EBHQ Make Words Not War

Attended another online EBHQ workshop by Cheryl Arkison.  This time she covered making pieced fabric letters.  She covered fabric, color, cutting tips, style tips, information about letters (kerning, etc.)

I first learned about piecing fabric letters while participating in the Block Lotto in 2012 - back then it was very difficult for me to make the letters.  Now though with Cheryl's tips and techniques I was able to get most of the letters I wanted to make done in class. A B O U F L C W - just need K and S in the fabric I selected today.  Tomorrow hope to finish K S and add T I R E N - then you will know what I am up to!

: )

Tomorrow evening she is presenting a lecture that is open to the public.

EBHQ Scraptastic Options

I attended a really wonderful EBHQ zoom workshop with Cheryl Arkison presenting: Scraptastic Options.

Even though I had read her book "Sunday Morning Quilts" the presentation covered it all more in detail so it was really nice.  She is one of those teachers who really enjoys quilting and people - it was a pleasure to spend the day with her and with the EBHQ community.

First she discussed different ways she organizes scraps.  The book just has some measurement guidelines, but she really explained how she does it - as a model for us to consider ourselves.  There was time to organize.  I only was able to do the first sorting as I was trying to do it all with fabric balance on my lap using a bankers box lid as the table.  The people who really spread out were able to do much more.

Then she went thru the process of making a block with the larger scraps and gave us sewing time.  Then the other sizes with more time to try things out.  At each level she also showed examples, and gave us more ideas and tips so we could be successful.

I'm excited to really get into organizing my scraps and using her ideas to make my own quilts.

I recommend both her book and taking workshops from her.

Weeks 37-38: Box Progress

Not sewing yet.

I did attend the first in the new series of zoom lectures by Lauren Kingsland.  You can probably sign up too.

Here is the class write up:

In the Studio with Lauren
by The Georgetown Lombardi Arts and Humanities Program
8- week FREE, online workshop on THURSDAYS Sep. 16th - Nov. 4th, 2021, 12-1pm EST. Relax, Learn, & Community! Theme for the series: Colors  (There is a Tuesday class too.)

About this event

Love Those Colors

“I love the colors in your quilt!” Is a compliment that always brings a smile to a quiltmaker. The basic principles of color interaction are important tools in our artistic toolbox. In this class weekly hands-on exercises will help you understand how YOU see color and how to manage to get the effects you want. Lauren will share color “recipes” and tricks to give you color confidence. Hands-on homework projects will be simple hand piecing OR may be done by gluing or fusing.

Students will need small fabric pieces ( 6” square or larger) of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple in light, medium and dark values. Bring what you have to the first class.

A looseleaf notebook may be used to create your own color reference book if you wish

Who is this class for?  You! This class is for anyone who is interested in learning a new skill and being a part of a growing community. Beginners are welcome.

Accessibility Notes:  This class is closed captioned.

About Instructor:  The class will be led by Georgetown Lombardi Arts and Humanities Program (AHP) Artist-in-Residence Lauren Kingsland.

Lauren is an internationally known and beloved teacher, specializing in the intersection of art and healing. Her medium of first choice is quiltmaking and fiber art. Lauren is the author of several books, including “Healing Journey - Quilts about Transformation in the Presence of Cancer” and “The Extraordinary T-shirt Quilt - A Scrapbook You Can Sleep Under” as well as an experienced singer, and mindfulness practitioner.

No one read the descriptions, as we didn't bring our fabric pieces to class.  Lauren discussed hue and value and showed examples.  Our homework is to make a nice patch (or anything really) with different reds.

I am finally cleaning up my sewing room and will look for examples of red and orange fabric so I will be prepped for last week and this coming week.  

Also need to find the fabric I'll be using for the two classes I take next week with EBHQ: 

VIRTUAL WORKSHOP - AUDREY ESAREY AKA COTTON AND BOURBON - Abstract Arcs


The Abstract Arcs Quilt is a pattern that can be made into a small wall hanging or a large bed quilt! This workshop covers the concepts of curved piecing, inset strips, and improv piecing. We will also discuss the use of color in this quilt, as well as layouts that emphasize the use of negative space. Students will finish several blocks during class.

Haven't decided at all what colors to use for this!


VIRTUAL WORKSHOP - AUDREY ESAREY AKA COTTON AND BOURBON-Indigo Radial Quilt


The Indigo Radial Quilt is a wall hanging made using paper piecing and curved piecing techniques. This workshop covers the basic concepts of paper piecing on an arc, curved piecing skinny arcs, and precision piecing. We will also discuss color options, alternate layouts using templates provided in the pattern, and quilting ideas. Students will finish several blocks during class. The Indigo Radial Quilt finishes at 24 x 24 inches.

I'm thing perhaps different violets, purples and red or gold for my piece.

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I had both my sewing machines maintained after a long break when I didn't use as I wasn't sure I should with the strange noises I started hearing when I was finishing the Christmas exchange blocks.

So I can also work on my EBHQ Lone Robin Quilt.  If I can finish before October 1 then I can be in the drawing - but probably won't be able to do that.  But perhaps if I find my notes on what I was going to make!

So hopefully my quilting and sewing will be starting up again.  And I will be able to continue going thru boxes too.

I had signed up for the classes I think when I saw that the  paperwork for the taxes would be submitted ahead of the deadline....  I have also been going thru boxes of papers and paperwork and making pretty good progress with tossing things, putting things into current file folders, and even started some scanning and then shredding.  I can see clearly now that no one will ever want to look at the records of things saved for tax preparation, so that will make that part of the adventure easier to do.

