What is this?

I am quilting this school themed quilt that will be given to the a local school next month when we hold my classes there. It was part of the deal for using they facility. The person who made the top, left Alaska years ago, & donated this top to our Comfort Quilts at the ALCQ.  I was quilting on it today, & realized I have no idea what this section of the quilt is supposed to represent, other than a red tree. The blue & purple checked block below, & the purple, yellow & green squares below that are part of the "playground" area on the quilt, but what are they?

I should be able to finish the quilting on this Saturday. Yay!

We are getting hit with another winter storm. Tons of snow falling in the Anchorage bowl, & still coming down. We had about 10 to 12 fresh inches this morning before I left for my Calendar Girls. I just barely made it back up the hill, & we have about 16 inches more & still falling now. If they don't plow our road tonight, I won't be getting to work tomorrow. I suppose I could finish the quilt then though! There is a bright side to every problem, right?!

Jan was working on this cute quilt that will be donated.

Jackie had fun checking out my new iPad, with our host Jean looking over her shoulder.

We played with the "photo booth" APP, & did so kaleidoscope images. They look quite quilty!

The one below is the same image as the last photo. I took it at Moose's Tooth  last weekend.

I have a favor to ask of all you quilters & artists...

Thank you to all of you who sent us your concerns over the fire. It really wasn't that bad, & my blisters are healing quickly. 

Now for my question. ..I am presenting a lecture in February. It is "Inspired Design-Finding your Own Voice". Part of it will include photos of design inspiration, along with some of the things that I have made from that inspiration. I was thinking it would be fun to include the work of others in the photos. If you have a photo of something that inspired a piece that you made, & would like it to be shown in a slide presentation during my lecture, please email your pictures along with the info you want shared. I intend to make a handout with web addresses for folks to take home, so they can explore more too.

My email is akquilter1@acsalaska.net

For each person willing to share, I put names in for a drawing. I will make 2 quilted clocks, to be sent to 2 people whose names will be drawn January 20th.

We have been getting a lot of snow falling this winter. My brother said there was nothing for cross-country skiing in Michigan this year. You should all come to Alaska if you want to play in some snow!

I thought I should show a couple of back side views on the 9 patch quilt that I made for my DH.

I got a wonderful pile of beautiful stuff from my girlfriend Kathy (the Woodland Quilter) in Michigan, for Christmas. It is a Crazy Quilt just waiting to be made. It was all wrapped up in a yummy silk Pashima that goes perfect with my favorite brown slacks.

The little bags held, beads & trims,

There was a pair of little scissors, with a thimble (that fits perfect), & a needle case, & a luscious bundle of velvety fabrics, in my favorite color group.

Below is my cup of tea,(fancy tea from my DD for Xmas). The tea bags are so cute, they make me happy just looking at them. It's "Tea Forte". In front of the tea, is my Kindle. I'm still loving it 3 years later. Just under the Kindle is the new gift from my DH, an iPad 2. Yes I will still use the Kindle. The iPad is something like a fusion between the Kindle & my computer. I'm still learning how to use it. I haven't been able to set-up my email account on it yet, but have realized that it will make keeping up with all the blogs I like to read much easier.

I loaded my Kindle contents on to the iPad, & bought a guide book to help me learn my way on this cool tool!