Lewy

This quilt demonstrates components of the brain involved in Lewy Body Dementia.  It often is related to Parkinson's and hallucinations.  The person affected often realizes they are having hallucinations which occur in most cases of Lewy Body Dementia.  The abstract picture was printed on cotton and then metallic thread and glass beads were added.  A frame of was constructed using Peltex to give the quilt depth.

These are my latest quilts for Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative.

Esp'erer (hope) is a map of Haiti. After the 2010 earthquake I was looking at the map and thought where Haiti attaches to the Dominican Republic looked like a young girl of African descent. I put the map through a digital filter, made her face a warm brown and then printed the photo on cotton fabric. I then used oil pastels and thread to highlight the picture.

A Girl Justs Gotta Have Fun was a picture from Lizzie who resides in Australia and allowed me to use the picture. The Indian elephant had her foot forward and since my g-daughter is into nail polish, I put nail polish and a large brush on this adorable elephant. Not sure why since I usually don't do whimsy.

Laura let me use a picture of Avonlea in Queen Cavalier. I painted the printed cotton photo with oil pastels, acryllic paint and thread. I also used a little clear nail polish on the eyes and nose to make them glossy.

These quilts are numbers #7969, 7970 and 7971 at Alzquilts.org.

I was misdiagnosed that I had AMD (see Amsler grid which is used to determine Macular Degeneration of the Retina (AMD).    If AMD is present the lines appeared wavy or absent, the center appears blurry.  When I stared at it the lines they were double or triple and it appeared almost like a plaid where some lines were more prominent.  See a retinal specialist if you get a diagnosis of AMD.  If you suddenly lose your central vision see an opthamoloist right away. My vision problems are cataracts.  Who thought I would be happy to have cataracts. For your eyes- keep a healthy weight, don't eat a lot of fatty foods, take a one a day vitamin, wear sunglasses and avoid smoking and drinking.  At least - do as many as you can which I will do.  Take the time to enjoy the view.

Sassy the Giraffe

Sassy is a nine foot at the shoulder giraffe.  Her core is PVC pipe and her skin painted twill fabric.  She has long eyelashes and a long black tongue.  The mural of an African waterhole is 9 x 15 feet.

School Bus

The bus has a double walled PVC frame with material inside and out.  The twill fabric was painted yellow and a mural painted on the back wall.  The bus driver is the teacher. 

Cabana

I am sorry I don't usually have set plans when I build but hopefully I can help you somewhat. I used double walled PVC for the cabana but I think I would try 1 inch single walled. You can get the corner pieces on-line (they were not available locally). I made it the uprights 6 foot high, wide and deep. I put 45 degree corner pieces to prevent scissoring. I just had to do trial and error since I didn't remember solid geometry.
The corner pieces are three-way, a right angle and and one going up at the corner. These are used for the base.

http://pvcfittings.com/

These are used for the top along with a 45 degree connector (turn so straight portion is vertical).
Putting these at the corners prevented it from scissoring and collapsing i.e. scissoring is when the square collapses and becomes more like a diamond.

I have seen cabana's online at WalMart and they were about $100. By the time you get all the supplies this ends up about the same.
The chairs are easy. I just copied a picture from the internet. Just remember to keep the parallel sides the same length. It helps to clean the pipe and then glue them. We glued the left side together and the right side together and the cross pieces. We then put the sewed seat on and screwed the left and right sides together by placing a tiny screw underneath the bars. The seat is a heavy cotton that I doubled. I prewashed it to make it shrink. That way we could wash it again. They lasted through a year with kindergarten class and we still have them.

 

I made and extension table for less than $25. The Simplicity extension table allows you to adjust the legs. Since the opening didn't fit my machine I used foam board which was taped to the table. Granted since I am short it would be better to have it down in a table but it helps with the weight of a quilt when I free motion quilt.

 

Avonlea is a friend's King Charles Cavalier. She was printed on cotton fabric and then painted with acrylic paint and thread. The frame has pictures of Avonlea and friends. I learned it is better to adjust the color of the print then try to alter it after. Avonlea's ears were brighter in the original photo then when I printed it. I was unable to brighten them but next time I will try more extreme colors i.e. maybe yellow instead of rust. Also, for a more dimensional look I will use some type of support like cardboard, foamboard or an artist canvas. I printed another picture of Avonlea which I will put in an oval frame. Avonlea is from Sikeleli King Charles Cavalier's.

Maggie meets Foxy

 

This is a quilt for Maggie who died last week at age seven. I printed the picture, thread painted it and then touched up the color with acrylic paint. I thought Foxy needed a bandana. I learned that it is harder to thread paint a smooth hair dog then a curly one. I think thread lighter or close to the color of the dog probably works best. I used three layers of trapunto for this quilt. RIP Mags.....