Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival

This past week was the Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival in Amherst and I was happy to get there for a day. There are different things going on each day so one has to make choices... never easy. I chose to go Friday to take in the Zonta Fibre Bazaar and two quilt shows as well as the other exhibits which were on all week (Fibre Art Walking Tour, hooked rug displays, etc.). I had originally hoped to stay over for Saturday but that didn't work out. And Mother Nature gave us a rainy day on Friday, but I didn't let that slow me down.

My first stop was to the new quilt shop in town, Mrs. Pugsley's Emporium. Yes, I have my priorities straight - shop FIRST!! I have eagerly been watching and listening to my friend Karen talk about this shop and all the exciting preparations to get it open. How exciting to finally walk through the door and meet owner Beth. It's a great little shop and I look forward to returning again when I am passing by.

Next a stop in to Deanne Fitzpatrick's Studio. Deanne is  a well known rug hooker and her shop is always a riot of color and fibre. I resisted all temptation there but it wasn't easy... Then further down the street was the Zonta Bazaar. This is an awesome collection of vendors with "all things fibre" that your little heart could desire. The festival brochure described it as a "dazzling fibre arts shopping extravaganza" and dazzling it was!!! Did I take photos? Sadly, no. (I  really wanted to!)

There were many artists there with original works and often they do not want photos taken so I "didn't go there". You'll just have to believe me regarding its awesomeness. There was lots of yarn, much of it hand-dyed and hand spun, wool fabric for the hookers, cottons for the quilters,  knit goods, tatting, jewellry, a great variety of original fibre art and much more. I treated myself to a wonderful needlefelted mixed media piece by textile artist Alison Murphy of Hampton N.B. Click on the link to see more of her wonderful pieces. I know I'm going to be looking for her work next time I'm in Saint John, at Handworks Gallery on King Street.
There were two Quilt Shows set up in churches side by side - perfect for the rainy weather- you could almost dash between the raindrops from one to the other. The Cumberland Quilters Guild Show was in First Baptist Church, with quilts beautifully displayed over the pews and hung from the balcony. This always proves a challenge for photography though - it's difficult to get a good photo of an individual quilt. So just enjoy the "group" shots... There is something about quilts in a church sanctuary.. so beautiful...

 The second show was in the smaller Christ Church and it was just as beautiful. At this show we were asked to pick our favourite for Viewer's Choice. Arrggghhhh! It is SO difficult to choose just one! I did of course, but there are always at least three more that I would like to vote for as well... I wonder which one won? These quilts were draped over two pews so it was possible to get a slightly better photo of individual quilts. Ya hafta work with what ya've got....

That's a brief look at another wonderful Fibre Fest in Awesome Amherst. This was the sixth annual. I'm already looking forward to number seven. Mark your calendars now- it's always the Tuesday through Saturday following Thanksgiving weekend. Watch these Youtube videos if you need a little more encouragement to attend - they'll have you wanting more fibre in your diet....
I am linking up with Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River. Check it out for even more fibre in your diet today!!

Peace,
Linda

"The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul." ~ Elder Uchtdorf