We just got home from two weeks in Calgary, Alberta where we were visiting family. We had lots of fun and went to lots of interesting places. This post has lots of pictures of our trip as well as the sewing I have done in the last three weeks. I will start with some progress on my hand quilting of the round robin quilt. I'm just figuring it out as I go along and will go back to quilt the blue border as well as the outer green border when I feel inspired.
I started a new fall cross stitch project on our trip. The pattern is Autumn Bird by Satsuma Street. I like to do a bit of this colour and then a bit of that colour as I stitch.
I went to one quilt store in Canmore and purchased these four fat quarters, all with a Canadian theme. I really like the touques on the birds!
While out for a walk along the river, we discovered some interesting art made with marbles. You could only see the picture they made when the sun was shining from behind.
I also caught a picture of an Osprey landing on its nest on top of a public art installation on St. Patrick Island.
We went for a short hike at Big Hill Springs Provincial Park near Cochrane.
Who doesn't love a happy barn?
A real sunflower and an art installation in a reading garden.
I'm always on the lookout for Quilty inspiration...
Fishing, anyone???
This is the best bathroom art I have ever seen! It was at the SAM centre (Calgary Stampede Museum). Yes, those are toilets in the background...
We also spent a day at the Calgary Zoo where my favourite animals were the penguins.
These little birds weave their nests with grasses.
We took a trip to the badlands where we saw lots of Hoodoos.
I took last year's fall cross stitch project in to be framed before we went away and it should be ready soon. Here is the frame I picked out.
Also, before we went away, I finished met Rainbow Scrap Challenge 9 patch quilt. It's all ready for show and tell at our September Guild meeting.
What would a blogpost be without a picture of Finn the granddog??? He just got his hair cut this week. (I saw this mat outside a store in Calgary...)
I will link up with Kathy and the Slow Sunday Stitchers, Frederique, and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge folks as well.
Your trip looks like it was great, Gail! I love that badlands landscape - it's so fascinating. Lots of interesting artwork, too! That metal sunflower is my favorite. That's a pretty leaf you're stitching in the new cross-stitch design, and your RSC 9 patch quilt is beautiful! Did Finn and your daughter go on your trip with you? Enjoy your quilting and cross-stitch this weekend!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a great time away. Your photos are always interesting! I’m going to have to google hoodoo? (No idea) Finn is gorgeous as always Sarah quilting by the sea
ReplyDeleteWho says reading quilt blogs isn’t educational! Just read a very interesting article about hoodoos, fairy chimneys, earth pyramids, tent rocks. Everyday is a school day! Sarah
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome trip you had! Hoodoos are sure unique structures. Your RSC nine patch finish is special. I like the way you arranged the colors! Welcome home!
ReplyDeleteSounds like it was a wonderful trip. I loved seeing the interesting art installations. Thanks for sharing! Your 9-patch turned out beautifully, with a clever arrangement of the colors.
ReplyDeleteI love your vacation photos and all the beautiful artwork and adorable animals. I love seeing photos of the woven nests of birds. Your latest needlework is in the same style as the one you are getting framed, correct? Your RSC quilt is so pretty. I love the layout of the colors. Finn is adorable as always.
ReplyDeleteIsn't great to discover art in public places? Love the osprey nest as art and being functional to boot. Well done moving your hand quilting along.
ReplyDeletequite a few years ago my husband and I took a trip to the Canmore area and stayed a week in the area - I found the quilt shop - I don't remember the name of it but was told by someone else in recent years that the shop is still there and thriving - unless they have more than one shop I assume it is probably the one I visited. I remember enjoying the whole area and the shop
ReplyDeleteLots of wonderful holiday photos, Gail. Hoodoos? Is that what the rocks are called? Who doesn't love a visit to the zoo. And I like your Canadian themed fabrics too.
ReplyDeleteYou saw a lot of fun things in Canada, thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteWow what an amazing trip, Gail . I did not know that you there were badlands in Canada. How interesting and fun. I have a great admiration for that type of landscape. Love looking at hoodoos. Thank you for sharing the photos with us. It sounds like you had a grand time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great vacation, I love seeing all the souvenirs you bring home, fabrics, work in progress, photos! I love the new cross stitch project, this happy barn and the HST painted wall too! Also lovely animals, Finn included ;)) Thank you for sharing and linking up!
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