Catching Up

Last Tuesday my guild Fraser Valley Quilters' Guild had Elaine Quehl as their featured speaker.  The first part of her lecture was a slide show on her design process.  Then there was a show and tell of some of her floral designs. Here is a link to her website if you want to see more.

 She was just in Barcelona Spain showing some of these pieces and the triptych below was shown for the first time.  It is based on photos she took of Smoke Bush.

 It was challenging trying to get photos thru the heads of people in front of me.  The piece below is of a Hosta Bud, but some people think it is an Asparagus bud or an Artichoke.

 I almost signed up for her workshop and these were the samples of the flowers she offered for the one day class.  I was tempted to do the centre peony but didn't sign up in the end.  She offered fabric kits for those who wished to get one.  My friend Rita took the class and I'll try and get a picture of her test block she did.

 This is a photo of a Rebecka bloom called Prairie Sunset.

 This is Red Stool which she incorporated three different photos for the finished design.

 I believe this is a Dahlia, she used a Shibori technique to make the dyed stripes.

 I went for a walk after the lecture, inspired to take some photos to try and make my own floral design.  The cherry blossoms are starting to rain down like pink snow.

 I spotted this little girl coming from the boardwalk up onto the the brickwork to check out this small dog.  She retreated behind her dad's legs for a bit. (Dad did give me permission to share these photos and I gave these and more to him.)

 Getting a bit more confident and Dad encouraging her to pet the dog.  The dog's owner is just off camera and told me later he has a two year old grandchild that the dog interacts with on a regular basis.

 The grape hyacinth is in full bloom under the roses bushes that are slowly coming out into leaf.

 As I walked back west she was getting into a good petting mode with the dog.

 I think she was telling dog that they would be good friends.

 The tulips are starting to come into fuller bloom almost overnight.

 Some are still tightly closed.

 A large white blossoms tree ?apple?

 The water lily is starting to put out leaves.

 Came across this rather healthy group of dandelions.

 A magnolia tree.

 We used to have a tree like this in our garden.

 White star magnolias.

 More pink ones.

 Block number 4 pinned and ready to stitch.

 I also managed to get the Sue Spargo Sewing Roll that was featured in Inspirations.  I went to their website but found that the cost of shipping the magazine was the same as the cost of it!  I then found that I could purchase and download just the pattern.  They also offer kits but not for this project. Here is a link to their website if you are interested.

 Here is the beginning of my version.  Today I ripped out the larger rick rack stem and am re-positioning it and trimming it down.

 I haven't shared my Grasshopper blocks.  I did swap the fabrics out and am glad I did.

 I've also cut out the next four blocks which have over 30 pieces to each one, so don't hold your breath for a picture of one.

 I've also cut my bias and the applique pieces for the centre medallion but need to figure out if I'm framing it with borders or making a centre seam to make it the larger size.

 I do admit I think I sewed at least one leaf on wrong for each block.

 Minus the corner triangles I have the block 4 finished for Simple Folk.  I've cut the strips of green for the alternate block but need to decide on the second colour for the triangles and nine patches.  I think it will be a scrappy consistent turquoise colour but with different prints.

 A closer look at the centre.  Notice anything?