David's cottage down the hill.

Thistlewood's Carry-All

2012-02-22T02:10:00.008-08:00

This is going to be the last post about Thistlewood. I do not want you to get tired of it.

Thistlewood needed its own carry bag, don't you think ? Well, Jackie thought it needed it and created a Thistlewood carry-all bag.

It started with some plain silk fabric that needed some embellishment for texture.

How does it look ? Great, hey ??

Now some hand dyed ribbon...

And after a few hours (quite a few actually!!!LOL!), that's what I got :

With inside four- storage spaces to carry my stitching threads along.

It is a cherished project and one more antique-of-the-future heirloom in my collection which I will cherish for years to come.

I want to thank you all for your extraordinary comments on my last post. I tried to reply as I had some free time being on vacation.

I, unfortunately, won't be able to do so now as I resume work on Monday but be assured that I read all your comments and like them a lot.

Until later,

Thistlewood is finished !

2012-02-18T04:10:00.012-08:00

I have loved every single step of the stitching and finishing part of this project!

But words are sometimes useless... let the photos speak for themselves...

This is a Jackie Du Plessis's creation and it was an online class with Shining Needle Society.

I LOVE it! And you ?

Until later,

Back home.

2012-02-12T02:32:00.001-08:00

After a week with my students visiting London, Oxford and Windsor, I am finally back home and have a two-week break.

I didn't have much time for myself while in London but could pick up the March issue of Country Living which I usually buy here in France and also found the Farrow&Ball book Living With Color.

It is the only paint brand I use in my house and as I am about to start some major renovation work, I thought it could be inspirational though I have already chosen the colors I will use. I will see if I will stick to my first choices or if the book will make me change my mind ;-)

As soon as I reached home, my wife told me that a few big envelopes had arrived for me. First was the house number plaque that I had won at Ann's blog giveaway. Thank you very much Ann. This Ramsign plaque is absolutely gorgeous!

On the second enveloppe was a handmade fabric heart I also won at Lhise's blog giveaway. Thank you Lhise. It is lovely and it has found its place in my workroom.

Finally, the lastest issue of Simply Vintage was here too!!! Great reports, great projects! It is a fantastic magazine for country lovers.

Now that the suitcase is unpacked, I am ready to start finishing Thistlewood. That will keep me busy for the next few days... and I shall soon have a new finish to post about ;-)

Until later,

My workroom

2012-01-28T05:59:00.000-08:00

This is the place where I spend a lot of time once I have finished preparing my classes and grading the papers of my students.

A room for myself where I can make my dreams come true! Creating by hand, with needles and threads what will be, I hope, family heirlooms.

As you can see, I have put the new pouch on my desk so I can see it while stitching. And I cannot resist to posting two more photos of it.

Thank you very much for your comments on my last post.

Until later,

A new pouch

2012-01-25T08:12:00.000-08:00

Here is a new pouch to store my quilting stuff. It wasn't easy to make but I am very pleased with the result. I really love these taupe colors and the quilting on each side of the pouch adds to the charm as do every little detail : two different fabrics used as zipper gussets, the stitched colonial knots with an overdyed thread on the handle and the buttons added to the zipper.

The model is from Yoko Saito and was bought as a kit a long time ago. But I have changed the general shape slightly from the original to make it personal.

Don't you think it looks great in front of the Japanese fountain ?

I had promised I would show you finishes and there is one more to come! But as I am soon going to London for work, it will take a few weeks before it is completely finished. So you may see in-progress photos meanwhile.

Until later,

First finish for 2012

2012-01-18T06:13:00.001-08:00

Just LOVE it !!!!!

And there are more finishes to come ;-)

Until later,

second part

2012-01-15T12:07:00.000-08:00

The second part is stitched and the cording is finished. I still have to do the backstitch around each design though! But not far to go before starting the finishing part ;-)

As this design will now be available only next October, that will be an early finish...

I wish you all a wonderful week,
Until later,

Seasonal stitching

2012-01-03T06:44:00.001-08:00

My Christmas Stocking 2012. The Magic
By : L'Atelier Perdu de Nataliejo.
Fabric : 32ct Lambswool
Threads : recommended threads but 2 substitutions : GA Tropical Ocean and Maple Syrup

It is a real pleasure to stitch and especially when stitching it right now, during the holiday season. It is a quick stitch. The back is even quicker which means I will be able to finish this project very soon.

I received yesterday the latest issue (N°87) of Quiltmania. This issue is a must!!! Fantastic projects and reports and the most wonderful surprise included in it!!! A Mystery Quilt designed by Yoko Saito for 2012. I am thrilled :-)))

Moreover, Carol's editorial is really worth reading, especially if, like me, you spend too much time surfing the web and get frustrated because your projects do not progress as much as you'd like.
I have been thinking about this editorial since yesterday and I think I will now try to concentrate a bit more on having fun with my projects rather than spending hours on the web. How's that for 2012 ?

I may not write as often but I may post more about finished projects ;-)...

Hope springs eternal ;-) or as we say in French : "L'espoir fait vivre".

Until later,

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T06:52:00.001-08:00

The end of the year is almost here... And we are getting ready to welcome our friends for dinner tonight.

In Australia and Japan you are already in 2012. In the USA, you will have to wait a little longer and my dear friends in Portland, Oregon will be in 2012 when I will wake up tomorrow morning. And many of you, in France, are also getting ready for "le réveillon".

I have a very special thought for all the Japanese people who have endured a terrible year with the tsunami.

I do know that many have also been through difficult time.

I will remember also all the good moments of this past year. Meeting people, sharing my hobbies and passion via my blog, reading so many inspiring blogs and feeling that the world is a little place filled with so many wonderful people.

I do hope that your lives will be filled with beautiful moments of friendship and sharing in 2012.

As for me, it will be a year without resolutions for once as I haven't been able to stick to them so far... but I will keep on writing this blog from time to time to share with you a part of my life and passion for needles and threads.

Happy New Year to all of you and happy celebrations ;-)

Until later,

Relaxing time

2011-12-27T01:44:00.000-08:00

It is a perfect and peaceful time to play with my needles and threads. A moment of pure bliss...

Until later,

A time for family and friends.

2011-12-20T01:39:00.001-08:00

This is the holiday season and a time for family and friends and some stitching and quilting in-between ;-)

These are the projects I am currently working on except for one which will be started on January 1st.

As you can see, there are some finishing to do and I do hope to make some progress during this two-week vacation time.

Happy holiday,
Until later,

Thank YOU ...

2011-12-13T08:04:00.001-08:00

... to all of you.

When I started this blog, I never thought that someone would be interested in seeing what I have stitched or what quilt I have finished.

But, the passion of needles and thread is a close link between many people around the globe.

So, to all of you who have stopped by, who have commented, who have signed up as followers, I must say THANK YOU.

I feel blessed to be able to share my passion with you.

This little hornbook was the bonus chart that was included as a present to the Stitch Me Club 2011 members.

Have a great week,

Until later,

Stitch Me Club. Summer 2011.

2011-12-07T08:36:00.001-08:00

This project by Nataliejo was a mystery project in three parts. For people who, like me, love stitched smalls, L'Atelier Perdu, is the right place! Lovely designs, easy-to-follow and step-by-step finishing instructions that you can have either in French or in English, make me want to stitch every single project Natalie releases.

As usual, I am a bit late as I had planned to finish it late August!!! Well, it's early December instead and the arrival in my mailbox of a new ABSOLUTELY fantastic small has motivated me to finish it so I can start stitching it ;-)

Here are the photos I took a few minutes ago.

It is such a beautiful project :-))

I am now ready to stitch Natalie's new small. The theme is Christmas, and OMG, it is awesome. It will stitch it along with Isabelle.

This weekend will be dedicated to my sewing machine. I got the opportunity to attend an online class with another Nathalie. I will make a top by machine and hope to do a lot more after that. I haven't decided yet but I think I will handquilt it because I just love the look of handquilted quilts.

For Christmas I have two weeks off and will do the finishing of the project Thistlewood. I will also finish a Yoko Saito pouch and work on two wool projects from Maggie Bonanomi's latest book Buttonwood Farm.... that's a lot on my to-do list!!! But who knows...dreams may come true ... And even if I cannot do all the things planned, this will not be the end of the world ;-)

Finally, I have received everything for my New Year's new project. I always start a new project on New Year's day. This time it is a project I had dreamt to stitch but missed the opportunity last year. But more about that next year...

I will be back here before Christmas but I wanted to share with you some of the decorations we have put up for the season.

I am sorry not to be able to post more these days but my work takes most of my time and energy...

I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and thank you for all the lovely comments you wrote before. They make me very happy and it is nice to know that you have stopped by.

Until later,

Simply Vintage : the new country and folk art magazine published in France

2011-11-19T13:19:00.000-08:00

This brand new magazine, published by Quiltmania, has absolutely everything I could have dreamt of. I LOVE it. It is filled with country projects that make your fingers ache. You immediately feel an urgent need to make every single project. And it has the most wonderful photography.

What's more...

Well, many things but I want to let you discover it by yourself.

Behind this magazine, there are Carol Veillon from Quiltmania and Marie-Claude Iperti. Most of you know them both and I have talked a lot with Marie-Claude in different quiltshows. She is an attentive, kind and very generous person. I can assure you that the magazine reflects her personality.

So I have only two words : congratulations and thank you for this magazine.

You can see photos of inside pages here, and here or there. Enjoy :-))

Until later,

Butternut House Sewing Case

2011-11-12T14:01:00.001-08:00

You wanted to see it finished! Here it is...

The idea of covering this sewing case comes from a Japanese magazine (Quilt Tshushin 156. June 2010) and because I don't have this magazine and also because I wanted a country design for my sewing case, I chose this design by Maggie Bonanomi and adapted it for this project.

The front.

The back.

Inside.

I cannot leave you without showing you a close-up.

I like this small sewing case a lot and it was so fun to make... It is the perfect project for making a very personal sewing case.

Do you like it too ?

Until later,

Edit Nov 16, 2011 : I forgot to tell you in the "how to" explanation in the comment section... I used a curved needle. Without a curved needle, I think it is more difficult to achieve a good result.

Info for my French readers : I received The Quiltmania catalogue with my magazine this morning and the book "With These Hands" by Maggie Bonanomi is going to be available in French. The Butternut House design comes from this book ;-)

Thistlewood

2011-11-08T07:28:00.001-08:00

Jackie Du Plessis has done it again!!! She has offered the opportunity to attend one of her classes online with The Shining Needle Society.

For me, it is perfect. I live in France and cannot go to a class in the US. And when I do go to the US, it is to see my friends. The occasion to attend a class at the same time has never occured.

Moreover, with a busy schedule and an active professional life, the online classes give me the opportunity to work on the project at my own pace.

The project I'm working on is called Thistlewood and it is gorgeous. I wanted to show you the stitching part finished. I love it :-))

I think I will have a new "antique of the future" added to my collection soon ;-)

A short post today, as the Butternut House appliqué is asking to be attached to the sewing case... and I have understood that some of you are looking forward to seeing this project finished ;-)

Until later,

Inspired by Maggie Bonanomi

2011-10-31T01:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I spent the whole afternoon stitching Thistlewood. It's really a pleasure to stitch. And in the evening, I wanted to do something else and tried to find a quick and fun project to make.

