Vintage Yet Modern

 Okay, one last post about the SJMQT exhibit. Some random shots and closeups of details that I really enjoyed on the vintage quilts. The colors on this one block were great, the mourning purple vs. the red and the patterns of the fabric, so modern, right? But look at that nice binding treatment on the edge, and that teeny tiny crossed appliqué stitch.

 These two borders on the enormous hexagon quilt, so simple but wow do they pack a graphic punch even in those softer vintage prints.

 The graphic-ness of these fabric choices in this star block are really great. Again, very modern look to the block because of the colors.

 I've always loved the kaleidoscope block, never made one, but it's on my "someday" list. I love how all the red centers pull the whole thing together.

Another quilt that could easily be a modern one. For a quilt with so many stripes and red and contrast, I find this one very soothing for some reason. I think it's the rhythm that's achieved with the sizing of the columns..

Finally, here's a quilt made of rectangles of suit-weight wools, and tied with enormous knots. The texture of those knots doesn't come across too well in this photo, but it was very eye-catching. I enjoy the dark colors and imperfect piecing of this utilitarian but still beautiful quilt.

Stripes and Points

 I guess I took a lot of pictures at the vintage quilts at the SJMQT exhibit. But I'm sharing them here so I can remember them myself and why! And also in hopes that you might enjoy seeing them as well.  I have to say that it was really inspiring seeing these gorgeous pieces alongside Kaffe Fasset's wonderful work.

One of the most amazing things in the whole place was this beautiful quilt. First of all, the design is wonderful, the stripes and points and then the restful cream rectangles and squares.

But...can you guess what it's made with? Ribbon. The entire thing is ribbon. I believe it was all silk ribbon.

 All sorts of ribbon seamed together and arranged ever so artfully.

 Such a huge variety of ribbon all in one place.

 The center rectangle from far away just looked like a big piece of cream fabric, but no...it's all ribbon. And maybe there's some staining or dye migration but it makes it even more beautiful to me. I love it that someone had this thought so long ago of putting together all these scraps and making such a unique piece of art. It must have felt amazing to work with, all that silk, yum.

Quilt Horizon

Here's one of my favorite vintage quilts from the current SJMQT exhibit that I was lucky enough to see recently with friend Jaye. It was displayed horizontally so please pardon the strange photography angles. This quilt was jaw-dropping. All the silks and velvets and fancy fabrics, the jewel colors, the sharp edges of the shapes, the use of dark and light. So beautiful. The label said the servants of the estate made this quilt and I could easily imagine that each fabric might have come from the lady of the house's fancy dresses. Perhaps scraps from the ones that her servants made for her? Who knows, but the variety contained in this one quilt is astounding.

 It was interesting to see the way this was put together, in three columns of three different blocks. Almost as if they were three separate projects done at different times and then joined together.

Detail of the corded edges between each shape. Every single one was outlined in this fine small gold/cream silk cording. So elegant and it makes the whole quilt shimmer.

This quilt is also pictured in Kaffe Fasset's book, "Heritage Quilts."  (affiliate link to amazon)

Seeing the inspiration quilt displayed right next to the quilt Kaffe created made a whole lot more sense to me in person. I didn't really get the connections from reading and seeing the pictures in the book until I got this opportunity to see the quilts side-by-side.

Old and Worn, Still Beautiful

 Found some interesting old textiles at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles rummage sale back in May.  Not sure what I'll really do with them, but I liked the old worn fabrics and stitching and the worn or missing shisha mirrors and couldn't put them down once I'd picked them up.

 According the TribalSouk this is Sindhi embroidery, maybe from early mid 20th century in India/Pakistan (depending on whether before or after partition). Given the shape, these are possibly animal headdresses.  The little loops on the edges would likely have had brass bells.

Not sure if I'll end up using them in a piece, because I wouldn't want to cut them up, and I'm not sure how stable they'd be.  Maybe I should just frame them and hang them up so I can enjoy looking at their interesting colors and textures.  Or perhaps it is finally time to get that goat I've always wanted, and give them something cool to wear?

Bending The Calendar

More work-in-progress, which is currently titled "Bending The Calendar".  This one features the calendar portions of a vintage linen calendar towel.  The image part of the towel was already used to make a sweatshirt jacket for my mom.  It featured strawberries and was by Vera.  Which for the longest time I remember thinking it was Usna.  That's what the signature looked like to me before I could read hand-writing.  Anyways the things I continue to find in my scrapbox remain inspiring to me. Sometimes I start to question myself on keeping ALL those scraps, but if I keep finding inspiration in them and keep using them, I guess it is worthwhile.
You can see some of the machine embroidery stitches I'm using in variegated thread along the edges of the calendar.

Post Spooky

Laume (aka The Queen of Halloween) has a cool idea to Post Spooky this month of October (oh my goodness already?!). If you're interested go check it out and sign up and get spooky with us during this fun season. To start off, here is my all time favorite oldie but goodie Silly Symphony Skeleton Dance:

Baths, Brunch, Beach

Here is a bit more on what I did this weekend. On Friday before the mendhi, and when we still had the late afternoon sun three of us did a traditional Mayan ritual which is taught by Rosita Arvigo as part of Mayan Abdominal Massage. This is a picture of my spiritual bath.

You've got to try this sometime! I swear I feel like a completely different person after I've done one of these, a very powerful tool. There is a great article online from Mothering Magazine about using these with children who have nightmares. If you're at all interested check out the book,
Spiritual Bathing
by Rosita Arvigo. It has all the information on how and why to do this along with stunningly beautiful pictures. Here is a review, and an excerpt.



I gathered all of the plant materials from my spot of heaven on earth (aka my home and garden) and shared them with everyone in a big basket. I contributed: rosemary (prostrate and not), lavender, rue, plantain, pincushion flower, calendula, rose (red and white), marigold, basil, mint, lemon balm, catmint, society garlic, redwood, pine, and tea tree. My car smelled wonderful on the drive over with all this great smelly plant stuff! Yumm.
A very cool vintage lamp (maybe 1930's?) I spotted during our fabulous brunch in the Crepe Place. I didn't get to ask about it, but I will next time I go there. There are two of them hanging from the high open beam ceiling and they make the room if you ask me.
I noticed this horse head on a beach house, it is from the nearby amusement park where they have a great old carousel (seen in a Clint Eastwood movie...), this looked to be from when it was refurbished a while ago. A fun thing to have on top of your house, no?
I always end up taking pictures of my feet at the beach. I'm wearing my favorite hand-dyed rayon pants which would not stay rolled up and ended up being quite soaked by the time we left the beach.
The waves were crashing and noisy at Seabright beach. It was a lovely 80F, and we were all remarking on how you wouldn't know it was November. Except for the absence of any fog (that is the Santa Cruz secret, the beach is the best in late autumn!).