Monday, August 16, 2010

Island Profile: Filberg Festival [Photos]

If there’s one thing that would make Etsy better it would be the ability to see, smell, feel and admire all the fine finds in person. That’s precisely the beauty in the annual Filberg Festival at Filberg Lodge and Park in Comox, British Columbia.

Opening its gates every BC Day long weekend, this year’s event was flooded with lots of sunshine and warmth. I spent a day wandering the flora and fauna with my mom, admiring everything from handmade soaps and organic cotton skirts to one-of-a-kind paintings and covet-worthy collections of pottery.

Recycled

Eagle

One particular vendor that caught my eye at this year’s event was Gord Langston. This Sidney-based sculptor works with almost anything he can get his hands on – particularly scrap metals.

Talons

His recycled metal art boasts cow bells made from fire extinguishers, garden decor crafted from once-loved eating utensils and drawer pulls shaped from junkyard scraps. The showstopper of his collection was undoubtedly this reflective eagle, cast in deep tones with exquisite detail.

Eagle Wing

Bumble Bees

Filberg Park

The incredible crafts on hand aren’t the only thing awe-inspiring. Filberg Park is situated directly on the water, enhanced by spectacular views of Vancouver Island’s mountain range and the Comox Glacier.

Comox Valley Glacier

StixNStones

It’s impossible not to indulge yourself in one or three things, but with my bank account still recovering from New York City, I showed some restraint. I’ve long marveled at Sarah Jane’s StixNStones, envying girls who can toss their hair up with a Bic pen in the flick of a wrist. My hair’s incredibly slippery, so I was convinced that the hair sticks weren’t for me. With just 30 seconds of instruction, Sarah Jane showed me how to twist and roll like the best of ‘em and I’m now inseparable with my hair stick. I only wish I’d bought a few.

(The website is currently being built, but you can still click over there for photos of her creations. Send a quick e-mail if you want to order a few of your own – something I’d highly suggest, ladies.)

StixNStones

Filberg Festival

A large roster of talented musicians was also on hand to keep everyone entertained, but we unfortunately didn’t have the time to check out any of the listed acts. However, sipping cherry lemonade is the perfect excuse to make a quick stop and smell the flowers.

Bumble Bee

Nodar's Spirit

Each year the Filberg Festival shines the spotlight on a guest artist. This year Canadian artist MONK shared her stunning West Coast paintings with the crowd, pieces that dance in dreamy watercolours.

2010 marked the first year that a guest artist encouraged attendees to create art of their own. The lush greens of Cathedral Grove were open for embellishment in a collaborative tribute to fallen Olympic athlete, Nodar Kumaritashvili of Georgia. Budding artists could add a personal touch to the painting which will be presented as a gift to the people of Nodar’s home country.

Nodar's Spirit

For more information on the annual Filberg Festival, and to stay in the loop for tickets prior to next year’s extravaganza, visit the Filberg Festival’s official website.

I’m once again fundraising for the BC-SPCA’s Paws For A Cause, aiming to raise $2,000 by September 12, 2010. As of today, I’ve already reached 25% of my goal and have less than a month left! Please consider donating to my effort and support this worthwhile cause.
Friday, August 13, 2010

Numbers

43 – The number of chihuahuas abandoned at a Victoria-area SPCA last week. [source] 1 – The number of suspects arrested and charged under BC law for tying up and dragging a dog behind a truck in June. [source] 40,000 – The minimum number of wild, domestic and farm animals the BC SPCA rescues each [...]

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Confessions of a Former Pack Rat

Last week I took some time off work and escaped to Vancouver Island for nine days. Much of that time was spent wearing stretchy pants, watching HGTV, sleeping in late, stuffing my face with all kinds of food that’s bad for me (my skin was hating me for doing so), drinking beer, BBQing, baking and [...]

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Trying Tumblr

Not joining: it’s what I’m famous for. I’ve always been more content to strut to my own beat rather than go with the flow. I often resist change and will purposely avoid jumping bandwagons simply out of principle. The same could not be more true of my relationship with social media. I was one of [...]

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Photo Post: 2010 Alpine Wine Festival

For more than a decade, wine makers and wine lovers have been converging at Mount Washington Alpine Resort for the annual Alpine Wine Festival. The event has become increasingly popular, packing full the elegantly rustic Raven Lodge, and it’s quickly become one of my must-dos over the summer months. Last weekend I grabbed one of [...]

Friday, August 6, 2010

Photo Walk: 5th Street, Courtenay

I’m once again fundraising for the BC-SPCA’s Paws For A Cause, aiming to raise $2,000 by September. As of today, I’ve already reached 19% of my goal and have only a little more than a month left! Please consider donating to my effort and support this worthwhile cause.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

The Big Time Out

For 363 days each year, the Village of Cumberland is one of Vancouver Island’s sleepiest towns, its streets dotted with heritage homes, a handful of locally-run shops and a towering brick post office. The other two days of the year, it’s a totally different story… The Big Time Out has quickly become one of BC’s [...]

Friday, July 30, 2010

Happy Birthday, Ashley!

“I know a girl… She puts the colour inside of my world.” – John Mayer, “Daughters” Just shy of 10 years ago, I met Ashley. Like moths to a flame, blondes are seemingly drawn to each other. Ashley and I were no exception. While our mutual love of ice cream paved the way, it took [...]

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Love The Skin You’re In

At the end of a brief doctor’s appointment yesterday, the conversation between my doctor and I turned to my epidermis. After a quick examination of my face, she commented that my skin was looking very healthy and asked if I use sunblock each day. “Yep, SPF 50 every day,” I answered. She laughed and I [...]

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

12th Annual Alpine Wine Festival

How many times have you walked into a wine shop or liquor store, intent on purchasing a tantalizing bottle of wine, only to find yourself perplexed or overwhelmed? With so many varietals, vineyards and exotic production locales around the globe, knowing where to start and what to choose can often be a daunting endeavour. For [...]


Click here to read about my Mount Washington experience.
Click here to read about my Bruhwiler experience.