Journaling, Fibre Arts Network and Valentines Top

Back in 2001 I decided I would try and journal about my quilting experiences.  

 I wrote down in January what goals I hoped to keep in this book and until June 2013 I managed to do this monthly making notes of what classes I took, new techniques.  Travels I took that involved quilting, new quilting friends etc.

 On January 31 I found the journal again and decided to start it again.  My friend Anna from Woolie Mammoth shared her keeping goals on a white board and recently decided to also keep a journal.  But she is thinking of doing it more on a daily basis, I'm doing it monthly but with occasional new entries.

 I shared that while at Lorna's I saw some friends and later that evening one called to say they had gone to the Fibre Art Network show at Van Dusen Garden.  Rita and I had forgotten about it and had headed down to Granville Island instead.  So Sunday I decided it would be a nice outing to take my mom to see.  Ironically we ran into Lorna and her mom; they had just finished seeing it.  Here are some overview pictures of the show.

 The FAN is a group of west coast Canadian and American quilt artist and youcan visit their website here for more information about their journey and many shows.

 Last year the garden had a show in March featuring some of our Fraser Valley Quilters' Guild members here.

 Several of those artist and some more I recognized from the lower mainland participated this time.

 All the pieces were the same size in either the portrait or landscape orientation.

 This is a free exhibit found in a gallery adjacent to where you enter to view the gardens.

 We were still in the midst of our heavy snow and viewing the garden was not a great choice on that day.

 There were some spectacular pieces hung for viewing.

 Some photographic in their style and others more representative.

 Some were dimensional and other visually textural.

 This piece was done by Robin Fischer a member of my guild.

 Terry Aske.

 Janet Archibald.

 Former member Patt Wilson

Leslie Forbes from Lion's Gate Quilters.

 Mardel Rempell another former member and part of the 100 Braid St. New Westminster Cultural Crawl show I attended.

 Unfortunately I don't recall many of the names and I had hoped that the signage would be more legible.

 Marianne Parsons.

 Judy Leslie.

 Emilie Belak.

 Susan Jensen.

 Vivien Kaputo.

 Valentine's Day I felt like I was getting a cold and flue so I didn't go to my guild meeting.  Later in the day I started feeling better and decided to add some borders to my Hoochy Heart swap quilt.  It now measures 43" x 52" and is ready to be sandwiched and quilted.

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.