Now for Something Different

Every year there are the innovators at The Road to California who try new techniques and new topics in their quilts. Some sre more successful than others BUT, that is just my opinion.

And that 's what is so great about the creative process- there is no right or wrong.

A very textural approach to quilting.
 More of a fiber art piece.

I have a feeling this person has a
science degree in their background.

A butterfly hatching at a nuclear power plant?

Is it just me or is it slightly disturbing to see a child
frozen holding his breath

Art deco? Samson and Delilah?
 Is soft porn coming to quilting?

The Winners

There must be 1,000 quilts submitted for consideration to be part of the Road to California Show. From that about 100 are selected to be in the show and out of those there are quilts that are awarded cash prizes and HUGE bragging rights ( my mom has been a winner and exhibitor in past shows ).

Here are a few of this year's quilts that were judged as exceptional.

Best Quilt from First Time Entrant $750

This is a small detail of the traditional quilt.
 This style of quilt is called a crazy quilt because of the piecing of the fabric but,
 I think it's also your mental state.
 I would bet this quilt easily took over 1,000 hours of work. 

Outstanding Innovative Quilt $1,000

This is an extremely poor photo of the Best of Show $5,000 winner.
The quilt was always surrounded by people gawking at it and
 I couldn't get a better shot.
 Personally, it wasn't my favorite quilt.

What I Couldn't Resist

The Road to California must easily have over 100 vendors selling everything you never knew you needed for fiber arts!

I swore I was not going to purchase ANYTHING due to the backlog of projects I have yet to complete but, some items really tempted me...

 Who wouldn't want a shiny new motorcycle?

Perhaps a new beautiful quilt? 

( actually not too tempted because anything there my mom could do better)

Thousands of bolts of great fabrics was impossible to resist!

And this is my final booty from the entire, huge Road to California. Two yards of irresistible cute bird fabric that WILL become a skirt. Two fabric flower brooches because I couldn't decide on just one. And the CUTEST little scissors in the shape of a fairy by Bohn.

A day spent with my mom is always a good day.

A day with my mom spending at the Road to California is a GREAT day!

Hope I see you there next year. 

Memories of Grace Coddington Memoir

Instead of a new year resolution I actually have a new year confession: 

After all the guests and holiday hoopla departed, the air mattress finally deflated and my sewing studio was once again my solitary domain I did not get busy sewing.

Instead I spent long stretches of free time sitting on my bum and reading this 333 page memoir by Grace Coddington.

In case you don't know, Grace Coddington has been a creative force at American Vogue for over twenty years and before that she spent almost 20 years creating incredible fashion spreads at British Vogue and before that she modeled for about a decade. So she has been immersed in the highest echelon of the fashion universe for over 50 years!
She is the narrator and illustrator of this very humble story of what is actually a pretty amazing life. And although Grace Coddington is great friends with many, many iconic names in the fashion industry there is nothing negative in this memoir, just a nice dose of dry English humor.
When I finished reading it felt like hanging up the phone after a long, enjoyable chat with a dear friend.

Thank you to my daughters for such a thoughtful, enjoyable Christmas gift and now I really must get busy in my own little fashion universe!

Merry Christmas!

May your Christmas be filled with friends, family, food and festivities!

How to make Fascinators

I have rarely met a hat I did not like...but, had never really given much notice to fascinators. Upon enrolling in a hat making class the first assignment was how to make a fascinator.

First we stretched wet buckram over a hat block, let it dry overnight. Next the desired outline of the fascinator was drawn onto the buckram and cut out with scissors.

Using a lockstitch 18 gauge millinery wire was hand stitched around the edge of the fascinator and then French elastic ( fancy term for bias tape ) was stab stitched to cover the wire. The fabric covering was carefully slipstitched to the bias tape; first on top and then the inside lining.

front

After the buckram was covered in fabric the only limit to the embellishment was your imagination...

back

All my fabrics are recycled mens ties and I created all the flowers from old ties. 

It was a blast!

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Elsa Schiaparelli's iconic shoe hat

And as homage to the creative wit and fun that Elsa Schiaparelli had with designing I created another fascinator.

Long live fun fashion!

Instant Perfect Pin Cushions

Shopping for a baby shower gift took me back to stores I haven't visited in a decade. The Disney store was full of characters I had never seen but, then I spied a favorite character -Merrywether. I think she is a fairy Godmother from Sleeping Beauty. All I remember is she's kind, chubby, benevolent, wears a funny hat and is a little ditzy...just how I will be when I am old :)

I also noticed the bodies of these figure were stuffed so...instant pincushions!!! 

And the pointy hats make a great spot to store a thimble. 

The other two fairies, Fauna and Flora will be Christmas presents for sewing pals but,

I love my Merryweather pincushion. It's practical, useful AND puts a smile on my face. 

You never know where you may find a instant perfect pincushion.