The spirit of l'Acadie runs deep in Nova Scotia. As one of the province's founding cultures, there are numerous reminders of the French settlers who first claimed Nova Scotia as their home in the seventeenth century. While driving through the Acadian Shore region, you will pass through several French-speaking villages and will marvel at the soaring beauty of the Acadian churches, one of which is Sacred Heart Church or l'Eglise Sacre Coeur located in Saulnierville, Nova Scotia.
You might be asking yourself where I am going with this story. Please read on as I explain.
Quilting and quilters know no boundaries and as we all know, can be found throughout the world, including the Acadian Shore of Nova Scotia.
Three short years ago La Guilde Acadienne de Clare was formed and with a lot of hard work and dedication to the craft, the founding members decided to organize and host an annual quilt show and sale in the Sacred Heart Church.
Here is the breathtaking view taken from what used to be the choir loft.
A virtual sea of over 200 quilts in every color of the spectrum...and all locally made!
EDIT: I have added a copyright watermark to the above photo because people have been using it without my permission for their own personal gain. I have specifically stated on the sidebar of my blog that I am very approachable and easy going and have never refused anyone who has asked permission to use any of my photos, written material or free patterns. Having said that, I do get kinda miffed when people just assume that they can lift or copy my personal property without asking.
The quilts on display were stunning.
And do you recognize this one? It's my friend Debra's version of Safe Harbor!
Cool, huh?
And while I'm on the subject of Safe Harbor, I was speaking with my friend and longarm quilter Alice just this afternoon and my Safe Harbor is on it's way back to me as I write this. With any luck it should be here by Friday and you know that I will start to bind it as soon as soon as I tear open the box. I'm hoping to have the patterns ready for sale in my Etsy shop within the next two weeks, so please bear with me.
If you're in the area this week, treat yourself to the show. This year the dates are July 29 - August 2nd. There are even a few quilt shops in the area that sell fabric at great prices and sewing machines too!
And if you can't make it this year, why not think about attending next year?
Nova Scotia is a wonderful place to visit and an even greater place to call home. The scenery is spectacular, the people are the friendliest on earth and the seafood is to die for!
So when are you coming?
Happy stitching!
Note* If you'd like to read more about the Acadian culture, just click HERE.
78 comments:
what an amazing view of quilts.
wow....breathtaking picture of the church with all its quilts. I wish I could go!!!
wow, that is an amazing display, the pews work perfectly, and the church is just such a fabulous place. I love all the light showing on the colors. congrats on getting yours in the show, and having your quilt en-route back to you.,. it is a wonderful pattern!
WOW! The church is so beautiful and the quilts are breath-taking. I have never seen anything as spectacular as this. Wish I could be there.
Oh, thanks for the photos of the quilts in the church. What an amazing display! I love the sight of the quilts draped on the pews. Gorgeous!
Beautiful picture, takes your breath away.
What a beautiful church and a beautiful way to display quilts. Love seeing yours done up and can't wait to see the one you had quilted.
Debbie
How stunning & beautiful?
What an amazing display of quilts! Maybe next year I'll get there. Thanks for sharing these great pics and quilts!
What an incredible collection of quilts. I love the way they're displayed. Thank you for sharing, Kaaren.
Lovely display of quilts. One of the local guilds has dome something similar for several years. They always look so inviting in the church,
Thanks for sharing go,
Beautiful pieces of Art.
I could stare at them all day and dream they were mine.
Woolie Blessings
Kaaren! I have chills and a huge lump in my throat. Your photos are so inspirational (in more ways than one!) and the quilts are gorgeous.
I would love to visit Nova Scotia and YOU!
Thanks for sharing...
What a fabulous place to have a quilt show!!! Love the church building, it has such charm and is kept in beautiful condition!!!
All the quilts look just wonderful, thankyou for sharing this lovely event!!!!
Great pictures! Not sure that I'll get there this year! Can;t wait to see your quilt!
What a beautiful quilt show. Thanks for sharing.
Beauty in an awe-inspiring setting! Thank you!