Maggie Bonanomi has been my inspiration once again. I found in her book With These Hands the project that would be perfect for what I had in mind. It just needed to be adapted a bit to size so it could fit in.

I picked up a Japanese fabric for the background and took all the wools I had and then the fun part started.

This is what I came up with a few hours later.

It is going to be perfect for this very practical but not very nice craft case.

Once appliqué, the blue will not show anymore and I will have a country sewing case. So fun!

Do you like it ?

And the very good news is that Maggie will be in Nantes at the quilt show Pour l'Amour Du Fil organized by Quiltmania.

And Reiko Kato will be there too!!! Well, I think that Quiltmania is my personal Santa Claus as they make my dreams come true.

Today is going to be another stitching day with Thistlewood and Best Friends.

Happy Halloween everyone... Where I live in France it is not celebrated but my daughter has invited 3 friends to have fun with her... the costumes are ready... Let's hope the neighbors are ready too!!

Until later,

finally...

2011-10-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's the word... finally... because this quilt has been waiting for a long time before being quilted!

Why? Well, the first reason is that when I started quilting it by hand I was a bit disappointed by the fact that it didn't show much with these fabrics. So I waited until I couldn't wait anymore!!!

My daughter has been VERY patient...

Indeed, I had promised that it would be finished for Christmas. Now, my daughter (and my wife too) was urging me to tell which year!!!!

The quilting is different in each block type. It is simple but I was wrong when I thought it didn't show enough. In fact, it does show at certain angles with certain lights... It gives charm to the quilt.

For the quilting, I have now developped a personal technique in mixing the Amish technique taught by Esther Miller and the Japanese technique. Under the quilt I use a porcelain thimble and on my right hand I have a Roxanne thimble. I quilt with a floorstand hoop but for the borders I quilt without the hoop and I use a weight. I am quite happy with the result and I have noticed that the more I quilt the better and more even the stitches are.

For marking the lines I use a Hera marker. I tried on several blocks the chalk maker (the one with a little wheel) and it worked fine too. But the Hera marker is my favourite.

As you can see, the quilt is heavily quilted. I almost wrote "heavenly quilted"!!!! That would be making my dreams a reality!!! LOL.

Someone asked me in my previous post if she would have a chance to see the entire quilt so I took this photo so you can see it. It's not the best photo though...

I wish you all a wonderful weekend and a Happy Halloween on Monday.

Until later for more finishing and stitching,

I missed the needles...

2011-10-15T01:26:00.000-07:00

... and I also missed posting on my blog... but so much has been going on here this past month. Back-to-school is a VERY busy period for me as I teach both students and teachers and all my energy goes toward planning and preparing the entire school year. I also work on two international educative projects which take time.

My needles have been left behind for more than a month except for a regular handquilting time in order to finish my daughter's quilt before winter. And guess what??? I'm almost done! Only the surrounding band of squares are not quilted yet but will be soon.

My friend from Portland came over and spend 10 days here. It was a real pleasure to have her around and remember the past 20 years we've known each other. At the same time we also had a bittersweet feeling as her husband, who passed away last year, wasn't there as usual. I admired him a lot and he will stay alive in my memory.

Well, things are getting back to normal, I guess, and I can now resume stitching and quilting at a more regular pace.
First, I want to finish Natalie's summer project... Natalie, if you read this post, I think you will have a good laugh!!!! I know I told you I had planned to finish it before school started!!! Did I mention a year ????? Don't worry, I can do it and WILL do it before a new school year starts ;-)

See, I resumed stitching yesterday evening and started part 3. Save me a spot in the group picture ;-)

And when the quilt is binded and the pocket finished, I will start another lovely project with Jackie Du Plessis. I'd better hurry as the finishing online class is in November.

It is now fall and my maple tree is here to prove it.

But with the temperatures that are still summer-like, we could doubt it. The good point though, is that we could have had dinner on the terrace so far.

Thank you for being still around. I wish you a happy fall season and leave you with a photo of the olive tree in my garden I took this morning.

Until later,

In my mailbox...

2011-09-14T05:41:00.001-07:00

To say that I am extremely busy these days is not true! It's even worse... which means I do not have much time for my needles. The only thing I have managed to do so far, is to handquilt for 30 minutes every schoolday and 2 hours at the weekend.

When I came back from work today, there was a surprise in my mailbox. Two books were waiting for me.

The first one is by Maggie Bonanomi and is entitled Buttonwood Farm. You know how much I love everything she creates!!!

The second one is by Renée Plains and is entitled Stitches From the Schoolhouse. I missed her previous book (A Bird in Hand) but didn't want to miss this one.

Both books have surpassed all my expectations... absolutely FANTASTIC books!!!

I love the blue color but have difficulty in using it in my country projects. I think that now, Maggie Bonanomi has managed to help me get over my fear of using it!!! Moreover, I now know how I will use the Japanese antique blues and indigos I bought last April ;-)

Finally, if you want to have a peek at what's inside the books you can click here.

Until later,

last day...

2011-09-01T09:35:00.000-07:00

... of summer break.

It is not fall yet! The days are still warm and sunny though shorter and cooler in the evening. The leaves of the maple tree start turning yellow and red while other plants are still in full bloom.

Tomorrow is back-to-school day for teachers in France and on Monday students will be back to school also.

I have enjoyed my summer break a lot. It was a peaceful and relaxing time when you know that you have plenty of time to do what you want to do. Yet, I didn't do all that was on my to-do list! But who cares. The feeling of a long stretch of time ahead of you was enough to make me happy.

Time to read, stitch, quilt. Time to have breakfast on the terrace in the morning. Time to have tea and biscuits in the afternoon. Time to be with your family and friends. I have enjoyed it all.

Now, a new school year will begin. I like this period, too! A new beginning, new projects, a whole year ahead of you to make your dreams come true : see all the students willing to study and getting excellent grades at their exams!!!!! Well, that's another story but I'll do my best to help them.

On a personal level, it's also a time for decisions and new organization. Don't worry I haven't decided to quit stitching or quilting!!! This year I will continue stitching and quilting all the projects I have in my stash as well as those I will discover and that are not in my to-do list yet, but will be for sure!!!! There are always new projects you cannot not stitch or quilt, aren't they?
Sure I'm not alone here, am I ?

There are three projects that are not finished yet, but will be soon.

First, the summery quilt for my daughter. Not long to go now. She's been waiting for this quilt for more than three years!!! I know, it's a shame...

Second, the Yoko Saito's pouch. I still need to quilt the two faces and finish it.

Finally, the Stitch Me Club project. I have to finish part 3 plus the bonus part.

No dates, no plans as my very first priority is now my job. But with a bit of stitching or a bit of quilting in the evening, I should finish them before Christmas!!! Or so I hope!!!LOL

To thank you in advance for your patience, here's another tiny small that goes with the Lady Jane Garden Project by Jackie Du Plessis. This is the last accessory of this project.

Until later,

Lobster scissors fob

2011-08-23T02:42:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for your comments on my summer posts. My piece of linen enjoyed writing the last post for you ;-)

Do you remember the stitching class I attended in 2009 in London with CA WELLS ? I stitched the Nantucket Cottage. What a project it was!!!! I am still in awe when I look at it.

I love CA Wells's finishing technique. It makes everything perfect. When in class, I had bought a bonus design to go with this cottage : the Lobster Scissors Fob.

It was high time to finish it, wasn't it ?

And guess what ? I have thousands of ideas to use this concept to make more but in different styles!

And because, I like smalls, I also stitched the treat that Jackie Du Plessis had offered us when taking the class Lady Jane Garden. A very small pinkeep to put in the basket with the other accessories.

And there's more to come... so...

Until later,

The summer afternoon of a stitched piece of linen

2011-08-20T09:08:00.000-07:00

It is over 100°F /40°C today, so I decided to write for David as he cannot do anything with these temps! I think he is dreaming of fall reading the fall issue of Primitive Projects Magazine he has just received.

How do you like me ironed and framed ? Do I look good ? Well, David likes me... But let's go back in time to tell you how I finished like this.

At first, I was a white piece of linen stitched with a design by Jackie Du Plessis. But, right now, David is in a country and primitive mood so he decided to give a try to what he had read on Stacy Nash's project charts (which he has to stitch BTW!!!).

Because the linen was so white (though the photo doesn't show), he first decided to let me have a bath for an hour or two. He didn't use his best tea for that! He kept it for himself and I got the regular black tea from the supermarket... Anyway, that was fun.

After the bath, he brushed me with some dark solution he had made with walnut crystals. The more stained I was, the happier he was! He was so happy that he even tried the recipe with different fabrics just to see how they would turn out.

Then, I finished the afternoon lying and sunbathing on the grass in the garden.

Ironed and framed, I now stands proudly in the sitting room where David is reading the magazine and drinking iced cold lemonade.

Next time, David will try Lori (from Notforgotten Farm)'s recipe.

Until later( he says),

Back from Burgundi.

2011-08-13T07:36:00.000-07:00

It was a short but fantastic trip to Burgundi. There are so many things to see. The food is good, the wines are awesome... but there's more. Do you want to know ? Well, you will have to read the whole post to discover it. ;-)

Here are several images of Burgundi captured through my Iphone lens.

I visited a mustard manufacturer in Beaune : the famous Moutarderie Fallot. We were explained the story of the Burgundi/Dijon mustard. How it is made. We even tried to make some and finished the visit with a mustard tasting. That was really fun!!!

I also visited several vineyards and met a few wine makers who explained how they worked. We visited the vaulted cellars and seeing so many bottles was simply AMAZING!!! We tasted a few wines and brought back a few bottles home too. But no photos, as I was too busy tasting!!!!

We visited two abbayes. The Abbaye de Citeaux and the Abbaye de Fontenay which is my most favourite visit with the Hospices de Beaune. Breathtaking!!! A not-to-be-missed visit if you travel in the area.

I also went there.
I guess that by now you know where I went.

Yes, I went to Born To Quil t and spend a few hours there.

Véronique was waiting for us and it was fantastic to see this place for real. You walk along the cottage to enter the garden where the quilt shop stands at the far end. Behind the quilt shop, there are pastures and cows grazing... very bucolic and pastoral.

At first, you can hardly believe that someone dared set up a business in such a remote place. It is not even a village, just a cluster of houses, a "hameau" as we call it in French. It is very country-like all around.

As soon as you walk through the gate, the magic starts. You enter the quilt world of Born To Quilt.

Véronique and Lizzy welcomed us warmly. We immediately started talking about the Mystery Quilt which I had with me.

Before looking at the quilt, I took a tour of the quilt shop which is full of fabrics and items to die for. Then, Véronique offered us tea and we sat in the garden and drank tea and chatted for a while. After that, we looked at my Mystery Quilt2 version and Véronique showed me her Mystery Quilts 1 and 2. Awesome!!! They are even more beautiful in real!

Here are a few photos...

I did my best to bring you back these pictures, all taken with my Iphone. It was sometimes very annoying not to have my camera with me but my daughter arrives from Oregon on Thursday and she brings back the camera with her ;-)

Until later,

Stitch Me Club Part 2 and a quilt top waiting to be quilted.

