tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90177253106901137852012-01-08T13:12:02.798-08:00Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.comBlogger771100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-11445455438803396632012-01-08T10:09:00.000-08:002012-01-08T10:12:01.834-08:00

Made especially for a North Coast Artists Guild LIVING ON THE EDGE show, my quilted wallhanging "Just Over the Edge" uses the hues we see on a bright, sunny day as we gaze over land’s edge at the sand, the rocks, the harbor seals, the ocean, the breaking waves, and the sky. I hand-painted some of the fabrics; others were purchased hand-dyes in silk and cotton, as well as commercial fabrics,

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-8180724244745114812011-08-17T23:48:00.000-07:002011-08-17T23:55:21.373-07:00

Eleven lucky women made the most of summer quilt camp at the Point Bonita YMCA in the Marin Headlands last week. If you only saw the bunks and showers, you'd say "masochistic" instead of "lucky," but once inside our workroom, it was a whole other story! We arrived Sunday afternoon and by Tuesday night I'd finished a quilt that I sent off to Art in the Redwoods (opening Friday in Gualala, CA).

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-45069669577625820972011-07-24T21:16:00.000-07:002011-07-24T21:24:55.538-07:00

In quilting with an open heart, I am often blessed with spiritual rewards as I sew. With this quilt for my daughter Brenna and her soul mate, I worked with their color palette (sage green and buttery yellow) and their desires for a nature-inspired but not flowery quilt. As I pushed the color scheme (because I just had to), I felt that each new color brought a prayer for their union.  And so, the

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-50503328172856562442011-06-15T22:37:00.000-07:002011-06-15T22:38:15.664-07:00

I needed help with designing the big quilt label I want to machine embroider and attach to the big wedding quilt I just made as a special gift. After two days trying to get the design ready on my V6 Bernina software, I stopped in to see Donna at The Cotton Patch today and we sat down and worked on it together for maybe 30 to 40 minutes.  What a doll!  I think it's almost ready to go sew!

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-67400811235829393582011-06-07T14:58:00.000-07:002011-06-07T15:00:35.176-07:00

Hollis Chatelain is coming to teach a 2-day quilt design workshop and to lecture in Gualala (Mendocino County), CA, followed by a 5-day Masters' Series #10 workshop at my Orinda, CA home in September 2011. Check this link to sign up for the few remaining openings in the Gualala workshop, or contact me for more info: Hollis Chatelain Quilt Line Design Workshop at Gualala Arts.  For more

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-29357645630922409912011-04-05T10:07:00.000-07:002011-04-05T10:09:11.964-07:00

I made this quilt to donate to a wonderful nationwide program called Quilts of Valor. Along with many others from my fellow Pacific Piecemakers Quilt Quild members, it will be delivered to a wounded veteran recovering at the Palo Alto Veterans' Hospital. It's based on a block sometimes called "Sweet Sara" (by Laura Nownes, I think).  If you look at the detail photo, you can make out the border

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-20525574804829488422011-03-28T10:03:00.001-07:002011-03-28T10:18:41.553-07:00

My Just finished art quilt: This small quilt will be on exhibit along with my Quilt of Valor donation quilt at "Rhapsody in Hue," the 2011 Pacific Piecemakers Quilt Guild challenge show opening at Gualala Arts on April 1, up through May 1.  All but the woven orange are my hand painted silks and cotton fabrics. With hand embroidery and hand and machine quilting and the addition of emptied and

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-67182599840706324322011-03-23T18:30:00.000-07:002011-03-23T18:31:33.492-07:00

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-75729886118269772772011-02-10T17:32:00.000-08:002011-02-10T17:32:49.220-08:00

So grateful for those serving and for our veterans! Last week I put together the top of a patriotic quilt of valor to be donated through Pacific Piecemakers Quilt Guild to someone now recuperating at a veterans hospital. I still need to quilt it, but it will be ready for the next visit. In the quilt camp I was attending, MANY, MANY quilts of valor, quilts of honor, and wounded warriors quilts

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-5976537436179752582011-01-28T11:35:00.000-08:002011-01-28T11:35:12.785-08:00

One whole week . . . no make-up, limited phone and Internet access, lots of projects, and crazy, fun women!