Thank you for the photos. I have enjoyed your post so much. hugs....
Unbelievable eye candy!
How wonderful that there are enough pews to have just one quilt per pew! What a love setting and display of such gorgeous quilts!
Visit next year? I wish!
Adrienne
I definitely want to visit Nova Scotia, but it's not in the cards for this year. I love the way your display the quilts. What a beautiful show.
The interior of the church and the quilts are beautiful. Funny you should ask when I am comming. My daughtr and I will be planning our trip in two weeks when I am visiting her. We plan to travel first to Maine then up to PEI. I have ancesters from the area. I look forward to it so very much.
WOW!!!!! Amazing simply amazing. The church is beautiful and all those quilts--sensory overdrive
What a beautiful sight...all those beautiful quilts.
An absolutely wonderful display of quilts! Just "heavenly!"
What a beautiful setting for those wonderful quilts!
Wish I lived closer! :)
Wow - what a treat to view these quilts displayed in such a splendid way. Thank you for sharing the pictures for us to enjoy.
Wowza!! Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful pics of a sea of beautiful quilts... I saw pics last year, but they weren't tagged, so I wondered where they were taken. I've now pinned AND credited. LOVE your Safe Harbor, too!
The quilts are as stunning as the setting where they are displayed. Beautiful.
What a spectacular site from the Choir Loft!! WOW!!!
What a lovely sight! Wish I could come to the show, but Las Vegas, NV is a little bit of a distance away! Thanks for sharing the beautiful display.
what a wonderful display, such a shame I am in the UK as I wild love to see these quilts up close.
Lovely! I love old churches and quilts so it's a perfect match. When I moved to Oregon I discovered a quilt shop up the street. They were friendly and asked if I was new in town. Yes. They told me about the old church a few doors up that was having a quilt show and would I like to share a quilt. Yes. It was wonderful to visit the church with the display of quilts over the pews and to be accepted into the quilt shop community so quickly. I would love to visit your neck of the woods.
WOW! Wish I could wave my magical wand POOF I'm so there! Stunning, absolutely fantastic eye candy at its best in my book! I'm looking forward to seeing your quilt and your friends looks fantastic too!
What a stunning display. Thank you for showing it . The church looks so beautiful with all those quilts /
What a wonderful post, Kaaren, and such beautiful pictures. I live in an Acadian community, but sad to say it isn't as picturesque or a 'proud' as the French Shore. Perhaps next year I can make a trip down for the show!
Wow! Stunning photograph!
I'd like to be there next year.
That is one amazing shot of quilt covered pews! Amazing display idea! Love Nova Scotia! DH worked in Saint John, NB some years ago and we made some lovely trips around the Canadian Maritimes. Your quilt design is wonderful and to me sings Maritimes!!
Lola
What an amazing sight Kaaren! Thanks for sharing. I am hoping to get up to see the show. It is especially gratifying to see how the guild is encouraging young people to learn the art of quilting, by holding special events for them.
Thank you for sharing. What a beautiful sight to see all those beautiful quilts displayed in That lovely setting. Wish Nova Scotia was closer to Texas!
What a breathtaking view of all those quilts on display WOW! Thanks for sharing
I would love to visit Nova Scotia again some day. My sister and I were there several years ago and were delighted by the beauty of the landscape.
Keep the kettle warm, Kaaren, we're right around the corner! What a stunning way to hold a quilt show!! Mr. Squash and I visited Louisbourg in New Brunswick back a few years and were fascinated by the history and place and would love to return!
Cheers!
I think this is the most beautiful church interior I have ever seen!
Wpw! What a wonderful quilt show! Thanks for sharing.
What an absolutely gorgeous display of quilts. Thanks for the invitation, wish I could come.
What an incredible building, the view of the quilts gave me goosebumps.
Thank you so much for sharing the pictures. I think quilts spread over church pews make the most stunning of quilt show! A local United Methodist church with a much less historic sanctuary hosts such a show every two years. There is something about the light in the vaulted ceiling and stained glass that is just such a feast for they eyes. Thank you again!
