It’s been so long since I’ve posted, and so I owe you all an apology. I’ve been burned out, pure and simple. My fourth grader had a huge project, complete with a California Mission model:
For those of you with sharper eyesight than mine, may I point out the Frankenstein-esque earthquake fault line artistically drawn to the right of the door? This mission (Mission Santa Cruz) had a very bizarre history, which made for fun research for a 9 year old boy. The mission flooded, then was hit by 3 earthquakes, was raided by a French pirate, and had its Padre hanged by the neophytes (not to get all political on you, since this is an art blog, but this is not the proudest moment in California history). This last bit– plus the fact that the dead Padre received California’s first autopsy– really caught DS2′s attention. Look closely at the tree behind the mission. That’s a noose swinging on the tree.
And you wonder why I’m tired?
and then my sixth grader had a huge project for his science class. He researched driving distractions (uh, that would be 4th and 6th graders, sitting in the backseat, wouldn’t it?) and was chosen to present his “findings” at the Ventura County Science fair.
And you know who had to keep everyone on task, don’t you?
Plus, customers quilts, track season started (this is a big deal in the Italo household, since Dad is a Master Track runner on Team USA. Double that deal– Mom is the Secretary AND Treasurer of the Ojai team– hah! top that, DH!), my mother moved to town for the winter, and I had my first lecture to a big guild in January. Phew– I’m getting tired just remembering it all.
Let’s leave all the news behind for now. Here’s some long overdue eye candy for you.
One of my fav customers is a prolific piecer. She lives at the beach, and her color palette reflects the soothing nature of her surroundings– pale pinks, blues, greens, taupes, creams. Recently, she brought me this whimsical tulip applique top. She plans to give it to one of her girls, so I brought out the feminine feathered hearts and swirls:
I’ve never figured out how to photograph the whole quilt, so this small segment will have to do!
Below is a close up of the freehand feathered heart I quilted into each alternate block. For you non-quilters, a plain unpieced/unapplique’d fabric square can be sewn in between the pieced/applique’d squares to highlight the overall pattern. These plain squares are referred to as “alternate blocks”. The heart:
Below is the swirly fill I did to highlight the tulip appliques. I did stitch around the outside of the flower, as well as along the seam separating the two parts of the flower– this served to puff out the applique. Quilters call this “faux trapunto”!
I have more photos to share, more news to tell, but for now, I’m off to make dinner! Enjoy, and thanks for sticking with me through this blog drought!
