Absolute Style 2012 UFV Fashion Design Program Year-End Show

As an alumni of the Fashion Design program at Abbotsford's UFV, I was treated to a ticket to the year-end Fashion Show, Absolute Style, the Alumni Association even reserved  front row seats for us. I was proud of the fact that our graduating class choice the title Absolute Style and it is still being used. Graduating in 2000 we didn't get the computer programs that are available to the students today, you could see the difference in the portfolios. We only had sample programs, if you didn't get your work done by the end of the class you couldn't save your work. The show started out with bathing suits. From the 281 photo's that I took I have 62 to share with you.                                                                          

This got a good laugh from the audience. 

"Della Terra Design" Dawn Michelle Post-graduate collection. These designs are inspired by the earth, transforming cotton, silk, linen and paper with plant extracts, rust and mineral pigments.

Surface design was my favorite class. Transforming fabrics into pieces of art, by dying, twisting, stamping, painting, folding(Shibori), bleaching , amazing. 

Weaving

Machine knitting.

Draping. the hats were extravagant. Draping is done but designing on a dress form.

 Graduate Collections 2012

"Brazen" Samantha Merritt

"Honey Han" Seoheui Han

"Be Admired" Samantha Proche

"World Citizens" Ingrid Silveira

"Saut de Lange design" Carly Lunde

"Cocoon Clothing" Julie Darel

"Soprie" Laura Auffray

"A B designs" Amelia Mayo

 The Graduates.

Samantha Merritt "Brazen"

Seoheui Han "Honey Han"

Samantha Proche "Be Admired"

Ingrid Silveira "World Citizens"

Carly Lunde "Saute de Lange design"

Julia Darel "Cocoon Clothing"

Laura Auffray "Soprie"

Amelia Mayo "A B designs"

Dawn Michelle Russell "Della Terra designs" Post-graduate collection.

International Shibori Exhibition Hong Kong. Kim Kokoszka was the only Canadian selected by an international jury, with over 100 entries from thirteen countries. Her piece was carefully folded and dyed from one single piece of fabric to create  a garment.

Abbotsford has a Tartan and it was designed by Samantha Merritt. Christine Wiebe thought Abbotsford should have a Tartan and now they a registered tartan.

Dr. Mark Evered also the Master Of Ceremony, never thought he would be wearing a kilt.

The most Creative award goes to Samantha Merritt

Most marketable award goes to Julie Darel

Most Technical award goes to Ingrid Silveira

Anne De Verteuil. Spent many long hours working the fashion shows over the years and taught surface design. This year she got front row seats and enjoyed the show. 

Samantha Merritt and her winning collection.

                                                         I wish the best to all the students for their future creativity.  

If you are interested in more info on the Fashion Design program visit    http://www.ufv.ca/fashion

Mackie Lake House

Finally April 15TH 2012 Steve and I were taken to the Mackie Lake House. We had heard about Artist in residencs, but had no idea what an amazing and beautiful heritage house this is. Our neighbor Jeanette Palmer's sister was to be the artist in residents.  We had also heard a lot about Jeanette's sister Joyce Devlin and admired the large painting in Jeanette's living room painted by her sister.

View from below the house

View for the birds

Mackie Lake House 7804 Kidston Road Coldstream, BC. Ronald Buchanan, a business man from Montreal  commissioned architect Robert Findley to build the house in 1910. In 1987 the house was recognized as a heritage site. The last resident was Patrick (Paddy) F. Mackie, he bequeathed the house to the Mackie Lake House Foundation and they have been taking great care of the house as Patrick Mackie did when he lived. The house is in it's original state and has many treasured items displayed as if in a living museum.  You feel the art and care that went into the spaces with a sense of creativity and happy times. Many good feelings in this house.

Front door knocker

Loved this sitting room. Joyce sat in the chair on the left, I sat on the sofa looking at her portfolios, I came to a picture of sunflowers and she told the story of the women who bought the painting. Joyce received a call from a woman asking if she had any paintings of fish. Joyce said "Yes it's about 18 feet long." silence fell on the conversation, before long the woman said"I'll have a truck come round for it."

This cabinet was in the sitting room and looks to be as old as the house with many treasured items inside.

This is a self portrait of Joyce, she said "Oh those are old."  This is one of the many paintings that belong to the Mackie Lake House. It was a painting that Joyce gave to Patrick Mackie long ago.

The old curios cabinet with watches and a reflection of Joyce and Jeanette's  cousin sitting in a chair, much like a painting you might see in the house.  

I love glass and the windows were copacetic.

Mantle in the dining room

Jeanette is a certified flower judge, this is the flower arrangement she brought for the "Artist Reception".

Linen napkins and old china were a few of the little details that gave the experience life. My plate of goodies.

I puzzled over the construction of this beautiful banister. 

Joyce Devlin from Ottawa and her younger sister Jeanette Palmer from Enderby, just down the road from us.

Screened in porch and what a view.

It was wonderful to finally get to the Mackie Lake House.

You can visit the Vernon Public Art Gallery to see Joyce Devlin,s work and visit Joyce Devlin Mackie Lake House  at the Mackie lake house web site to learn more about Joyce and Mackie Lake House.

Random busyness

I was honored to be the community emcee for the Enderby Rick Hansen End of Day ceremonies on April 3RD, It was a good day. Looking up Cliff Ave.

Today is Good Friday,  Steve and I were busy in the yard when the sun came out this afternoon. From some of the branches we cut down last week we made a tepee for the squash and beans maybe some nasturtiums too. The neighbor up the road had music blasting, I think I would rather him blast music than the guy on the other side of town who loves to rev up his all terrain for hours. Bye Bye Miss American Pie........

The big bowl waiting patiently for the day we have the energy to turn it over. 

Yesterday I made two skirt patterns medium and large from the small I had made. This morning I  cut out two skirts and sewed up a front. The sun and yard called after lunch and the sewing was set aside for tomorrow.

This is the orchard that Chris and Yolanda gave Steve for Christmas  in  2009. I took this with  a friends camera, it makes it fuzzy on the sides. That orchid has been the best bloomer.

Last week when we were cutting and hacking in the yard I collected some willow branches and Oregon Grape for an arrangement in my giant brandy snifter, placing shells in the bottom. The willows are growing and the Oregon Grape is blooming.  I used my friends camera on this photo also. I like that feature. 

In the midst of all this I have been going to meetings for things like Open Air Market, Toastmasters, organizing a Mini Food Fair for the Green Party's AGM, Vitalization of Enderby, walking the dog, smart meter protest, random busyness, with a creative flare.