Priceless

Good, long term friends are priceless. L-R Sue, Diane, Marg. Here we are at the recent Samford quilt show, which is always very enjoyable. We are posing in front of Di's quilt Le Jour des Six Tartes.

It is such a great modern hexagon quilt with the hexagons scattered over a pieced and pre-quilted background. Lots of lovely surprises.

Ad even a bit of Italian in Paris! 

Global Thread

Down Under Quilts issue 160 features many great projects and of course my column Global Thread, which I have so much fun writing. In this issue I report on the experience of Quilt Expo en Beaujolais.

 

Quilt Show #3

The France Patchwork Association had a great display of red and taupe in their challenge quilts.

Lots of different techniques are highlighted in this work. I like the way the disparate pieces have been combined using strips of open weave linen. Buttons were another unifying feature.

The expo is organised by Monique Bonnet, above L and Jeff, below, in Nick's Akubra hat.

For our artist talk we had the translating services of Jill, English by birth but now living happily in rural France.

L Patti Hempen, an American tutor and Jill. Such a wonderful experience to be a part of the quilt expo!
 

Quilt Show #2

Lots of great exhibitions and exhibitors at the quilt show. Here a French quilter admires the work of Hsin Chen Lin from Taiwan. Our work was hung side by side.

I met Gilliam Travis from the UK and loved her work from her travels. She had also been to India and we had lots to talk about.

Australian Dijanne Cevaal had wonderful new work with French themes.

Hungary was well represented by the Modern Movement group who worked to a theme of metamorphosis. Lots of textural work.

This is by Zsofia Atkins and gave new life to old doileys.

 

Quilt show

Like most quilt shows this had all the usual attractions- vendors, exhibitions and individual featured exhibitors. The French fabrics were lovely and something we don't see so much of in Australia. The popular vendors were 3 deep at the counters.

Bohin, France sell many useful items for stitching and sewing. Seemed to be more men around the show floor than we usually see. Even some dogs.

Nice to see people enjoying my India Adventure quilts.

Quilt Expo en Beaujolais

Mexettes rule at the Expo! Our little exhibition was very well received and the crowds filed past for the 4 days. On the first day we gave a small artist talk about the work.

Could not have done without our support team! L-R Bob, David, Ian and Doug. Nick was there too.

I'm looking tired but am very happy that all went smoothly after 2 years in the planning for Beautiful Australia.
 

Photo problems

Dear blog followers, we are having a marvellous time in the Beaujolais region with our Mexette friends. The Quilt Expo en Beaujolais experience was quite amazing. Unfortunately I have had trouble with photos but will happily share lots of them when I can rectify this situation.
Our French holiday is at an end and now we go to visit my family in Slovakia. If I don't report in each day, it is only that we are living life to the full! Talk again soon.
 

Lake cruise

Went cruising on the lake, on a large boat, with a 3 course lunch. No charge for the stunning scenery of snow capped mountains and chateaus.

A bit of this makes everything better.

The lake waters are crystal clear. No one swimming yet, as it is just the beginning of Spring.
 

Annecy fun

We are slowly meeting up with more Mexettes along the way in preparation for the Quilt Expo where we have our exhibition. L-R  Eric aka Ian, Nick, Bob, Annette, Sue.

The old historic section of town is a delight to experience despite the hordes who flock here.

The canals make it the "Venice of the South".

The Imperial Palace

We are staying in Annecy, by the lake in L' Imperial Palace and it is living up to expectations.

Our third floor terrace is a great spot for late afternoon champagne and cheese with snow capped mountain peaks as the backdrop. No one is swimming in the icy lake waters yet, but there is a lot of strolling along the shores.

So lovely to see young families and the children learning to ride their bicycles.

Springtime

Springtime in France is magical. The trees are bursting into bloom and everywhere are signs of new growth on old wood.

The yellow Forsythia is the most brilliant yellow and the first to herald Spring.

Window boxes appear with freshly potted colour.

Herbs and other greenery is sprouting from unlikely looking containers.

 

Quilt Expo en Beaujolais

The anticipation and the waiting is almost over! The Expo begins shortly and my India Adventure exhibition is on display as well as Beautiful Australia. If you can't make it to the Expo you may view the quilts on my website.

Perouges

The Medieval hill top town of Perouges is very atmospheric and wasn't swarming with tourist hordes- yet! The streets are cobblestoned and cars drive in and out. We parked outside the town walls in the special parking bays and strolled in the sunshine.

One of the specialities is the Galette, which is like a pizza base topped with sugar. Most shops here have a window from which they sell their baked goods.

 

Luggage

How did we fit the luggage for 4 people into a 7 seater car? Easily!

We even managed to close the hatch. Notice the wing doors- opening as sliding doors, something I had not seen before.

Feast for the eyes

We have fallen in love with Lyon. The food capital is a title richly deserved with sights like these.

Yes, also available in Paris! Trying to be good and sample as many things as we can!

This statue is near the Hotel de Ville- only partial view shown here.