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-39772490503380709582011-01-10T23:29:00.000-08:002011-01-10T23:29:07.839-08:00

Here are today's pictures, as the hexagonal (designed by committee) garage gets its first vertical framing, and the studio gets some plumbing in the subfloor.  Hurrah! It's been frosty in the mornings but no rain in over a week -- I am grateful. 

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-21069581595968032052010-12-14T10:01:00.000-08:002010-12-14T10:01:23.530-08:00

I had just spoken of how I usually quilt too fast for the Bernina Stitch Regulator, when my quilt group began its holiday gift exchange. I drew No. 1 so I opened my gift and reclaimed at the end after it was "stolen" from me, because it is perfect for me:  a cute pin cushion that reads: "IF YOU STITCH FAST ENOUGH, DOES THAT COUNT AS EXERCISE?"

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-27745242773287819102010-12-03T15:51:00.000-08:002010-12-03T15:51:42.434-08:00

Even after rain the day after Thanksgiving (which was my parents' 63rd anniversary), the ground was solid. The soils engineer okayed the footings details, and we're off and running!  It was a bit of a challenge having my parents there (from Florida) with just a couple of planks leading from the "pad" up about 3 or 4 feet to the front door. We enjoyed our time with them there immensely, despite a

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-41568571234369971622010-11-18T22:20:00.000-08:002010-11-18T22:24:48.721-08:00

For the fifteen years I have been quilting, I have carved out creative space in a sequence of rooms: a dining room, a bedroom, a closet, a hallway and finally, a (former) living room. But today, my dream of a "real" quilt studio has reached a MAJOR milestone. Twenty-six months after beginning the design phase with our architect and commencing The Sea Ranch Design Review process, we got our

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-1210615207709930482010-10-06T23:52:00.000-07:002010-10-06T23:52:09.319-07:00

Across from the Berkeley Rep & Aurora Theatres, Brenna points out Grammy's work to Elliott.

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-30590816017038717652010-10-03T22:35:00.000-07:002010-10-03T22:35:07.718-07:00

As I've posted on my Reap As You Sew Retreats Facebook page:  Today marked the halfway point in our ninth annual quilt gathering featuring the amazing teaching of Hollis Chatelain. I couldn't wait for this week of creativity, challenge, personal insights, and laughs! And it has provided all of that already! Our inspirational quote for Day 1, from Art & Fear (by David Bayles & Ted Orland, © 1993),

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-31004706779980863082010-09-21T16:05:00.000-07:002010-09-21T16:05:19.676-07:00

Simplifying our lives does not mean sinking into idleness, but on the contrary, getting rid of the most subtle aspect of laziness: the one which makes us take on thousands of less important activities. ---MATTHIEU RICARD

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-10107336652275914392010-09-09T11:50:00.000-07:002010-09-09T11:50:56.377-07:00

Started a new page last Friday afternoon and now have over a hundred fans! I'm eager to see what these new fans would like most about a quilting retreat in Mexico! Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reap-As-You-Sew-Retreats/128305443883701 I'd love if you'd post on the wall, comment, like, or send the link on to friends. Off to meet with some artsy friends -- a highlight of this

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-69632840799857064232010-08-30T11:33:00.000-07:002010-08-30T11:35:18.575-07:00

I'm elated to have finished this quilt, which I call "Dualism Deconstructed."  It represents my attempt to integrate my life between our family home in Orinda and our seaside home in Sea Ranch. Last October in a Challenge Workshop with Hollis Chatelain, I selected a  first and second strike of swirling fabrics that Hollis had dyed. Our assignment was to spend half a day quilting one fabric with

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-15918179420784916662010-08-08T17:33:00.000-07:002010-08-08T17:33:04.644-07:00

This small piece (about 12"x12") came out of a Leslie Carabas machine quilting workshop. At the July class at the wonderful Mendocino Arts Center, she challenged us to use just two fabrics with high contrast, and then to somehow interrupt or downplay the line between them. I decided to finish the exercise into a small quilt, and I experimented with adding some piecing to the binding and a little

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-66090800078192296282010-07-30T16:48:00.000-07:002010-07-30T17:11:26.684-07:00

