Tuesday, November 7, 2017

First Day of Double Vision Class

Today is Election Day in the US. I voted. Have you?
Democracy doesn't work without everyone's input.


"It is the duty of every citizen to vote on Election Day."

Lots of fun with Louisa and my classmates. One of the best things about classes is seeing the variety of fabrics and ideas each participant brings.

Boy, I'm glad I pre-cut my fabrics. Here's my final layout for a background. Of course it took several iterations: take photos, move squares, repeat. Digital cameras are so helpful in this process.


Blue fabric squares shading from white to navy make Double Vision quilt background.
Arranging background for a Double Vision quilt

Two rows sewed by lunchtime. After a short break we returned to our machines and the background sewing was completed by the end of the day. The colors in this shot are so much truer than the previous photo.



Blue fabric squares shading from white to navy form the background of a Double Vision quilt
Background for my Double Vision quilt sewn

Environmental Progress That Caught my Eye

For years I've known willows are good choices for wastewater remediation. Anyone on septic systems probably knows this, too. Here are some links to articles from countries around the world. {Unfortunately most links are not https but you can at least get a feel for the research depth.}

However, I didn't know about newer research involving poplars. These trees naturally remediate groundwater but often at the expense of their own health. John Freeman, a plant physiologist at NASA, conducted an experiment at a Superfund site in the Bay Area. He fortified half the poplars planted with bacteria from healthy poplars at a TCE-contaminated site in the Midwest. Results show the trees reduced TCE to undetectable levels, pulled out other contaminants, and actually resulted in healthier trees. A better way to clean up some toxic wastes. Good news indeed.

Found in sites worldwide and now linked to cancers and Parkinson's, TCE was used as an industrial solvent and degreaser. It mixes with groundwater and is easily volatilized. That means it gets into the air. If your house is well insulated, concentrations build. In that respect, it reminds me of radon. People who live on granite understand.

Enjoy the day, Ann

23 comments:

Gale Bulkley said...

What a beautiful layout and selection of fabrics. I am looking forward to seeing the next post on this WIP.

LA Paylor said...

yum the colors are vibrant. I love your created background...

Kaja said...

I love this background, what a great start. I also love the bits of information you share here - this stuff about trees is completely fascinating and leaves me marvelling, not for the first time, at how clever nature is.

Mel Beach said...

Ooooh! Beautiful foundation layer...I can't wait to see how you layer on your Xs and Os!!!

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

This is a great looking start, and I know there will be much more to come!

Ann said...

These blues are some of my favorites. Of course, I say that about all my fabric. Haha. Thanks for writing, Gale.

Ann said...

Thanks, Lee Anna. Amazing how the correct lighting shows the colors so well.

Ann said...

It’s a different way of working for me. I knew about the sequence of plants that remediate outhouses but didn’t know they were using others to break down these toxic chemicals. Nature finds a way, doesn’t it?

Ann said...

Thanks, Mel. This background is so pretty I can hardly imagine how another layer will improve it. But it makes me think of your Chinese Coin quilt with the appliqued vines. It was already lovely and the vines took it over the top.

Ann said...

Thanks, Linda. I really like that I am on track with the class. So much better than last time.

audrey said...

So interesting to see your start! I made a few quilts like this years ago, but really, they began and ended with the squares. Nothing special every happened with mine like I'm sure is going to happen here! and yes, we voted.:)

Monica said...

Wow, love these colours! And again, I recognize quite a few from my stash. :D

Ann said...

This one will be a bit different because I'm following someone else's pattern... sort of. I hardly ever do that. Hopefully this will be a toddler/lap quilt when finished.
I'm glad you voted. Our national voting rate is a disgrace. It's a pain because they schedule elections throughout the year but so important. Then we need to have conversations and realize we all must compromise. Like a family, we must learn to get along. My little soapbox.

Ann said...

I think we are attracted to many of the same fabrics. That makes is specially nice to see what you're up to... A little dream of what my fabric could become. Ha.

Monica said...

Ringo Lake, is what I'm thinking now.

Janie said...

Lots of work got done in your class.
Your colors are soothing and peaceful.

Ann said...

I wish you could see the work of all the other students, too. They are using such exciting fabrics.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Your project and colors are beautiful! The scientific research mentioned is MUCH appreciated as well !

Mystic Quilter said...

Ann, I love the fabrics you've used here and the diagonal light to dark setting - those two pops of orange are just great!

Ann said...

Thanks, Deb. That research gives me hope. It's incredibly expensive to remediate Superfund sites and I'm never sure how well they are completed. The poplars appear to break down TCE into non-hazardous byproducts and I trust the trees to keep working. Nature finds a way.

Ann said...

Thanks, Maureen. I like those orange florals, too. Wonder what it will look like when the next layer is applied. We'll see.

Millie said...

The quilt is pretty. Why do they call it Double Vision?

Ann said...

I think because the images come and go.