Dear Colin

You've probably noticed that I've tucked references to Bermuda into a couple of recent posts, whether or not it was really relevant.  That's because mentally, I'm still there.   I'm not sure what it was about that trip in June, but the sights and feel of Bermuda have stayed with me more than any "tropical" vacation I've taken.  We've been lucky over the years to have traveled to Hawaii, the Mexican Caribbean, and the U.S. Virgin Islands...all beautiful tropical destinations.  But Bermuda...ahh, well, it's just special.

Of course, it may have been the very special wedding; seeing your daughter so happy is bound to make for many fond memories.  

But, there was really something more than that.  From the time we stepped off the plane until the time we left five days later, I was mesmerized by this little island just 650 miles off the coast of North Carolina.

By the beautiful waters in so many shades of turquoise.

By the lush greenery and the colorful houses with their pristine white roofs (for collecting the rain water).

By the incredibly friendly, accommodating, and gracious Bermudians, who seem to have eluded my camera...

Bermuda's tourism slogan: "Feel the love".  It's truth in advertising.  I can't wait to go back.

So, dear Colin,

Please leave my island alone.   Thank you.

All kinds of inspired

Last Saturday was the 35th anniversary of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, and my fourth year of attending.  One of my cousins came over from Eugene for the weekend, and we picked up my friend Sue on Saturday morning and headed for Sisters.  We left Bend a bit earlier this year (8:30-ish), which made for a much shorter sit in traffic on the way (although a normally 20-minute drive did take 40...).  I have to say, if you must sit in traffic, the highway to Sisters is the place to do it...

Life imitating art.  Well, sort of...

In recent years, the number of quilts dressing Sisters' buildings seems to hover around 1,300.  I dare you to see them all (and remember them!) in the one day they're up.  I can't imagine going to this event without a camera; by the end of the day, I was literally on sensory overload...in a good way, but still, without the camera I'd be woefully inept at recalling some of the incredible artwork we saw that day.

Jean Wells Keenan, owner of The Stitchin' Post, started this little event.  I wonder if she had ANY idea the impact she'd be making for the town of Sisters and the surrounding area over the years.  It's reported that some $2+ million comes to the area over the week of the show and its surrounding classes and events.   That's a nice little economic shot in the arm, don't you think?  And all because Jean had an idea to hang some quilts outside.  Inspiring.

  Exterior wall of The Stitchin' Post, featuring quilts from the "Employee Challenge". 

One of Jean's designs.

Each year, I go there thinking that I won't see much new under the sun; that it will be the same techniques, same patterns, same, same, same.  And happily, again this year I was wrong!  Here are a few that made it onto my camera.  I wish I'd done a better job of noting the artists' names on some of these.  Really amazing work.

 Fabric and paint on wood.

 "Leaf Me Alone" by Tonye Phillips

No surprise...I was really attracted to flower designs

See what I mean?

And taken with this one...one of the few quilts I saw that a gentleman had made.  Loved his color choices.

Here's the raffle quilt I (sniff) didn't win.  Love that fence!  Beautiful perspective.

Not to be out-done, the street corners in Sisters were dressed in their finery, too.  More inspiration.

So...another year down, and I'm inspired...seeing some of my favorite fabrics used in new ways and color combinations....by the sheer beauty I saw all around me that day, both hand-crafted and natural...by the incredible talent that participates in the show each year. 

If you'll excuse me, I'm off to go create something.  Maybe a quilt depicting this:

Bermuda.  Also inspiring.

Check with me in 2015 and see how it's going.