Several Bernina Series 8 owners and I were having troubles with our new machines:  threads breaking, getting wound around the bobbin, warning lights going on too often, etc.  Yes, these are sensitive machines, but they also have amazing features we want to use. Not to mention that I have a quilt I want to finish yesterday! So, Suze and I went to spend a morning with dear Donna at The Cotton

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-33091969994546460822010-07-28T18:59:00.000-07:002010-07-28T19:15:31.412-07:00

Announcing  . . . Promo has begun in numerous print and online media for the next Abstract Textile Art Quilt Retreats with a Spiritual Focus -- based on the Reap As You Sew approach. We have open dates in October and November 2010 and March 2011, and we are also available for custom retreats or the location is available for unhosted quilters' getaways.  Excuse this shameless promo -- but I am

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-67525017780748271752010-07-21T00:07:00.000-07:002010-07-21T00:07:00.710-07:00

Toby and I took ten days and enjoyed a "vacation" alternating day trips with days just relaxing at our Sea Ranch home. We collected ideas of fun local activities from friends and thought many of you might like to see the suggestions, along with comments on what we dudt. If I had all night on this S-L-O-W internet connection, I'd post pictures.  Bowling Ball Beach [SF] We tried to ways to find it,

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-23694038223153241492010-07-20T23:43:00.000-07:002010-08-08T17:35:21.866-07:00

I was drawn to create a seaweed piece, I thought, because whenever my dog and I walk the beach at Asilomar or The Sea Ranch, my spirits soar. These walks celebrate the present moment, a welcome change from the frenzy I slip into when I dwell on my complicated day-to-day life. So much to do; my family so scattered; my domicile unsettled. On the beach, I breathe in the salt air and feel healthy.

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-39949638706560846622010-06-25T20:57:00.000-07:002010-06-25T20:57:52.733-07:00

Check out this link: Rosenthal Gallery represented artist Kacie Erin Smith. My daughter is now represented by a San Francisco Gallery!  Yeah!  There's an Opening tomorrow night -- very exciting! Anyone care to join me to go to the Opening Reception?  It's on Valencia Street and starts at 6 p.m.

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-45653397438751323742010-05-20T09:01:00.000-07:002010-05-20T09:01:46.880-07:00

"Accepted As I Am" I painted the fabric, composed, and quilted this piece -- a whole new style for me -- during a Quilt Your Dreams retreat that I hosted April 25th to May 2nd overlooking the Sea of Cortez at the tip of Mexico’s Baja peninsula. Suzan Friedland led us through her Zen-inspired methodology, which was freeing and fun. Jane Stein gifted us with some intuitive bodywork and

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-75083657761121918312010-03-24T17:33:00.000-07:002010-03-25T14:05:32.566-07:00

On a walk along the bluff trail on The Sea Ranch, I was struck by all the “round things” on the rocks.  From a nearby footbridge, I couldn’t tell what they were, so I ventured down with my camera, then emailed the close-ups to nature-loving friends, asking them to educate me. I learned that I was seeing a variety of lichens.  One of my goals this year is to work abstractly, so this represents the

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-54655028160927181202010-03-13T17:54:00.000-08:002010-03-15T09:57:21.563-07:00

I'm excited to share this, but I had to wait to post it until this evening -- the opening night of the "I Love Chocolate" exhibit at Gualala Arts Center, where the piece is now hanging. I designed this second quilt in my Under the Microscope series after seeing photographs of drinks, drugs, and endorphins under the microscope.  I really wanted to find a photo of dark chocolate under the

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-56543454161441364102010-02-11T21:58:00.000-08:002010-02-16T09:58:20.473-08:00

I was invited to share in Dawn Goldsmith's special Celebration of Hearts week on her blog.  Check out Subversive Stitchers: Women Armed with Needles here. I've enjoyed following Dawn's blog and hope you'll visit it, too. She presents a wealth of great inspiration from a variety of presenters.  And you've gotta love the name! The story posted there about novelist Marie Bostwick and a quilt I

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-23304973791034471472010-02-04T10:27:00.000-08:002010-02-04T10:29:47.463-08:00

Sometimes I wonder if pushing myself to do challenges is worthwhile. They create some stress: working on a theme you might not like, taking you away from other work, and imposing deadlines. But, they can break us out of set ways. This wallhanging began with a Fast Friday Fabric Challenge with three requirements: 1. The Color Scheme was to choose 3 of the 6 primary and secondary colors, use

