October

……. where did it go? The month seems to have passed so quickly I hardly noticed we are already into November.

After  two months of almost constant rain, it finally cleared up at the beginning of the month. We had some early frost which brought out the autumn colours.

Early in the month, the sun was high enough, and warm enough, to thaw the frost in the fields as it rose towards midday.

There was a storm or two in between, but we do not mind that when most of the days are sunny and quiet.

The leaves started falling, and were able to settle quietly on the ground or in the streams. Usually they are blown away or swept quickly into the sea by the rushing waters.

Some trees hang onto their leaves longer than others, – or maybe it is the other way around; – the leaves hang onto the trees…..

By now most of them are gone.

The sandbox in the garden is covered with a tarp to keep out the cats. It collected a lot of water throughout September, which froze to ice.

The plastic toys were trapped.

The water on the handrail also froze, creating beautiful patterns.

Below the photo is enhanced in a photo editing program to show the pattern better:

Eldrid

Australian Hexagon Quilt

An Australian organization will attempt to make the world’s largest hexagon quilt. Everybody can contribute rosettes made of 1 inch hexagons.

Since I happen to be working with 1 inch hexagons right now (on and off), I will send this one:

In addition to the size requirement, the only hard and fast rule is a green centre patch, and if you choose to make a second round, this must be in cream coloured fabrics.

Read more about the project on these sites:

http://www.paperpieces.com/index1.html

http://www.bellaonline.com:80/articles/art2273.asp

Rosettes must arrive in Queensland, Australia before Dec. 1st 2009.

The Greatest Hexagon Challenge
60 East St
Gatton Q 4343
Queensland, Australia

Eldrid

Sunset

Today was the very last sunset before winter, – seen from our house that is.

Because of the mountain to the south, the sun will not shine here till the 13th of February next year.

I am already looking forward to the spring.

Eldrid

Audition

This afternoon I have been auditioning threads to go along with the silk fabrics I have chosen for a new project. After lining up the possible contestants, I thought my work table looked so pretty, so I just had to take a photo:

A few minutes after I had put away my camera, the low autumn sun shone in through the window, and the silk fabrics and threads on the table were positively glowing. I just had to take one more photo (or ten):

This is for two commissioned items, which cannot be revealed in full till early next summer, – but I hope I will be able to  show you some teasers along the way.

Eldrid

New class

My new online class on Folded Fabric Blocks is now open for registration.

Go to Quilt Campus to read more about the class (fourth class from the top), and to register.

Eldrid

My ticket to Houston

Amy at Park City Girl is hosting a Bloggers’ Quilt Festival again. Thank you, Amy, for organizing this tour.

This time I want to show you the quilt that bought me a ticket to Houston in 2000.

I had just finished my Kameleon Quilt number 1, and my head was spinning with all the possible variations I could do with this concept when a Norwegian magazine announced a pillow contest. The first prize would be a 10 day journey to the US, – first to Houston Quilt festival and then on to Bird-in-Hand in the middle of Amish country in Pennsylvania.

I entered the quilt below, which actually won the first prize. My husband was lucky to buy himself a ticket in the same group, so we could go together. It was a great experience.

The quilt is mounted as a pillow, but it can also work well as a wall hanging. The video below shows how the flaps can be opened and display different flower motifs:

If you have problems running the video, there are photos of the different views on my website. A pattern for the wall hanging is also available.

Every autumn when there is talk of Houston, I think back on the wonderful trip we had 9 years ago.

Please go over to Park City Girl to see a list of all the other participants.

Eldrid

So…

….. what does one do during a thunderstorm when all electric equipment that one cares about, – and that includes the computer and the sewing machine, – are unplugged?

Answer: make more hexagons!

Cut lots of pieces from scraps…..

….. and baste on to paper, ready to make lots of hexagon flower blocks.

Eldrid

Autumn

… is definitely here.

We just have to accept the fact.

I had hoped that September would give us a few sunny days, but there was only one: the 14th.

We’ll see what October will bring.

Eldrid

Colours in the opera

During a recent weekend trip, I was able to take part in a guided tour of the new opera house at Nordfjordeid.  It was opened in April this year, and is the only opera house in Norway besides the National Opera house in Oslo.

Being quite new, everything was of course spick and span, nice and functional. But what caught my eye and interest was this piece of art hanging just above the main entrance:

It is made by the artist Viel Bjerkeset Andersen. Her website has this artwork on the front page, but there is not much else there at the moment.

According to our guide, the artist took inspiration from the works of the famous mathematician Sophus Lie, who was born at the vicarage only a stone’s throw from where the opera house stands now.

The installation consists of three circular pieces of glass positioned at right angles to each other, forming a sphere. The glass is covered with a transparent foil, which reflects the light in different colours on each side of the glass.

The combination of reflection and transparency gives the sphere an almost infinite array of colours when seen from different angles. It also changes as the light changes during the day.

The first photo of this post was taken from the top of the steps, but all the others were taken from different angles below.

It is fascinating, – a kaleidoscope of colours.  It was difficult to choose only a few photos for this post.

I wonder if similar effects can be achieved in quilts by using Angelina fibers and sheers.

Hhhmmm, – something to think about.

Eldrid

Heartwarming

Yesterday while I was out, some friends had left this flower arrangement on my front steps.

It is so lovely, and heartwarming.

You know who you are.

Thank you!!

Eldrid