A Beautiful Country Wedding

My sister's daughter got married on Saturday and I thought I'd share some of the pictures with you.

They chose the fairgrounds in Puyallup, Washington for the venue.

How's this for a banner to greet the guests?

 My sister and a friend of hers are the creative geniuses behind the decorating.

Together, they've planned quite a few weddings.

 When my sister first asked if she could borrow some of my quilts for the reception tables, I was a bit nervous.  But she made sure they were well protected so all was well.

Don't they look great in the barn where the reception was held?

(They're not all mine, by the way.  She enlisted many other quilters as well.)

 Here's a close-up of one of the tables, decorated with pottery and berry baskets filled with sweets.

 There were peanuts to munch on...

 and caramel popcorn,

 and liquid refreshment.

 I couldn't believe how many paper buntings she and her friends had made!

 Here's the table for the bridal party.

 The bride and groom sat at the end of the table on a couple of my sister's armchairs.

Hey, I recognize that quilt!

The ceremony was held just outside the barn.

 The bridal party members were listed on a blackboard as we entered.

 The aisle was covered with burlap and lined with ferns.

I love this--

 gifts were placed in a vintage baby crib and cards went into the container beside it.

 It was a hot day so there were two huge tubs filled with ice and bottled water for the guests.

 Here's my beautiful niece in her vintage gown with her adorable flower girl,

 who gave the moms of the bride and groom a flower after she walked down the aisle.

 And my niece followed, to join her husband-to-be under the ivy arch.

A beautiful country wedding in every way!

A Perfectly Wonderful Weekend

Every year about this time my Monday night quilting group heads out to beautiful Harrison Lake, about an hour's drive east of my home, to spend a weekend at the Harrison Lake House.

After getting settled in we follow the signs to the beach, about a 2 minute walk away.

We walk past some gorgeous scenery,

until we reach the lake nestled in the mountains.

This past weekend, the weather was perfect.

We spent the day sitting in the sun, stitching, reading, and catching up on our lives.

Everyone brings something to share for meals.

Lois made this amazing chocolate bombe for dessert.

She wrote our names on ribbons for the "bomb" part.

 Yum!

Unfortunately, my breakfast contribution was a flop.

I doubled the recipe but forgot to double the flour until it was too late.

These were christened, "Cheryl's Crappy Muffins".

Anyone want the recipe?

 

But good friends forgive and laugh

 and celebrate with sparklers.

I am so blessed to have been a part of this group for more than a decade.

 Thank you dear friends, for wonderful memories of another weekend that slipped by far too fast!

Until next year!

 

 

 

 

Sweet Spring

How time flies!

I can't believe that April is almost over, which makes us 1/3 of the way through 2013!

Hope spring has finally reached all of you.

Some of you may remember this pattern,

featured on the cover of "Primitive Quilts and Projects" magazine for Spring 2013.

It's now available for purchase as an individual pattern on my website on the New Patterns page.

 I've also got a few issues of the magazine left for sale on the same page of my website.

Here's a glimpse of spring in my backyard garden.

If you order the pattern, you'll see that I used this picture as a background on the cover.

I've also made a bunch of primitive buntings to sell on my Etsy shop.

So if you haven't visited for awhile, please take a moment to stop by.

Happy sweet spring, everyone!

I'm Still Here

I know it's been awhile...

I've been busy working on some new quilt projects

but because I'm hoping to publish them in book form

I can't reveal them to you just yet.

In the meantime, spring has arrived here in BC...

the bulbs beside my driveway are the first to show their colours.

I always love to see how you interpret my patterns in your own way.

This photo was sent to me by Barbara Timby in Michigan.

It's my "House Sampler" pattern.

Didn't she do a great job?

 And this is a version of my "Scrappy Squares" pattern in

At Home with Country Quilts.

It was made by Desma at "The Quilted Dandelion" shop in

Clatskanie, Oregon.

I love how the fabrics she chose give it a totally different look!

Many thanks to those of you who take the time to send me pictures of your finished projects.

And to you who have been buying my finished quilts on my Etsy shop.

I'm realizing it's time to part with some of my "babies" so if you're interested in a quilt that I haven't posted as for sale, just let me know and we may be able to work something out.

It makes more sense to have them be enjoyed by others who will give them a good home, than to have them piling up in my closet!

Enjoy your spring day everyone!