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-39007473621918428502010-01-29T10:07:00.000-08:002010-01-29T10:33:52.699-08:00

I'm actively committing to my creative goals for 2010. At the top of my list is the idea of getting out of my own way -- particularly, over-thinking my art. Also on my list -- shared and discussed with my Creative Friends Art Group yesterday -- is my intention to work in a series this year.So, in the way of perfect timing, I opened Art & Fear for a quick bedtime read of a page or two and here's

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-4447353750264446252010-01-26T15:06:00.000-08:002010-01-26T18:35:00.803-08:00

I can't take myself too seriously, especially in Portuguese on a few hours' sleep. Forty years after learning Portuguese, I was about to pat myself on the back for comprehending a supper conversation among a dozen of my favorite Brazilians, half of whom I'd known since I was a teenaged exchange student. With my rusty language skills and our common insomnia, we were talking about how to outwit our

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-25711083424026168192010-01-20T18:06:00.001-08:002010-01-20T20:02:11.544-08:00

I just returned from Brazil, which I first visited as an exchange student 45 years ago. At 15, I became the sixth sibling, between two older "sisters," a "brother" my age, and two younger "brothers." At first, communications were challenging. I arrived speaking no Portuguese and Mamae (my host mom) and the younger kids spoke no English. But we got good at charades, and after a month, I started

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-56014418767491194392010-01-06T22:50:00.000-08:002010-01-06T22:59:03.595-08:00

Hurray! I finished a challenge quilt! And I think the process of making art is as important -- and as worth sharing to help inspire others -- as the end product. So here I'm going to chronicle how I created one of my art quilts. As a member of the Fast Friday Fabric Challenge, I chose to participate in last month's "Microbiology" Theme - with composition and technique using exaggerated scale and

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-5043606605669882872009-12-27T11:46:00.000-08:002009-12-27T11:58:05.606-08:00

For the first year in many, my Christmas cactus bloomed in keeping with its name! I think it must have liked that cold spell we had -- when it actually SNOWED in Orinda a few weeks ago. I was up in Sea Ranch at the time and had left the heat OFF in Orinda. When I returned, it was 40 degrees indoors. Saved gas and got a blooming Christmas cactus out of it! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas,

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-20727299144908781152009-11-23T15:16:00.000-08:002009-11-23T15:27:08.239-08:00

I did this 10" x 12" study last week, a little late for the Fast Deadline but before the next challenge comes out, which was my goal. I went for a realistic portrait of my little 6-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's head--something fun and fast to do for a first challenge in this rather intimidating group. The challenge was to use layers, perhaps trapunto (adding more batting under certain

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-7923276575311022632009-11-20T12:19:00.000-08:002009-11-20T12:41:47.310-08:00

Thank you for your support and prayers. Our daughter Brenna is recovering from whatever mystery illness she had. Thank God!And now a note from our daughter Kacie: i just wanted to let you know i have a piece currently on exhibit in the november show at CITY ART COOP.i'm showing a big ole' print in the back room :: now through nov 30.828 Valencia, SF, CA :: open wed - sun 12 - 9pmdecember 4, join

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-36822758227387422612009-11-14T09:06:00.000-08:002009-11-14T09:23:27.735-08:00

Our daughter Brenna is very ill with no diagnosis yet after a week of two hospital visits, three doctor's visits, and a huge array of tests from chest x-rays to blood tests covering a wide spectrum of possibilities. The suspected cause was Lyme Disease but that result came back negative yesterday. On Tuesday, we are going for a CT scan. She is in pain and totally wiped out.Friends are being

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-32436811859925265512009-10-27T20:13:00.000-07:002009-10-27T20:30:04.188-07:00

When I got home from my Sue Benner workshop, I found my two quilts returned from Pacific International Quilt Festival (held in Santa Clara, California, from October 15-18, 2009), along with judges' comments. While I won no prizes -- and didn't expect to -- I was just pleased to have had one traditional and one contemporary art quilt accepted into this excellent venue. As the judges' comments form

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-12476896893529939762009-10-27T19:50:00.000-07:002009-10-27T20:10:17.293-07:00

