Local Quilt Show & Sale and Safe Harbor Update

There is an area in the south western part of Nova Scotia that is affectionately referred to by the locals as "The French Shore", approximately 40-50 miles from where we live. 

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.

On Sunday afternoon I dropped off five of my quilts to be included in the display.  Today, Mr. Painted Quilt, Ollie and I made the trip up the French Shore to visit the show.

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.  

Below is one of the guild members in traditional Acadian attire.

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.