The difference a week can make!

Summer has arrived this weekend just in time for Fraser fest.  Yesterday the bees were busy with all the sunshine and warm weather.

 A gentleman fishing along the Fraser.

 Our newly painted condo.

 Some very busy bees in amongst the Shasta Daisies.

 Today is the working boat parade.  I heard the horn of one of the boats and caught this picture off my balcony and then went down to the river.

They like coming up close and playing with the spectators.

 The small turquoise tug is flying a jolly roger and the paddle wheeler is taking folks out for a scenic trip.

 Another jolly roger, usually just one boat flies the pirate's flag.

 I wonder who is getting the wettest?

 A test of strength from two equal tugs.

 A view of the Pattulo bridge in the distance and the skytrain bridge for rapid transit in the foreground.  I caught a bit of the Samson VI paddle wheeler at the left.

 Still at it, who will give up?

Glad to have the sun shining and warmer weather finally upon us.

Summer in a westcoast rainforest

Yesterday I went for a walk in the rain...the question is what month is it?  July or November?  Yes it was July 16th but the rain was more typical of our November rainfalls.

 The Fraser River has been running very high due to the heavy snow pack we had last winter.

 Tugs have had a challenging time pulling barges up the river...they wiped out the swing span that is 100 years old across this stretch.  It has taken time to clear the barge, it's load and not take the span away for repair.  The trains have been silent for quite a stretch.

 But the succulents are enjoying the wetter cooler weather.

 Their flowers are almost neon in colour and so delicate.

 The fine hairs help hold the droplets.

 I love the colour of this flowering tree.

 This peony is a bit worse for wear, it's outer petals have fallen revealing a feathery centre.

 The marigolds are enjoying the wet days.

 What a lovely contrast of colours.

Here's hoping to some warmer, summer weather soon!

Update on Debbie's Wool Crazy Pincushion

Hi, remember the friends that did the wool crazy round robin with me last fall?  Well Debbie has finished off the piece that you last saw below.

 She decided to remove some of the buttons that she had originally on her piece and add some wool work.  She then made it into a very large pincushion that she stuffed with fiber fill and then around the outside crushed walnut shells to make it not too heavy.

 Here is a closer look at her section.

 Ethel did the witch on the broomstick.

 Sandi did the witch's boot with candy corn, crow and spider.

I added the skeleton tree, black cat along with the crescent moon pumpkin.  It is a lovely piece that I'm sure she will enjoy for many years to come.

Nice to see the finished project Debbie!

Longest day of the year, first day of Summer

I took this photo in Moses Lake Washington on Saturday, I think it says it all.  Enjoy the fun times this summer!

Mary Lou Weidman retreat days 4 and 5

At the end of day four Sandy from Davis California had almost finished all her hoochy mama blocks for her frame.  She is using 1930's fabrics to honour her grandmother's memory.  She was a traditional piecer and Sandy likes to try things "Out of the Box.

 Sandy from Bozeman Wyoming is working on finishing her blocks after approximating how big her centre block will be.

 Lynette has a great start her frame.  Notice how she used her flying geese to make a flower stem!

 Dawn from California has a wonderful whimsical piece happening!

 Lissa has all her blocks ready to sew together.

 Sue from Idaho is having fun making hoochy corn, Idaho potatoes and hoochy mama blocks.

 Nancy from Newport Oregon has turned her flying geese into a forest!

 Dawn from California, what a lovely lady to meet, she is part of Mary Lou's yahoo group I belong with and participated in the bird swap.

 Sue from Idaho make some lovely glass beads, sorry I forgot to take a picture.

 Sandy from Davis, California another member of our yahoo group and bird swap.

 Wendy has been a close friend of Sandy's for almost 30 years.

 Heather owns the Charm Shack in Oregon and Val teaches for her and they were both at the retreat last year.

 Lynette from Redding California owns a new shop called Wild Iris. Doesn't she have a great smile?

 Our friend teacher and inspiration Mary Lou Weidman with a bowl of cherries!

 Wendy was our amazing chef and also offered words of encouragement and suggestion when we were stumped for ideas.

 Our merry group under the rainy skies of Post Falls with tiaras and smiles saying good-bye to Nancy in the white jacket who had to leave us early.

 After sketching my idea and getting a few suggestions from Mary Lou I got it enlarged and looked to see how it would work with my blocks.  Now to get everything to fit together and decide on the centre and borders.

 Sandy got her top together and started to work on her story sketch.

 Val started working on a second story quilt depicting her empty nest.

 Aija's fabric choices are coming along nicely.  Notice the sailing ship she has added under the palm.

 Every day Mary Lou gathers us together and sparks some ideas and creativity.  Here she presented us with three drawings.  We started with the lady in the centre then the rabbit and then the cowgirl.  Our goals were cut out the images without drawing them first.

 Here are our efforts.  Interesting to see what we accomplished!

A bit closer looked at the rabbits.  Some have a few interesting additions to design!

 And finally the cowgirls.  Not too bad! 

 This is Val's first story quilt of when she became engaged.  Under the drawing was a much smaller version that she has already appliqued.  She is going to redo the piece with the larger image.

 Aija\s piece with a new design detail, the sailing ship has become a cruise ship!

 Dawn's master pattern for reference for her applique.

 Dawn's needle turned applique is coming along nicely.  Love the colours in the hat.

 Sandy from Davis is going to applique the birds to her background and then add some details to bring them all together.

 My top is together awaiting some applique.

 Sandy from Wyoming standing beside her top ready for applique.

 Lynnette has a big question mark as to what her story will be.  Love the inner border.

 Oops! Aija decided to change the colour of her palm leaves.  Thank goodness for her fellow quilters for some new fabric choices.

 Dawn's progress by day's end.  Well done!  Ready to fly back to California.

 Sandy's son holding the WCU banner from the Duomo in Florence.  She is below with her scarf blowing in the wind.  Later her husband was added holding the camera and taking the picture from an adjacent bell tower.

 Lissa standing beside her self portrait

 Wendy is piecing the blocks and then her friend Sandy will do the applique in the centre to gift a friend of theirs.  Sounds like it will be a fun piece.

 Sue standing with her blocks, love the striped evergreen she designed.  They will frame a story about her family and their home.

 Three Sandi/Sandys and a Mary Lou!

 Sorry to say that's the end, time for a road trip home.  Now to prep the applique and start stitching.

Thanks to everyone that made this a lovely retreat, to everyone for all our fun fairy gifts.  Laurie thank you for some wonderful food and Mary Lou a great big thank you for all your guidance and encouragement, wit and wisdom.  Hope to be here next year.