The first box I grabbed to scan happened to have the papers for my mom starting the year my father passed away and ending I think seven years later.  I had all the papers for when her home flooded and new flooring and kitchen had to be installed.  What a headache that was!  That sure reminded me of why I keep putting off having big things done to this house...  Also there were records for her medical care and all the work hiring extra people to help with caregiving.  That was really hit or miss on quality of care and record keeping.  I don't know if anyone could learn from the experiences I had.  I think unfortunately each person has to navigate the various systems and people themselves.  At least here in California.

Buffy is making wonderful progress.  She now has two or three walks a day.  Different lengths depending mainly on her mood, but when it has turned out to be hot I sort of move us toward home.  I think she was okay with that too though.

Sep 13 - her wounds are really healing well.  We are getting use to how she looks now and doing a better job of working with her so she is getting better with going up and down stairs and getting to places she wants to go.  She obviously feels better than she did before the operation.

Sep 16: Before I knew she was going to have the operation I also got her a new squeaky and crunchy toy.  She plays with this more often than her older ones. Fun to let her have it a little bit each day....

Sep 20: I had gotten her this game before I knew she would have operation.  You put a treat under each little cap - she smells it and bites to lift it up to get the treat!

A nice sunset in the neighborhood.

Sep 18:  A few years ago I got this canvas crate/bed from a neighbor.  Buffy didn't really like to sleep in it, but she would eat her food when it was placed inside. 
So I used when we were in hotels with her for that.  

Now Buffy really likes going in here to snooze. I have it so it makes her pen larger as the bed now is part of the wall. 

I like the way I can look down at her too.

Dogs sleep more than I realized.  

She has several hours of interaction time though that is very, very nice indeed.

My friend and I are back to walking - in the evenings though now as then if Buffy doesn't want to walk as long as I do, then my son or husband can watch her while I continue walking!  I'm looking forward to starting my online exercise sessions again too - but that will be after Buffy is better alone again, and I have more boxes finished.

Round Up Weeks 32 - 36: Other Things and Fabric Related

August 30 - EBHQ Zoom Lecture by Malka Dubrawsky

She is especially into dying her fabric, stamping and doing those kinds of things.  So in her examples she repeats designs within a piece, tests an idea with different colors and by creating a design with different techniques.

If EBHQ offers another dying class, I hope I can take it.  It was just the wrong time for me to devote a full day for anything this time...

Other

I walked a few times with my friend while we chatted on the phone - before my son's classes at university started we would walk in the morning before the day heated up. After his teaching started we switched to evening walks one or two times.

My son and I made lemon curd for my husband's birthday cake.  This year it only has two layers as we were so concentrated on little Buffy.

My husband and I wrote postcards with the zoom group to encourage people to vote no on the recall.

Most of the time was spent thinking about or caring for Buffy. That time has certainly paid off! So pleased with her progress in healing after her double enucleation surgery.  She already seems to have more pep!

Round Up Week 27: Swirls and Spirals

 Listened to online lecture by EBHQ: Spiral Motifs by Karin Lusnak

Karin is another brilliant quilter with formal art education.  She was first attracted to swirls when doing textile art and has been reinterpreting that, and houses in her work ever since.

Mentioned: Influenced by Book of Symbols by Carl Jung, Took class from Rosalie Dace

Shopped at: New Pieces on Gilman, Solano Bay Quilts in Cerrito (https://www.sfbayquilts.com/ ?), and a shop in Walnut Creek.

A scrap quilt...

You Hold the Key

A scrap Quilt

She paper pieced the diamonds!

How Karin makes a quilt swirl - it's a variation of a log cabin.

I hope I remember to give making swirls a try!

A very nice presentation, indeed!

Then EBHQ went on to discuss and share other projects and how they are being interpreted by members.  The Lone Robin, Postcard Exchange, Inspired By...  What a great group.  I'm glad to be a member.

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Fabric Shops in San Francisco:

https://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/american-patchwork-and-quilting/san-francisco-fabric-shops

This weekend my DH and I will be driving and staying at hotels for The So Cal Quilt Shop Run!

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Not quilting.

I went to Costco, Ikea, and Lowe's for a morning of being out of the house. Someday that won't be news!  At least I hope it won't!

It has been very hot, so not making as much progress with the papers and things upstairs as I had hoped, but it is slowly coming along.  I worked several hours going thru the pantry, freezer and frig and got rid of somethings that were too tired or old, and moved some items to the front so hopefully they get used sooner.

I have given myself permission to go thru things at least two times during this season, the first for a quick decision on keep or not.  (Then it's donate, shred or just toss.)  I have already gone thru the bookcase and bathroom three times - but now I really need to get going on the papers and get things together for the taxes.

It occurs to me that I need to organize things as I used to when teaching.  So a substitute could step in and take over!  Oh well...

The State has asked us to cut way back on electricity use between 4pm and 9pm so on Saturday we took Buffy and drove to Kate Sessions Park for a walk.  We all enjoyed it - even though there were many, many people who let their dogs off their leashes.  It's supposed to be:

• Dogs allowed on leashes only

Little Buffy has been feeling better so there have been longer walks again.  And she is enjoying finding treats in we hide on the boxes, pillows and fabric on the floor.  It's very nice.

Still walking usually in the morning and afternoon.  Next week will start exercising again on my own or following a YouTube Program.