France Week One

When I read (in Quiltmania magazine) about an annual quilt show in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines in France, I knew someday I'd have to go. So this year, we did. I reserved a room in Blienschwiller, about 5 hours east of Paris. This is the view out of our B&B window.

How cool to see the French version of my book for sale at the publisher's booth!
Quilts were on display everywhere in this medieval Alsace town, including the church.

I loved this intricate antique quilt!

And this Jan Patek quilt!

This was the birthplace of the Amish movement and one venue was dedicated to this.

Quilts were displayed everywhere in this wonderful town.

An intricate quilt by Yoko Sato was very popular.

An overview of one of the venues.

Antique quilts by Mary Koval were for sale.

A view of one of the canals in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines.

Time for lunch.

We spent Sunday in Strasbourg Cathedral, just a short drive away.

One can see the ruins of medieval castles on the hillsides in Alsace.

And the grape harvest was just beginning.

We spent a morning at Haut Koeningsburg Castle.

And even spotted a stork's nest in Eguisheim!

Stay tuned!

Quilts at Tanglebank Gardens 2010

The second Saturday in September and time for another Quilts at Tanglebank Gardens Show! On Friday, we were busy setting up all the grids and tents.

I dunno, maybe this tent would look better here?

Even hard-working designers need to take a break once in awhile.

After a week of rain and nervously checking the weather forecast every few minutes,

Saturday morning dawned clear and warm.

Cars began arriving before 10 am.

We wouldn't be able to do the show without the help of our many amazing volunteers.

Donna and Leona were our greeters.

Quilts were hanging throughout the beautiful garden. The show is intended to display the works of Canadian quilt designers.

This year, Pippa Moore, who lives on Vancouver Island, was able to join us.
Her passion is designing quilts with African themes and training African women to sew.
You can view more of her work on her website,
http://www.pippamoore.ca/kitambaa-designs.htm.

Here are some of her gorgeous quilts.

More quilts were hanging in the post-and-beam building,

beside Tanglebank's gift shop,

and on the north lawn. The boutique had ready-made items for sale.

And the Steveston Cookie Company were selling yummy treats. Volunteers Allan, Penny, and Teresa

take a well-deserved lunch break. Robin and Teresa managed the tea-room.

And Penny worked all day at the cash register.This year we offered free demos.

Dougal Walker of The Freckles Collection (http://frecklescollection.com/)

demonstrated stitchery techniques and needle-turn applique.

Sue Jensen of Quilted Escapes (http://www.quiltedescapes.net/)

demonstrated ink and shaving cream techniques.

Pippa Moore of Kitambaa Designs demonstrated how to piece a zig-zag

and "beads on a string".And I talked about the quilts in my book, Country Comforts.

Time for the 3:30 prize draw.

Look at all the tickets for the gift baskets!

Sonja did the honours.

And the first winner is....(drum roll, please!)...
J. Livingston!
The other winners are:

Joanna Kim
Bev Dunphy

L. Thompson
Kris Foulds

Stewart Lauis
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!

Many, many thanks to all of you who joined us at the show,

our wonderful, amazing, hard-working volunteers,

and to Arnold and Brenda, owners of beautiful Tanglebank Gardens!

We couldn't have done it without all of you!