Sunday 29 July 2012

Summer garden quilt

In April I started this 1600 quilt with Annette at the Cypress River Quilt Retreat. It is called 1600 because one you attach all the strips of fabric you should have 1600 inches in length. I used a jelly roll of fabrics called Dandilion Design.

I finally got the borders on last week, in between running to the hospital with Don and his kidney stone attacks.

I quilted it using modern quoting techniques by Angela Walters book. I planned it out on paper first. See the design.

Sunday 22 July 2012

Cypress River Fair

Local entries in the Cyprees River Fair quilting section were great. Get a look!
Centre - Red One Block Wonder with Grey Cubes by JoAnn.
Left - Crumb Quilt by me (Krista)
Lower left - 1600 Quilt by Annette


Centre - Bargello wall hanging by JoAnn
Right - Landscape by me
Extreme right - Pink Sunset Tree Silhouette by Georgette 
Lower left - Potted Posies by Yvonne
Blue White table runner by ?
Fractured Pictures by Yvonne
Vegie Table Topper by Annette

Kick Ass and Lily Festival

Wonderful combination! Material sale at Kick Ass in Plumus and a side trip to the Lily Festival in Neepawa with my great 'old' friend, Janet!

Pictures of some of our favorite quilts from the Tangled Threads Quilt Show and lilies from Lily Festival.
This is a guild quilt with squares made by different members.  White background material is constant.

Quilt as you go.

Variety of religious shawls.  Gorgeous and extremely creative! 

Contemporary quilt, using only three materials.  Great to show off large focal print. 



Bargello with maple leaves border.

Another great quild quilt.  Scrappy blocks with constant backgound and flying geese border.


Gorgeous Trip Around the World quilt.



JoAnn Quilts for a day

Here are a couple of photos of JoAnn's first quilt on the new Gammill. She has pieced a top in the Kaffeeklatsch Fassett style. Then she quilted it using a flower motif. Gorgeous!!

Two sisters enjoying their passion.

All coloured squares are made out of bright florals interrupted by diamond border of white batik fabric.

Latest Fibre Art

Finally had a chance to try out an idea that I had in mind - combing art quilting and needle felting with 3 dimensional artwork.

I started with a photo of crocuses I took this spring with Leah. I printed a large black and white copy of the photo and highlighted with black marker the flowers I wanted included in the design. Then I enlarged that part of the photo. This became the flower appliqué pattern.

I pieced together a background and appliquéd on four crocuses with fabric. The remaining crocuses I made by needle felting 3 dimensional crocuses. I think it is unique. What do you think?

Oops, I guess I need to rotate this one, but am technologically challenged.  Sorry.


Okay, right side up.

Tuesday 17 July 2012

Hoodoos

Drove to the Drumheller area to see the Hoodoos on Sunday. First we stopped at the suspension bridge. After exploring there we drove further down the rode and stopped at the Hoodoos. Interesting land formations.

Said goodbye to Daniel, Danielle and Olivier and began our long drive home to Manitoba!

Suspension bridge over the Red Deer River

Interesting Hoodoo formations


Don and I on top of a hill with Red Deer River behind us.

Danielle and I sitting on some 'toadstool' Hoodoos

Don and I in front of the Hoodoos


Rafting

A few of the Manitoba crew (Randy, Janine, Greg, Hermany, Doug, Linda, Quinton, Daniel, Don and I) decided to go white water rafting on Saturday, the first full day of no meetings for the guys.

We drove to Kananaskis where we were outfitted with wetsuits, water jackets, helmets, booties and life jackets. After a bit of instruction and stroke training we headed down the Kananaskis River. Beautiful views and tons of fun as we cruised down the river!!!

Stampede show

Friday was the last day of meetings. Many of the conference attendees traveled to the Stampede to enjoy events and the evening show.

Erin and I did more touring during the afternoon. We saw the animals - goats, sheep, etc for wool. We got to clean a chunk of sheered wool of the lanolin. Saw various crafts made out of the raw wool.

Toured the barns holding the Budweiser horses and the RCMP Musical Ride horses. The Bud Clydesdales are gorgeous, huge beasts!

The evening show began with chuck wagon races. It must take an incredible amount of time energy money and patience to be involved in this activity. The winner of that nights races won a brand new truck as well as cash. Interesting.

After the races a stage was pulled onto the track by a huge tractor and the entertainment began.

Trampoline show by two Parisians and one Canadian


Here they are 'climbing' the wall beside the trampoline.  Amazing!

100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede quilt

Lots of quilts on display.  Great to view from a distance, but too high to view up close.

The Budweiser Clydesdales harnesses.  Lots of silver to polish.

Bud, one of the Budweiser Clydesdales

Erin and I in front of the Budweiser beer wagon.


Monday 16 July 2012

Spouse Day

Thursday the spouses had a tour in the Calgary area. First, we traveled to The Saskatoon Farm. This multi-functioning farm has u-pick saskatoons, strawberries and asparagus; market garden veggies; nursery trees; restaurant and gift shop.  Lots to see, but what a ton of work!

After lunch at the farm we traveled to Spruce Meadows, world famous riding stable and arenas for show jumping. Interesting tour of the arena grass, horse barns, training ring and video editing studios.

Great day of touring followed by the awards banquet. Don and Daniel did a great job of announcing the awards!

Sculpture at Spruce Meadows

Front of restaurant and store at The Saskatoon Farm south of Calgary

View of the first Saskatoon u-pick trees planted at The Saskatoon Farm

Market garden vegies, some growing through landscaping cloth

On the jumping surface at Spruce Meadows

Cute sign in the greenhouses at The Saskatoon Farm

Training Ring at Spruce Meadows

Wednesday 11 July 2012

Lynnwood Ranch

BBQ hamburger supper at Lynnwood Ranch sponsored by SeCan There were some items auctioned off to support the children's program. Don bid on and bought a portable grain tester.

After supper two young girls entertained us with their trick riding. Very impressive!

Another wonderful day!
This young rider is only 9 years old!!

Never really could get a good photo of this girl as she was too fast!!  Amazing!!


Downtown Calgary

Stampede time really rocks downtown Calgary. On 8th street there are parades, square dancing, street performers and vendors. A blast just to people watch!

Angie and I had our photo taking with the RCMP moose. Bought some negative ion bracelets, that are supposed to balance out all the positive ions in our environment caused by cell phones, other wireless technology, etc. Had lunch at the ritzy Belvedere Hotel.


Square dancing on 8th Ave.  
Just join in with the regulars and you will be taught what to do.

Gorgeous clothing on aboriginal riders in parade

Angie and I enjoying the antics of the day with RCMP Moose.

Another beautifully bedecked aboriginal rider

Negative Ionizing bracelets  

Interesting architecture downtown Calgary

Tuesday 10 July 2012

Big Rock Brewery

Tour and supper at Big Rock Brewery tonight. Lots of laughs with Angie, Peter, Willheim, Petra and everyone.


Large vats for brewing beer


Cowgirl explaining process of making beer


Types of beer brewed by Big Rock


Our crazy table 




Don found an interesting exercise machine that is supposed to jiggle the fat off you. 
We all had to have a go at it!