Eight of us gathered bright and early at Shibagau Creek Forest Farmstead for a morning of listening, watching, and counting as many birds as we could spot across the property.
Armed with binoculars, keen ears, and plenty of enthusiasm, we explored the forests, fields, and trails together. By the end of the count, we had recorded an incredible 41 birds!
It was a wonderful opportunity to slow down, learn from one another, and appreciate the remarkable variety of birdlife that calls the farmstead home. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the morning such a success.
Friends and community members gathered at Shibagau Creek Forest Farmstead with brushes in hand, transforming our cherished caravan, appropriately named “Sunflower”, into a bright and joyful sunflower landscape. What began as Victoria’s long-held dream has now become a beautiful, living work of art, filled with colour, creativity, and the individual touches of everyone who joined us.
The day was full of painting, laughter, fresh air, and connection. Artists of all experience levels worked side by side, sharing ideas and leaving their mark on a special part of the farmstead.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed their time, energy, enthusiasm, and creative spirit. You helped bring the caravan to life and created memories that will remain woven into our community for years to come.
We can’t wait for you to see “Sunflower” in person!
There has been plenty of activity at Shibagau Creek Forest Farmstead, and we’re excited to share some of the newest improvements taking shape around the property.
Our biggest addition is a brand-new staircase leading up to the loft, making the space easier and more comfortable for guests to access. We have also welcomed one of our smallest, but most exciting, upgrades: a new light switch!
Staircase leading up to the loft
So much is growing at SCFF!
Outside, the farmhouse is looking refreshed with a newly stained deck, a new counter in the outdoor kitchen, a freshly painted picnic table, a new platform for the barbeque, and a newly created flower bed that will bring even more colour and life to the property.
Newly installed countertops & platform for new barbeque
We’ve also upgraded our outdoor shower with a new system that provides better water pressure and warms the water more quickly, making it easier and more comfortable for guests to freshen up while enjoying the off-grid experience.
Outdoor shower with new water system & newly built flower bed
Beyond the farmhouse
The work continues beyond the farmhouse as well. We’re clearing and improving existing trails, cutting new paths through the property, and continuing to build our dead hedge forest maze. Each new trail and woven wall adds another layer to the experience of exploring the land.
We’re proud to keep improving SCFF while preserving the rustic, peaceful character that makes it so special. We look forward to sharing these new spaces with our guests and community throughout the season!
Two workshops with Peter Sramek are planned for 2026 that will cover experimental folded and sewn artist’s books, including a potential for drawing and collage to create contents for binding. Topics such as boxmaking, alternative sculptural structures are also possible depending on interest, so please get in touch to let us know what your interests are.: workshops@scff.ca. We could even do an extended series on handbinding digitally designed and printed books.
Dates for summer 2026 are July 11-12 and August 14-16. If you are interested in attending a workshop, please contact us and Register Early to help with planning.
Book workshops will take place at our Heron Point home location near Desert Lake, Hartington.
Workshop #1: Album explorations – July 11-12 This workshop will consider a variety of structures appropriate for inserting contents, be it photos, prints, drawings, collages, envelopes that hold items or more. For anyone wishing to bring together collected materials in an album format, this workshop will provide inspiration and binding techniques.
Workshop #2: Experimental Artist Books – August 14-16 Options for artist’s books will be presented and the group will focus on techniques pertinent to project ideas. Participants are encouraged to bring visual materials to work with or collect them onsite. Sewing and gluing can be simple and appropriate for those looking for binding experience, while more complex approaches can be selected by those looking to develop more advanced skills.
