Sunday, 18 October 2026

That's a wrap!

 Thanks to the organizing committee (Bev, Polly, Kim, Lesley, Jean, and Dawn), participants, volunteers, businesses, and donors for making this year's festival everything it could be. We would not be able to do this without you. The support from the Town of Amherst (financial and logistical), the Municipality of Cumberland County, and the Christie-Smith Community Fund is immeasurable. We genuinely appreciate Deanne Fitzpatrick's support of the festival and the committee itself. Thanks to the Cumberland County Museum & Archives for joining in this year, and to Sheila Graham for organizing the Fall for Us Home Tours to support the Cumberland Hospice Fund.

If you are interested in joining the organizing committee, please reach out. We are always looking for more helpers and fresh ideas.

Fall for Us Home Tours - Updated with photos!

Once again, this was a wonderful event - and I was so enjoying myself I completely forgot to take pictures! (ETA: Photos added below) Thanks to the home owners for welcoming us in to your beautiful spaces, to the volunteers for taking the time to learn about both the homes and the fibre arts pieces they were featuring, to Sheila Graham for all her work pulling this together, and to everyone who purchased a ticket in support of the Cumberland Hospice Fund.

Oh - and to Mother Nature for changing her mind about that torrential rain we were expecting. It was cool but lovely.


We have photos!!! Thanks, Sheila! (if I have any misattributed or you would like to send me any you took, please let me know!)

10 Rupert








21 Rupert














36 Regent










Northport Loopers Rug Show Winners

 The Northport Loopers also held their annual rug show this Friday and Saturday. The variety of hooking styles and chosen image are impressive. 

My favourite display was the Brown Bag Challenge. Participants are given a bag containing supplies that they have to use in a certain way. This year's challenge bags contained a mug and supplies to create a mug rug. They were fabulous!


This year's vendors were: Donna Legere - The Cranky Sock Lady (ask for a demo if you see her- that sock machine is amazing!), Vicky Comeau Designs (all the things!), and Loopy Wool from Salisbury, NB (who may have added to my crafting stash by "teaching" me the art of needle felting).

If you're interested in learning more about the group, please contact Polly Verstraten at pollyverstraten@yahoo.ca. 

Winners of the People's Choice vote:


1st Place: "Peace in the Night" by Mary Ellen Pottoello


2nd Place: "Grams Painting" by Barb Murray


3rd Place: "Cat Nap on a Dog Day Afternoon" by Irene Rogers

And the winner of the rug raffle was Wayne Lines. I absolutely love this piece - the colours and the geometric lines. I am feeling inspired!




 

Cumberland Quilters Guild Show and Raffle Winners

 The Cumberland Quilters Guild show was amazing once again! I am always in awe of the imagination, craftsmanship, and sheer quantity of beautiful quilted pieces displayed on the perfect backdrop of the First Baptist Church. Even works that start from the same pattern, can be interpreted in totally different ways. I am always tempted to come come and dig into my fabric stash and get something new started.

We were also happy to host Sew Karen-ly Created and Spruce It Up Quilt Shop as vendors at this year's show. They both brought a great variety of items with them to get you going on your own project.

If you would like more information about the guild, contact Sharon Snook at ssnook1963@yahoo.ca.



My favourite piece this year! I love a good scrappy quilt, and the green background on this appealed to my love of older quilts. Maybe this year, I'll actually get around to making something!


Winner of the double sized quilt: Pansy Pye


Winner of the twin-sized quilt: Jon Cecchetto




Tuesday, 13 October 2026

It's Here!!

Welcome to the 17th Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival! While we are small this year, we are still mighty. Please check our Facebook and Instagram pages for daily updates, each morning at 9:00 am. And if you take photos, be sure to tag us so that I can share them! 

https://www.facebook.com/FibreArtsFestival

https://www.instagram.com/nsfibreartsfestival/


Tuesday, 6 October 2026

Fall For Us! House Tour

You've been patiently waiting, and here it is! Another wonderful opportunity to stroll through some beautiful Amherst homes, featuring pieces crafted by local artisans.

The participating homes this year are: 10 and 21 Rupert St, and 36 Regent St. All are within walking distance of each other!

Tickets are limited to 100 and are $15 each, available at: Copper Tree Boutique, Deanne Fitzpatrick Studio, the Hospice Shop, and Buds to Blossoms.






Sunday, 4 October 2026

The countdown is on!

The 17th annual Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival is just around the corner and things are heating up! While we are still smaller than previous years, more events are being added as we go. Please be sure to check the schedule tab for all the details!

Just added is the opening event at the Train Station on Wednesday evening. Join us for camaraderie, crafts, and yummy nibbles provided by Duncan's. Bring your needlework, or just visit with like minded individuals - and admire the beautifully renovated building! 

Also on Wednesday, at the Amherst Theatre, an afternoon screening of the short film, Hooked, by Catherine Bussiere, featuring Deanne Fitzpatrick. Tickets are $10 at the door, and there will be a Q&A afterwards.