Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Quilting the Spiderweb and Catalina Island

I tried some different quilting on these spiderwebs. I used the walking foot to travel from point to point around each seam creating petal shapes.

When I got back to the starting point, I marked a point 1.25 inches from the center for the next round. I used pins to locate those points since markers didn't show on all the different fabrics. {The distance was a random length that looked good to me on these spiderwebs.

Marking endpoints for
point to point quilting on a Spiderweb quilt.

For the third round, I used the same distance and marked it from the outer rim of the spiderweb.

Marking the endpoints of the third round
of quilting on the Spiderweb quilt

Using the same distance meant I didn't have to change the ruler and risk messing up the second and third rows.

Spiderwebs with three rows of quilting

I simply imagined gentle curves between consecutive points. Each round has a slightly different curve; in fact, each curve is slightly different because they aren't marked.

By planning where to start I was able to sew all these rounds from web to web without breaks. Hooray! Only two pairs of threads to bury.

We recently spent a weekend on Catalina Island. I've always wanted to see the flying fish so DH arranged an evening boat ride. That was the highlight. But Catalina has so much more, especially if you like beach life. The water is beautifully clear and there are two marked areas to swim and snorkel. Loads of sea life on view.
Views of Avalon bay on Catalina Island and Zane Grey's house

Zane Grey, a Western writer, had a home here which is now being converted to a hotel. The Casino {which they carefully explain means 'gathering place' not 'gambling'} is visible in the lower left photo above. The entrance has wonderful aquatic murals.

Murals at the entrance to the Casino, Catalina Island

The Nature Conservancy encompasses most of the island and includes the Airport in the Sky, a landing field for prop planes.
Airport in the Sky, Catalina Island

The Channel Islands have a five-pound native fox. Two of them posed for photos: one at the airport {no, I didn't feed him} and the other resting along the roadside {at the narrowest point, of course.}

Two native foxes and a buffalo
seen during a tour of Catalina Island

Additionally, the Conservancy supports a small herd of bison brought to the island for a film in the 1920's.

The critical issue on all the Channel Islands is the lack of water. The drought that encompasses most of California is particularly acute here. All restaurants are required to sell bottled water {imported from the mainland} rather than serve water in a glass. As of September, they must use disposable dishes. The toilets everywhere use salt water to flush. Very smart. But the faucets and shower heads in our hotel seemed to have no restrictors.

Only a few cars are allowed on the island; it takes about 14 years to get a permit. Most people get around via bus, bicycle, walking or one of the 1100 golf carts. The air was so clear that walking was a pleasure.

The ferry sailed past Point Fermin lighthouse on our way to the island but DH arranged a helicopter ride back as a special treat. What a great birthday.

Ferry to Catalina Island passes Point Fermin lighthouse.
Newport Beach from the helicopter.

 If you're in the Bay Area this weekend find time to visit Sherri Lynn Wood's newest exhibit, Afterlife. She's created a series of quilts using recycled materials.

Enjoy the day, Ann

16 comments:

Julierose said...

Lovely Spider Web quilting--it is a challenging pattern to quilt. On Steven's "A Piece of Pi" spider, I used my walking foot to go around the edges following the circle of each web in smaller and smaller circles...it took a while for sure. hugs, julierose

Janie said...

Great quilting work!
Thanks for sharing you photos of Catalina Island, fun birthday!
I was looking at Catalina Island from Rancho Palos Verdes a couple of weeks ago visiting my son and daughter-in-law. Everyone says it's very scenic. One of these days we'll get over there.

Sue said...

Great strategy for limiting the number of buried threads. This quilt is very nice, as usual. And thank you for the virtual tour of Catalina. I went there for a couple of weeks in the summer of 1966 (eek!) and have never managed to return, though we have family friends living there. Looks like you got the full treatment with sun, sea and wildlife!

Lara B. said...

That is some awesome planning to quilt all the spiderwebs in one continuous line Ann. I'm mucho impressed!
The island of Catalina looks and sounds incredible. It's so sad about the severity of the drought.
Love those little foxes! What does the wildlife do for water?

Mystic Quilter said...

Seems a wonderful place to spend a few days and four legged beasties into the bargain, lovely. Wonderful Spider Web Ann, the quilting is perfect.

Monica said...

Yes, what a fabulous birthday! That sitting fox is so cute.

And I really like your quilting plan for the spiderwebs. What a great way to solve the puzzle of the continuous line!

Ann said...

That sounds like another good way to quilt this design, Julie. And time consuming. It's hard to decide how to quilt these designs.

Ann said...

I realized while visiting this is a great family vacation for Californians. Loads of families rent houses, grill outside with friends and watch kids bike, skate, swim. OTOH, we went to the Rockies for vacations. It certainly is a good memory to have returned to the same place annually.
Your family has a wonderful view.

Ann said...

Wow. I wondered lives there - although they have a K-12 school. But there's so few housing units and the appear to be taken by vacationers. I feel very fortunate to have seen it.
And yes. Most of my quilt designs are planned by the fewest threads that need to be buried.

Ann said...

Native Americans lived there for tens thousand years so there are springs. Just not the population that lives there now. OTOH, the Conservancy owns most of the island so the town won't spread out any more. I must be beautiful when it rains; it's certainly lovely even now.
Yes. I enjoy quilting when I don't have to bury threads.

Ann said...

Thanks, Maureen. It's a great family vacation; and good for couples like us, too. I'd like to return sometime.

Ann said...

It was a very special birthday. The foxes were adorable. Hard to remember they are wild.
I was a bit concerned about the number of times thread passed certain points. But it's worked out fine. Just remember not to pull the quilt as it goes under the needle.

Kaja said...

Clever quilting! A belated happy birthday too. It looks like you had a fantastic time. I remember reading all Zane Grey's books many years ago; it would be fun to stay in his house.

Mary Marcotte said...

My dad was a Zane Grey fan. I wish I had known about Grey's house when they went to Cali. I think he would have enjoyed it.
That is a great way to quilt such a pretty quilt. Very clever way of preventing all those thread ends.

Ann said...

My dad had most and I remember reading them during school breaks. Zane's house is being renovated I to a very expensive small hotel or house rental. I'd love to see the inside. Must look for some photos online.

Ann said...

My dad would have enjoyed this, too. He loved westerns. I guess our dads would have liked to visit.
Thanks for writing. I was pleased to figure out a continuous line.