I have just dye-painted twenty-two pieces of fabric (cottons and silks) and five silk scarves in a Sue Benner workshop called “Broad Brush: Dye-Painting and Printing with Procion Dyes.” Held at Nancy Crow’s Timberframe Barn in Baltimore, Ohio, the five-day class was an awesome experience. The only other dye-painting class I had taken was a five day class with Hollis Chatelain, at Asilomar in

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-30458932625988685222009-10-16T21:44:00.000-07:002009-10-16T22:06:06.763-07:00

I took the two little unfinished quilts pictured a couple of posts back and photocopied them, along with a deep blue hand dye to use for the border that will also be an integral part of the design. I've made lots of designs with the photocopies, and moved around shapes over and over, and this is sort of what the composition is coming down to. Of course, quilting lines will add a lot (hopefully,

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-91272838453811591182009-10-15T21:27:00.000-07:002009-10-15T21:55:50.795-07:00

I'm so excited to be going to Nancy Crow's Barn in Ohio on Sunday to take Sue Benner's five-day class, BROAD BRUSH: DYE-PAINTING AND PRINTING WITH PROCION DYES. But getting ready -- yikes! We (my Sea Ranch and Art Quilt Group friend, Barbara, and I) are bringing 25 one-yard pieces of fabric, plus some silk scarves, washed and then soaked in soda ash. The problem is . . . you aren't supposed to do

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-36420144298983073592009-10-14T22:25:00.000-07:002009-10-14T22:38:43.513-07:00

I'm challenging myself by posting these. The two partially quilted sections on similar hand-dyes, one of which is also shown as a detail, are going to be combined into one piece, with a border that will form an integral part of the design. I'm not sure yet what the overall design will be or how I will technically execute combining the parts into a whole. But I will do it . . . and hopefully in

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-48428140353699962572009-10-05T08:33:00.000-07:002009-10-05T08:57:40.856-07:00

Last April, I took a one day Kaffe Fassett workshop, just to meet the man behind the colorful fabric. I didn't even like the sample quilt ("Tapestry Garden Quilt" in his Kaleidoscope of Quilts and Passionate Patchwork books), and I don't usually make quilts that follow a formula any more, but this was a fun break from "trying hard." And I needed a lively-king sized bed quilt for the master

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-55464704384883228732009-10-04T20:22:00.000-07:002009-10-04T21:07:38.977-07:00

WHIRLWIND . . . that's the best word for my past month. BLESSED, too!It began with my birthday, the 60th, celebrated at home with Toby, Kacie, Brenna, and Elliott before flying the next day for a brief but nice visit to Raleigh to see my parents, brother and his two youngest children and significant other, then on to New York City for a totally fulfilling celebration. My law school friend,

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-60790708554655045912009-08-26T09:30:00.000-07:002009-08-26T10:08:40.293-07:00

I've been trying to finish a wall quilt to enter, if I am so lucky, in PIQF. But I've also been trying since our water heater burst on June 20th to get the house repaired and back in order -- dealing with an insurance claim and lots of contractors. This certainly complicates the quilting goal. Two months and still there is no intact bedroom, the hall bath is partially tiled and has no toilet,

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-3829105118675677332009-08-16T09:18:00.000-07:002009-08-16T09:26:17.850-07:00

My all-time favorite candy bar is the Midnight Milky Way -- dark chocolate and caramel, yummmm. But, alas, my doctor tells me to stay away from them.Friday night, we got our own midnight Milky Way, with no dietary restrictions. Toby (my DH) took this using a tripod in our yard at The Sea Ranch, on the coast, away from city lights.This goes into my quilt inspirations folder.

