Summer's End

Hi everyone:

Today is the first day back to school for most elementary school students in Calgary. As we head into the busy fall season, I'm posting a few photos of our recent summer vacation to the Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington areas. I hope you enjoy them.

Enjoying the International Rose Test Garden in Portland, Oregon

One of the many varieties at the
International Rose Test Garden in Portland, Oregon

At Pittock Mansion in Portland, Oregon

The fog rolling in along the Oregon coast

A peek out from the Sea Lion Caves near Florence, Oregon

Some of the residents at the Sea Lion Caves near Florence, Oregon

The Space Needle in Seattle, Washington

A curious sea otter at the Seattle Aquarium

Sea anemones at the Seattle Aquarium

Tide pool at the Seattle Aquarium

Flowers at Pike Place Market, Seattle, Washington

Marina on Bainbridge Island, Washington

Victorian architecture at Port Townsend, Washington

Victorian architecture at Port Townsend, Washington

Hope your fall is off to a good start!

Do you do vintage?

Hi everyone:

Kitty hanky purchased at an antique shop on
Bainbridge Island - just because it was cute!

In my previous post I mentioned that I had purchased some vintage linens while on my recent vacation. I find these very appealing: each one is different and I wonder about their previous lives before they came into my possession. 

Vintage linens from antique shop on Bainbridge Island

Vintage linen detail

While I do enjoy the look of these textiles, I'm not quite sure what to do with them - once I've finished admiring them, that is. I was pleased to see these linens used in various projects while shopping at Esther's Fabrics on Bainbridge Island. They were kind enough to allow me to photograph the shop projects so I could share them on my blog.

Projects using vintage linens at Esther's Fabrics

As you can see, they've used various linens in a pillow and also used hand embroidered linens in a pincushion. 

Pillow created from vintage linens at Esther's Fabrics

Pincushions created from vintage linens at Esther's Fabrics

They also covered small notebooks with vintage hankies. 

Vintage covered notebook from Esther's Fabrics

They had several vintage napkins and tablerunners for sale in the shop - and I couldn't resist. Now I just need to decide which project I'll make with them!

Vintage tablerunner from Esther's Fabrics

Detail of vintage linen from Esther's Fabrics

There were also many other wonderful projects on display at Esther's Fabrics and I really enjoyed the combination of stitching and quilting in them. Here are a few that I noticed while in the shop.

Do you do vintage linens too? If you do, I'd love to hear how you use the in your quilting or sewing projects.