New Pattern Release: At The Cove

This year as part of the 2024 Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Feestival, I have an exhibit entited “Quilts And Their Stories” at Mrs Pugsley’s Emporium. One of the stores I will be sharing is about a runner, “At The Cove.” Last fall I was contacted by author Barbara Emodi who was engaged in writing her latest novel when she was struck by a rather unique notion. This book, the 4th in the Gasper’s Cove mystery series, was to include her characters attending a series of workshops on a retreat weekend, where she has them make, among other things, a quilted table runner. She considered it might be fun if there was an actual pattern available in real life that could reference what the (imaginary) quilters were making, and wondered if I might have such a pattern. I didn’t…but I do now!

Barbara lives in Nova Scotia, and is a sewer with a great many books under her belt. The Gasper’s Cove Mystery books are published by C&T Publishing and have a wide readership. To say they are a fun read is an understatement; who doesn’t like a good “who dunnit”, especially when the main character is a sewer, and a Maritimer.

Having read the previous books in the series, I was happy to take on this delightful project. The parameters were that it be a simple runner, suitable for a beginner with not too much quilting or fuss, and one that might be finished up in a day. “At The Cove” features tiny appliquéd sailboats bobbing on the gentle whitecaps, and whales playfully waving their tails above the water. And of course, I photographed the runner on a beach, in a cove, in beautiful Five Islands, N.S.

The pattern is not included in the book, it is sold separately. The book Crafting A Getaway will be released on October 25, and the pattern will début at this year’s

Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival in Amherst. The runner will be on display during my exhibit Oct. 17 & 18 from 10-4, in the Clock Tower Building at 50 ictoria St E., Amherst, N.S. and the patterns will be available at my booth Saturday Oct 19 at the Zonta Fibre Arts Bazaar. You can ask for the book at your local quilt shop, or order it directly from my website.

Soley Cove Flowerpot

This "flowerpot" is located at Soley Town, a beautiful spot just at the base of Economy Mountain, N.S.  I took this picture a year or so ago and decided it would make a good project to stitch.  

Using the photograph as a guide, I traced around the main pieces in the photo and cut those from fabric.  The rest of the details (like the trees) were added using different weights of Aurifil thread. 

Mostly I stitched with 50 weight thread, but some 40 and 28 weight found their way in there as well.

It honestly hasn't turned out too far off, and I am pleased with the results.

Hubby and I went back to re-photograph the flower pot this spring, visiting again at low tide, and witnessed the might of the powerful Bay of Fundy tides.  Sadly, that lone tree extending at such a jaunty angle, has washed away over the winter.

We will get this one framed up and hang it in Five Islands. I think next on the list will be to try stitching the islands. 

Housekeeping

A note about comments...thank you to the visitor from Scotland who left  a note yesterday mentioning the similar names in our homelands.  Some will not realize that "Nova Scotia" is latin for New Scotland, and attests to the origins of many of our early settlers.  In French it's a bit more obvious: Nouvelle Écosse.  Some of my ancestors came from Paisley, Scotland and set up housekeeping here. 

Still on the topic of comments...I had long resisted putting word verification CAPTCHAs on the comment form as frankly, they frustrate the heck out of me when I have to figure them out on other sites. However, the spam comments piled up and up, sometimes as many as 60 /day and I finally gave in.   After a couple of complaints I took it off yesterday to try it out and immediately the spam started again.  I apologize, but the word verification is going back on.  If it's difficult for you, kindly email your thoughts and comments. 

The bees are busy getting their houses in order for the winter.  The mild weather has provided them relief from staying inside and they are out enjoying the sunshine.  There are not many blooms around for them to feed on (still some dandelions) so hubby has added feeders.  The tan coloured box on top of the hive on the right in this picture shows the feeder.  Basically it is a trough with a wire cage at one end.  Sugar syrup goes in the trough and trickles through the mesh where the bees can access it.  The mesh keeps the bees from getting into the bath of syrup and drowning.

You can see them crowding around to enjoy a sweet treat.  They are able to convert the sugar syrup into honey which they will eat during the long winter ahead.

When we remove the top covers to the hives, there are always lots of ladybugs who have gathered to find shelter.  They are separated from the bees so there is no interaction, they've just found a nice winter home in the hive lid.  Everyone needs a place to set up housekeeping.

Fibre Arts Festival Flurry

There's been lots of festival activity (which is where we get the term "festivity"!) going on lately, in preparation for the 5th big year. If you haven't checked the Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival blog in awhile, you may want to skip over there now. Joan Beswick has posted the first in a series of interviews with folks involved with the festival, beginning with Vera McInnis. The N.S. Fibre Arts Festival website has been completely redone making it mobile friendly, accessible by iPhone and iPad users.
The workshop lineup this year is impressive for the scope of disciplines included. Of particular interest to quilters are workshops which include A Maze Of Colour by Phyllis Cameron, Accidental Landscapes (a Karen Eckmeier technique) by Mary Farrow-Sinclair, Roundabout Again (New York Beauty quilt) by Karen Neary (me!), Crazy Quilt by Vera McInnis, Free Motion Embroidery with Kathy Tidswell and Cathedral Window Quilt by Phyllis Cameron. Registration details for these workshops as well as many others may be found on the website.
Yesterday I picked up the 500+ foundation sheets from the printers which will be used in my workshop. Packaging the kits will be my Labour Day labour.The Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival runs October 9-13, 2012 right here in Amherst.

