Botany Inspired Stitches along with the real thing!

Yesterday morning I headed into Vancouver for a couple of reasons and after a harried drive in a wind and rainstorm I decided to reward myself with a brief visit to Van Dusen Gardens for a display by the Fraser Valley Quilters' called Botany Inspired Stitches on display until April 3rd.  Outside they have some vials filled with current blooms in the garden.  Some lovely white Japanese Quince.

 A favourite, Forget Me Nots.

 Lungwort.

 Sorry forgot this one but it is abundant along the quay each year.

 On the doors leading to the garden entry.

 Perfect.

 I got there a bit early and had to wait until the doors were opened to this lovely display by guild members.

 The room isn't large but has lots to see.

 It is very nicely lit.

 Fantasy in Green by Beth Laugessen.

 Sorry I forgot to photograph the label on this next one of a tree on the edge.

 West Coast Nostalgia by Mary-Lou Wightman, I have pictures of this as a work in progress during the Susan Teece class we took.

 Once Upon a Lily Pad by Dianne Matier, a favourite photograph on some favourite green fabric splashed with black ink to represent the water.

 These three were all done by Val Smith.  Left to right they are Little Jewels in my Garden.  Asian Garden and Cherry Blossoms and other Delights.

 Oriental Serenity by Robin Fischer hand painted and inspired by various photographs.

 Glorious Nasturtiums by Judy Leslie.  Hand dyed silks by Judy.

 Top Remembering by Judy Leslie honouring the last gift given to her by her mother-in-law, hand painted and heavily machine quilted.  Also by Judy Orchid Splendor inked, painted and machine embroidered the orchids before machine appliqueing them to the background.

 Sprig of Leaves by Nancy Chan.  Class taken from Judy Leslie called Adding the 3rd Dimension.

 Majestic Beauties by Wilma Brock from the Susan Teece workshop, the background is hand painted.

 Real Gold by Judy Leslie, I believe this one is painted.

 Leaves by Lynne Fanthorpe, she also made one to commemorate and donate to the Harrison Hot Springs Hotel and Spa for our 10th anniversary of our retreats held there in October.

 Honey by Fumiko Naguchi, inspired by Japanese taupe quilts.

 Detail of the above quilt.

 Fall Foliage by Susan Penty a pattern by Gloria Loughman.

 Spring by Robin Fischer was designed for a guild challenge.  Machine quilted and appliqued, the butterfly was thread sketched and applied later.

 On the way out a few more of the floral display.  Larch blossoms.

 Camilla rose.

 Bleeding heart...can't recall the whole name.

As I left the parking lot of the gardens I saw this lovely magnolia blowing in the wind and rain.

 Please go and check out the quilts at Van Dusen Gardens, but choose a better day and enjoy the gardens while you are there.

Some Whimsy and some amazing art quilts

Eloise Joins the Circus by Janet Fogg, I love Janet's quilts and love the whimsy she adds to them.

 Remember the Ladies by Connie Harris Farrington.

 Trish and Tweety by Wendy Butler Berns.

 Out of the Box by Dorothy York.

 Artist created hand dyes, batiks, discharge overdyeing, fusing, machine quilting and hand quilting.

 Sitting Duck by Trish Nichols.

 Frame of Mind by Flora Joy...Jackie Kennedy at first glance..

 ...Oprah Winfrey on second glance...

 ...Mother Teresa on last glance

 The Water Boy by Marilyn Wall.

 Prelude to Winter by Beth Porter Johnson.

 Umbrellas in the City by Terri Krysan.

 Source of Life by Hollis Chatelain.

 Healing Waters by Hollis Chatelain.

 I think her details are amazing no wonder she was a prize winner.

 Left, The Birds dropped a Sunflower see by Mary Ann Vaca-Lambert.  Right, Dazzling Dahlia by Andrea Brokenshire.

 Details, hand painted, hand beaded thread sketching, echo quilting and free-motion quilting.

 Hand painted, fused applique turned edged on confetti background.  Unmarked free motion quilted and thread painted.

 Arizona Starry Night by Alicia Sterna.

 Small pieces were lightly glued and then covered with tulle and secured with quilting

 Yellow Mellow in Paradise by Andrea Brokenshire.  Hand painted fused applique turned edge on confetti style background, unmarked free motion quilting and thread painting.

 Swoop by Terry Aske.  Inspired by a photo of the Skytrain over the Fraser River in New Westminster.

 Mated for Life by Sally G. Wright.  Fused raw edge applique, painted free motion quilted couched.

 Red Sunflower by Susan Bianchi based on a photo take by her husband.

 Hand sewn buttons and beads on wholecloth quilt, machine quilted couched binding.

 Rhythm and Roses by Karen Eckmeier.

Her topstitch-piecing techniques, couching, and hand beading.