…whether I decided to ride off into the sunset… I have not. I cannot believe how fast the time flies. I arrived in Ontario on ten days ago. I shared some garden images on June 5th…. and then I vanished.
It has been a whirlwind of activity and I really don’t know where the time has gone. I arrived in London, ON on June 6th and taught two two-day workshops to very keen participants. My days started early with a long walk in Springbank Park thanks to my most amazing hostess. I feel like I met many wonderful people that I call friends. Thanks to everyone for making me feel so welcome! A special thank you to Laurie and Karen for driving up from the Ithaca, NY area for the Mola class and to Louise and Adele for the rides (and stops at Starbucks for my morning latte). A special thank you to Beth and Jane, the organizers for Summer Workshops for the London Embroiderers’ Guild and Beth’s husband for keeping me well fed at lunch time and Courtney for getting me to Mississauga. My hostess Patricia made me feel at home and I am truly grateful for the most comfortable room and delicious meals.
Last Saturday my suitcases were loaded into a station wagon and we wound our way to Hamilton to drop off another instructor for her flight to Halifax before we turned the wheels to Mississauga.It was time to switch gears…
Sunday morning I arrived early at the International Center to meet up with my co-judges for the NJS judging. Two long days were filled with assessing, evaluating, and deliberating to determine awards and general placement for 135 entries.. Each quilt received a constructive critique from individual judges. I would call the judging team the ultimate “Dream Team”. Scribes and helpers were poised to observe the slightest disagreement – it never happened. Decisions were reached through consensus and I am proud to have been part of this professional judging team. Thank you to Sandy, the NJS coordinator for organizing the helpers, scribes and behind the scenes detailing. I wrapped up my critique proof reading around 4:30 pm yesterday.
Today I joined two friends on the UP train from the airport to Union Station. It was truly enjoyable and we arrived in a timely fashion.
I have not been in Toronto for four years and it took a little while to find my bearings.
We soon walked down Bloor to make our way to the Yorkville Shopping Centre. “Motion” was on the agenda, a one of a kind women’s clothing store. A prolonged stop-over at Ashley’s had us explore the most fantastic dinner sets, kettles, cutlery and stove top espresso makers. My best intentions not to spend money completely vanished when I arrived at “Motion”. The staff there is very well informed, friendly and helpful. My friends and I left with a lovely bag containing some new items to augment our wardrobes…
Our short excursion was over much too fast! We had to return to The International Centre for tonight’s NJS Awards Ceremony. It was well attended and extra chairs had to be brought into the large room to accommodate everyone.
It was wonderful to witness the excitement when the winners were announced and I was so pleased to recognize so many entrants and winners. Congratulations to all winners across Canada! It was a privilege and pleasure to see your work up close and express my congratulations in person.
It’s time to call it a day. I start a brand-new two day workshop tomorrow at Quilt Canada 2016 and can’t wait to welcome the 20 students. Let’s hope I have some time to take pictures for sharing on the blog over the next few days…
Anna Hergert, Art & Design 
oh, Anna! how do I begin to describe what a truly wonderful time I had in London?! I was so looking forward to seeing you again and taking the mola class with you; both were as great as I’d anticipated. but, the things I’d never given any thought to were what made the trip what Karen calls a “wonderful Canadian adventure”. the guild members being so warm and welcoming; Louise showing us around and playing tour guide; Louise and Adele wanting to socialize with us; getting to know Karen better, particularly while visiting the entire time we were in the car.
but, you know what impressed me the most? having dinner with you (and Karen, of course) on Wednesday evening, and going to the Goodwill before having a tasty and fun dinner with friends. (I wore my new Canadian Goodwill scarf on Monday when I met my sister in Ithaca to celebrate her birthday over lunch. it was a chilly day.) I have friends, and I’m in several stitching groups, but I haven’t had a group of girlfriends to hang out with since my college days. I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun hanging out with “girlfriends”. and, it was so easy and natural; it was as if we’d all known each other much longer.
if it wasn’t for you, none of this would have happened. so, thank you – for visiting after class at QBL last year, establishing our friendship over e-mail, for spending time with me last week, and for being you. 🙂
I look forward to seeing you again, whenever and wherever that may be.
sending very warm hugs your way, LJB
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Laurie – you have just made my day! Sorry I didn’t respond earlier. I arrived back in Regina around 11 pm and fell into bed at 12:45 am which basically meant I had been up for 22 hours. After 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep I am slowly unpacking and reorienting myself. The big goal for today is to unpack and organize the supplies and samples from the past two weeks – then life begins anew and the great memories we forged will be a vital part of that. I also had a wonderful time in London and feel I left having made amazing new friends and deepening my friendship with you. I look forward to staying in touch via email to make plans to reconnect in person in the not too distant future.
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