2011-08-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

Part 2 of the Stitch Me Club has been a real pleasure : stitching the inside of the project, stitching a flower for a scissor fob and sewing a fabric flower that will hold a pair of scissor in the case. This is the perfect project to give a go to techniques you had never tried before. That was the case for me as I had never used the English paper-piecing method for Grandmother's Flower Garden... and my first impression is that it can be very addictive!!!!

Natalie is a great designer and this project is like attending an online class. You get help whenever you need it, step by step photos on how to do each technique. I hesitated to do it as my to-do list was way too long but I do know now that I would have regretted not to have participated to such a wonderful project.

Once again, sorry for the bad quality of the photos with my phone which, unfortunately do not make justice to the projects.

And for the quilt top of the Mystery Quilt2 of Born To Quilt, the borders are sewn and it will be quilted this fall/winter as soon as my daughter's quilt is finished. Here you can have a close-up view of the fabric I used for the borders and the one I will use for the binding.

It was a bit windy this morning!!! May be a better view...

Until later,

Coup de coeur...

2011-08-03T01:09:00.000-07:00

You don't always know why but there are things you like VERY much. When I discovered what Aurélia Ducrocq creates, it was love at first sight. She makes decorative and useful items that have this typical Frenchness I like very much. It has the feeling of antique stuff. It reminds me of my schoolroom when I was a kid and brings back treasured times at my grandparents' when I see watering cans and birds on the pieces of linen. It also brings back to mind the smells of this past time and especially the ones of the cakes in the stove and the soup simmering. Just don't know why, but it feels good...

You can visit her blog or her shop of ephemeral creations by clicking on the names.

Though it is different from what I usually do in stitches or quilting, I made a pencil case and a key holder with Aurélia last year.

As it is often the case in summertime I am going to many different places. This year, I haven't been abroad and have enjoyed different regions of France instead. After the ocean coast, the Mediterranean coast, I will now spend a few days in Burgundy before going hiking in the Pyrenees.

In between, I am home, gardening, cooking, reading and spending blissful family time. Though, it might not be worth mentioning, I spend quite a lot of time preparing new lessons and projects for next school year too!

And of course, I also stitch and quilt a lot... which means that I will have a few stitched and quilted bits and pieces to share with you sometime soon ;-)

As for the books, I finished One Day by David Nicholls last week and liked it very much. For my French readers, it has been translated into French and it is now available. I have ordered it for my wife because she doesn't read books in English.

And I am now reading The Union Quilters by Jennifer Chiaverini and I still don't understand why the series has not been translated in French for those who cannot read English.

Thank you for stopping by. Have a great family time in this blissful period when the routine is over and you can find some quality time for others, for you and your soul, trying not to forget the infinite treasure that life and love are.

Until later,

Stitch Me Club. Part 1.

2011-07-20T01:29:00.000-07:00

I was away for a week and I am now back home. Just the time to garden a little bit, quilt a little bit too and pack again for another 9 nine days on the beautiful Meditteranean coast.

When I go on vacation, I only take a cross-stitch project with me and never a quilting project. I only quilt at home.

The project I had with me was the first part of the Stitch Me Club of Nataliejo from L'Atelier Perdu.

It is stitched over one and it really gives finesse and delicacy to the design. It is a three-part project and the second part should be in my mailbox by the 21st.

Here you can see which fabrics I will use for the finishing... but I might change at the last minute.

Well, I know what you might think : "Nice setting with the lavender and flower bouquet from your garden but we'd like a closer look!!!"

Here you go!

Looks like my daughter and her two cousins when they were younger ;-) And still best friends.

Wherever you are I wish you a beautiful summer (or winter),
Until later,

an online class.

2011-07-09T10:53:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share this piece of information with you. Jackie Du Plessis is offering a new online class with Shining Needle Society. She will teach the project Thistlewood that you can see on her website (teaching projects / current projects). The registration runs through July 31st and the class starts in September.

Now, I'd like to show you the mini carrier as it is really cute!!!

I am also stitching the "Stitch Me Club" project by Nataliejo that I will show you when it is finished by the end of September. It is a secret project for the summer. It is in three parts and I am working on part 1. Part 2 will arrive at the end of the month.

I am also (finally) trying to finish quilting a beautiful fresh quilt for my youngest daughter.

Until later,

Lady Jane Garden Update

2011-07-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

First of all, I'd like to tell you that the photos in the summer posts will not be as clear as the previous ones. Indeed, my 17 year-old daughter is now near Portland, OR for the summer and she has my camera with her...which means I can take photos with my Iphone only.

The finishing of the LJG project is almost complete. I still need to make the scissors fob but I am waiting for the thread to make the cording and tassel. I also need to line the mini carrier with silk 5the one you had seen in a previous post about this project). I'll show you these two accessories when they are made.

But here are the photos what I have finished so far.

I hope you like it as much as I do. It was a wonderful project and I have learnt a lot making it.

Once again, I want to thank you for your comments. They really motivate me not leaving any UFOs behind.

Until later,

Lady Jane's Garden Needle Case

2011-06-23T11:59:00.000-07:00

The needle case is now finished.

I am very happy with how it turned out.

I used an antique fabric I had in my stash for the needle page inside. I am not happy with the way I attached it though. If you have any suggestion on how to attach it neatly, please let me know ;-) I think I will do that part again.

Well, I guess that you want to see the photos ...

There are still three other accesories I need to finish before lining the basket.

Until later,

Summer is here.

2011-06-21T07:13:00.000-07:00

Today, we celebrate the first day of summer in France. This is "La Fête de la Musique" and everywhere in France, in big cities as well as in small villages, people, old and young, will play music outside... all kind of music. It is going to be a great evening.

This morning, I walked around my garden and enjoyed the blooming flowers. I especially like the color of the hydrangea.

Want a closer look ?

The garden is so beautiful these days... So I decided to surprise my wife with a nice country bouquet of flowers. I cut flowers and a few branches of this and that and it imediately created a lovely atmosphere on our terrace table.

Well, You might think, by now, that it has nothing to do with stitching. So, let's talk about it.

I am finishing the Lady Jane Garden basket and accessories by Jackie Du Plessis. What was the most difficult part for me is now almost finished. It's the pocket with gussets which has a padded front and which will be added to the inside of the stitched needle case. As usual, I am a bit long but it is for a good cause : finishing it nicely and making it one of my Antique of the Future.

Like many of you, I have several summer projects on my to-do list. This summer, I plan to stitch two samplers.

The first one is Tribute to Summer by Stacy Nash. I am waiting for my linen and silks to arrive.

The second one is Hillside Travelers by LHN. Here are the coton threads.

Finally, I have decided to do the Stitch Me club 2011 of Nataliejo from L'Atelier Perdu. Though I hesitated because I have so many projects in my stash already, it was impossible not to participate to a fun club from one of my favorite designers.

I wish you all a wonderful summer (and those in the southern hemisphere a beautiful and cosy winter). I will try to post from time to time. So let's keep in touch...

Until later,

couldn't delay it any longer...

2011-06-13T05:56:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's right!!!! I first thought of posting about the Frog Basket in a day or two but couldn't wait ;-)

Finishing the basket has been quite a challenge! You know, the kind of things that, when you're done, you feel like you can do anything from now on!!!! ...Until the next project.... LOL

Let me tell you that, though it is far from perfect, I am very happy with how it turned out.

Hope you like it too!

PS : As I have posted twice today, don't miss my previous post about the quilt exhibition in Brouage.

Edit June 14 : To answer emails I have been receiving, you can find theFrog Basket model in Yoko's Saito's latest book, Past and Present, My Quilting Life, published in a bilingual edition (French and English) by Quiltmania.

You can also see Corinne's finished basket and Cécile's one on their blogs. (Click on the names for the link)

Thank you for all you nice comments... you've made my day ;-))

Until later,

Brouage

2011-06-13T03:02:00.000-07:00

Every other year, there is an exhibition I would not miss! It is in Brouage, on the French Atlantic coast. In this exhibition you can see reproduction quilts, mainly hand-stitched and only hand-quilted.

Everytime, I am in complete admiration... I don't have the name of each quilter for each quilt but I will give you their names because they are truly talented quilters : Dominique Husson, Catherine Guy, Liesbeth Spaans-Prins, Simone Patouillard, Françoise Forichon, Colette Debrie, Isabelle Etienne Bugnot, Aline Joulin, Marie-Josèphe Véteau, Maryvonne Marmion, Manuela Ribière, Agnès Carretier, France Aubert, Colette Goix, Gabrielle Paquin, Anne-Marie Uguen, Renée Elie, Maryse Kesteloot et Michelle Sapierre, Josianne Bréhin, Yvonne Calvez, Odette David, Huguette Ricchiero, Liliane verger, Louise-Marie Stipon, Ghislaine Lucas, Anne-Marie Schmitt, Marie-Françoise Grégoire, Annick Tauzin, Marie-Paule et Anne-Hélène Nédélec, Ewa Guérin, Jocelyne Picot, Cécile Lacoste, Pénélope Roger.

Enjoy the photos :

A few quilts are missing because I didn't have a good photography of them! Sorry about that.

Hope you have enjoyed the tour.

Until later,

Quilting...

2011-06-07T10:15:00.000-07:00

I love hand quilting though it takes time. The result is what I really look for! It gives life to the top.

Here are a few pictures of my progress on Yoko Saito's basket. I still have three sides to quilt and I will be ready for the finishing process! Finally!!!! Yes, I'm a bit long ....

Bottom of basket close-up photos :

Side of basket close-up photo :

Do you want to see what tools I use for quilting ?

It is a very relaxing process. I do not use a hoop for small pieces! I use a weight instead.

I was taught how to quilt like this by Reiko Kato and Yoko Saito.

What is, I think, most important in the quilting process is the basting part! The 3 layers (top, batting and backing) really need to be well basted.

Here is my quilt top just basted and ready to be hand quilted :

I wish you a wonderful week and thank you for your very nice comments ;-)

Next post will be about a beautiful exhibition of traditional quilts inspired by antique quilts from different museums. Lovers of traditional quilting, hand-sewing and hand-quilting, do not miss the post!!! The quilts are breathtaking!

Edit for Jenny: The weight is used to maintain the top when quilting. It is used because the piece is too small for being placed in a hoop. You can then pull on the top and have the tension you want. Here on this video, you can see Yoko Saito showing us how to quilt. In this demo, she has only one single fabric (not a three-layer top) in order for us to see the ceramic thimble under the fabric. The weight has a handle. It's a different weight from mine but is used the same way. Hope it makes things clearer...

Until later,

Happy Mother's Day.

2011-05-29T10:46:00.000-07:00

It is today in France!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mums reading my blog.

I wish you all a wonderful week,

Until later,

Finishing...

2011-05-25T02:16:00.001-07:00

It's a period when I have very little time for my hobbies. This is the reason why I don't post very often these days as I don't make much progress.

Nevertheless, I thought it would be nice to share with you what I have been doing lately.

When I came back from the Quiltmania quiltshow, I thought it was time to finish a project that only needed a few hours of work.

