Events for December 2014

Textile artist, Elin Noble, has transformed the third floor galleries into an installation using black and white silk panels featuring irregular horizontal and vertical geometrical shapes. The panels are hung in sets, allowing a play of overlapping shapes and moiré patterns. She has spent more than 30 years investigating the nuances of applying dye to cloth. In the last 10 years she has focused primarily on a historical clamp-dye resist process from Japan known as itajime, a process by which luminous and complex colors and patterns are dyed on cloth.
 

Learning to hand stitch at nine years old, Grace Hawley took to Hawaiian quilting naturally. Her first Hawaiian quilting class was in 1985. Hawaiian quilts have a tradition of being hand appliqued; often made with designs from nature. Many of her original designs include flowers and leaves. Grace’s quilts feature the traditional style of hand quilting so often seen in Hawaiian quilts. The quilting lines echo the applique design, both on and outside of the applique work.
 

Enjoy the Gaches Mansion dressed for a Victorian Christmas with quilts and textiles from our permanent collection. Explore all three floors decorated in the styles popular during the long reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). On display will be one of the oldest pieces in our collection, an 1840s Bethlehem Star. We will also feature 1850’s red & green applique quilts, 1860’s Civil War era quilts, 1880’s Crazy Quilts, and 1890’s geometric quilts. Enjoy a cup of hot cider on the weekends.
 

The museum will be magically transformed into a Skagit Christmas!
The museum's east wing gallery will be available for holiday celebrations.

Beginning the Sunday after Thanksgiving, two wreath-making machines will be available for complimentary use every day. Wire rings and greenery are available for purchase, or you may bring your own. Invite your garden club, family and friends to enjoy a creative time together, spreading holiday cheer.

Bring your children, grandchildren and friends to breakfast with Sanat in La Conner! Pictures with Santa and a free gift for every child! Face painting too! Tickets: $7 adults, $3 children. Cash, Check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX at the door (we will have gluten-free pancakes available for those who are gluten intolerant). Sign up children from birth to kindergarten in the La Conner School District for a free book mailed each month thanks to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a project of La Conner Rotary.

Do your holiday shopping in one space. Unique vendors selling everything from dog biscuits to scarfs. Booth fees go the help Kiwanis with their projects for the kids of La Conner.

The majestic beauty of fields filled with white swans, both native trumpeter and tundra swans, is virtually at Christianson’s doorstep in December, January and February. Come hear wildlife biologist Martha Jordan describe these amazing birds – the largest waterfowl in the world – and Skagit Valley’s best places to view them. Martha Jordan is the coordinator for Washington Swan Stewards, which is the local branch of The Trumpeter Swan Society. Make your reservations early; this was a wildly popular talk last year!

Huge numbers of snow geese migrate to Skagit Valley farmlands from Alaska and Wrangell Island, Russia. Come learn more about their fascinating life history and challenges with wildlife biologist Martha Jordan, who is coordinator for Washington Swan Stewards, which is the local branch of The Trumpeter Swan Society. Make your reservations early.

Come and listen to Louisa & Conner - La Conner's Holiday helpers, read the book "Elf on a Shelf"!
Follow them over to the tree lighting festivities afterwards...

Enjoy music, hot cocoa and a magical tree lighting!

Enjoy a variety of appetizers and refreshments (Beer/Wine extra cost) at La Traviata Italian Restaurant.
Event benefits Bella Hamerly and her fight against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Special kid activities such as cookie decorating and hands on crafts.

Come and hear the exciting adventure of this journey from the Testermans who walked the pilgrim's trail for 500 miles in Spain. The Testermans have had many hiking and biking expeditions, this was one of the experiences of a lifetime. Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served at 5:00 after the presentation.

Silk Ribbon embroidery is a fun needlecraft with a classy and romantic look. By combining several classic embroidery stitches with ribbon techniques you will learn ways to make motifs that can range from fine, detailed work to bold and vivid. These motifs can be used to decorate pillows, crazy quilts, clothing, purses, or anything made of cloth. Our instructor, Teri Bever, will show you the ins and outs of working with silk ribbons to create added depth and realism to your embroidery work.
 

Get your Christmas shopping done while select La Conner merchants and the La Conner Visitor Center stay open late for your convenience!
http://www.lovelaconner.com/laconner-blog/holiday-hours-shopping-la-conner/

The Skagit Symphony chorus and the Brass Menagerie will fill the all with the sounds of Christmas and holiday in an array of seasonal favorites, highlighting Daniel Pinkham's Christmas Canata and also the highly popular concert caroling sing a long with the orchestra.
Special Guests - Brass Menagerie
*Sponsored by Skagit Valley Senior Village

Learn to create a mosaic picture frame or mirror. You will be taught the fine are of creative mosaic from beginning to end with tricks of the trade. All materials will be supplied. Class size is limited to 10 people

Boats from the Swinomish Yacht Club lit up in the holiday finest!

Songs from the Messiah and other traditional Christmas favorites presented by the Shelter Bay Chorus. Refreshments served during Intermission.

Bring your family to the library for games, crafts, stories and a visit from Mrs. Claus!