Fabric, Classes and Quilt Shows!

Welcome back!! It’s been a busy couple of months and time has flown by since the Quilt BC show in Penticton last May.  I've been neglecting my blog for far too long so its time for a quick update from Summerland. 

Its tourist season here in the Okanagan valley and we've been excited to welcome visitors from across Canada and the US, as well as overseas from Scotland, England, Australia, Belgium and the Netherlands!

This week we featured a Trunk Show by Heather and Elissa Willms from Hopscotch Quilt Shop in Lethbridge.  I managed to squeeze 28 people into my tiny classroom Monday evening and by all accounts everyone really enjoyed the show.  We are displaying some of their quilts in the shop over the next few weeks so come on in and have a look. We also have some of their patterns and books available in the store.

 

New fabric has been arriving all summer long, with some wonderful Fall and Christmas fabric already in the store. I even managed a quick visit to the Trend-Tex warehouse in Vancouver last week!  What a fabulous place - its so hard to resist!

I love to feature Canadian fabric designers. One of my favourites, shown below last spring, was designed by a Canadian Designer, Margot Languedoc of The PatternBasket.  I can't wait for her new line due out next spring!

And now with our Christmas fabrics we ran a Christmas series of mini-classes in July featuring the beautiful Winter's Lane line designed by Kate and Birdie from Winnipeg.  For those who missed out, we will be re-running these classes later this fall.

 

The Fall Class schedule is out and classes are already starting to fill. We are even featuring several special guest teachers including Judy Barnett mid-September, and Elaine Quehl for three days in October. 

So long for now.  I hope to be back on-line again soon.

Cheers from the Cherry Tree,

Barb

Special Guest Teacher Coming to Cherry Tree Quilts

I am very excited to announce that Susan Purney-Mark will be coming to Summerland to teach.  She is an internationally known quilter and fibre artist.  Susan has written several books, just produced her DVD – Soy Wax Inspirations and is in the current issue of Quilting Arts Magazine.

Susan will be here the first weekend in April – Saturday April 6^th and Sunday April 7^th.  I have rented the IOOF hall here in Summerland (just one block from the shop) so you will have lots of room to create your own beautiful fabric.

Here are samples of Susan’s work hanging in the shop.

 

Here are the two classes that Susan will be teaching:

Soy Wax Resists

Quilters design their own unique one-of-a-kind fabrics using simple tools, dyes and soy wax…no messy clean-up, just wash this wax away! Students will be using colour and pattern in a whole new way and then have so much fun making dynamic and exciting quilts for all to admire. Simple technique and perfect for the beginner designer!

Screen, Plate and Mono Printing

Creating print on fabric with a variety of techniques will be the focus while students are introduced to the special qualities of thickened dyes. Students will use screen for printing with a variety of stencils and masks including wax, paper and Mylar. Students will then make and use their own gelatin plates and take time for other methods of mono printing. Colour theory and colour mixing will be an important part of the workshop and students will acquire an excellent foundation of experience to continue further exploration on their own.

Check out our website for further information:  www.cherrytreequilts.ca

Visit her website for more inspiration:  http://susanpm.com/

The classes are filling so please call to reserve your spot as space is limited.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Cheers,

Barb

Classes Classes Classes

The New Year is well underway.  Beginner Sampler Classes are full, Applique club starts soon and drop in days have begun.  Meet Mary visiting from England who dropped in to last weeks sew-in day. 

She wants to learn how to quilt and made this beautiful quilted tea cosy from my cherry fabric. I hope to see Mary again soon as she comes to visit her sister quite often.