Spring Snows

This is what we woke up to here at Mountainjoy. A very good morning to all us folk way up in the mountains today! Luckily, we knew this storm was on its way. It is getting late in the season though. Most of us really want the precious spring and summer to arrive. It is quite pretty out as long as I don't have to go anywhere. Driving in this stuff is awful (especially if you just took your snow tires off). Good thing my employer is wonderful and she gave me the day off. Time to catch up on a few things. I see stew, fresh bread, and quilting in my near future. I hope everyone else has a great snow day too!

Denver Quilt Show

I spent yesterday with friends down at the Denver National Quilt Festival. It was a splendid day full of visual feasts. There were plenty of vendors with all the newest stuff we love. I was attracted to the unique booths as well. These had beautiful fabrics from around the world. African Batiks, Shibori from near Thailand, and several exotic silks from different parts of Asia.
The quilts on display were many and varied. The designs and colors ranged from traditional to wild and crazy. So many quilt visions danced in my head last night as I tried to remember them all. Quilt shows are so wonderfully inspiring.

Seed of Life Quilts

The Seed of Life is an ancient and universal design. It employs sacred geometry and is said to represent all life here on this beautiful planet of ours. It was introduced to me by my first quilt client as the Flower of Life. For that quilt, I used only the center (The SEED) and did it in Mardi Gras colors. It was applique piecework and surrounded by Celtic knotwork. I have created many versions of this design. Most have the Seed in the center and Celtic knotwork around the borders. This one is the most recent version and up for sale on my Etsy site(hence the digital photo). I will be sharing the other versions also. I just need to scan them and fiddle with the sizes. The quilts are quite different from each other because of the colors and techniques employed during their construction. I learned something new with each version. I also learned how to make my husband tie-dye the design so I wouldn't have to applique it any more. That really speeds up the process.

Quilt Pics

I have set some demanding goals for myself this month. I am working on either un-impressive or as-yet-secret quilts. I will share these projects with you all in due time. Meanwhile, I thought I would share some photos of quilts I have made.

This one is the perfect example of what my husband and I create together. He tie-dyes the stars and flowers and fabrics for me. I design the Celtic knotwork and put it all together as a quilt. My husband believes that I turn his pop-art into fine art. He attended Skidmore College. We were very proud when this quilt hung at the Tang Museum of Art in Saratoga Springs, NY for the Skidmore Alumni showing.

It was made in less than a month I believe. Well, by the time he finished making the stars to his satisfaction, I had one week to apply the knotwork and quilt it. I worked on it for 16 or so hours a day. He was at least a very nice guy to cook every meal that week. This quilt is now in the personal collection of one my best fans.

The snow is starting to melt rather quickly here at Mountainjoy. I so look forward to the spring and summer up here. The carpet of columbines can always make me forget the winter's 10' drifts and howling winds.

Less is More, Sometimes

I am a hermit, I'll admit. In the winter months, it's even hard for me to leave the house to see what's new in the world. That is one of the reasons I discovered I liked the Internet. When isolated up here, my quilt designs get very complex. Massive and intricate visions of color and fabric dance in my head. They are beautiful to imagine. I have so many complicated quilts in my head, they will never all get done.
When I went to Washington state, it was an eye-opening experience. Not only was the scenery incredible, the quilt shops I saw were inspiring as well. I saw many very simple yet subtly beautiful quilts displayed. Quick and easy patterns were done in wonderful color arrangements. It taught me that not every quilt needs to be intricate and complex to be a beautiful statement.
Why not celebrate national quilt day (April 18th) with making up a quick and simple quilt in your most favorite colors?

Happy Spring!!!!

April has begun with excitement and happiness. It is one of my favorite months, mainly because spring is really returning. There will still be snow at my house for months, but I have returned to work at my beloved iris farm down in Boulder. Digging in the dirt, being warmed by the sun, and catching up with friends is what spring is for me. Spring also brings some muscles that protest loudly when asked to work again. Well, if this happens to you, the best thing to relieve sore muscles is an Epsom salt soak.
I have spent some time this week planning and practicing long arm quilting. It really is completely different than sewing on a regular machine. The motion and control in a long arm set-up are incredible! It is so much fun, I begin to wonder if it's not bad for me. You know how fun habits turn out----Addictive!
For those keeping track of the wildlife at Mountainjoy, this weeks visitor was a red fox.
We cooked up a batch of black beans this week. I have always thought that we would need a pressure cooker to get most beans to cook at 9000' elevation. I'd also read that adding salt before beans are cooked would impede the softening. Well, I soaked the black beans over night. then we boiled them away all day with salt from the beginning. We discussed when to add the salt, and we needed it in there just to get water to boil hotter than 160 degrees. The beans were fully cooked and delicious. I guess I'll try pinto beans next.
Right now, there are a few holidays going on. As I celebrate all good things in life, I encourage other to do so as well. Rejoice in the life and love that surrounds us all.
Happy Easter, Happy Spring, & Yom Tov

Spring & Coming Home to 4' of Snow

I had a safe return home. As the plane tried to touch down, a wind came up and tried to tip the wing. All I could think was I must be home. A dear friend picked me up at the airport to drive me home through all sorts of weather. My friend then turned around and drove back down the mountain. Luckily, he arrived safe. The spring snows here are fabulous. It came down at a rate of 1' per hour for a while. It is beautiful here when it snows.
I have returned from visiting my family in the midst of Washington state. Being a tree and plant lover, I was mesmerized by the moss covered trees. I had a great time hanging out with all the adults. I was lucky enough to see my older brother and my young nephews were highly entertaining. I also attended quilt camp with my mom and sister-in-law. What fun we had!
It was so inspirational too! I'm full of positive and wonderful ideas again. I feel my batteries are charged and I have a clearer perspective of what I want to achieve. I want to quilt more again. I'm also going back to work at my beloved farm job. All this is going to add up to some changes of this blog site. I am not going to be doing much more affiliate advertising. It is fun and I have learned a lot. I have decided to spend my time sewing more. I am not going away though. This blog will continue to be where I can share the creative arts of Mountainjoy. That is truly why I started this anyway. Up on my mountain in the middle of winter, it is nice to communicate with others in the world. Thank you all for visiting.
Until next time, keep quilting and cooking.