Slowly

I am slowly getting back...mentally....to family life.

My sewing machine is still in the closet.

Publicity is Always Good

Is it good even when you don't know what to say? (I was hoping they'd cut that bit out!)

Castelvecchio on a sunny morning in Verona

Telepace has a program on Italian TV called La Voce delle Donne.

I took some pictures of the actual TV when
the interview aired.

I was interviewed during Verona Tessile in Castelvecchio where Canadians McCavour and Brelih had their work exhibited.

Talking about Ad Maiora Canada
while standing in front of Amanda McCavour's work
in the prestigious Sala Boggian at Castelvecchio.

Episode #29 aired in April.

Talking about Gordana Brelih's work behind me.

You can see the 20 minute program by clicking here.

Talking about Amanda McCavour's work behind me.

If you only want to see me (!) I am on from 4:00 onward.

Leaving Paris

Leaving this morning.

New hair cut, new colour of nail polish, new ideas and new recipes

I can't wait to be with my family after two months away.

Antique Quilts Exhibit

Mona Bismarck, 1897-1983, married five times, acquired money from her 3rd husband and took the title of countess from her 4th husband, founded many institutions including the one in Paris named after her, created to strengthen ties between the United States and France.

Until May 19 at the Mona Bismarck American Center for art and culture, you can view an exhibit of 25 antique quilts from the United States.

Covering the window is a paper reproduction of the crib-size, pineapple quilt from 1870
made by Ethelind Amelia Washburn

I enjoyed seeing the minute(!) quilt stitches, the perfect appliquéd circles of the Cherry Tree Quilt, 1925, by Naomi Beckwith, the signatures of the makers in 1889 on the Drunkard's Path blocks, the embroidered stitches in the Crazy Quilt fans on a black sateen background from 1900 and the fine netting carefully laid over the damaged fabrics of the pieced quilts.

Union Quilt, 1885.
The majestic eagle has been a symbol of  the USA
since the late 18th century. In this quilt, the artist's
interpretation of the eagle is more "like a
common farmyard fowl". (quote from curator)
Still nice though.

My favourite quilt in the exhibit was the hot pink velvet, 6-inch squares set on-point, mixed with green velvet squares with the long, uneven quilt stitches in white coloured thread, going in no particular direction. It was free and unconstrained. It was a Gees Bend quilt with personality and interest. Not copied, not reproduced. Original.

Exhibited in the second gallery, gouache works by American artist, Zoe Pettijohn Schade, continued with the geometric form found in the antique patchworks. Since curating a few exhibits, I am becoming more aware of curators' choices. The paper works provided a contemporary counterpoint to the quilt exhibit.

And now for something completely different

I noticed this artwork on the way out of the Chanel No. 5 exhibit at the Palais de Tokyo.

John Giorno, Just Say No to Family Values, 2012, paint.
Graffiti by Lek and Sowat.

WHAT!!

Velvet Colours

The stain glass windows at the Cathedral in Tours are stunning!

They say they are some of the best in the world.

Cathédrale Saint-Gatien de Tours, classical Gothic façade, built between 1170 and 1547.

The façade has lost its ornate statues which were
destroyed by the Protestants during the religious wars.

There is some Renaissance architecture as well seen in one of the towers (right).

What an inspiration for a patchwork design.

Look at the colours and shapes of the glass.

The red windows reminded me of Austrian quilter's work, Birgitt, that I met recently in Vienna.

Birgitt's quilt was made for her daughter. It is entitled, "Life is Colourful".
She designed it herself.

Her quilt is hand pieced and hand quilted.

detail

The label on the back was embroidered.

The embroidered design is an angel
in a tree.

Train Travel

Paris- Montparnasse...

to Tours...

and back.

La Petite Échelle

In Tours, there is a lovely quilt shop, La Petite Échelle, owned by Christiane Memain.

Medieval houses in Tours, France.

We have been communicating by email for several years...maybe 6!

Standing in front of the quilt store, La Petite Échelle.

Whenever I am in Tours her shop is closed. But on this trip, I got to meet her, finally!

A warm welcome from Christiane.

 She had time to show me some of her quilts.

Her scrap quilt made using basically two colours,
brown and blue. She brought in many different
browns and blues, some that you may not
 normally put together,
 but that added interest to the quilt. 

An interesting way to design a corner.
Notice the inside border and the outside one.

She added a "directional" image
to help her remember which way is UP.
 Smart!

While we were there, a jewellery designer walked in to purchase some fabric which she incorporates in her pieces.

Christiane's shop is lovely. I miss touching fabric since I have been away from my studio for some time so today was a real treat for me!

Place Plumereau in Vieux Tours

Her shop is close to Place Plumereau. If you are ever in Tours - about 1 hour south of Paris with the TGV (fast train), I hope you stop in and visit her.