Do you know what this project is? Do you like the colonial knots stitched with an overdyed thread on the pouch handle? They were hard to stitch... but I really love the result!
I also love the fact that there are two different fabrics covering the zipper.
It's a project by Yoko Saito that I started a while ago. I still need to quilt the two sides of the pouch and to sew them to the zipper gusset which is completely finished.

I am also (slowly) working on Yoko's basket. I started the project in class with Yoko Saito. I am now doing the appliqués on the last side of the basket and hope to do the embroideries today.

I really love this project and, at the same time, am a bit afraid at the challenging finishing of the basket. I'll go slowly as I want it to be neatly finished.

A second challenging finishing is waiting for me to have some time. Here again, I am waiting to have two complete days off ahead of me to start. Do you remember the online class with Jackie Du Plessis ? I had finished the stitching part last month. The basket and all finishing supplies arrived last week.

Well, I am really excited by such a beautiful design! Love it, love it, love it...

I wish you all a wonderful week and hope to be able to show you these projects finished soon.

Until later,

Sheep Hug

2011-05-05T00:26:00.000-07:00

You remember that before leaving for Nantes I had started a quilted project.

As soon as I came back, I decided to finish it before working on Yoko Saito's basket. I knew that Yoko's basket would take me all my attention and while having fun working on it I would not be able to work on another project at the same time....Sooooo, I finsihed it and am now doing the appliqués on the basket.

Want to see the Sheep Hug pouch which was designed by Natalie from L'Atelier Perdu ?

All my Valdani threads are stored in it now :-))

I have another pouch which will soon be finished but I still have one side to stitch. More about it when it is finished.

The pre-stitching for Jackie Du Plessis's finishing online class is complete. I really enjoyed stitching the queen stitches. I am now waiting for the wooden basket and accessories. The finishing class starts on May 16.

I can tell you that I am having so much fun working on Yoko's basket!! And I never go to bed without watching and touching the beautiful antique indigos from Shizuko ;-)

Until later,

The other artists.

2011-05-04T06:22:00.000-07:00

Well, you have understood how fascinated I am with the Japanese quilters. But the quilt show in Nantes had other designers invited.

First, the American designers.

As you know, I like folk art and I was thrilled to see Jan Patek and her quilts!

Have a look :

It was like being invited at Jan Patek's.

Another folk art artist was Bonnie Sullivan. And she is from Oregon!!! So it was fun to talk about her state for a little while.

And finally, the quilts of Piece O'Cake Designs.

Second, the beautiful and elegant quilts of a Dutch artist : Petra Prins

Third, the Australian quilter Lynette Anderson. Her booth was very busy and it was very difficult to take photos so here are the only ones I have!
I was really happy to have met her in person and to have had a little chat with her as I have been following her blog and creations for a long time. I like her quilts and patterns very much.

And finally, the very creative French artist Cécile Franconie who had a beautiful booth. Lucky I could take this photo as there were also a lot of people at her booth all day long!

I also went to say hello to Beatrice Meillac who taught me rug hooking last year and look what was exhibited in her classroom's wall! Don't you like this beautiful hooked rug panel ?

An finally my daughter took her first class with Marie-Claude Iperti from Les Secrets de Marie to make this :

She is busy finishing it and she seems to have fun. She gave me permission to put a photo of her and Marie Claude on the blog.

Until later,

Yoko Saito

2011-05-03T04:52:00.001-07:00

Yoko Saito is a Japanese quilter I also admire. Her work, though completely different from Shizuko Kuroha's, is breathtaking.

I think that what defines it best is her use of taupe fabrics. She does a lot of appliqué and I have discovered throughout the years that she uses a lot of printed fabrics or checked textured fabrics as a background which gives extra dimension to her appliqués.

A class with Yoko Saito is something you can not forget. It goes very fast as all the different techniques are explained and taught. I wish this class could have been a whole week class...

The day began with this kit in front of me.

Then I had to cut some fabric and to start preparing the backgrounds and the templates.

I also noted down all the different instructions (8 pages!!!) and took many photopraphs so that I could remenber everything to finish it off at home.

This is when you see the basket in "real" and very close up that you realize how perfect everything is!!!

This class has been another reason for my being SO happy ;-)

Yoko Saito's house at the exhibition waas stunning! Quiltmania did a wonderful job in the atmosphere created and I also took several close up photos so I can share my admiration for Yoko's quilts with you.

There were also many pouches, bags and accessories on display but being behind a glass photos were not easy to take. So here is the only correct one I have.

Another quilter, another day in paradise...

Until later,

Shizuko Kuroha

2011-05-02T04:03:00.001-07:00

Shizuko Kuroha is an extraordinary lady. She is always smiling. The exhibition of her quilts was breathtaking. You could feel the soul that she puts into her quilts.

She uses old fabrics that bear many stories in them and Shizuko Kuroha wrote another page in their lives.

I am really sorry not to have better pictures of the quilts but I was so absorbed by their beauty that I did not pay attention to the quality of the photos.

Light and sparkling stars seem to illuminate the quilts.

Below is the model of the quilt I worked on at the class I attended. It was not a class about technique but about the approach of fabric, about expressing yourself, expressing your soul...pleasing your soul.

It is not something you really learn though, as it is something you will have to discover by yourself. But Shizuko pointed us the way, showed us which paths we could take but didn't give us the map... we have to find our own way into the forest of our feelings.

Shizuko keeps every tiny single piece of fabric into rolls for future creations.

I think I have found the courage to draw my own map of my quilting world and for that I want to thank Shizuko Kuroha.

Until later,

Back from the west coast...

2011-04-30T23:52:00.001-07:00

Nantes is not far from the coast. So we had decided to stay on the coast for the week. Going to Nantes was easy and my family could enjoy the beach while I was at the classes with Shizuko Kuroha and Yoko Saito. My wife and daughter came to the quilt show with me on Thursday and my daughter even took a class!

But I will tell you (a lot) more about the classes and the quilt show in the next few posts...

For now, I wanted to share with you, through the lense of my camera and through my eye, images of the west coast near Nantes : the ocean, Pornic, Guérande, Island of Noirmoutier, Le Croisic.

Enjoy the tour...

To relax, run, read and quilt, we had find the most beautiful place!!! Opposite the house was the path to the beach. It was a wonderful week.

Until later,

In a few days...

2011-04-21T10:38:00.001-07:00

Yes, it's almost here!! Only a few days, and I will be in class with Shizuko Kuroha and Yoko Saito. I have been wishing to do a class with them for many years.

I know that I will learn a lot from these two master quilters. And the Japanese techniques really impress me.

My suitcase is packed.

It will not only be the classes and the quiltshow but also a family week on the coast not far from Nantes. It is going to be a great week : family time, seafood, relaxing, reading, running, quilting and stitching...well, heaven on earth... and the ocean in front of me.

Tomorrow, I still need to pack my stitching and quilting stuff... I have a list ;-)

In the little time I had left this past week, I started sewing this :

It's going to be a lovely pouch. Do you recognize which designer it is from ?

I'm sure you know! But in case you don't, here are a few clues :

1. I started stitching another project from her that I talked about in the blog not a long time ago. I will have it with me on vaccation to finish stitching it.

2. I stitched a project from her last year that I photographed with a small branch of my blooming cherry tree.

Well,... if you haven't found (which I doubt), just wait as you will see both project finished before the end of May ;-)

Oops, I forgot... You may want to see the two projects I will work on in class ?

Here there are (both photos from Quiltmania) :

Shizuko Kuroha and her antique indigos

Yoko Saito's lovely basket.

Edit (22/04/2011)
I forgot to mention who else will be at the quilt show! I will be very happy to meet Linda Jenkins and Becky Goldsmih (Piece O' Cake Designs), the Australian quilter Lynette Anderson, Jan Patek, Bonnie Sullivan, El Feteris (Bobbin), Cécile Franconie (Facile Cécile), and Béatrice Meilhac with whom I made my first hooked rug last year. And there will also be plenty others I will discover ;-)
Until later,

lucky winner

2011-04-14T10:09:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, Merumo, who is Japanese and lives in the USA, organized a giveaway based on the help given to Japan.

I wasn't a winner in the first draw but was one of "the second chance" draw!! I was so happy.

Happy to have been able to contribute to the help to Japan a second time.

Happy to be a winner.

Happy to receive something made by Merumo that will remind me of the solidarity to Japan throughout the world.

And it also made my wife happy. Why ? Well, she told me that now there is no reason for my needles to be left anywhere in the house ;-) I have a place to store them!

Don't you just love her choice of fabrics ? I do! Thank you very much Merumo ;-)

And thanks to all for your comments in my previous posts and for your continuing support.

Until later,

Award

2011-04-13T23:21:00.000-07:00

I've just received an Award for my blog from Nat. Thank you very much.

The rule is to put the logo of the Award on your blog, thank the person who gave it to you, include the link to his/her blog, list 7 characteristics of your personality, name 7 more blogs along with their links, and notify the people involved.
(I borrowed this translation from Jill).

So here it goes :

I want my finishes to be perfect and can unpick if I am not happy with.
I am unbearable if I don't do sports for at least 6 hours a week.
I think that the beauty of handmade creations are like poetry, it makes life beautiful.
I always look forward to the next vacation time for having plenty of time for my needles and threads but I am always more productive when I am not on vacation and when I am very busy!
I don't care about productivity...
I love travelling and love my home sweet home.
I am addicted to many blogs because they have opened up the possibility of creation and handmade things to me.

It is very diffcult to just give this award to only seven blogs. So I have decided to choose only "needle and threads" related blogs and blogs that have really inspired me in one way or another.

The award goes to :

Nataliejo

Isadarena

Coté Passions

Pleasantree

Samsy

Simply Patchwork

Quilting with the past

Enjoy the visit.

Until later,

couldn't stop...

2011-04-11T02:36:00.000-07:00

...with one binding!!!

I had another quilt which had been waiting for the binding. So I decided it was (finally) time.

I made this quilt a few years ago...

... and added the large brown borders last year. I paper-pieced the quilt so I thought that I could have it machine quilted. Nathalie did a wonderful job.

And the quilt has already found its place in the house ;-)

Until later,

The binding is on...

2011-04-10T10:37:00.001-07:00

The quilt for Japan is now ready to go far, far away. I tied knots at each corner.

I put the binding on.

I stitched a label at the back with my name and the dates when it was stitched.

And in two weeks' time, I will bring it with me to the Quiltmania quilt show in Nantes where quilts will be collected before being send to Japan. I wish that it will comfort the child who will receive it.

Until later,

In full bloom

2011-04-02T00:09:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy week, to say the least!!! Not a lot of sleep and not a minute for my needle and threads.

Meanwhile, my garden is awakening after a long winter and the cherry tree is in full bloom.

Flowers are also blooming on my Lady Jane's Garden project. Here is the first one I stitched last week.

More are blooming and I will post a photo of them when all the pieces of linen are in full bloom, too.
Stitching these flowers is pure bliss :-))

Until later,

WIP

2011-03-27T11:01:00.000-07:00

I have spent this rainy Sunday working at my computer and I haven't had time to touch a needle! But now I'm all done with my work and will indulge in stitching for a few hours tonight.