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-230919013321045622009-08-15T10:35:00.000-07:002009-08-16T09:10:29.824-07:00

I'm excited and feeling quite honored, so forgive my enthusiasm, please.This Indian Orange Peel Quilt, based on a Karen Stone paper-piecing pattern, took nine years from start to finish (with periods of abandonment mixed in). It was begun in 1998 to hang above our family room fireplace, and finally completed in August 2009. Each little arc took a half hour, not counting selecting and cutting

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-4611117104916386882009-08-04T21:11:00.000-07:002009-08-04T21:24:13.145-07:00

The customs officials always ask this question, and I always rack my brain to remember if I have been on a farm or ranch or otherwise had contact with animals -- hoping, of course, that I can honestly say I haven't so I don't suffer any quarantine or whatever they do to you if you say "yes." But today, we came back from a short vacation in Los Cabos, Mexico. When asked that question, I answered,

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-20607141785584353412009-07-07T17:27:00.000-07:002009-08-06T09:38:07.765-07:00

My friend Charlie Brown (yes, that's her name) brought this cake to the picnic we attended with friends and neighbors along the Gualala River in Sea Ranch on Saturday. I regained my recent weight loss, but the cake and other potluck fare were worth it!We raised this huge new flag, read the Constitution, sang patriotic songs, and said the Pledge of Allegiance. I must admit that it brought tears to

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-53466581104771098132009-07-02T16:38:00.000-07:002009-07-02T16:55:48.678-07:00

I'd never done this before: painting layers of China Silk, Habothai silk, batiste, and organza with watered down acrylic paints. Prizewinning Philadelphia textile artist Emily Richardson taught a workshop for East Bay Heritage Quilters and I was fortuntate to attend last Monday. The morning was spent painting -- in a way that totally captivates the Inner Child. A great activity for recovering

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-56764948766864402132009-07-02T16:15:00.000-07:002009-07-02T16:37:55.999-07:00

Our hot water heater let go of its 75 gallons of hot water while we were away last week, drenching flooring in five rooms. The insulation drank it up, sucking it up knee-high into the drywall. Tiles cracked as the subfloor bogged down with the moisture. All in all, not a pretty sight. And all the electronics in the den have temporarily checked into other quarters.State Farm is handling our claim

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-13706794342390921832009-06-24T19:58:00.000-07:002009-06-24T20:35:28.660-07:00

A special friend who's far away asked for some updated photos of the Smith family. Thanks for the request. Here they are, starting with Toby!Kacie's 24th Birthday:With Brenna and Elliott:Toby and Elliott:Logan rules:

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-82011905298535922202009-06-04T21:11:00.000-07:002009-06-05T12:23:34.279-07:00

I think I needed this 3-day Rosalie Dace class to be a 5-day class. I feel like I'm just starting to get it. Even though I put aside my inspirational photograph late yesterday, I remember what it depicted item by item -- sand and shadows, a collection of seaweed and kelp on the beach, a certain Dijon mustard colored leafy shape here, some bright green seagrass there, some golden tubular stems,

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-49769704773887494262009-06-03T22:19:00.000-07:002009-06-03T22:34:51.445-07:00

This shows the start and finish of Day 2 of the Rosalie Dace workshop. I bet you have no idea what I'm trying to communicate! But I can tell you that I am feeling less anxious than I was last night, and I anticipate progress tomorrow!

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-80294570417038059302009-06-03T07:59:00.000-07:002009-06-05T12:16:23.657-07:00

"What is your usual design approach? Is it working for you? What are the similarities between your usual approach and my approach, where you might find some comfort but push yourself further?"Those were the questions South African art quilter Rosalie Dace posed after Day 1 of 3 in her workshop, "Earth, Wind, and Fire," which I'm taking this week at the Gualala Arts Center. It was a draining day,

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-17027007770321033322009-05-17T22:26:00.000-07:002009-05-17T22:41:36.187-07:00

I think you'll appreciate this if your young adult kids have left home, but they still don't have a permanent or big enough place for all their possessions. Last Sunday, Kacie wanted to move stuff into our garage because someone is subletting her room for the summer. I wish I had a BEFORE photo. It was so bad, there was no way I could agree to more coming in without a lot going out first, or

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-13304539302381637252009-05-09T10:04:00.000-07:002009-05-09T10:42:18.903-07:00

Pacific Piecemakers Quilt Guild challenges its members each year to produce a quilt to meet a theme, and to exhibit the quilts in an annual show at Gualala Arts Center. The show closed this week. This year's theme, "It's Easy Being Green," spawned 38 quilts whose makers interpreted the theme with surprising variety--from Barbara Wendt's array of green and yellow squares abstractly reminiscent of

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-24809742691928868352009-05-07T09:21:00.000-07:002009-05-10T10:09:43.017-07:00

