On The Road Again to California.

Started the Victoria Day weekend by sitting in a line up to cross the border for and hour and a half.  Got down to Portland in time to check out Pioneer Quilts.  I found this lovely shop on my last trip down south and will make it a regular place to visit.  They are located 12117 S.E. Stevens Cr.  In Happy Valey Oregon www.PioneerQuiltShop.com If you are on the 205 take the Sunnyside Road and turn on Stevens Cr.

 Once inside you are hit with a lot of colour and design choices.

 They have a lovely cotton and wool selection to choose from. I've got the Primitive Garden pattern and am collecting wools to start making my variation of this lovely quilt.

They have some of Sue Spargo's books and a collection of lovely hand dyed wools to choose from.

 So many choices, how does one make a decision?

 Primitive folk art designs.

 Fun pin cushions.

 Whimsical designs to take a class or two.

 The plate of cookies became a tea party for a young girl visiting with her mom one day.

We also went to Fabric Depot where they had one of their sales on and got some fun fabrics and trims.

 On Sundays quilt shops are not open in Oregon so I missed visiting several shops that I enjoy.  In Springfield we went off to visit At Ruth B's antique shop only to find that they had closed their doors!  Something to Crow About also was closed for the day.

Next stop was Chico California where we found that Honey Run Quilts had closed!  We went down the block to The Rabbit Hole  http://www.rabbitholequiltshop.com/ at 2697 Esplanade where they told us that Honey Run had moved in with Cathy's Sew & Vac 2418 Cohasset Road.  They have 2000 square feet in their new location.  Sorry no pictures of either Chico store.

In Bakersfield Strawberry Patches has moved into a bright new shop just across the parking lot from their old store.  They are located at 6439 Ming Ave. Suite C. http://www.strawberry-patches.com/
Note their old address is on their website.

 Take a peek in through the window, how cute is that strawberry purse!

 The new location has higher ceilings and nice lighting.

 Lots of space.

 I like the use of the old signage.

 Patterns and notions in this corner.

A tray of sweets for all to enjoy.                                                                                                         

 Some more notions and buttons.

 Lovely displays.

 Antique sewing machine high up!

 Love those tin baskets and child's ironing board.

 A new project being worked on.

Next stop was Temecula, stay tuned.

Happy Mother's Day!

I took this photo of my mom last year when we visited Hawaii.

 Here is another favourite photo from that trip.  We love going on vacation together.

 Last weekend we did some exploring around the city and enjoyed the flowers and sunshine.

 Peonies always remind me of my mom for some reason.

 Tulips are a reminder of her Dutch heritage.

 Blue bells remind me of my trip to Rotterdam and the birthplace of my mom's mother Neltje.

 Lady birds or lady bugs, nurturers of the garden always a welcome site.

Enjoy your day with your loved ones.

The Cloth Shop, Granville Island, Polka Dots and Flowers.

My favourite quilt shop where I took my first classes has moved after more than 25 years in the same location.  They are now located down on Granville Island in Vancouver B.C.

 Follow the signs and they are easily found at 1551 Johnston Road on the island.

 Maria and Barbara welcome you to their new shop.

 They are having fun decorating it and the doors had just opened a few minutes earlier.

 The shop is full of colourful fabrics and helpful books.

 Their fat quarter wagon is tucked into a natural light corner.

Love the light blue walls with the cream and white accents.

 Check out the displays high above you, love the lamb.

 Kaffe Fasset has come and taught at their shop several times and they have a lovely display of his books and fabrics.

 Sharing a smile and a few words with their customers, still setting up displays.

 Around the corner is the large Public Market with lots of fresh vegetables for purchase.

 Lots of fresh local seafood.

 Lots of berries waiting to be taken home.

 Tarts from Stuarts Bakery if you are too lazy to make your own.

 Lots of vendors with wares for sale.  These are Pots & Panzies by Nellie Vlaar; I love all the polka dots with black white and strong clear colours.

 Crows and Scottie dogs, two of my favourites.

 Tea for one?

 Great serving bowls and unique designs.  Check out her website at www.gidva.org  Next time I visit something will be coming home with me!

 Love the signage around the market.

 The Salmon Shop is one of the original vendors along with Duso's Italian foods.

 My on line Mary Lou Weidman group is doing a polka dot teacup exhange.  Here are some of my inspiration.

 Two more with the reverse theme.

 I couldn't pick just one colour so I decided to make mine rainbowed coloured.

 Hints of strawberry teas to be happening soon.

 Poppy buds ready to break forth into bloom.

 Here is a yellow one!

 The Fraser River is tidal, here is a sand bar in front of my condo.

 The tulips are on their last days.

 Look at all the colours.

 Yellow and pink almost look like feathers.

 The classic tulip shape with a splash of red.

 Peonies in full bloom already, with more promising buds.

Enjoy your Sunday!