been in a box for years.  They would like to become a top sooner rather than later.

I have other boxes, with other projects, also in the queue, but my flash isn't working, and I haven't packed.  I need to pack if I'm going to head out in the next couple of hours.

The past week was spent walking on the beach and making a birthday postcard for my sister.

Apparently Blogger has some issues with the birthday card.

And on that, I'm off and driving.  My goal for Week #17 is to post some amazing progress reports when I return.  woohoo!  Goals are good!

Have a great weekend!

Makes It Worth It

Today's post brought a note that contained the following excerpt:

"...my sincere thanks to you, all your committee, and sponsors who make the show possible.  Being able to get into a juried show, with real judges so close to home has helped me grow as a quilter; the 'areas that need improvement' section of the evaluation is invaluable in helping me make progress.  I really appreciate the fact that the judges take the time to make both positive and frank evaluations of my work.  It takes a very good friend to tell you the truth about your work, but a well qualified judge can be your best friend in the quest to keep improving.

Thanks for making that possible."

Thank you, Ann for the feedback.  You made my day!  :)

Beautiful Things

 
 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.  Philippians 4:8

"Iris Garden" by Suzanne Kistler

23 x 30

April 2013

More Things to Make Me Smile

Happy Quiltie Ladies

Leaves on the walnut trees

Colors of iris that I didn't know I had

 "Fields" of multi-colored iris, all in bloom, with a few roses for good measure

 Pixel

 New pipe storage for the quilt show (Thank you, Tim & Adam!)

yep.  There's lots of smiling going on around here.  Hope it's the same at your house!

Things To Make Me Smile

It's Official!

The doors are open!

 Look for me, for a ride to or from the show.

See you there!

The Doors Open Tomorrow!

Waiting for the judges

 Waiting for the scribes

 9:15am Wednesday (there were no sheets hung at 8:30)

 One hanging team

  And another

 And the quilts are almost up.

Now wait a minute!  Did you think I was going to show you the view from the balcony?  No, not today.  You're going to have to come and see it yourself!!

See you in the morning, doors open at 10am!

Quilt Show!

We're having a quilt show this weekend!

There was an article in this morning's Bee.

 And here's a peek at the ladies behind the scenes:

Come and see us!  We'll be waiting for you when the doors open at 10am on Friday!

Last One For a While

Happy Happy!

Quilt show week begins today.  Bring me your beauties, doors open for receiving at 10am.  Judging is tomorrow.  Good luck to all who entered their work!!!

From Every Angle

She's a beauty.

Back in Business

Don't you just love Spring?

Inspired

Nothing new in the garden today.  The new stuff is blooming in the Studio.  :)

Beautiful Things

The garden continues to be a source of visual pleasure.  I'm not sure I like the early warm weather, but I do like seeing the blooms this year.  For the past several years, the blooming has begun during show week, and I've missed the daily sensory excitement of spring.

Last week's goals were to wrap-up show details and finish a new little wall quilt.  The show is in its final prep days.  I am so close to ready I can feel it.  The wall quilt?  Well, the applique is finished, I'm halfway through the embroidery, and if all goes well, I might quilt it over the weekend.  This all depends upon the show being ready to go.  Goals are good.

Quilts have been arriving daily.  Official check-in is Monday.  Mark your calendars now, if you haven't done so already.  Next Friday, we're having a quilt show!

Daily Beauty

POP!