Annual Chicago Visit

 So as part of the PPMI ppmi  Parkinson's Progression markers Initiative research program, I go to Northwestern University in Chicago for monitoring each year. I don't have Parkinson's. but I have a brain that they are interested in for research. So lucky for me, I got some time before the testing begins, so I went to the Institute of Art!

Bumpy flight coming in, but all went well.

The Art Institute has big lions out front.

It's just a block or so from the Millinium Park, where the Bean is. 

I had a few minutes to wait for public access opening time, so up the street I walked.

I love the tall buildings....this was a school of some sort in days gone by, and it has an owl on top!

Anyways onto the museum.

Paris Street, Rainy Day by Gustave Coillebotta, an amazing painting.....

Cluade Monet- Arrival of the normandy train....they had a lot of his works, they are amazing!

This one OH MY! It's a beautiful painting, and huge-almost life size, Georges Seurat, Sunday Afternoon.

A Real live Augusta Rodin, so beautiful!

Another Monet

Edvard Munch-The Girl by the Window-he's the guy who painted The Scream....very well known!

Some Paul Cezanne. Such iconic works and they have quite a ew of them!

Paul Gauguin, He's famous for his Tahaitin works.

AND LOOK!!! Just look!!!! Vincent Van Gogh!!!!!!

Edgar Degas-Pink Dancer....there were a lot of his work too!

A nice Jackson Pollock

And for me, the reason to buy a ticket!  Nighthawks---Edward Hopper.

What an amazing painting. Worth it!

Thomas Hart Benton-The Cotton pickers, He's an amazing artist.

Archibald John Motley-Blues. 

I can't believe I got such a crappy photo of the Norman Rockwell painting-The Dugout. It's a really large painting and I was trying to take a selfie with it, but there were a lot of people around so it was hard!

And look! The real deal! American Gothic-Grant Wood our Iowa claim to fame!

This guy was just in the right place---looks like the painting!!

Mary Cassatt The Child's Bath, what an iconic work! I loved it!

And  a real Remington!

And they had a LOT of Renissance art and a LOT of Asian art.

Anyways it was a pretty wonderful trip to the museum! I was just in awe of all the great art!

I had time the next day so I walked out to Navy Pier. 

And took the boat architectual tour. 

It was a nice way to spend some time and see all the buildings on the river.

And I walked downtown to the Nordstroms, 

so FANCY! and EXPENSIVE.

You had to go around the rope to shop in the Gucci area!

This cute bag was $1325. 

And I don't understand it but Jellycats are little stuffed toys that are all the rage now. The little ones are $80....I didn't buy anything in Nordstroms or Macy's either!

And I was glad to get home again!

Fox, Llama, bears!

 So I got the Fox, llama, bear quilt loaded on Freddie and chose a kind of squarish design to quilt it with.

It came out really well. I was worried about the piano key border being a little flappy, but it was good! Yay!!

I finished it all up then went out to try to get a picture on the porch, but the WIND!!! Oh my-I thought I was going to lose it out there!

I settled for one indoor folded up....until today!

It's windy again, but I tried to be fast and get the picture before the wind blows it up!

This si such a nice easy free pattern from Northcott Fabrics, but I can't find it to share a link.

It's a pretty good size about 72"X65" or so.

And the back! I love this city print with the animals riding bikes! Zoom in to see it! I swear, I've liked the backs of the last few quilts as much as the fronts! And the top is just a little extra. 

So at last I have a picture of the whole thing! Next I'm going to show you what I did in Chicago!

Time To Move It

 It's that time of year again, roll up the heat track mats, it was a little rainy so I had to let them dry.

Move the snowblower back into the rear of the garage and bring out the lawn mower. And heave out  a bunch of junk that accumulates through the winter.

I'm working on this quilt

Using up some bears, foxes and llamas oh my!

I'm making really good progress on using up my excessive stash. Just a few more projects ought to get me under control...and ready for ther upcoming All iowa Shop Hop!