I have two projects on my table. The first one was started a few weeks ago but needs a few more stitching hours to be completed. It is a project by Nataliejo from L'Atelier Perdu. I have changed the inside square design and have picked my own colours and fabric.

The other project is a long awaited one! I was so willing to take a class with Jackie Du Plessis. This is an online class and the project is called Lady Jane's Garden. Last weekend, I had zig-zagged the edges of my linen cuts to be ready. The class started on Monday but I haven't started stitching yet as I wanted to finish the quilt top. So tonight, this is what I'm going to do : stitch my first piece on this lovely project :-))

Until later,

Quilt top finished

2011-03-26T09:04:00.000-07:00

Yipee!!!
I have just finished the quilt top for a child in Japan. I am quite happy with how it turned out.
I will now, tie it and will bring it with me at the Quiltmania quilt show in Nantes in April. Quiltmania will send it to Japan with many more.

Do you like it too ?

Until later,

Update on A Quilt for Japan

2011-03-20T01:28:00.000-07:00

I've just had confirmation, thanks to Marie-Claude's blog (Les Secrets de Marie), of the size of the quilt which should be (approximately) 47"X72" (120cmX180cm).
Here is my progress so far :

I hope to finish stitching the 9-patch blocks tonight and will piece the top together next weekend.

Have a look at Merumo's giveaway on her blog! What a great idea!

Thank you all for your comments on the previous post. I will go for the knots with a lovely thread.

Wish you all a wonderful Sunday. Here it is sunny and mild, a perfect spring day,

Edit : March 22nd : The size of the quilt should be approximately 47"x72" (120 x 180 cm) and if you go to the quilt show in Nantes in April, you can bring it there.

Until later,

Japan

2011-03-18T10:37:00.000-07:00

Like many of you, I cannot stop thinking of Japan and its people.

I received this morning a mail from Reiko Kato telling me that her family, staff and students were all fine. I was very happy as she has taught me a lot in quilting.

I know there is not much we can do but I wanted to do something. I first read on Marie-Claude's blog that a shop in Belgium collected blocks in order to make a quilt for someone who had just opened a quilt shop in December and has now lost everything! If you read French you can read this story on this blog :

Atelier Patchwork et Points Comptés

I sent a block this morning.

I also received a mail from Quiltmania and they are also organizing something. You can read it on their website.

I have not much time these days but I couldn't not do something. So yesterday evening I gathered all the fabrics I would like to use for a quilt which will measure 48 X 72 inches. I am not sure about the size as there is a difference between what is written in French and in English. So I am going for the bigger size and I will see.

I have picked up a jelly roll I had in my stash and have chosen a Japanese fabric I like very much because what's written on it is in French. So, it is a link between France and Japan. With the jelly roll fabrics I will make scrapy 9-patch blocks and with the Japanese fabric I will make the alternate blocks.

I will put all my other WIPs aside this weekend, and probably next weekend, in order to piece the top.

I'd like your advice for the quilting though.

I will not have time to quilt it by hand. I am not a machine quilter and have never done that before. So I thought of making thread knots at each intersection. I have read about it before but cannot find it anymore. What do you think ? Do you have any other ideas ? Thank you for your advice...

Until later,

Tend Thy Sheep finished.

2011-03-13T00:41:00.000-08:00

Taking an online class with Merry Cox is very exciting! It was my second class, the first one being American Sewing Case.

First, you receive a beautifully packaged kit with a lovely note and clear graphs and instructions. Then, you receive a PDF file for each class. In this project, there were three stitching classes and one finishing class. The instructions are clear and detailed and it is absolutely impossible not to get a good result!!! Want to see the photos ?

And, oh!!!, this glove box is just SO beautiful!!!! I am happy to have stitched this beautiful project.

Once again, I want to thank you all for posting a comment, whether regularly or from time to time. It is so nice to know you have stopped by.

Until later,

Antique Fair

2011-03-11T05:12:00.000-08:00

Antique Fair is the name of the new fabric line by Blackbird Designs. And as always it is awesome! I especially like the 6 check fabrics in harmony with the florals. I ordered it a few days ago and it is already here! It certainly took a super fast plane across the Atlantic ;-)

I am thinking of making the MQ1 which was published into a book. So this is maybe the fabric line I am going to use, though I am not going to start this new project soon... I want to finish the Civil War Tribute top first!!

The top of the Mystery Quilt2 is almost finished. I have used the fabric line Madeira from BBD for this quilt. The blocks are all sewn together and I still need to add the outside borders. Following Vero's advice, I ordered, from Born To Quil t. a chocolate brown fabric for these borders and a red and ecru check fabric for the binding. I think it will look great :-)

But what is this great button, you might ask ? Well, it is a present from Vero and it is part of her new collection of buttons she has designed. I love it!!! Don't you?

Edit March 12th : What you see on the photo is ONE button! Not three ;-)

Until later,

Pexiora

2011-03-06T09:11:00.000-08:00

London and England was great. I was there with 48 students and it was a wonderful discovery for them. London, Cambridge, Windsor and Eton was on the tour. I particularly enjoyed Windsor as I had never visited it before!

As soon as I arrived from London, I packed my suitcase again and went to the Meditteranean for a short family vacation.
On the way to the coast, I drove by Carcassonne and its famous walled medieval town. I didn't stop there as I had visited it many times already but chose to stop in Pexiora! Indeed, I knew that last weekend, there was a small quilt and embroidery market. It is not big but it has everything a stitcher can dream of! There were very nice and welcoming people, a nice exhibition and gorgeous booths, as well as talented designers.

What more can you ask for ?
Nothing... but from your point of view, I think you can ask for a few photos ;-)
So here they are.

I took pictures of the things that appealed to me. So it is my biased view of...

The exhibition.

There was a fan of Born To Quilt for sure! I could recognize many designs from Vero's books. But before I left I wasn't able to find Isabelle C to congratulate her about her beautiful work. I love what she did very much! Congratulations Isabelle ;-)

The booths and the talented designers.

Les Secrets de Marie. Rarely have I met so nice a person. She has several quilts published in Quiltmania magazine.

Marie-Thèrèse de Saint Aubin and her delicate stitched flowers.

Atalie and her hand-dyed threads.

Atelier des Fées Brodeuses and an amazing booth filled with stitched treasures (and I cannot show you everything that was on display!!!)

It gives you an idea of the richness of this event. We spent a wonderful afternoon in Pexiora. Thank you very much to the people working for this event.

Until later,

giveaway winners

2011-03-06T07:43:00.000-08:00

We are March 6th and it is time to pick up the three winners!!!

24 names were entered into the drawing basket. My daughter picked up the three names.

So, one chart goes to :

Another chart goes to :

And the last chart goes to :

So, Dorothy, let me know what chart you would like so I can tell Bev C what are the two remaining charts she can choose from. And Dzintra, I'll send you the third chart.
Please send me your postal adresses so I can send the charts.

Again, thank you everyone for your comments and for reading my blog,
Until later,

"Poetry...with needle and thread" and bloganniversary.

2011-02-18T01:18:00.000-08:00

I finished this quilt with a saying of my own, though I must admit I am not very creative!!! But I like it :-)

Here is block 12 of the MQ from Born To Quilt. I still need to sew the block to the top and to find the right fabric for the surrounding borders.

Do you remember that I had started this quilt with a saying from Maggie Bonanomi's book With These Hands.

I'll show you the entire quilt again when the borders are sewn.

Last week I received this book and I think it is great. As I am about to resume piecing my Ciwil War tribute BOM quilt, it is truly motivating. There are many simple and charming quilts and accessories.

Can you believe my blog will be one year old on Feb 21st? Sharing my passion for needle and thread with you has been a true pleasure.
To celebrate, I will do a giveaway. I will offer three Blackbird Designs charts. To enter the draw, leave a comment on this post. You can participate wherever you are on the globe.
The first name drawn will choose the chart among the three, the second among the two remaining charts and the third name drawn will get the last chart.
I will pick up the names on March 6th.

Why so late??? just because I'm going to London for work next week and as soon as I'm back I will be off with my family for a week on the Mediterranean coast : relaxing, hiking and stitching are on the program along with lots of seafood ;-)

Until later,

Update!!! Decision on the MQ

2011-02-04T23:44:00.000-08:00

First of all, I'd like to thank you all.

While reading your comments, I smiled as everything you said had come to my mind at one point or another! Like most of you, I think that the bunny on the left would have been a good solution!

Yet, I like the bottom row big cottage when it is in the middle (like some of you).

A few others dared to say more or less directly : "Well, David!!!! Rip it out and do it again!" That cracked me up!!! I couldn't resolve to do it again... and that's why I didn't mention this possibility but I am happy you did talk about it in the comments.

So after much thinking, smiling when reading your comments and feeling support and enthusiasm from such a nice community of quilters and stitchers, I unpicked and stitched the third row again until very late at night...

And guess what!!! I'm glad I did ;-)

What's more ? I am also very happy that a year ago, I started this blog and, since then, have met nice, sincere and helpful people that makes me feel being part of this thread and needle community.
Thank you VERY MUCH ;-)))
Until later,

My mistake on the Mystery Quilt

2011-02-04T05:09:00.000-08:00

Though I haven't stitched the last block, I started piecing all the blocks together into rows. I even stitched the two middle rows with the sashing band in between.

I was so happy that I laid out all the bands on the floor so I can have an idea of what the quilt is going to be like!!!
That's when I realized that in row three I inadvertently switched the two cottage blocks! The Christmas cottage block should be in the middle and the other one on the right.
So I have two big cottages in the middle of the quilt, one under the other and there a third one in row four!!

The last block of the MQ of Born To Quilt is going to be this one :

I haven't stitched it yet!

It should go on the last row, on the right.

Because of my mistake, I am wondering if I shouldn't put the last block on the left and appliqué the mirror image of the rabbit and bird.

Right now, I just don't know what to do! I will piece the two last sashing bands (between row 1 and 2 and between row 3 and 4) before deciding.

Woud you like to help me reach a final decision ? Let me know where you would put the last block. Thank you very much in advance ;-)

I wish you all a wonderful weekend,
Until later,

Tend Thy Sheep update

2011-01-26T03:20:00.001-08:00

Here is a quick update of the project I am stitching through Merry Cox's online class. It is so delightful to stitch. Merry gives us many very helpful tips to create this simple beauty. I love it and the poor quality of my photos do not make the piece any justice. Trust me, it is very fine and delicate and has the charm I love in stitched pieces...

There are still two accessories to stitch : a pincushion and a needlebook. I could start stitching them but I prefer to wait for the last lesson to be posted so I can use all the tips and improve my stitching ;-)

Until later,

Block 11

2011-01-09T09:53:00.001-08:00

Real flower... flowers on fabric... what is this block going to be ????

A bird and a star.... Cotton and wool...

A heart!!! Of course!! Ah those lovely buttons....

And a stitched heart too!! There's never too much love, is there? It looks like another cottage!!! With such a sign it can only be a quilter's cottage ;-)

Yes, a cottage!

Here is Block 11.

I like the bird's house very much.

For those who have missed the previous posts about this quilt, it is the latest Mystery Quilt by Born To Quilt.

Have a wonderful week,

Until later,
David

A year of classes.