My daughter Kacie recently organized an exciting art event called "Ready," a participatory show held at The Big Umbrella in San Francisco. Kacie and fellow Wash U School of Art alum, Ilyse Magy, conceived and organized the event as a fundraiser for Urban Sprouts. They collected found objects, created paper maché objects, and set up a tent of canvases. They gessoed and arranged all these white and

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-874289754888773632009-03-11T10:17:00.000-07:002009-03-11T10:18:40.943-07:00

I've been doing some intensive Inner Work up at The Sea Ranch, mostly journalling. I was awakened by magical light around 4:30 this morning. I don't know if the insights or the brightness broke into my consciousness. Either way, a blessing! The Spring's new wild irises greet me, too. Ahhh, natural creation wows!

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-86139556085462201092009-03-02T19:13:00.000-08:002009-03-02T19:37:18.290-08:00

Our family of five would like to go skiing at the end of March, the only weekend when we can seem to get our our daughters' schedules to mesh with Toby's travel schedule and my commitments. We envision driving up on Friday, and skiing two or three, clear, almost Spring, days on a beautiful packed base with some fresh powder on top, while 4-year old Elliott learns to make pizza wedges and French

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-81164767541863970812009-02-19T21:32:00.000-08:002009-02-19T21:54:35.879-08:00

On Friday the thirteenth, my always very lucky father, Burt, turned 80. (He's famous for getting the best parking spots absolutely everywhere he goes, among other fortunate occurences.) He and my mom live in Naples, Florida, and my husband Toby and I live in the San Francisco suburbs. We all flew to San José del Cabo to spend last week at our vacation property at the Alegranza Residential Resort.

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-63358832241439745702009-02-06T22:06:00.000-08:002009-02-07T05:06:19.041-08:00

Thursday, I visited Point Bonita during the annual quilters' getaway. I went at the invitation of Sue Friedland, the textile artist who will be teaching abstract textile painting -- and incorporating walking meditation on the beach as well as sitting meditation to inspire our artwork -- at my new Cabo area rental property in Mexico in March. I got to see some quilt friends I hadn't seen in eons

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-8298759202059448752009-02-02T23:54:00.000-08:002009-02-03T00:18:47.684-08:00

This is the property we are just finishing in San Jose del Cabo. It will be the site of quilting retreats, including the Abstract Textile Painting retreat with Suzan Friedland and myself March 6-12th. It is also for rent, with special pricing this year as construction is being completed on the final phase.I made the slideshow using iPhoto '09, which I just got this afternoon. It has a LOT

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-69371393665733601482009-01-31T10:21:00.000-08:002009-01-31T10:23:41.397-08:00

I love Rafa Nadal! That Verdasco match was incredible. But my wish list is for TiVo to be able to know when a match scheduled for 3 hours takes 5-1/2, because I missed the ending.

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-32301202871421176712009-01-29T23:36:00.000-08:002009-01-31T10:21:23.130-08:00

I just got back from a fun Pacific Piecemakers' Quilt Guild retreat in Healdsburg. I finished the King-sized top for a quilt that's going on the master bed in our rental home, "Jazz," in Los Cabos, Mexico. These colors are a little strange, but I think they will work in the quilt's intended location. (It's based on Kaffe Fassett's Chintz Flowerbeds Quilt design, inspired by one my friend Bev made

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-37397020858053025292009-01-21T23:36:00.000-08:002009-01-21T23:47:32.495-08:00

Another couple of ways to get younger by next year--Yesterday I joined my daughter Brenna and her 4-year-old son Elliott for some 63-degree ice skating at the rink that gets set up annually in Walnut Creek's Civic Center Park. It was fun skating to old 50s music, and the connecting with loved ones was delightful and envigorating, too. Thanks to Toby, dear husband, for getting this set up and

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-35263611195828126322009-01-17T19:11:00.000-08:002009-01-18T09:01:13.769-08:00

I didn't have proper hiking boots, I didn't know anyone going, and -- knowing that the leader was going to take us three to four miles, half uphill, to the Sea Ranch Ridge Trail and back down via the Big Tree Trail -- I didn't know how I'd do. Besides not being an experienced hiker (though I do WALK), I'm not much of a forest fan; I prefer beach and open sky. But there was also a promise of