Exposition Couvertes Piquees 2012, Saulnierville

Thanks for all the emails enquiring as to my whereabouts. I didn't fall off the ends of the earth (although hubby was a bit concerned I might topple off my dangerous shoes when we visited the very end of the province.) The days pass like whirlwinds; this is the longest break I've had from blogging since I started in 2007, so there's lots of catching up to do! The highlight of the past couple of weeks was undoubtedly the Exposition Couvertes Piquees at Sacre Coeur church in Saulnierville, Nova Scotia. The church is ENORMOUS.
I've been wanting to attend this show for several years; trust me, it was well worth the beautiful - but long - drive.
We were warmly greeted by friends Joan and Elaine, both members of La Guilde Acadienne de Clare. I have new appreciation for the journey they undertake each year to attend our Fibre Arts Festival.
Simone kindly escorted us up to the balcony so we could have an overview of the show. Spectacular! The light walls and many windows in this expansive space are a perfect venue to show off the colourful quilts. It was a wonderful sight; pure candy for a quilter's eye.
There was a feeling of awe looking out on the sanctuary.

Though the Guilde is fairly young, the quilting tradition in Clare is not and the needle workers are very accomplished.
One of my very favourites was this one, designed and made by Jeannette Comeau of Meteghan River. The ruched flowers are exquisite.
These are some of Joan's lovely quilts, this first a Kim Diehl design.

"Meadowsong" from our workshop a couple of years' back.

This stunner is made by Simone Cooper.
Another of Simone's, with beautiful hand quilting.
Elaine did this "cathedral windows" style...
...as well as this very pretty yellow and blue quilt.
Gaile Smith is another member of this Guilde who travels up to Fibre Arts Festival. Gaile had several lovely pieces in the show:


I loved these colourful spools done by Alice Oikle. What a great way to use up bits and pieces.
This appliquéd quilt entitled Roses and Ivy by Elise Saulnier reminds me of one my Gram made me for a wedding present many years ago.
Lots of hours went into this Postage Stamp quilt by Marguerite Melanson.
Claudette Dugas made a very pretty sailboat quilt alternating the pieced blocks with a lively dolphin print.
Regrettably I did not note the name of the maker of this very pretty sunflower runner.
One of my favourites was this Stained Glass coverlet made by Lennie Romain. There is a cathedral windows quilt on my bucket list, and I really like how the colours shine in this one and the blocks are just the right size to please my eye. Had this one not already been sold, it would have made its way home with me.
As you make your way back to the entrance, these three quilts greet you from the balcony. In all there were just under 200 quilts beautifully displayed.
This show is one of the best I've attended in terms of workmanship, variety, and display. It's going back on the calendar for next year.

Businessman Takes Stitch From N.S. Quilt

Thanks to my friend Sheila for sending along this post from our provincial newspaper, the Halifax Chronicle Herald. Worth a read!

Fibre Arts Festival 2012

The beautiful,brand new website for the Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival is up and the schedule of events is now posted. As it is the 5th anniversary of the festival, all kinds of special events are planned.

For my part, I will be offering a one day workshop on my Roundabout Again design.

If you would like a little help sewing curves, binding inside corners, and making bias binding for a New York Beauty type quilt this is the class for you. There are more details posted on this page of my website. As I am only offering the one class this year, I expect it to fill quickly so please don't hesitate to get your name in if you'd like to attend. It's going to be fun! More on this later...In the meantime, I encourage you to check out all the goodies the festival has to offer. It will run October 9th to 13th, right here in Amherst, Nova Scotia. Information will be updated regularly on the Festival blog, Facebook and Twitter pages so bookmark these links and check back often:

Website:http://www.fibreartsfestival.com/
Blog: http://nsfibre.blogspot.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fibreartsfestival
Twitter: www.twitter.com/nsfibrefestival

It's going to be great!

Mayflower Quilter's Retreat

I'm excited to say that I am going on a retreat!
The Mayflower Quilter's Guild of Nova Scotia (of which I am a member) has invited me to teach at their upcoming 2013 retreat. This will be their 14th retreat, held every-other-year at Pictou Lodge, N.S. Other teachers on the roster for this event are Cheryl Arkison from Calgary, Alberta and Penny Berens from Granville Beach, Nova Scotia. You can find more information and photos from past years on the retreat blog. Information on the workshops and the Independent Study option will be posted shortly. I understand from others who have attended this retreat that it is an incredible experience, and I can't wait to be part of it.

Hubby and I spent the first 5 years of our married life in beautiful Pictou County, living first in the town of Pictou and then in New Glasgow. It will be wonderful to be back. Perhaps I will see you there?

Sunday Sight Seeing

It was a beautiful day yesterday and I went for a drive with my friend Darlene. Guess where we went? :)
It really is eye catching to see these ironing boards repurposed into a colourful picket fence.

We explored a lot of backroads and came across this intriguing sign on a "Canada Post"(!) mailbox. As luck would have it, the creator of the want ad was present at the time so we exchanged a few pleasantries with him. Both Darlene and I thought it prudent to decline the position.

A trip home to Five Islands is always special. This is Pinnacle Island, and Pinnacle Rock to the right.

The Five Islands lighthouse in its new home.

In order... Moose, Diamond, Long, Egg and Pinnacle Islands.