2011-01-07T04:15:00.001-08:00

2011 is here and is going to be a year of classes for me. It started with the arrival of this parcel in my mailbox.

It comes from the USA and there's a little note signed by Merry!!! What better way to start 2011.

What does she say ? Want to see more ?

"Thank you for joining my online class".

You're welcome Merry, but the pleasure is for me! Stitching your beautiful creations is the best thing that can happen to start this new year!!!

But what is this project ? Do you want to know ?

"Tend Thy Sheep". That's sounds great!!!! But I'd like to see the project now!!!!

Wow!!! And there's a gorgeous glove box, too!!!! Let's unpack everything now!! I can't wait anymore!

That's great but I'd like a better look at the box!!!!!

Here you go!!!!

Yes, I know! I love it too ;-)

So, now, I just have to unpack the kit and start stitching ;-)

Isn't it a great way to start 2011 ?

But why a year of classes?????

Well, because Merry Cox's online class with Shining Needle Society is not the only one I will do this year! I will also do an online class with Jackie Du Plessis in March! The project is called "Lady Jane's Garden".

That's for the online classes. And I think they are great because wherever you live on the globe you can attend a class from your favourite designers! But I also like face to face classes. So, I think I will attend another class with CA Wells in November in London. The classes are organized by Susan from "Hanging By A Thread". I'm still waiting for the official announcement of the project!!! But it should be great as far as I know ;-)

What about quilting???? Well, I will attend two face-to-face quilting classes in April at the Quiltmania quilt show in Nantes! I will do a one day class with Shizuko Kuroha and a one day class with Yoko Saito. Two days with these two Japanese master quilters is a dream that will come true and I still can't believe it!!!! I'm so looking forward to it...

It should be a wonderful year, don't you think?

Now, my quilting updates!! Block 11 from the Mystery Quilt by Born To Quilt is almost finished!!!! I think I'll be able to post about it before the end of the weekend. So stay tuned ;-)

To start this new year, I also want to thank all of you who take the time to post a comment. I read all of them, I visit your blogs and your are the main part in this blogging thing motivation!! Thanks!

Until later,

The end of the Mystery Quilt ?

2010-12-28T05:47:00.001-08:00

Is it the end of the Mystery Quilt from Born To Quilt ? Not yet!!! But I have finally finished block 10 and will now start block 11. I must admit that block 12 is a favourite of mine so I should be fast in doing block 11 to move on to block 12!!! I know now how is the MQ going to look like and I can't wait to see the top finished!!!!!! So I'd better spend less time on the computer and more time stitching ;-)

Block 10

Until later,

Christmas at home

2010-12-24T02:18:00.000-08:00

What is a typical French Christmas ? In fact there are many traditions and I will share with you what we do here at home.
In the photos you have the atmosphere... only the smells of cake baking and mulled wine are not there... but you can easily imagine!!!
Christmas in my family starts today, on Christmas Eve. The house has been decorated for several weeks and there are candles burning everywhere, in every room, on windowsills, in the flight of stairs.

This afternoon, by five, we will drink mulled wine or hot chocolate and eat French toast with mandarines and litchies. It helps us wait for dinner which will be after mass.
Family members will arrive at 7.30pm, some will go to mass with us and some will stay home as housesitters!! That's what I call them but the truth is that they don't want to come to mass!!!

Mass is at 9.00pm. It's always a beautiful mass. For me, Christ's birth is the reason why Christmas is important.

We will start dinner by midnight. On the menu this year, foie gras on toast and black olive tapenade on toast, raw oysters, and a salmon and spinach pie. As a dessert we're going to have our homemade "croustade aux pommes", which is a kind of apple pie. We will drink champagne only.
As you can see, there is no "buche de noël" which is the typical French dessert for Christmas!! So I guess my family has its own traditions!

My wife will play the guitar and sing. My daughters will play the flute and the clarinet and I, for the sake of everyone, will not sing!! :-)

Stitched in 2008. Model : Blackbird Designs.

The next day we will have a Kougloff for breakfast. It is a typical Christmas Alsacian cake.

We will open the presents that arrived under the tree when everybody was asleep. The presents at my house are only opened in the morning, never on Christmas Eve.

Christmas day will be at my wife's brother's house.

This year, with my daughter, we had decided to make something the guests could bring home. So, we made small labels, that can be used as ornaments. One has Joyeux Noël on it, one has Merry Christmas and the last one has Season's Greetings. They were fun to make and a good way to share some special time with my youngest daughter as well as a good means to get into the Christmas spirit...

I wish you all a blessed and peaceful Christmas. May your homes be filled with Christmas love and your hearts with Christmas cheers.

JOYEUX

Until later,

Quilting books and what I've been up to.

2010-12-22T05:35:00.001-08:00

What I've been up to ??? It's been quite a while again since my last post!!!
The reason for my silence is that my dear friend from Portland passed away. We met 19 years ago in Portland and we had become very close friends. He was a model, a mentor and I admired him. We have seen each other almost every year since when we first met and I am happy to have seen him three times last year. I will miss him...
I went to Portland to say a last good bye and I just came back on Monday evening. Though it was a sad journey, the ceremonies have been uplifting, the time spend with his family and friends comforting.
We will meet again when my time will come... I feel blessed to have known so great a man and to have counted him as a dear friend. It will continue to help me throughout my life. And my thoughts and prayers are first and foremost for his wife, children and grandchildren.

On Twitter, a friend of mine wished me my needlework pleasure to keep me in comfort... yes, it will, as when I work with my needle, it is a time of prayers and thoughts wandering...

Let's go back to quilting stuff, as it is why you read my blog, I guess!!!
I have to share with you the two new books I received a few weeks ago!! I love them!!! The first one is from Jo Ann Mullaly. After Wool Crazy, which was a great success, she is back with fifteen wool projects in Crazy At Home! A great book with great projects!

The second book is from Kim Dielh! It's the fifth book in her "Simple" series. Like the other books, it is filled with country quilts, charm and this time she has used wool in several projects. Moreover there are additional projects that go with the main quilts and I think it is just a very good idea. So if you want my opinion, just order your copy as it is a must- have and you will want to make all the projects in the book! I want to!!!! I just need time ;-)

There is just one problem!!! Wool is not widely available in France and it is very expensive! So I guess I should open an online European store for hand-dyed wools as a second job!!! That would be fun!!!!
But no! I am definitely too busy already!!!
Until later my dear friends,

A class in London.

2010-11-28T12:36:00.000-08:00

I can hardly believe it's been a month since my last post!!! Time is flying...

From November 10th to November 15th, I was in London for a class with CA Wells but not only...

But let's start with the class as it is what might interest you most. This year I attended two half-day classes on Sunday. The projects were small but very challenging, especially the scissors rest. Indeed, this project taught me things I didn't know. The other projects used techniques I was already familiar with.
But I'm sure you'd like to see the pictures. There are a scissors rest, a name tag, a tri-block cushion and a pin cushion. Of course none were finished in class!!!

CA Wells's creations are very delicate and I have never been disappointed with one of her projects.

London is a city I love because of the atmosphere, the liveliness, the musicals, the architecture mixing modernity and traditions. It is for me a place full of inspiration... Its pubs, black cabs, red phone booths, double-deckers, shops... I like everything. Not to mention the museums which are free!!

Every time I'm London, I go to Emma Bridgewater's. I love EB's mugs!

This year, I discovered a part of London I didn't know well : Old Spitafield Market, Columbia Road among other things.

Want a closer look ?

A quilt shop on Columbia Road :

Liberty's

The wonderful windows of Fortnum and Mason with dimensional reproductions of paintings!

I also went by the Harry Potter World Premiere but didn't wait for the actors to arrive and visited the National Portrait Gallery instead.

I think I was right not to wait for film stars as the following day I had a very famous American actor and and a famous American singer a table away from me at a restaurant. When I told my two daughters about it, they were both "mad"!!!! "And you didn't even ask for an autograph" they told me! And I answered : "They didn't asked for mine either!!!" LOL.

Talking about food, it was great also. Here's a sample of the food I had. Yummy ;-)

Bye, bye England, I'll be back soon...

It's been a long time t but I did my best to be back with a long post. Hope you have liked sharing a part of my trip to London.

Until later with new quilt blocks and stitching projects,

Tea time

2010-11-01T08:44:00.000-07:00

It's been raining for a long time and I thought that a lovely British tea time would be just perfect, don't you think ? So, I baked scones, got the jam I had in the fridge, replaced the clotted cream (which can't be found in France) by some butter... and enjoyed the moment with my wife.

The good news is that I have completly finished the pre-stitching for CA Wells's class. It's going to be really nice! All her projects are very elegant. I'll show them to you as soon as they are finished.

So, now I will resume piecing the last blocks of the Mystery Quilt. Two more to go and I can start piecing the top together. I must hurry as the fall break is almost over and I'll be very busy at work until Christmas and therefore will not have as much time for stitching and quilting...unless I sleep 4 hours a night!!!! But there's this voice in my mind repeating "Don't even think about it!" ;-)

Until later,

Pre-stitching

2010-10-22T05:44:00.000-07:00

I have been VERY busy at work lately and it was difficult for me to get much stitching and quilting done.
Yet, there was one thing I could not delay!!!! It's the pre-stitching for the CA Wells's classes I will attend mid-November in London. Indeed, as it is a finishing class, you arrive with your pieces of linen already stitched. And this is what I'm doing right now. Want to see part of the mess on my desk ?

Well, I have to admit that I organized the mess a bit to take a nice photo for the blog!!!LOL

I think that I will be able to show you all these creations in December.

Once the pre-stitching for CAW's classes will be finished I will resume working on the Mystery Quilt2. I still have 2 blocks to sew and I'd like to finish piecing the top before the new year. Don't know if I will be able to, though!!!

My idea for 2011 is to quilt one project (the Mystery Quilt), to finish sewing the Civil War Tribute top and to have a stitching project in progress.
As is the tradition in the USA, I will start a new stitching project in January! I have already chosen and ordered it to be ready on January 1st. And I'm very excited about this lovely project. I'll show you as soon as I start it.

Besides working, stitching and quilting I read your blogs!!! And though I promised myself not to buy anything I must admit that I have been tempted by this post !!!! A booklet of pinkeeps for a good cause : the UNICEF.

It is a wonderful booklet with wonderful charts!

Nevertheless, I have been reasonable as I also found Elizabeth Precious 1817 as tempting as the booklet but I, definitely, don't have enough time!

Until later,

An antique of the future or the Jane Austen Cabinet

2010-10-10T05:57:00.000-07:00

I like to call all stitched projects I make, an antique of the future. Indeed, I like to stitch object I might have found in an attic or in a garage sale... a treasured piece that lost its value and became junk until one day someone sees it and rediscovers its true beauty...

This time, it is a cabinet. It was designed by Judy Odell from Just A Thought.
For those who don't know her, go to her website and register to her message board. You will find there a group of fellow stitchers, all of them having a passion for needle and thread. This group has been very inspirational and supportive!
For this cabinet I made a few minor changes from the original design and replaced the lady on the top lid by a gentleman. I had no chart for a gentleman and was incapable of drawing one. July from In the Company of Friends sent me this gentleman so I could stitch him on the cabinet! See!!! I told you this group is amazing!!!
Moreover, Judy Odell makes everything simple!!!! Her finishing explanations are so clear and detailed with photos at each step to make things clearer if need be that you cannot not succeed!!!

