Sunday, October 26, 2014

Motoring in the Maritimes

I could show you lots of pictures of lighthouses, seascapes, autumn coloured trees because believe me I took a lot of them but instead I have included a few of the artisan places we visited and a few other special things.
Fox: seen near Cape George on the way to Antigonish, NS
It puzzles me how this fox can look so groomed. My dog needs to be brushed to look this good.
Quilt Store at Port Hawksbury, NS
After crossing the Canso Causeway from the peninsula of Nova Scotia to Cape Breton Island, this quilt store is right there.
Sketching on Cape Breton at Baddeck
I didn't get as much sketching time as I would have liked on this road trip so I treasured the time I did get here at Baddeck, on Cape Breton Island.
Cape Breton, Cheticamp.
This Acadian area of Cape Breton is famous for it's hooked rugs. I purchased a piece created by a 91 year old that specialized in depicting chickadees and pussy willows. Who could resist that.
Rug Hooking
I was able to get a little demonstration right at the store. Either wool or strips of woolen material are used to create the art work.

Fabric Dyer near Mabou, Cape Breton.
Ann has a studio and store in her own home and it was busy when I was there with people from New York and Pennsylvania.  Click here to see Ann Schroeder's website. http://www.annschroederstudio.com/visit-cape-breton/
Fiddle by the Sea Bed and Breakfast, Port Hood, Cape Breton
Click here for information about this wonderful B&B we stayed at in Cape Hood on Cape Breton Island http://www.thefiddleandthesea.com/ .Alain entertained us with fiddle music after a wonderful crepe breakfast prepared by Denise. If you are planning a trip to Cape Breton, and you are interested in the autumn colours and Celtic Music, be sure to check out the Island wide festival Celtic Colours. http://www.celtic-colours.com/future-dates/
 
Farm on PEI
The soil on PEI was red! When we were there it was harvest time and we saw large trucks full of the famous PEI potatoes. The scenery was so idyllic with their picture perfect farms.
Confederation Bridge joining PEI with NB. It was a 12.8 km bridge
You couldn't help but feel just a little prouder of Canadians after seeing this engineering feat. If you want to read more about this bridge, click here .

Quilt Shop, Digby, NS
Shop owner Darlene D'Eon and myself. I am holding some NS tartan I purchased here. I have loved that tartan ever since I saw it a few years ago at Quilt Canada, Halifax.
 To check out Darlene's 'A Needle Pulling Thread Quilt Shop' in Digby click here. here

 
The fall colours that greeted us on our own garage when we got home!
Hopefully we can go back and spend more time someday.




3 comments:

Win Dinn, Artist said...

What a fabulous trip you've had, Eileen. The opportunity to meet local artisans is always a bonus, too. Wonderful photos; especially like the well-groomed fox!

Laura Leeder said...

What an amazing time of year to be traveling through this area! Thanks for sharing some of your highlights and directing us to new artisans!

HollyM said...

Well, the maritime scenes are all familiar but I've not been to any of the shops. Did you source them before your trip or find them as you traveled?
I just checked out Ann Schroeders site. Beautiful. I once filled in for a maternity leave at the high school in Mabou. 30 some years ago. I learned rug hooking there.