Quilts in the Garden Show

After months of planning, our Quilts at Tanglebank Garden Show is over and it couldn't have been better. Here on the "wet" coast of Canada, sunny weather is never guaranteed but we were blessed with beautiful sunshine, which helped make the day so wonderful.

We could not have attempted to produce a show like this without our amazing friends and family members who volunteered to help set up all the props the day before. You guys are the best and we can't thank you enough!

Arnold and Brenda Falk, the owner of Tanglebank Gardens, were so generous to us, allowing us to hold our show on their gorgeous property. Dougal Walker of The Freckles Collection, one of the three designers at the show, gave Brenda this wallhanging to express our appreciation.

Another "before" picture.

On Saturday, September 13, the day of the show, we arrived at Tanglebank at 6:00 am, just as the sun was rising, to begin hanging the quilts.

Sometimes the breeze blew a quilt off its rod. Fortunately, my husband was there with his tape for a quick fix.

Our wonderful greeters welcomed the guests as they arrived and gave them a brochure to guide them around the quilts and a ticket for the door prizes.

More creative thinking was required when the boutique tent threatened to collapse.

Heather McArthur, editor of "Quilters Connection", was there to launch this new Canadian quilting magazine. She also drew the tickets for the prize draw at 4:00 pm.

When Dougal, Sue, and I first talked about having a show like this, we had no idea what to expect. I was amazed and humbled to see the line of cars pulling onto the driveway. I think we had about 400 guests, which boggles my mind. Sometimes designing patterns can be a lonely endeavour and when there are long stretches of time between orders, I begin to question whether I should continue or move on to doing something else. This weekend was such a confirmation to me that I'm where I should be. And when I see the number of people who were willing to spend their day helping us, I realize how very blessed I am to have such amazing friends. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love you all.

My Summer "Holidays" and a New Project

Remember when we were kids and when we went back to school in the fall, we had to write about what we did over the summer? Here's my version for summer 2009.

I designed a little candle-mat called "Counting Sheep". The pattern will be ready soon!


I also finished the first draft of my book for Martingale, due to be published next June. Can't share the pictures yet--sorry!

After almost 18 years since we built our home, it was time for some renovating. The blue living-room rug had to go.

The walls were painted several times before I got the colour I wanted. Then the hardwood flooring arrived.

All our stuff was moved into the garage, including kitchen appliances.

The floor was installed in the living room.

At first, we were still able to eat in the kitchen.

But then the kitchen floor was sanded and refinished to match the living room and we ate our meals in the garage.

The project's still ongoing. These things always take longer than you think they will, so no "after" pictures to show yet. But at least we're back to eating in the kitchen!

Northcott Fabrics came out with a line for the Winter Olympics to be held in Vancouver in 2010. The asked several Canadian pattern designers to come up with some ideas using the fabric. My version is called, "Winter Rings." It will be traveling the country with the other quilts and will be displayed in quilt shops over the next several months. The pattern will be available as well.

The next two weeks will be spent working with two other Canadian designers, preparing for our first "Quilts at Tanglebank Gardens" show, being held September 12 from 10-5. We hope that the wonderful sunny weather we've enjoyed this summer will continue till then. Come see us if you can!

And last, but not least, we celebrated my parents' 55th wedding anniversary.

So, our summer was more of a "staycation" but it was great, all the same.

Roses and strawberries and tea, oh deer!

Yesterday was sunny and warm and my friend Lois decided to invite a few friends over for tea and strawberry shortcake in her incredible garden. At last count, she has about 100 rose bushes and they were all in bloom. The scent was amazing.

First, she gave us a tour of the garden, naming every bush and telling us when it was planted.

Some were even growing up into the trees!

Then, we sipped tea and enjoyed the first local strawberries of the season.

I drove home all inspired only to find this guy in my back yard, happily munching on my one puny rose bush.

He's been a regular visitor to my garden the past few weeks, and has told his friends about us, which might explain why my roses have no blooms at all this year.

Heritage Home Tour

Yesterday I spent a wonderful morning touring some of the heritage homes in New Westminster, BC. Every year, different residents in this city open their homes to the public and we get to wander through some amazing rooms. Here's a sampling of the homes I visited this year.


I loved the soft colours and distressed furniture in this home.

Some of the gardens were pretty amazing too!

I love the colours of this house.

And this one.

The houses are all about 100 years old and many are designed in the craftsman style.

The wood work was incredible.

Love the stained glass windows and the high ceilings.

Pretty nice, hey?