kodak moments

Photos used to capture specific moments in time for the sake of memories.  Like a wrist watch on graduation, an anniversary, or retirement they stopped time for just a second so everyone could smile.  Thinking we look grand we smile and hold the pose for just a second that becomes a virtual eternity.  Recently my son returned from the USA where he visited my parents as part of his adventure.  They are about to move house so he was given a box of photos for me. In it were random stolen moments of the past.  Some heartwarming reminders of special times and others stark reminders of the term "fashion victim".  The biggest downfall of having lived in NYC for 10 years was an inane ability to pick the absolute worst styles for myself while actually thinking I looked pretty hot...and as my first gym instructor said in 1980 after four years of college nestled in the rolling foothills of the mountains where beer was our main sustenance.... a keg on stilts.   Those days are long gone as is the attraction of beer or even fashion but I was reminded of the impact of photos yesterday in my Stash to Treasure class.

We did our chat on finding inspiration in tradition and everyone was getting busy working on quilt designs, sorting fabric stashes or actually sewing and I said out loud to myself that I better get my camera.  From the corner I heard a laugh and Lucy said, yeah, we'll have to check out the blog in the  morning.  The words echoed in my head until now.  I fear I have become a bit of a monster snapping photos of people deep in concentration like Jenny, Katie and Jan above or Lucy here. 

Unsuspecting victims they are only the gig is up and everyone knows they migh end up captured on "film". No time to smile, everyone was working hard.
Sorting fabrics into colour groups is always an activity I love so we made some sense of some of the stashes.
Those that had a plan got stuck into it.  Oddly enough, Jenny had this started and it was the exact same block that Cath had shown me just yesterday.  It was recently featured on Barbara Brackman's blog and is one that we really haven't seen studied before.  Basically like the spiderweb with a 60 degree diamond it was a perfect example of what we are looking for when we examine antique quilts.  A jumping off point.  Jenny never came up for air all day as she made block after block. 
Carolyn has been home recoverying from a procedure and while she was supposed to be resting she made this Vortex quilt which is truely her style and gorgeous!  You need to see it big.  This is one of Meredith Clark's template sets and although tricky the first time round it does get sweet with practice.

Commercial interuption: 

On Monday we had our first Domestic Bliss class with Wendy.  It was so exciting and full of so much productivity that we forgot to take photos.  Moments of learning and productivity were lost and nothing remained but the samples.  Suffice to say that zippers were going in, piping was piping hot and everything was a massive buzz! I was REALLY cranky to be in the office and not in this class as my cushions are always...well...in a word...stuffed.

Judy started an Ocean Waves style block using a few fabrics from her stash and adding a few to give it zest...Can't go wrong when you start with Martha Negly!

Turn you head sideways because I don't have time to flip this photo!  Helena said just last week that she wasn't going to start a new project until her going projects were done...ha ha ha.  I don't mean to laugh but this is a new project!
And Lucy got going with her Popstars from her diverse pile of treasures.  It is always fascinating to watch these fabrics move around and around and around until they settle into a sense of order...order in chaos but a bit of order.  Just because it is hard doesn't mean it is impossible. 
Jan knew what she wanted to do and started cutting and tweaking right away.  This is going to be made with a pile of stash fabrics with just a few additions to update the look.  Jan had a huge pile of fabric so first we sorted it into grouped piles and then it was easier to make the necessary decisions to get started cutting.

I always am a bit freaked out at the start of these classes as it is to me a serious responsibility.  However, at the end and in review of the individual moments it is always rewarding to see people activate their piles of fabrics into designs that will soon be quilts.  Maybe not so soon and definately not stored in a box until someone finds them in a big move!  k

 

Comments

[Jules]

As an Aussie living in Rochester, NY currently [home of Kodak] it's been in my mind recently, after Kodak filed chapter 11. what will happen now? will we continue to have kodak moments?sad for this town,it will be interesting to see what becomes?

[Tory Burch Outlet]

I always am a bit freaked out at the start of these classes as it is to me a serious responsibility.

[Anna]

talk about taking photos, you have got to read tomorrow's woolie blog there is a special photo just for you!

[Brigitte Giblin Quilts]

I love this quilt! and especially the diamonds/spiders web quilt from Barbara Brackman's blog - there is an easier way to piece that you know...

[Sujata Shah]

Hi Kathy,
Lovely inspirations through your Kodak moments!
I just saw you posted Jenny's quilt and the quilt-along that Barbara Brackman and I are hosting for the Victorian Hexagon quilt. I have posted several patterns on my blog for additional versions of the hexagon quilt.

As you mentioned this pattern had not been studied before and I am quite honored to be participating with Barbara after figuring out the patterns myself. Please feel free to share my website with your readers.

[Carla]

I really like the look of the hexagon.