Afternoon Tea by The Sea: Table Arrangements

The Mahone Quilt Guild's, Afternoon Tea by The Sea with Extraordinary Quilter, Elaine Quehl, was a great success. We had lots of lovely compliments on the event. One of the highlights were the table arrangements put together by Beth Lawrence and Linda MacDonald. They decided in February, to take on this project. Last Wednesday morning (May22), they came with boxes of wrapped teapots, cake trivets and cups/saucers. Here's the results!  The pincushions were drawn for from the signed tickets and found new homes. 

The back of one above

 This centerpiece was on the table as visitors came in the door.

Great job ladies!
The event couldn't have happened without the many volunteers who signed up to do the various jobs listed and to those ladies who answered my many questions, gave advice, offered recommendations and donated their time to meet with me - you are all very special people. Thanks!!

Afternoon Tea by The Sea

For the last couple of months, I have been organizing the Mahone Bay Quilt Guild's 'Afternoon Tea by The Sea'.  For years, the guild has been having dessert parties, held in the evening. This year, they voted to have an afternoon tea with sandwiches and sweets. Of course, there is always a special guest.

The guild invites an 'Extraordinary Guest Quilter' to give workshops and have a presentation and trunk show. This year, Elaine Quehl, quilt artist, teacher, dyer and designer, from Ottawa, is our special guest. Elaine will be hosted by a guild member, taken to visit local businesses and introduced to the South Shore of Nova Scotia. Besides her presentation of work, Elaine is also bringing some of her patterns and hand dyed fabrics to sell. We look forward to her workshops on Thursday to Saturday.

Having moved to Nova Scotia a year last October, and been a new guild member, I felt that by volunteering to do this job, I would get to know the ladies in the guild. That has certainly happened as I'm working with a bunch of very friendly, helpful 'gals'! No one is too busy to answer questions or to meet with me to discuss procedures etc. Emails have been flying this week! I thank everyone very much.

Lots of ladies stepped up to volunteer for jobs: from getting donations from shops for gifts, working in the kitchen, greeting visitors, sending out memos, taking photographs, getting husbands to help out, making surprise table displays, setting up the tables, making sandwiches and sweets . . . the list goes on! Once everything is ready for the sit down tea, the quilters take their seats as their job is done and the Legion Ladies take over.

Stay tuned for an update on Wednesday's event!
 

Lots of gifts. The blue bag is full too!!!

Making Waves

Last evening was the opening of my daughter, Jill Cooper's, art exhibit at the DesBrisay Museum, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.

Making Waves - Jill's Artist Statement 

 I grew up on the edge of a fierce ocean. A turbulent, gobble you up in its cold expanse, ocean. Even with their dangers, these rough waters would sparkle, dance in the sun, and entice my 10 year-old self to join them barefoot on the rocky shore, despite the way it instantly numbed my feet from cold, even in the peak of summer. I couldn't stay away.

I'd perch on the shore with my notebooks, filled with cartoon sketches of my versions of Betty and Veronica, my head filled with National Geographic  Articles, and my ocean horizon spoke of possibilities; escape, change, and adventure. A windy, undulating expanse that led to new worlds far away from out tiny fishing village. I found freedom in the sea foam.

It was at the intersection of stone, sea, and sky that the seeds of my obsession to capture waves and women were planted. For me, seeing the connection between women and water was as clear as a blue sky. It's no surprise that these experiences led me to paint a series that reveals their spirits.

Bright and strong. Deep and powerful. Wild and unrelenting. Beautiful and mighty.

Are these features the water or the women? Both, of course.

There is something magical about blending paint so that it captures the translucent aqua of the sun streaked waves, a perfect glint in the eye of a woman who's gaze speaks volumes, and reveals the same energy shining forth from each of them. More than once, while creating this series of amazing women and natural beauty, I've felt the resonance between the two and it has deepened my gratitude for both, while filling me with excitement for the future. Just like those days as a barefoot girl standing in front of an endless ocean.

We are very proud of you, Jill!