Moreover, all my antiques of the future have all the imperfections you can find in antiques!!!LOL

So now, imagine...

Once upon a time, in the English countryside, there was a nice country cottage and Elizabeth was stitching under a tree... Mr Darcy was sure to have seen her exactly there. Under this tree!! He kept coming back but there was no sign of her... until one sunny day, there she was...
Open the lid to find the rest of the story... As for the untold parts, they are well hidden in the drawers of this Jane Austen Cabinet!!

Thank you for reading my blog.
Until later,

The change of season

2010-09-19T09:45:00.001-07:00

Fall is definitely my favourite season. I think that the colors and the atmosphere appeal to me more than the other seasons. Moreover, I feel a lot more crafty at this period.
Yet the more I think about it, the more I realize that what I like more than anything else is the change of season!!!

Grapes are on the stalls and in my kitchen!!! And there are still good peaches also!!! The change of season, indeed!

The trees are still green, except my maple tree which has turned red and yellow already.
The days are warm but the evenings and mornings are cooler! And soon, the beech tree in my garden will turn yellow. Last year, this is what it looked like by the end of October!

So, slowly, I find comfort inside again. When it's getting cooler I grab a quilt and a good book and enjoy life in my country cottage, my home, the place where I feel so well, surrounded by my loved ones. The place where I think nothing bad can happen.

My home is also the place where handmade treasures have found a place to stay and be admired, like this beautiful handmade scented cushion made in an Amish community.

This is my place, my comfort zone. And speaking of Comfort Zone, here is the cover of Maggie Bonanomi's latest book that I received this summer. It's a must-have for those loving Folk Art and Primitive Designs.

Until now, I have always worked on several projects at the same time. But as you have read in my previous posts, I was very late on a project I want to finish : The Lady's Cabinet.
So, this summer I only worked on this project so that I could finish it in September. I'm working on the last part. and I should be ready to start the finishing very soon. For the top of the cabinet, I replaced the lady by a gentleman and I like the result very much. I thank July (from Judy's board) who graciously designed this gentleman for my cabinet. Here is my progress on the last part.

And here are all the different parts of the cabinet!

It's going to be absolutely gorgeous once finished. So keep coming back as you should see it in a couple of weeks!!

And finally, I'd also like to share with you a photo of the present for my wife's birthday last week. We both love handmade things and she loves bags, especially those made from antique fabrics. Lili Pain D'Epice s created it. The photo doesn't do it justice, though. It is made from an old linen sheet which she dyed in grey-blue.

Love is the thread with which you quilt a better future ;-)
Until later,

I'm back... from Brittany.

2010-08-25T08:54:00.000-07:00

Flowers displayed on a table in front of a "creperie" (restaurant serving crepes) in Dinan.

Maybe you didn't know (unless you follow me on Twitter) but I was away again... This time I went to Brittany and stayed in Cancale. I also visited Dinan, Saint Malo, Dinard and of course Mont Saint Michel which is in Normandy.
I love this region. It is absolutely gorgeous. Let me show you a few pictures.

Dinan

Feur de lin et Bouton D'Or, an antique dealer of buttons, laces, ribbons, etc. A stitcher's heaven!!! Inside it is like an old notions store.

Jacques Cartier's house. He is the one who discovered Canada.

The coast.

A view of Saint Malo from Dinard at high tide.

The Mont Saint Michel (we did a 4-hour hike in the sand with a guide and it was fabulous!!)

Fort la Latte and the coast

Beautiful mansions like this one.

and charming cottages like this one...

Well, you see, it was really pleasant. Living in France is extraordinary as each region is very typical. Indeed, Brittany, Normandy, Alsace, Provence, Burgundy, the Alps, the Pyrenees, to name just a few, are VERY different from each other. And everything is at a reasonable distance.
BTW, go and visit Natalie's blog to see Burgundi where she lives!!! Gorgeous , too!)

I did stitch a little bit but didn't make much progress as I was outside visiting and hiking all day and tired in the evenings...
But, as I mentioned the Lady's Cabinet several times in my previous posts, here is a picture of my WIP.

I still have the written part of one side to stitch and the top! It won't be finished before school starts as I had planned but it won't be long... ;-)

This is almost the end of the summer break. I like this period as it is the beginning of the school year and like every beginning, it is full of hope and projects. And I wish to share them with you all along ;-)

Thank you again for all your lovely comments. They are really motivating and I'm happy to know that you stopped by...

Until later,

A stitching class

2010-08-07T06:11:00.000-07:00

After having learned so much with Judy Odell and tempted by the creations of CA Wells, I finally decided to jump into a face to face class with CA Wells in London (I discovered CA Wells through Nataliejo's blog).

A face to face class is very different from an online class... Yet, I love online classes!!!!! But that will be for another post ;-)

First and foremost, you meet the designer, see her different projects for real and there are always much more beautiful than what you saw on pictures!!!

Then, you get a chance to meet like-minded people... you know... those who won't ask you why you spend so much money on trivial things, etc... LOL. People who just share the same passion and don't tell you to refrain because your cupboard is already filled with projects waiting to be stitched!!!! (I can see you smiling here!!!)

So I went to London twice! Last year and the year before and attended 4 classes!
Well, let me tell you it was a dream come true!

Before class, I had received the linen, threads and charts for stitching the projects. The class is a finishing class. You learn all the finishing techniques to transform your stitched piece of linen into a beautiful stitched project.

CA Wells has a very special and unique finishing technique. I have also learned how to make the best use of overdyed threads.

But I guess that you might like to see what projects I stitched and finished. So here there are!!!

The Mermaid Purse.

The Garden Steps.

The Nantucket Cottage.

The Brussels Chocolate Box.

All these projects have been such a pleasure to stitch and finish!!! They are both delicate and elegant. They are very unique as they are very flat compared to many stitched objects! Indeed, there is no batting between the pieced linen and the cardboard or skirtex which makes it different from other projects.

I do hope that you have enjoyed seeing these beautiful projects and if you get a chance to attend a class one day, don't hesitate!!! Just do it! It's so much fun and you will learned so much...

Have a beautiful and elegant day,
Until later,

The Lady's Cabinet

2010-08-02T14:23:00.000-07:00

The Lady's Cabinet by Judy Odell from Just a Thought is the project I'm working on right now. It is the project I worked on during my holidays and I will keep on stitching this project in the next few days so that I can do the finishing before school starts in September! If you want to have a look at the finished cabinet click on Judy's name and you will see a blue version made by Sandi. This online class is now over but keep on checking Judy's website and message board as she has wonderful classes to offer!

I discovered Judy Odell a while ago when I was browsing the internet to find classes for finishing stitched projects.
What you need to know is that I thought I wouldn't be able to finish a project like the ones I saw on different blogs! But I really wanted to give it a try!!
Judy explains everything step by step with MANY photos! She calls it FinishVisually because you can see step by step photos of the finishing process.

The first project I stitched was The Accordion Needlebook.

Then, I stitched the Sampler Garden Casket and its accessories.

I also did the online class for the Workstation. And for the first time, I picked up my own colors!

I also used one of Judy's creation with a design by Giulia Punti Antichi for a birthday present for a friend of mine. She was turning 40 so I decided to stitch "40 ans" with her initials on one side and my initials and the year I stitched it on the other side. And it was the ideal gift with a storage for needle and threads inside this Frienship Sewing Case!

Well, you know how I started stitching what I call my "Antiques of the Future". And the Lady's Cabinet is going to be another great addition to this collection ;-)

I wish you all a wonderful summer,
Until later,

WIP and a little break...

2010-07-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

These days have not been very productive as far as quilting and stitching are concerned! I needed to run more than three times a week and I have been running an hour every early morning and have been swimming every evening! I feel great and rejuvenated which is all I needed!! It feels good to have plenty of energy and to weigh again as when I was 20 ;-)

The rest of the time was spent with my two daughters and my wife who will only be on vacation tonight. So I cooked, did some gardening and read two great books. Invisible by Paul Auster (who is one of my favourite author!). It is really a great book, so intricate, disturbing and well-written.
The second book is by a French author -not a favorite of mine - but I have to admit that this time I really enjoyed this book ;-). It's Un Roman français by Frédéric Beigbeder.

I started block 10 of the Mystery Quilt. It's still a WIP but most of the appliqué pieces are ready to be stitched onto the background. You can have an idea of what the block is going to look like with this photo.

There will also be a country bag in the bottom right-hand corner and a few stars in the sky as well as a pieced band on the right.

Now, everything is packed and we are ready to go there.

I've taken The Lost Quilter by Jennifer Chiaverini, L'entreprise des Indes by Eric Orsena and Les hommes-Couleurs by Cloé Korman.

I don't take any quilting project with me but I do take my stitching project : The Lady's Cabinet. I still have a lot of stitching to do and I'd like to finish this project by the end of the summer! Wait and see... ;-)

Finally, I'd like to thank you all. I will not name anyone as I don't want to forget someone...

Thank you to the many bloggers who share their work, ideas. You have inspired me and given me the courage to do things I thought I was not able to do.

Thank you for having welcomed me to blogland, thank you for reading my blog.

Thank you for posting a comment regularly or from time to time. There are people I know now and I'm happy to read each new comment they post. There are people I'm happy to "meet" and discover their blog and universe...

I wish you all a great summer... I'll be back soon!
Until later,

Stacy Nash's Spotted Hare Pinkeep Drum

2010-07-07T10:28:00.000-07:00

This is truly the most beautiful gift I could have received!!!

When asked what I would like for father's day I mentioned the beautiful "finished goods" Stacy Nash was offering on her website!
The first project I was interested in was sold already and so I chose the Pinkeep Drum.

It has now arrived and I'm in awe!! What a beautiful primitive piece!!! I love everything!!! The carrots, the drum, the stitching, the way the linen is aged... Everything!!! Bliss!

So, in the next few months, you can expect to see a few other projects that I will stitch this time! I have found everything I need to age my finished pieces and I have also found silk matka!
If you don't know what silk matka is, click on Stacy's name to be redirected to her blog where you can read her post about it!

But here come the photos!!!

Wish you all a blissful summer,
Until later,

The Civil War Tribute BOM

2010-06-28T02:20:00.001-07:00

I keeep practising with my machine and guess what ??? I like machine piecing!!! And the more you do the better you become! I feel a lot less intimidated and seeing this VERY big quilt growing is motivating!
For month 3 of the BOM, there are 4 identical blocks, 2 are 18 inches and 2 are 12 inches! I have cut the fabrics for the 4 blocks but have only stitched one! So, this afternoon I will try to have two more blocks pieced.

Until later,

a recipe for the weekend

2010-06-26T04:58:00.000-07:00

It is extremely hot here today and I thought I would share this very simple recipe which is great with such a weather!!! Marinated Chicken Skewers with Couscous Salad.

I cut strips of chicken breasts, put them in a salad bowl with lemon juice and chopped cilantro. I put the salad bowl in the fridge for a few hours and prepare the skewers before grilling them.
For the couscous salad, I put tomatoes, cucumber, spring onions, chopped parsley and chopped mint leaves in it.

