Tokyo--Spring time flower quilts

Here are two of my favorite spring time quilts from Tokyo! Thi first quilt was primarily gray, black an tan, with just a hint of pink thread on the blossoms, which doesn't show well in the photos.

This next quilt was truly amazing! The three deminsional flowers looked so real you wanted smell it! The hand work was incredible!! Oh how I would love to see the Cherry blossoms in Japan some day!

Spring is arriving!! This week as I drove to the coast for a work meeting, the tips of the trees were barely pink. The leaves and flowers were just beginning to bud out. Along the side of the road there were hundreds of wild daffodils already open. I always enjoy that drive through the mountains this time of year. In my yard, the daffodils are about to burst open, the hyacinths are so fragrant, with tulips to follow in a few weeks.

I stopped at another of my favorite quilt shops…yes I know I said no more fabric…but they had perfect cherry blossoms to go with the fabric I purchased in Tokyo. Check out their web site at http://www.quilterscove.net/ Quilters Cove in Newport Oregon, always has a great selection of Ocean and Sea related fabrics, along with light houses and a great selection of Asians. They also do orders via the web and mail, always with great service!! Watch for pictures of that project, which is next on my list!

This weekend, after I get my taxes together, I will be finishing the brown and turquoise espresso quilt, as I only have six more blocks to go. Watch for photos as soon as it is finished.

Escape to anywhere--more Tokyo photos

Escape to somewhere, anywhere is my dream today. Here are photos from Tokyo that reflect my desire to escape! It’s been a very tough week, 4 days checking in on my mother-in-law, who has changed drastically since I last saw her. Trying to figure out how to help her through this next phase, when she is clearly angry and bitter with what life has become. Incredibly sad for her and feeling a bit helpless as she has become so negative she is impacting her care givers.

Back home, after several extra hours in flight delays and two hectic days at work and then two days of residency for my MBA. Next week I take dad (who lives with me) to the surgeon to review upcoming major surgery…yes I am on overload.

So today is PJ day…not getting dressed, trying to unwind and unpack (both physically and mentally), do a few loads of laundry, think about paying a few bills, maybe work on getting taxes ready for the accountant and most of all spending at least one hour in my sewing room, working on the coffee quilt from the last posting!

Happy 40th birthday to you (guess who)

A dear friend is turning 40 this month and these are the fabrics to be included in her birthday present. I don't think she checks this blog, as she is not a quilter...but Dawnell, if you have been lurking and not posting the surprise if out of the bag! I doubt that the top will be together in time, due to my trip to LA, but I am thinking of wrapping up all the little scraps in little box with a funny note about more to come...when I find my mind!

I'm doing the quick, "It's hip to be square" pattern. My friend has a new chocolate couch and has a coffee theme in her kitchen, so I just fell in love with this fabric from the Pine Needle in Lake Oswego Oregon. Talk about wonderful customer service...the attention and help in selecting these fabrics was wonderful, especially when I needed to shop in under 30 minutes. I would highly recommend this shop. Check out their web page for other great projects!
http://www.pineneedlequiltshop.com/

LA was tough and sad, as I have an elderly relative that has no other family who is struggling at this time. It is a long story, that I am still trying to process and reflect on at this point. It is just so sad to see what was once such a vibrant woman who has become so frail and isolated. Still in school...not having much time to sew, which is very hard for me...More Tokyo pictures next time, I promise!

In LA

Sorry I haven't posted pictures, am in the LA area for a few days checking on an elderly family member. Life has been a bit hectic and crazy between school and coming down here...Hope to be home within a few days and will soon be posting more Tokyo pictures. The best I can say about LA or what I refer to as LALA land...is it was sunny and 70 degrees today!! I am so ready for spring!!

Tea Time in Tokyo

Each year at the Tokyo show there is a collection of quilts made from blocks which are submitted and then sewn into raffle quilts. Last year’s theme was baskets and this year’s theme was a series of tea pot, tea cup and other related tea time blocks. Some quilts had all the same block with individual variations. Others were a variety of the blocks stitched into one quilt. For 500 yen you purchase a raffle ticket and place it into the box of the quilt you hope to win. Oh how I hoped hear the cell phone ring with a message to come pick up a quilt on Saturday afternoon!! Wouldn’t that be the perfect treasure to bring from a wonderful trip? Again this year, the phone didn’t ring…oh well; I hope those that won the quilts are enjoying them!!

Tokyo Quilts -- Oh what colors!

Don't you just love this quilt! It is made up of individual circles that are attached to a very fine netting. In addition there are hundreds of "dots" similar to fabric covered buttons of various sizes all over this quilt. I keep thinking that it would be fun to try something similar on a much smaller scale...dream oh dream on! School is overwhelming and consuming my life at the moment. Hoping to soon fine balance and time for more of everything else, including quilting and blogging. Time to head off to work!

Tokyo Photos--favorites

Where I would like to be on a beach, somewhere WARM!!

Taking a 15 minute break from homework to post the first pictures from Tokyo. Adjusting to homework is taking a significant effort and most of all it is seriously cutting into my life...especially quilting and blogging...enough whinning...enjoy the pictures!!