Buggy Barn Show

If it's the last weekend in August, it must be time for Buggy Barn's annual Quilt Show! This year Pam and Janet invited me to be their "featured quilter" so hubby Ben and I drove down to Spokane, Washington, about 30 minutes from the shop on their farm. We checked out Riverfront Park and found this very cool slide. I'm thinking, "what if my hips won't fit between the edges?"
On Saturday we drove out to the Buggy Barn property and found the shop covered in quilts.

Quilts were blowing in the wind. And, unlike most of the previous years, it was cold!

Quilts were draped over old wagons...

...clothespinned to fences...

...and fastened to... (I have no idea what this thing is!)

At the back of their property was another barn filled with bolts of fabric and decorated with more quilts.

This was my spot, surrounded by quilts from my book.

Folk-artists set up their tents around the property and there was more to see in another barn.

Eye candy everywhere and the view was just amazing! I loved the colour of the fields.

On Sunday at 4, the 14th annual Buggy Barn show was over. Quilts were taken down to be returned to their owners.

Thanks, Pam and Janet, for a wonderful weekend!

A Simply Beautiful Wedding

On August 20th, we celebrated my niece's wedding in the corner of a park in Washington state.
Little candles in mason jars were hanging from the trees to guide us to the spot.
Flower petals defined the aisle and the backdrop on stage had been transformed with muslin panels, chippy window frames, fabric hearts, and a sparkling chandelier.
Guests were seated on white chairs or on white fabric on the grass. My youngest sister (mother of the bride) made the pillows and stuffed them with straw.

My niece looked more beautiful than ever in her gorgeous gown. Three of her sisters and two of the groom's sisters were in attendance in royal blue. The groom wore white sneakers and the groomsmen wore blue.

The quilting group from their church presented them with a soft, almost antique-looking quilt.

After the ceremony, the reception was held in a picnic area beside it. A paper flag garland and little white lights welcomed us.

Tables were covered in filmy cheesecloth. Burlap-wrapped grass and huge white dahlias made up the center pieces.

Glasses with a single strawberry in each, await the champagne.

Music sheets folded into cones await filling with berries for the dessert.

A cheesecake buffet with lots of yummy toppings, amid great country props and flowers.

There was even an old laundry tub filled with ice and bottled water.

And of course, gourmet specialty coffees.

After the reception, when night had fallen, the bride and groom were sent off in a flurry of sparklers.

A wonderful start to a new life together!

A Bit of Fall Decorating

Where is summer going? After a wonderful week of sitting on deck chairs, enjoying cool breezes off the ocean, and watching the boats go by, we returned to the heat of the Fraser Valley, ready to resume our lives. There was a surprise waiting for me in my mailbox--the October issue of Create and Decorate magazine.

And on page 59, a "Pumpkin Garland" pattern by yours truly!
Hope you like it!

Nature Walk

Up the Coast

Summer in BC and we head up to the Sunshine Coast, a short ferry ride north of Vancouver.

We arrive at Gibson's Landing. The Canadian television series, "The Beachcombers" was filmed here and this restaurant featured prominently in it.

Gibson's Landing was named after George W. Gibson, a Royal Navy lieutenant, who settled here in 1886.

The harbour is beautiful but what really caught my eye was this houseboat.

The owner, who lives on the boat, must have the greenest thumbs in the world.

The next day, the Sunshine Coast doesn't quite live up to its name--a bit grey and drizzly--a perfect day to explore. We find the Fibre Works Studio and Gallery and the opening reception for the "Synthesis" exhibit, featuring works by the Studio Art Quilters Association, showcased in a yurt!

We go through the gallery door...

... and find an amazing display of art quilts, as well as baskets, wooden pieces, and other treasures.

Then we enter another yurt, the studio of fibre artist, Yvonne Stowell. This amazing woman weaves, spins, dyes, and knits handspun yarns and exotic fibres. Her studio is a feast for the eyes.

She took the time to explain the process of creating this beautiful shawl.

What an inspiring afternoon! For more information, check out her website, http://www.gunboatbaylodge.com/fibreworks.html..