I often serve these skewers with aragula instead of coucous salad. It is a great light lunch or dinner. Very healthy and tasty ;-)

Have a great weekend,
Until later,

Block 9 of the Mystery Quilt and stash reduction...

2010-06-23T23:52:00.000-07:00

For once, I'm on time for block 9 of the Mystery Quilt of Born to Quilt! The new block should be in my mail box today or tomorrow. So far there are 3 cottages so I guess I can call it the cottage quilt :-))
I have tried to keep the overall harmony and have, at the same time, a different cottage from the two previous ones.

Last month, I cleaned up my workshop and sorted out all the different kits, threads, linens and patterns I had in stock. Needless to say that it is a shame!!!! There are way too many... so I decided not to buy any new, wonderful, not to be missed pattern or kit before finishing at least 10 projects!! Not sure, I'll be able to stick to such a resolution, but I will try!! Don't worry though, I have enough projects to keep posting for at least the next two years!!!! LOL

We have a teenage girl from Dallas, Texas at home right now. After a few days in Paris, she is visiting our region with her French teacher and her class and we are very happy to be her host family. I try to speak French to her as she is here to practise her French but I'm often tempted to speak English!

Have a great day,
Until later,

My first Hooked Rug

2010-06-15T00:16:00.000-07:00

Another little finish!
At the quilt show, I attended a class with Beatrice Meilhac to learn how to make a hooked rug. I finished the project yesterday. It is not difficult, but I found that filling the background around the flowers is quite long.
I do like the country look of these small hooked rugs... It has found its place in a corner of my workshop!

To answer a question I have been asked about finding time to do all this, I must tell you a secret! Yes, I do have a secret which gives me plenty of time for stitching and quilting!
Indeed, I have a full time job, a busy family life with 2 teenagers, I run three times a week and love reading... How can that be possible??? Well, I'm not a superhuman (unfortunately!!) but I don't have television at home!! It's as simple as that!!!
I'm often asked how I can live without television! My answer is invariably the same! How can you live with televison at home?

Until later,

The Blueberry Cottage Quilting Case.

2010-06-12T03:32:00.000-07:00

First of all, I'd like to thank you all for your nice comments on my posts! It is very motivating! Though I do not always answer, be sure I read all of them and really appreciate that you leave a message!

You may remember that I took a stitchery with me at the Quilt Show in Nantes, just in case I could find time to stitch!!! And guess what???? I didn't.....
Yet, I finished the stitchery last week and was ready for finishing this project! I had already chosen the fabrics but at the last minute decided on changing all of them!! Indeed I have two fat quarter bundles of fabrics by Whimsicals : "Heart and Soul" and "Tangled Threads" and I really wanted to use them! How can you resist a piece of fabric where the words "Quilts", "Folk Art", "Stitches", "Tangled Threads", "Buttons", "Spools" are printed on it???? Not to mention the rest of the collection!!!

So, here is my version of The Blueberry Cottage Quilting Case which was designed by Nataliejo of L'Atelier Perdu. You can put leaflets, pens and pencils, rulers and a mini-rotary cutter in it. It is both beautiful and practical.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Until later,

something new and different...

2010-06-09T10:14:00.000-07:00

When I was at the Quilt Show in Nantes, I regretted not to have attended a class with Cécile Franconie. She is SO talented!!! A week later, I discovered her second blog where she gives online classes. She was offering a class for stitching beautiful flowers!! I had to give it a try!!! And it was fun!

When the embroidery was done, I decided that for the first time, I would try a personal finishing!!!
And the result is a pinkeep / threadkeeper. I only used things I had : buttons, paper flowers, rickrack... It was fun and I love how it turned out :-))

Would you like to see it ?

Here is the front with Cecile's flowers :

And here is the back :

I do hope that you like it too!!!

Now, let's go back to quilting... I have another cottage to stitch!

Until later,

Blocks 7 and 8...

2010-06-01T04:59:00.001-07:00

...of the Mystery Quilt from Born To Quilt. Block 7 is a cottage and block 8 a simple pieced block. I find them both very charming and when I put all the blocks together I can already tell how stunning the quilt is going to be! The charm of these blocks are due to their design, the use of both cotton fabrics and wools, the stitcheries and the wonderful wooden buttons. It is a real pleasure to stitch these blocks... I hope you will like them as much as I do...

Until later,

Another quilt shop...

2010-05-21T09:40:00.000-07:00

You may remember that I promised to tell you about another quilt shop I visited last summer.
This beautiful quilt shop is in Sisters which is in central Oregon. Everytime I go to Portland I spend a few days there with my friends.

You are welcomed by quilts floating outside.

Inside there are many quilts on display and everything a quilter may dream of...

(I bought the fabrics to make the quilt in the middle of the photo above!!!)

There were also lots of Sue Spargo quilts on display.

I think that the Stitchin' Post is owned by Jean and Valory Wells. There is also an outdoor quilt show every year in July. But unfortunately, I can't be on vacation at this time of year so I've never been!!

The town is very charming ! There are many antiques and there were a few things I would have brought back but couldn't put them in my suitcase!!

And last but not least.... Nature!!!! Indeed, nature abounds in this area as well as in all the Pacific Northwest!!

I hope you have enjoyed this little trip and I will post about other places I have visited : England, Ireland and different regions in France...

I thank you for your nice comments on my previous posts and wish you a wonderful weekend.

Until later,

Machine piecing

2010-05-07T08:52:00.000-07:00

Do you remember that I wanted to give it a try ?

I decided to start machine piecing the blocks of the Civil War Tribute I receive each month from "Les Secrets de Marie". This month I had to piece 4 identical blocks measuring 15 1/2 inches. And I suddenly realized that it would take me quite a long time to prepare the pieces and hand-stitch them so it was time to start a true friendship with my sewing machine!!!
Indeed, I had only two choices!!! Either handpiecing the CWT blocks this year and doing nothing else on the arts and crafts side or machinepiecing them and doing other things as well!!! And you know that I'm also stitching the Mystery Quilt BOM by Born To Quilt and The Lady's Cabinet by Judy Odell, not mentionning a few other fun things besides...

Though the first block was not a disaster, it was not measuring the right size at the end. Same thing with the second and third blocks!!!!!
At this point, I was about to throw the machine through the window when I suddenly remembered the prize I had paid for it!!!! It immediately brought me back to my senses! LOL

So I started surfing the web to find clues to help me and found the solution in a tutorial about how to get the perfect scant 1/4 inch in Nathalie's blog. I immediately contacted her to have more tips to help me getting the perfect points. And it worked!!!!! Thank you very much, Nathalie, for your help :-))
It might not be perfect but now I know I can do it and I stitched this block with great pleasure and no stress. And it measures exactly 15 1/2 inches as required!!! Yipee!
Maybe you'd like to see it ?

And now a closer view :

Among the few other fun things I mentioned before are a hooked rug I started with Beatrice Meilhac at Quiltmania's quiltshow and the Blueberry Cottage of L'Atelier Perdu. So that will be for another post...

Have a great weekend,
Until later,

Maggie Bonanomi and a bunch of "Muguet"

2010-05-01T06:03:00.000-07:00

In France, on May 1st, people buy a bunch of lily of the valleys ("muguet" in French) to bring home. So to celebrate May 1st, here's a small bouquet.

I also wanted to share with you the two folk art books I particularly like. I've had them for quite a long time. They are a real source of inspiration for me. The two books are from Maggie Bonanomi. As far as I know, there is another one that should be ready very soon!!!

The two project photos are from the books!

This is where I found the inspiration for the sentence "Gather up all the fragments so that nothing is lost" that I wrote on the banner of my Mystery Quilt block 1.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Until later,

From the Loire valley to the Quilt Show

2010-04-26T07:10:00.000-07:00

The châteaux were absolutely fascinating!!!! Along the river or on top of a hill with the river down below or surrounded by a lake, they were all different and interesting. It was the best way to study once again French history.
There were sceneries you only see in paintings. Look at this!!!

I can hardly believe I took this picture!!! Don't you think it is beautiful and romantic!!

How you ready to embark ? You'd better grab a cup of tea because it's going to be my longest post!!!!! Let's go...

Valençay :

Chenonceau and its gardens :

Chambord :

Amboise and the chapel where Leonardo Da Vinci is buried :

Le clos Lucé where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last years of his life :

Azay Le Rideau :

The gardens of Villandry :

But, I guess you'd like to read about the quilt show, right ?

At the entrance we were welcomed by this "mise en scène" :

and by this huge hand-stitched quilt by Chuck Nohara :

Stunning!!! To say the least...

There were many booths where you could find everything a quilter or stitcher needs.... and much more ;-))

I met many people... some I knew and was happy to see again and some I met for the first time though I knew some of them through their blogs. It was not easy for me to be transparent as there were not many male quilters at the quilt show. While attending a class, I heard many ladies surprised to see a man quilting and stitching! Well, My wife watches football and drinks beer so... NO, JUST KIDDING... LOL

I attended three classes. One was to use the Square in a Square ruler and it has help me overcome my machine-piecing phobia. The second class was with Aurelia Ducrocq. She was extremely nice and charming and very helpful. Thank you very much Aurelia.

Finally, because Reiko Kato wasn't able to come (yes, the volcano!!), I did a rug hooking class with Beatrice Meillac. How fun!!! Thanks Béatrice, for your help! Rug hooking is great!

I was so concentrated that I forgot to take a picture during the class!

I do regret that I didn't take a class with Cécile Facile and with Léa Stansal. Indeed, Cécile's creations are so inspiring as are Léa's. There will be another time....

Now let's have a look at the exhibitions.

Reiko Kato's house :

Sue Spargo's house.
I had seen Sue's quilts before in Sisters (Oregon). One cannot be not charmed when you see them!

The country house :

Sarah Fielke's house :

Chuck Nohara's house :

Lea Stansal's corner :

Julie Arkell's corner :

Katherine Roumanoff's corner :

All these artists made me understand that what is important is to do things. So, my new motto is "Just Do It and Have Fun"!!

Thank you Quiltmania for organizing such a quilt show in France.

On Friday evening, before driving back to southern France, we decided to spend the night on the coast. There was only the sound of the surf of the ocean and the tweeting of the birds for my morning run.

I'm back home now and ready to go to work tomorrow morning. Hope you have enjoyed this part of France and Quiltmania quilt show ;-)

Until later,

What shall I bring ?

2010-04-16T00:16:00.000-07:00

On the way to the Quilt Show where I'm going with DW, DD1 and DD2, we will stop and visit several Châteaux in the Loire Valley. I'm not sure I will have much time for stitching but I hate going somewhere without anything!! Just in case !!! Am I the only one ???
But what to bring with me to stitch or sew that is small, easy and relaxing ? A stitchery !!!
So I have prepared The Blueberry Cottage stitchery to bring along.

A few years ago I stitched one by Lynette Anderson. The wooden button gives the stitchery a certain charm.

It was so fun that I decided to give it another try lately in order to stitch this Un Chat dans L'Aiguille needle pocket for DD2.

When I'm back, I will tell you about the Quilt Show in Nantes and the classes I attended ;-)
Until later,