Friday 24 January 2014

Thanks to Vicki at 2 Bags Full for hosting this Grow Your Blog Hop.
2 Bags Full
I'm Sandi and live along the Fraser River Quay in New Westminster B.C. Canada.  This is the lovely view I enjoy each evening in all sorts of weather. 
 Walking upriver to the River Market you can see the Golden Ears Mountains and several bridges crossing over the Fraser.
 I love to travel and this past year I decided to retire early and set off in late April to head to California, Pacific Grove was my target.  Along the way I enjoyed the view of Mount Shasta.
 Found a Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt to take home with me.
 It has an interesting backing that was pieced.
 At Back Porch Fabrics I went to the Mary Lou Weidman, Mel McFarland Cow Parade.
 At Mary Lou's retreat in Idaho in June I shared my Road Trip story quilt top.  That is my mom riding shotgun as we head through the mountains, deserts, and coastlines on many an adventure.
 Some of the fairy gifts I received while on retreat and a flamingo mascot.
 Fabrics for a basket swap.
 Heading back home towards the Cascade Mountains.
 In June I headed back through eastern Washington again.
 Quilt shops are a favourite driving break stop.
 Crazy Horse Monument under construction.
 Mt. Rushmore.
 The Corn Palace in Mitchell.
 ChiCOWgo for another cow parade.
 A visit to St. Charles and the Fox River this one is made of recycled bicycle parts.
 Guardians of the river.
 Back across the mid-west heading home...
 Interesting sights to see.
 On our way to Yellowstone National Park.
 Mineral pools and blue skies.
 Old Faithful.
 Wildlife, wolves..
 Buffalo...
 Elk.
 July 1st Canada Day.
 Blogging friend Anna in Sister Oregon.
 Sisters Quilt Show.
 Wool leaves prepped for Sue Spargo class...the first day.
 Silk velvet, bead work and drizzle stitch.
 Sue giving her lecture and show and tell.
 Flower and watering can swaps.
 Another quilt show...MOO-ston...err Houston.   Have you figured out which one is mine?
 The view from above.
 Some of my Friday Quilting group decked out for Christmas dinner.
 The rest of the group.
 Fabricana is a local fabric store that has not only home decorating and clothing supplies it has a lovely selection of quilt fabrics including the Cantik Batik line of batik fabrics from Canada.
 As you can see this is a large two storied shop with lovely lighting.
 They have an extensive supply of all kinds of notions, there are another mirrored display of thread to the back of the ones you see here.  Zippers, trim, ribbon, needles...so many choices.
 The closest Quilt shop to my home is just up the hill at The Needle and I Quilt Shop
 I love how Debbie has some of her Cantik Batiks displayed in an old crib.
 I caught Debbie chatting with a customer and another clerk sharing a smile.
 She also offers long arm quilting along with selling domestic sewing machines.
 Some great quilt tops on display.
 Today my Friday group met at Darlene's for some hand stitching.
 Mary has a bright top that she is going to hand quilt also.
 Betty brought a lovely Kokopelli wall hanging she designed.  The background was pieced during a workshop with Judy Farrow.
 Betty didn't want her picture but this one was done in a class with Pippa Moore.
 Darlene made this top of Asian scraps.
 She also cut up a panel that she sashed to make a larger top.
 Here is on of her beautiful paper pieced Judy Niemeyer quilts.
 Three more of Darlene's draped over the chair.
 My next project fabric choices for another on line Mary Lou Weidman swap...stay tuned.
Many Thanks once again Vicki at 2 Bags Full.
                                         2 Bags Full

18 comments:

dortha said...

It sounds like there will be no boring in your retirement. I enjoyed the pictures and the post.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

You are on a constant GO - love all the photos and quilt pieces.

Wendy @ Wendysquiltsandmore said...

I love the photos, and the Sue Spargo designs. Your life sounds full and happy.

Patty Sumner said...

Hey Sandi! I am one of Vicki's helpers today.. Just dropping by and checking out the "Grow your blog" party folks.. Great job! What an interesting retirement....I always have admired anyone who can sew especially quilt.. blessings!

Wendy @ Wendysquiltsandmore said...

I love the photos, and the Sue Spargo designs. Your life sounds full and happy.

Unknown said...

Enjoyed all your photos!
Life is good...especially for us quilters!
~karen

barbara woods said...

hi i am a new quilting follower

Donna Heber said...

Hi Sandi,

I'm visiting from the Grow Your Blog party. It is nice to meet you. Thanks for sharing your talent and all your pretty fabrics with us. I plan to look around a bit more and then be on my way to visit the others. I do hope you will stop by for a visit and enter my giveaway. Have a wonderful weekend! Hugs – Donna

Unknown said...

Hi Sandi! So glad I hopped over from the MLW group. I'm putting your blog on my Bloglovin' roll! Beth @ Words & Stitches.

The little book of Nessie said...

Your Road Trip quilt top looks great. Enjoyed visiting your blog. Regards, Nessie

liniecat said...

A fabulous interesting post, Ireally enjoyed it!

Sowing Stitches said...

Wow! So much to see!!! I had a pleasure visiting your blog today!!

Maree in NC ☺ said...

Love your photos, Sandi! Thanks for sharing so many fun parts of your life! ☺

Sarah and Dan said...

Man, that's a lot of places and a lot of projects!

Judy Cooper Textile Artist said...

Greetings from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. No spring here yet!!! It's gently snowing at the moment. Lovely photos - at a glance, I saw a face in the one about Old Faithful. I had to go back & check - I still saw it! The weather must be getting to me!

Thistle Cove Farm said...

oh goodness, I have a fabric habit as well -lol-. visiting via Vicki's GYBP and enjoying your blog.

macmillanmarie said...

Your photos are amazing. Such a nice reminder of your trips. Thanks for sharing. Nice to meet you and have a chance to read your blog. Happy hopping!

Tisha Dolton said...

Thanks for sharing your story & blog. I'm still, slowly, making my way through the list of blogs. Love the roadtrip quilt!

aprilsongstress (embroidery blog in the 1st set on the list)