Surprise! We're on Pippa Eccles blog, at Quilting Arts! The Art Salad challenge from Cultured Cloth article got her attention. We're famous!

This is the Monday, October 6, Art Salad project. Making a necklace, an experiment in balance. I will supply all the stuff you need to make 1 necklace, using natural stone beads, and glass or metal accents, with a silver plated chain. If you have a favorite color, you may bring beads to add to mine. I suggest size 8 seed beads, or larger, or crystals, etc.
If you want to join us, sign up at Two Twelve Arts.

Can you see designs like these as mosaics, or on quilts? This is in Claremont, California, a lovely city.

A cool thing I saw at the Ontario airport. This medallion has cut metal foil shapes all around it. Sorry I don't know the artists' name.

This is my entry to the Michigan Quilt Artists Invitational show. The theme this year is South of the Border. My quilt is called Papel Picado, for the cut paper flags used in celebrations. The opening was at Greater Flint Arts Council, and the show travels for 2 years, all over the state.

These are the last Art Salad Challenge pieces. The inspiration was an article in Quilting Arts, called Culture Cloth. I was amazed at the entries. What artful, talented people! I can't wait to show them the new inspiration pictures.

A tour of Hoffman Fabrics warehouse is a highlight of my trip to California. I caught sight of a Mr. Hoffman, who graciously stood for a picture.

Michelle Flores is our cheerful and friendly guide.

The lobby of Hoffman Fabrics is filled with surfing memorabilia.


We are giving rapt attention to all the eye candy.

Michelle calls for a few stragglers to keep up.
The fabric is wrapped on bolts.

Mr. Hue, a very accomplished artist, who hand paints designs in exquisite detail, which are then transformed into fabrics we love to buy.

A beautiful wooden fish, seen as we filed out.

These orderly rows of palm trees are at the edge of the airport. Looks exotic to Michigan eyes.

I went to California the morning after the Mosaic Show, and this was in the baggage claim area at the Ontario airport. More ideas!

These are scenes from the opening reception of Breaking Traditions:Home show, at Two Twelve Arts, Sept. 10th. The art quilt show is a fund raiser for A Place to Bark, an animal shelter. With it is a Mosaic Show, featuring works by the teacher, Connie Elliott, and 2 students, Deb Kolar, and Kat Campau.

I got home from California last night. My bio clock thinks I'm hovering in no time land, so I feel fuzzy today. So, no pictures yet, but I'll post tomorrow.
I do want to tell you, we made some very fun things at the Fiberartgirlz meeting. And I met a very talented quilter, Carolyn Villars. Oh, wow, you should see her stuff!

Yesterday was the Quilters' Piececorps lecture and trunk show. It went well, the people are very friendly. We had a fun day. And afterwards the Fiberartgirlz came over to play. It's good to know my sister has such nice friends. I have been too busy gawking at the scenery to take pictures. Hope to do better today.

Last night was Art Salad Eraser carving class. I didn't take my camera, so I can only show you my stamps. Take a look at Leannderthal to see more. We had a good time. It was easier than we expected, and people made lovely stamps.
Thank you so much to Leann, for the lesson.
Tonight is the Door Doodads class. We are making felt pumpkins, with a slot a cat fits into. It's Hallowe'enie, but the cat comes out for Autumn. See the Aug. 25 post.

I spent the morning taking well lit, straight on pictures of my quilts. I took close-ups, too. There were 98 pictures. When I loaded them on the computer to edit, I discovered I have crooked eyes. Or arms, one or the other. I can straighten the edges, but I can't make them an even distance from the camera. They all look narrower at the bottom, because of my crooked eye/arm situation. So, I got a foam board to cover with black on one side, and white on the other, so I can take pix for my website, and to make greeting cards. The board will hold them evenly, and I can use a thread to assure it. And I have to set up a tripod or similar, to make sure of the even distance.
When this crooked situation has been remedied, I'll let you know. I'll send you to my new improved website, with straight, even pictures. My arms and eyes will just have to tough it out.

Orange Hibiscus Tree, now quilted. Beach Peas and Roses, now quilted. Showy Birds of Paradise, Orange something I have to look up, Blue Orchids, Purple Passion. This makes 216, if I don't count the mug mats.

Another cartoon series, these will be mug mats, a good use for a tiny quilt.

More gesture drawings from my journal. Didn't look while drawing, but I did to color them.