As it turned out, Adrianna suggested the four women meet at her place the day after tomorrow. “Bring your fleece, your ideas for Yukon symbols and we can design a beautiful vest for Freddie.” she told Carole.
Three days later, the four women drove to Adrianna’s in Carole’s van.
Not only had they brought along a couple of vest patterns and some light weight off-white fleece; they’d also brought along design ideas that would symbolize Freddie’s and Barney’s Yukon journey.
En route t hey made a brief stop at the Meets ‘N Treats coffee shop and bakery for some fresh donuts.
Upon their arrival at Adrianna’s, Carole presented her with the box of donuts. “Here’s some fortifying food for us,” she said with a grin.
“Wow! I bet they’re from the Meets ‘N Treats. Thanks everyone. Your timing couldn’t be better as the coffee is almost ready. Let’s go into the studio. We’ll have a quick cup and one of those delicious still-warm donuts before we get started.”
As they entered the studio and sat down at the long table, Jean pulled out a small book entitled Yukon Wild Flowers by Martha Louise Black. “I haven’t looked at this book in years but last night I suddenly remembered I had it in my bookcase. Taking it out, I became fully engrossed. Martha Louise Black and her husband George Black had produced the book together. Martha had done the research, George the photography. I’ll pass it around while we’re having coffee.”
“Wow!” Carole exclaimed as she leafed through the book, “Jean, this book is a little treasure. I see that Martha Louise Black was a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (F.R.G.S.) as well as a recipient of the Order of the British Empire and that her husband George Black served as the Yukon Conservative Member of Parliament from 1930 – 1935. And look,” she continued as she held up the title page, “the book is signed by both Martha and George. Looking through this book gets me even more excited about doing this project—especially since Martha wrote in the book’s Foreword that she was ‘not a botanist—merely a lover of flowers’. I can sure identify with that comment.”
“Okay everyone, let’s get started,” Janice announced.
And so the morning progressed. By the time noon hour rolled around, not only had everyone agreed on the symbols, but they’d also come up with a layout—the biggest challenge of all. One thing they’d all agreed upon was that they didn’t want to just outline with machine embroidery, symbols such as the raven, Kluane Lake, Mount Logan or the fireweed flower petals. Instead, they would use felt fabric and machine embroider around the edge of the symbols.
“Well,” said Loretta as the four Birds of a Feather quilt bee prepared to leave after a very busy morning, “I’d say we’ve not only had a productive, challenging morning, but also lots of fun.”
“We also polished off the donuts,” Jean commented teasingly.
“Bring some more next week,” added Adrianna.
And laughing, the four women headed to Carole’s van.
“As they settled ourselves for the ride home, Janice sighed, “Well, I don’t know about you, but after those donuts this morning, I’m certainly going to my exercise class this week!”
* * *
