Inspiration in unexpected places

Well, it was a great break. Even though it was just a long weekend, we did so much while in San Francisco that it feels like we were away much longer. As expected I am feeling very inspired by the trip. I was surprised however to get inspired by the view out the plane window as we flew over the dessert. The water storage (at least I think that's what they were) tanks were large and perfect circles, dotted and clustered among strips of land that were irrigated to various shades of greens and cocoa browns. From 38000 feet it looked for all the world like a huge contemporary quilt. I guess I will have to make one like it. The other great inspiration I knew would be there, we visited Monterey Bay Aquarium. The special exhibit on now is titled, Living Art, the Jellyfish. Those of you who know me well know that the alien like creatures of the deep ocean are a fascination and this exhibit lived up to expectations. The animals were literally framed as living art, and there was an installation of glass by Chihully. I have already begun sketches for several pieces.

Now that I am back at the shoppe, I want to remind you all that there are a few events still to come in July. The Christmas Snippets is Thursday evening and there is room for two more. This is a technique that has so many wonderful applications that you really should try it if you haven't. Art camp for grownups is having its additional meeting this Friday Morning, we had so much fun and made such great work that they wanted to have a final session for finishing and discussion. We will have a show for them this fall. Saturday is Crazy Quilt Club. They are starting a purse project, if you haven't gotten your pattern yet contact the shoppe or Diane and we will hold one for you. And on July 30, from 10-1 is the Lace Butterfly workshop. There is no need to be intimidated by this beautiful work. It is all built up with one single stitch and can be worked with perle cotton, or fine crochet and tatting cottons, as well as standard embroidery floss. I am working on developing a good drawing of a jellyfish to work in this method. By the start of class I should have it ready.

The last order of business for this post is to let you know what is on sale this Saturday, the 26th. In our embellishment room there is a thread rack that I need to call to your attention. It contains Mettler variegated Rayon threads, and some metallics also from Mettler. Both kinds of threads are great in the machine for fancy stitching and embroidery, but I bet you didn't know that you can hand stitch with it too. It is roughly equal to a single strand of cotton floss and can be blended with cottons for a touch of shimmer. These lovely threads are 10% off this Saturday. See you all soon.