I like these quilts, I like all these colors and «j'adore» Nova-Scotia. My ancestor came from l'Acadie (NS), I was there 3 times and I dream to return to this beautiful province.
Thank you for photos, they are magnificent.
Sorry for my bad english,
N from Québec
What a beautiful view! It reminds me of my church on Quilt Sunday when all the quilts made during the year are blessed before they are shipped off to poverty stricken countries.
Love seeing your Safe Harbor design too! Can't wait to see the one you made all finished.
What a lovely sight! Thank you so much for sharing the pictures!
Incredible Show of Quilts. Thank you much for sharing all the photos with us. I really enjoyed your post.
love Annette
Thank you for sharing your photos of the quilt display. I am soooooo far away, it is my only opportunity to see them. The church is a lovely setting for the display. xx
On my way = a good day for a drive from Windsor...
The church itself is beautiful ~ but with the addition of the quilts ~ words cannot decsribe ~
Yes, it is absolutely breathtaking!
It sounds like a wonderful place to visit. Hopefully, I'll get there someday.
What a beautiful display of quilts in a perfect venue! Thank you so much for sharing.
What an amazing show that would be to visit. We will visit N.S. again for sure and I do remember the seafood. There's nothing like it.
I really have to put this on the list for next year , wow what an incredible display !
What a gorgeous setting for a quilt show!! Which ones did you enter? You should have shown us. Have a great weekend.
I visited Nova Scotia for the first time last year on a cruise - and we fell in love! We cannot wait to return. I think I'll have to make sure it's during that quilt show! That is a beautiful photo of the church with all of the quilts!
That is almost too beautiful to be real. A wonderful show, absolutely amazing setting.
What stunning view of all the quilts displayed in such a wonderful place!!!
what an incredible venue for a quilt show! it looked amazing!
Stunning! Thank you so much for taking the time to blog about this. It makes me proud to be Canadian. I so miss the maritime! I think it's time to think about planning a trip! Indeed, it has a beautiful and rich culture. Cheers!
Stunning! The building is stunning and the quilt display is stunning! Can you tell I like it lol
What a beautiful sight from the choir loft! Just about took my breathe away. I came over from Aurifil's post on Facebook.
Oh, I would LOVE to pin these pictures to my Pinterest page! Are you on Pinterest?
Hi Kaaren -- I hope I'm not posting this twice. The quilt show is WONDERFUL and Nova Scotia is obviously full of very talented quilters !! I love the simplicity of the church and by the appearance of the outside, one would never guess how pretty the interior of this parish church truly is. Thanks for sharing !!
Beautiful - we also host a Quilt Show in our historic New England church in Avon, CT - over 200 new & antique quilts, featured artists, Oct 24 & 25, 2015. Then we worship amoungst the quilts on Sunday morning! Very special.
Absolutely fabulous. It thrills me and to no end that shows like this are getting larger as well as becoming more plentiful. Beautiful pictures. You have me wanting to start packing my bags and move to Nova Scotia! My daughter and her husband honeymooned there and loved it. Everyone thought they were odd (but me) to be travel there instead of the islands or Mexico. Their photos, as well as yours, of the area are always lovely. I hope to get there one day. Thanks for sharing.
Wish I could be there - it looks fabulous!!
I gasped when the page opened. I would love to walk through those works of beauty!
I have to thank the women in the church guilds near Cornwallis NS as a young woman in 1980 that taught me to hand quilt and shared a passion with me that I still enjoy. Beautiful idea. Nova Scotia is so worth a visit!
I hope my ancestors had a hand in quilting as they did come to "Little Scotland." I'm still trying to get there to see it. Blessings, Janet
I came across the photo on social media and credit was given to your blog for the photo, which brought me to your post to read the background story. What a wonderful display! I am unlikely to get to Nova Scotia from Ireland to see this, so I really appreciate you sharing the photo. I think it might inspire lots of quilt groups worldwide to aspire to such a display. Thanks!
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