Tahoe Blue!

How many colors of blue can you see in one day?
If you ever get the chance to visit Lake Tahoe, do it. It is a color filled vacation that pushes the envelope in experiencing the colors of blue. I have lived in Hawaii and that is also a breathtaking color feast. But right in my own back yard is the most beautiful lake in the world. Now I know why all the Prius owners in northern California have Keep Tahoe Blue bumper stickers plastered on their cars.

I just taught at a 5 day retreat at "the lake" called Flowers On the Lake. Our classroom had a wonderful view of the lake. It was quite distracting. I found myself and most of the students exclaiming at different times "look outside. I need a picture of that," and out the door they went, camera in hand. I know there is a Tahoe quilt in there some where. My girls did some beautiful work. There was a wide range of skill levels in the class, like there always is. Which I like. It's thrilling to help the artistic see something in a new way. But the best is when a new, never quilted before babe has the guts to try something totally out of her box. So in walks B.A. (I will call her that for now.) She has Master's Degree in chemistry and owns a winery in the valley. Love her already! And now she is mine for 5 days. I can't wait to see what she does. They are all precious to me and I love the challenge of pushing out their creativity. We all have creativity, just some of us don't want to do the hard work to access it and it is painful most times. Haven't you ever heard of suffering for your art? That is my job and I love the challenge. So B.A. was struggling. At one point on day 3 there was a tear or 2. Then, the next morning, she took me aside and said "I Get It! Last night I started to see the colors." What a thrilling moment for both of us. We giggled and hugged. I love my job.
So here is B.A. combining some of her hand-dyed fabrics.
I am so proud of these girls. Thanks to all of them, it was a wonderful time.

Can't wait to start planning another Flowers On the Lake for next year.

Fathers of Mine!

I wonder, as Father's Day passes us by, why there were not any shows honoring Father's Day? Mother's Day is a big business and the advertisers and media milk the day, weeks and months in advance. But what has happened to the Fathers? As my brilliant husband is watching the stupid Simpsons show as I write this piece, I wonder how different life would be if we spent a little more time reflecting on the fathers in our lives that really are Fathers Day worthy. Some of these men worked overtime so their family could live in a safe neighborhood. Some worked 2 and 3 jobs so his little girl could have that pretty dress to wear at Easter and later it became a fancy prom dress. Some sacrificed their own desires to keep the family together. Some worked so hard in terrible jobs day after day so their wife could stay home with there child. When they walked through the door after a hard day at work, they would drop everything to spend a little time playing with their children. I know not every person has a wonderful man in there life that they can called father and my heart grieves for them. I was blessed, and I give thanks to the 2 men in my life that stayed when they could have left and persevered above and beyond. I proudly give you the title of Father of the Year! Dads of a Life Time. To you two, HAPPY FATHERS DAY !!!!
Now I have to try and move one of those men away from his riveting cartoon show.

music

Christmas in June?

Last week I was at the Citrus Belt Quilt Guild in Redlands and The Night Owl quilt Guild in Ontario. These towns are full of the historic charm of old California. It just has that old Hollywood feel that I love. I guess I watch to many old movies.
The Citrus Belt girls took me to lunch after my lecture on Friday, to old town Redlands. It was very quaint. And wouldn't you know that right in the middle of this beautiful historic town known for its old fruit box labels. Was the best Brighton store I have ever experienced. it is called Mozart's. Of course I had to go in. The building was divine and the sparkles and beautiful colors where calling to me. Of course my students didn't try and stop me as walked through the door. In fact I think I felt a push from Jeta, one of the girls. Thanks a lot! They carry a line of one of a kind purse covered in silk, ribbons, flowers and beads. They took my breath away. These are true works of art. The shop was also filled with floral bouquet. And you know how I love bouquet. Then I heard a crash. My new Brighton purse just knocked over a display. My hands where too full of goodies. It felt like Christmas.
When I got home there was a big box waiting for me, from my publisher Martingale/Patchwork Place. It was full of all my quilt samples and projects for my up coming book called Candy Cane Lane. It should be out in August.
This morning as I walked down the stairs and viewed my living room. It really did looked like Christmas had arrived in June. This is way to early for me. I just took down the garland over my mirror in March. Well, really Joe took it down because I was out of town. He has a thing about, all decoration need to come down the day after Christmas. But I like to saver the mood for awhile at least until January 2.

I had so much fun thinking of all the project I could do to go with this quilt. In fact, the publisher said I had to many ideas and cut some great stuff from the book. (the more pages the more the book cost.) So I will be offering some cool companion patterns for this quilt book in in the future.
So I guess it's not to early for Christmas. Christmas can be at any time and any where. It really is a state of mind. So Merry Christmas to you in June!