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-50451762529087722732009-01-17T18:54:00.001-08:002009-01-17T19:10:31.489-08:00

Part of getting Younger Next Year involves finding ways to exercise that are actually fun. I decided that bicycling would be fun on relatively flat, wide, roads . . . in good weather . . . with no traffic . . . especially at sunset . . . and with my dog. I ordered a basket for the dog, but it hasn't arrived yet. So she ran alongside--she'll definitely be younger next year! Of course, I had

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-30461035416469730702009-01-15T14:32:00.000-08:002009-01-15T23:57:38.593-08:00

Yesterday I interviewed a quilter, enjoyed the sunset from her deck, and ended up staying for dinner with her and husband. When I came back to my Sea Ranch house, I was so jazzed that I stayed up writing her story. I got up before 6 and wrote some more, and by lunch I had a completed first draft. It sure feels good! She is inspiring, gracious, fun, and has really welcomed me to the area. Thank

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-85848509752119298392009-01-10T21:24:00.000-08:002009-01-17T10:56:28.196-08:00

You're cordially invited!Who & What: Abstract Textile Painting with a Spiritual Focus, hosted and co-facilitated by Chris, taught and led by Textile Artist Suzan FriedlandWhen: March 6 -14, 2009, including optional free days March 6-7Where: Alegranza Resort, Los Cabos, Baja California SurObjective: To have fun and enjoy the blending of spirituality and creativity and generate your own hand

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-81996702430119719362008-12-09T22:23:00.000-08:002008-12-09T22:36:47.145-08:00

I saw some Christmas pillows when I was browsing the shops on Black Friday, and I thought it would be fun to make similar ones as gifts. Those I saw were in cottons, with rick-rack and cotton pom-poms for trim, but my intended recipients have houses that are not that "country." I was in Calico Corners a couple of days later seeking upholstery fabric, saw these decorating fabrics and trims, and

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-61938554354460054792008-12-05T18:45:00.001-08:002008-12-05T19:02:31.001-08:00

Can I just post a link to something that made me laugh today? Here it is, "The Mom Song." Treat yourself: click, listen & laugh!I'm afraid I've said all the lines of that song. Now that I have a grandson, I can listen to my daughter being much more patient than I ever was!This is my grandson, Elliott, now four, stealing the show at a Mills College dance performance Wednesday evening. He did

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-83335747365172449082008-12-04T09:07:00.000-08:002008-12-04T09:29:12.165-08:00

This sunrise greeted the sliver of my just-opening eyes the other morning. It popped them open wide and popped me right out of bed, grabbing for my iPhone to take pictures.This is why the ocean is where I go to be refreshed and to exult in the beauty of creation, ignitor of my passion.The day turned into a near white-out of fog over roaring, exhilarating waves, proving "Red sky in the morning,

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-50459242729954568162008-11-28T17:30:00.000-08:002008-11-29T14:24:32.733-08:00

My friend Marguerite Parker and I went out for walk yesterday before the big meal, and we ran into these wild turkeys  . . . evidently unconcerned that it was 2:30 on Thanksgiving afternoon.  Were we not on the nature-loving Sea Ranch, they might have been tempting fare for some.  I was delighted enough to act like a silly turkey myself.

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-28059047815639581102008-11-19T18:30:00.000-08:002008-11-19T20:22:12.044-08:00

I'm very excited! I finished two quilts in one week. OK, that could be two in one month, or two in one season, too -- I hadn't finished another since last March. And actually, one still needs to be bound and washed.I finished "Down Under" last Friday, with motivation that came to me in the form of e-mails from both Pacific Piecemakers Quilt Guild (PPQG) and East Bay Heritage Quilters (EBHQ).

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9017725310690113785.post-21550552167290060882008-09-26T09:02:00.000-07:002009-01-13T10:07:48.891-08:00

I've never been a blogger. But my friend Joan, of RoseGardenQuilts renown, is encouraging me to give it a try. I have a website that my printmaking daughter, Kacie, is going to revamp by next month. 'Til then, it's gloppy--based on a variety of canned Mac iWeb pages, neither original or cohesive. However, if you're interested in seeing Before and After shots, now is the time for the before!Ya

Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082743208631480844noreply@blogger.com0