Friday, August 29, 2014

Wonky Houses - It's Finished

I hope everyone has a great Labour Day weekend! We will be exploring the Cabot Trail here in Nova Scotia so I hope to get some great photos.

As promised, here is the finished "Wonky Houses" Advent Calendar wall hanging I made for my granddaughter who lives in Chicago. I waited until I got to Chicago to finish the piece with her. She had fun with all the buttons and then showed me where to sew them. We have a video of that so she can see us working on it when she's a big girl. One thing I forgot to do was put gold lame behind the candles on the tree. Guess it won't get done this year. Maybe sometime in the future but it really doesn't matter, she likes it as it is!

Enjoy!








Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Avonport Discount Centre Fabrics

I discovered a great quilt shop at Avonport, NS called Avonport Discount Centre Fabrics. Several of my quilting friends mentioned this quilt shop to me several years ago but I had forgotten about it. It is quite close to where we are staying so that is a plus. As I pulled up to the building, I noticed a large tool shop next door. Very convenient for those husbands who sometimes tag along.

The staff was very friendly and helpful. I explained who I was and a bit about my art work, web site and blog. As a result, I was given permission to take as many photos as I wanted.

Shopping carts are near the door for your convenience. I didn't bother to take one as I figured I wasn't going to get that much. Boy, was I wrong!

This shop has everything a quilter needs! The fabrics, books and patterns are fabulous with reasonable prices. It was hard to make a decision!

Quilters visiting Nova Scotia, this is a shop to visit!

Have a look!

















Tuesday, August 26, 2014

The Valley

I can't believe it's been over a week since I last blogged! It has been a busy time here in Nova Scotia. We are about a 30 minute drive from Lower Sackville and another 20 minutes to downtown Halifax and in another direction, 30 minutes to Avonport for a fabulous quilt shop (more on that later).
 
Our motor home is looking down into the valley. From here, I can see horses across the way, green fields, tall trees and farm houses. Everything was so green and peaceful that Sunday, I decided to take some photos. I walked through the garden and along a small path. Much to my regret, I got eaten alive by black flies. I got quite a reaction to the bites and today is the first time that they don't itch! However, I did get a few photos! In fact, I can see some potential stitching and maybe a landscape. Enjoy.





Sunday, August 17, 2014

Recent Purchases

Here's a few of my purchases from my recent quilt shop treks.
  • I couldn't resist getting  more variegated greens for making lots of foliage on organza.
  • I have a project in mind for the stripes and dots.
  • Wool roving called out to me. It's hard to tell, but the various colours are wonderful!
  • Who can't resist metallic cottons.
  • More threads but this time for the embroidery machines.
The photo needs to be rotated but my internet connection is slow!! I won't tamper with it. With my luck, I'd lose all the photos and have to start from scratch. Ask me how I know that!!!

Enjoy!




Saturday, August 16, 2014

Knitting

I knit my way to Chicago and finished this sweater while there. It's sized 4T. The yarn was easy to knit up. The pattern is SRK 74 Bobble & Lace Trim Pullover using Marble yarn.


Thursday, August 14, 2014

Stuff Happens!

I just realized that I posted the last two posts about the Bristol Renaissance Faire in the wrong order! Oh, well . . .! What can I say! Stuff happens. We just got back from Chicago after saying our good byes to family for another year.  We leave for points east tomorrow. Hoping to spend the weekend in Toronto.

Bristol Renaissance Faire

This is the second year that I've attended the Bristol Renaissance Faire in Michigan. It was a very hot, sunny day. Many of the vendors and food stalls were the same as before but there were some new ones.
 
I was amazed at the different coloured leather skins that were available at a stall I didn't see last year. Anyone working with leather certainly had their pick of colours as well as natural coloured ones.

I loved the miniature fairy village (it wasn't there last year either). The photos don't do justice to the details on the pieces. Speaking of fairies, I got photos of three fairies this year. My little granddaughter was smitten by them. She's the little rag-a-muffin pictured below.

Enjoy!









Wednesday, August 13, 2014

More Photos

Here are a few more photos from the Bristol Renaissance Faire. There were embroiderers stitching at various stations during the faire. The various costumes been worn and those on display, were heavily embroidered as well.

Enjoy!

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Tuesday, August 12, 2014

More Photos from Quilters Quest

As promised, here are a few more photos from Quilters Quest, IL. The long arm machine was in operation while I was there. I had a nice chat with Long-Arm Bob. He told me there are about 57 more quilts waiting to be stitched on this machine.

I was interested in the African Folk Art Embroidery but most of the patterns were sold. I just loved the two pictured below. They are available directly from the site above.
Enjoy