November's dull days are upon us once again. We've had some record rainfall this month thanks to some Pineapple Express weather systems. Rita's beauty berry plan is just full of colourful berries. I wish that you could dry them and enjoy them the year around. The leaves are turning such pretty shades of red, orange and yellow.

It is amazing that this little maple seems to be holding onto it's leaves when all the other trees are bare.

The oak leaf hydrangea is getting a more vibrant red each time I photograph it.

This is a peeling bark maple, the leaves are such a pretty colour and shape, the bark is very interesting how it peels off.

I'm not sure when this guy showed up along our pond, but I think he is quite delightful. He looks so realistic.

I made this Crowdiddy bag last year at a retreat. I added the handle because my zipper wasn't quite long enough. You can see the original design at http://www.beecreativestudio.com/

check out the pattern section

The design inspired me to make this ladybug/platypus design from my friend Tricia's birthday. I had intended to shorten the face but she likes it as it is.

For her secret Santa gift last year I had made the needle case and mini pin cushion.

For our quilt show this year I created the crowdiddy inspired needle case and mini pin cushion.

Then I designed the pin cushion inspired by the colours I used on my crowdiddy bag.

Saturday I took a purse workshop with Agnes Rhim. She is one of our Fraser Valley guild members. She makes lovely purses. I managed to make both these bags in about 5 hours. I had quilted the large bag fabric prior to the class. The smaller one I quited during the workshop.

She has a Korean language blog at http://blog.naver.com/yhagnes I use the translate button to understand some of the messages. [ Sometimes the translation is a bit off.]

I like how each side of the bag is slightly different.

I don't know about you, but I hate trying to find something in a bag with a dark lining, so I made the inside of mine white!

Today we're having some more rain. Doesn't the beauty berry look lovely with the drops dripping of it?

These drops are almost bigger than the berries themselves!

The winter Kale looked like it was covered in crystals.

The skies were grey and dull, fortunately the rain was quite light and I didn't need to use my umbrella. The walkway can get quite slippery at this time of the year.

The roses are still hanging in. There are lots of bright coloured rose hips to be seen.

These red roses looked so pretty with the rain drops on them.

The pink winter flowering forsythia is starting to bloom.

Rain drops are everywhere you look.

These drops all have little images in them. I hope you can click on the picture and see it enlarged.

This maple tree is just outside on of our courtyard entrances. The last leaves just don't want to go yet.

This afternoon I went for a walk to enjoy the last rays of October and Hallowe'en. I've got my favourite quilt hanging and decorations celebrating the season. I designed this block from my friend Debbie's 50th birthday a few years ago, she adores Hallowe'en.

This Japanese maple tree is just outside of one of our doors, it is so small and delicate.

I like how the sun is catching this small tree, making it glow in the afternoon autumn sun.

This is the yellow witch hazel tree that I love to photograph, its leaves are almost a lemon yellow right now.

This leaf has such a pretty shape and the shadow it makes on itself makes it so interesting.

This set of condos have some lovely trees by their front doors.

Still hanging on for a few more days of autumn.

This beauty berry bush has such a lush colour of purple.

I adore the colours of red you see the leaves turn this time of year.

This oak leaf hydrangea is turning even more red than last week.

Another group of the same oak leaf hydrangea.

This is the red witch hazel tree.

The view along the river just outside my condo.

The ornamental cherry trees in our courtyard are changing colours every day, soon they will be bare for the winter.

Halloween is fast approaching. This wonderful witch was designed by my friend Karen Berry. She did a workshop with us at the beginning of October sharing some of her design techniques. You can see where some of her inspiration comes from colours in nature.This oak leaf hydrangea changes into such lovely colours of red, rust and brown.

We have several varieties of coleus along the gardens, their colours are quite spectacular in the fall sun.

Here is a slightly different colour way in the coleus.

The papyrus looks delicate against the blue sky.

These daisies always look so lovely. the colours so rich in the autumn sun.

This magenta grass is a favourite of mine.

The leaves of the witch hazel have wonderful veins and texture to them.

Another picture of the oak leaf hydrangea.

Quilts at Tanglebank Gardens on September 12, 2009...what a lovely day for a quilt show and what a gorgeous garden to explore. Three local Canadian designers; The Freckles Collection by Dougal Ann Walker, Quilted Excapes by Sue Jensen and Coutry Quilts by Cheryl Wall were featured. Also featured was the launch of the new Canadian magazine Quilter's Connection with Heather McArthur. Below are several quilts by the designers and a few of the many lovely plants featured in the garden. This one is called Cabin Fever by Cheryl Wall. Dougal Ann Walker designed this lovely Autumn Magic piece that combines stitchery and raw edge applique. I can't understand why I didn't photograph more of her work. I have several patterns waiting to be stitched. This one may have to be added to my collection. You can find her patterns at http://www.frecklescollection.com/

O Pumpkin Tree is a delightful whimsical look at one of my favourite holidays Halloween. Cheryl Wall is the designer of Country Quilts. It seems her patterns really appeal to me. Check out her patterns at http://www.countryquilts.ca/

Tired of Trickin"... the name says it all!

These pine cones covered in sparling sap caught my eye as we wandered through the gardens.

The colours of autumn are starting to arrive with the cooler nights.

Another one of Chery's designs!

May baskets are a delightful group.

Saltbox Seasons

When I first saw these rosehips I thought they looked like radishes!

Here is another view of the same plant with one of the roses in bud.

When The Cows Come Home.

Hollyhock Houses.

Come into my web said the spider to the fly...

What a pretty painted gate through a lovely hedge door.

Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of Sue Jensen's Quilted Escapes, please check out her website at http://www.quiltedescapes.net/ Also check out http://www.tanglebank.com if you get the chance.

Busy as a bee...how has your summer been? They say that bees are declining but I find I often managed to capture them in photographs when I'm taking pictures of flowers. [If you click on this picture it will enlarge.]This one has quite the challenge to get the pollen out of this trumpet shaped flower. [This picture doesn't enlarge.]

I watched this busy bee for awhile and was amazed how much pollen I could see on his back legs. [This one won't enlarge.]

Check out his right leg, look at the bulging yellow pouch! [This one will enlarge.]

Here is a bumble bee cousin. [This one will enlarge]

Another busy friend. [This one won't enlarge.]

Don't know what this guy was collecting on this leaf? [This one will enlarge.]

Another interesting exploration... [This one will enlarge.]

Hope you find some bees in your garden, where would we be without them?