eQuilter Blog

Last year I went to Quilt Canada in Penticton, anxious to see what the Canadian quilters were up to, and also to spend some time with Libby. As you probably know, Libby never made it to Penticton. However while at that show, I gave them a challenge. I said if they had a Modern Quilt exhibit at Quilt Canada in 2014, that we would be the sponsor. Guess what? Tonight I gave the top award for the first Canadian Modern Quilt exhibit here! Woo hoo!

Yesterday I went on a winery tour, but today I had a non-alcoholic tour of Niagara Falls. During the winery tour I met a couple from Toronto who taught me all the things I never knew about wine, and we all had fun learning about the Ice Wine that is grown in the Niagara region. 88% of all Ice Wine is grown here! They have to wait for the temperature to get to -10 degrees Celsius for 3 days in a row, then they stay up all night frantically but tenderly picking the frozen grapes, which then yield one sweet drop of Ice Wine per grape. Hence the high cost!

Today I went on a half day tour to the Falls, which was a major Bucket List item. I didn't have time to go down to the river to ride on the Maid of the Mist, which one friend dubbed the Smurf Yacht (!), but I have photos posted on Facebook. This is the boat that approaches the base of the falls very close, and everybody on board has a plastic poncho, because everybody gets soaked.

There are two parts of the Falls – the Horseshoe falls are on the Canada side, and the other falls are on the American side. The river divides the two countries. I was able to tap into my American AT&T phone connection while there, and upload a video to my Facebook page. What a world we live in ….

Mason happens to be in Napa California right now, so I guess we are having a bi-coastal wine education. In honor of this, I put together a Wine-themed collage to inspire all you winos… er…. wine enthusiasts. The photo in the center of the collage was taken at the Jackson-Triggs Winery Niagara Estate.

If you are here at Quilt Canada, please come to my power point lecture on Wednesday! My presentation "International Quilt Trends" is at noon in Thistle 325. No ticket needed!

I'll be showing about 200 quilt images from festivals, exhibits and conferences around the world! I will stick around afterwards so I can meet you, so please do come and say hello.

Tomorrow at 6 am I'll be on my way to the airport – flying into Toronto and then on to St Catherine's at Niagara Falls. It is kind of surreal. As I kid I heard about Niagara Falls as the place to go for a honeymoon – ha! Now I am going as a quilter. Funny how things work out in life…

If you are going to Quilt Canada, just a reminder that I'll be at the award ceremony Tuesday night, and I'm giving my power point photo tour "International Quilt Trends" at lunchtime on Wednesday. Hope to see you there!

Sam took his SAT exam today. When I picked him up he smiled and said it was easy. Hopefully true! Next week is his ACT exam….and the MileHiCon in Denver! Sophie and I can't wait to see William Shatner and the Next Generation cast at our local nerdfest. As you may know, we are a house full of Sci-Fi nerds, but we're enjoying the Indiana Jones marathon this weekend too! Did you know Kingdom of The Crystal Skull was partially filmed at Iguazu Falls in Brazil and Argentina? (Not Niagara Falls!)

This week while I am gone, my new studio/classroom here is being painted and re-floored. More about that in the next few weeks!

Our dear friend Libby Lehman is having a very tough time now. If you have a moment, please send her a card of encouragement. You can read about her current challenge on Caring Bridge, and please send your card to:

Libby Lehman
7618 East Jordon Cove
Houston, TX 77055