Progressing Nicely, Thanks...

I'm just giving a snapshot of the placemats I'm making in the French General "Rural Jardin" fabrics. I'm doing pinwheels on these, instead of the half-square triangles that were the focus on my "Rouenneries" set.

I'm going to make all of the mats first, and then I'll bind them while I chat with the girls at Books A Million this evening. Something simple to do while we giggle and tell "fresh lies", as an old friend used to say.

I'm also going to make my mug mat for my swap partner today and will bind that this evening, too.

I just realized that I hadn't shown you our new floor in the dining room yet. We had a little side project that had to be completed before I could photograph it to share. So, without further ado...
This is the dining room with the old light fixture still installed, and our artificial palm in the corner. It was so past time to tear out that carpeting and now, you can see the "after" photo.
Here it is! No extra charge for the model in the photograph. The chairs are usually all around the table, but Handsome wanted to keep the leaf out of the table for a little while, and the chairs don't fit with the leaf stowed away. I especially like that this table stores the leaves right under the top. Those clever Scandinavians!

We also have a roll-top desk in the corner that previously hosted the palm tree. I store table linens in the bottom drawers, so it's handy to have in the dining room. All of the pieces are teak and are easily cleaned and maintained with an occasional wiping of teak oil. The fixture above the table is also teak. Man, I like it so much more than the fancy chandelier that hung there before. This is more "us".

Hope you all like the new look as much as we do. It really is a vast improvement for us. So, I'm on my way back to the studio for part of the morning; Soundsations rehearsal from 1-3; and then gabbing with the girls this evening. Wishing all of you a fun and creative day, too! Later, 'gaters!

Sewing In The Rain...

This is the assortment I chose for my table accessories project last week. Of course, the weekend was full and fun (more about that later this week), but I didn't get as far as I'd planned to create my pieces.

Monday was spent catching up on housework (groceries and tidying up), and then I had chorale rehearsal in the evening. No sewing.

Tuesday morning was spent going over some of my music for the Soundsations, and before I knew it, I had to run out to their Tuesday afternoon rehearsal. I can't tell you how much fun I'm having learning new songs and dance moves needed for a few of the numbers.

The weather turned nasty late day, so I decided to stay home from Books a Million knit night and spend time in the studio instead. Back for some much-needed sewing therapy.
I also pulled out the yardage I'd purchased of French General toweling fabric. I decided to make napkins from the toweling to coordinate with the placemats I'm making from the General line.

I've taking our family away from paper napkins, and to tell the truth, I'm really enjoying the civility of using fabric napkins instead. I know my friend, Krisann likes the fact that it's also a green decision - and she's right - but it's the luxe factor that I really enjoy. Simple pleasures, right?
This is just one of the placemats I created last night. I haven't sewn the binding on the placemat yet. I'm going to make all the mats first and then I'll bind them all at the same time. The finished placemats measure 12" x 18" and the napkins are 18" square.

All of the fabrics were used in my French General "Rouenneries" quilt, which I use on our kitchen table. I'm making six placemats and six napkins. All the napkins are the same, but the placemats will be made in pairs, so there will be three different sets.

I bet you can guess what I'll be doing today. I'll show you tomorrow, when I should have everything finished! I really do love playing in the studio.

Dream A Little Dream...

I spent a little time in the studio with the French General again yesterday. I'm not even going to try to apologize. You know how much I love this fabric line, and the colors just make me happy.

You'll remember that I made a table quilt in the "Rouenneries" line, so I decided that I needed to add some accessories to go with it. I'm not finished yet, but probably will be today or tomorrow.

I just wanted you to know what I'm working on right now. Never one to just sit around, you know. I'll be back with more photographs just as soon as I've finished everything. Trust me. It's all cool!
I just got my Restoration Hardware catalog and I have to have these! Belgian linen sheet sets in natural colors. I think they're gorgeous, and I've learned through reading Kari Meng's book, The French General: Home Sewn, that the linen sheets only get softer with multiple washings.
Here's another photograph of the sheets (and coordinating bedding) installed on one of Restoration Hardware's linen-trimmed beds. (You'll have to excuse me. I'm having a serious day-dream moment here.)

I hope this week holds something dreamy for you, too. We all need to have something to dream about, don't you think?

NOTE: I want to remind you (early) that my first Memory Lane Monday party will be on January 31st. I'll give you one more reminder on Saturday, January 29th, so you have plenty of time to write about your own special memories. I'm really looking forward to reading your stories!

Another Finished Blanket Of Love...

The French General quilt that I made with the Moda "Rouenneries" fabric is completely finished now. I sewed the binding onto it on Friday night. There was no daylight left to photograph it, so we did that Saturday morning.

I can't tell you how much I'm loving this quilt. The colors, even though there are reds in it, are restful to me. I even have enough of the fabrics left to make another quilt, adding some navy fabrics that I have in my stash. Don't you think they would combine to make a perfect, all-purpose, patriotic-feeling quilt or table cover?

I found that the French General's newer fabric lines coordinate perfectly with "Rouenneries", too. So, I could also add fabrics from "Lumiere De Noel", "Rural Jardin", or "Maison de Garance" and they would all work together. Good to know if you'd like to make one of your own and can't find any of the "Rouenneries" line.
Here, you can see both the front and the back of the quilt. It measures 60" wide by 74" long, so it's perfect as a table cover for my antique oak table in our dinette area. The table I'll use it on was our dining room table in Wisconsin. It was a wedding gift from my parents, and I couldn't part with it when we moved to Florida. As we have a teak dining set here, this well-loved antique now resides in our alcove which features windows facing out onto our pool.

The quilt fits it perfectly, so I'm sure it will cover the table for many future gatherings. It's really funny to hear the reactions of friends when they realize I've set the table for a meal on top of one of my quilts. "You mean, we're going to eat over this pretty quilt?" I just laugh and remind them that it's washable, just like a regular tablecloth.

Don't you think it's just being a gracious hostess to set a beautiful table with beautiful things? Of course, you do! I've seen many of your tables, and am inspired by each and every one of them.
Here's the label on this quilt. I always credit the machine quilters, too. Without their talent, my quilts wouldn't look nearly as good. Thank you, Kathy! You're a true artist, my friend. Whether it's used over my table or as a warm cover for a nap, a quilt is a blanket of love. I think that's why making them is so special to my heart.

A Date With The General...

Yesterday, I opened the doors to my fabric cabinet and
pulled out all the fabric I've collected from this Moda fabric line.
It's called The French General, "Rouenneries".
Isn't this collection wonderful?
I really love the colors and patterns. Each lovelier than the last.

I started cutting - large squares, small squares, fabric strips -
and began arranging and sewing, and I even un-sewed a few!
I accomplished quite a bit yesterday, and had great fun
working without a pattern. There's a certain freedom in
not following a set diagram or having to work to a specific size.

I'll be in the studio again today, and we'll see how far I get.
I'll share photos of my progress tomorrow.
Hope you have a happy and creative day!

The Patchworks Of My Life...

My next sewing project is patiently awaiting my attention in the studio. Before I embarked on all my Christmas creations, I had sewn together an assortment of Moda's French General "Rouenneries" charm pack squares. Then I hung the assembled fabrics on a hanger on my studio door. It's right there where I can see it whenever I enter or leave my studio.

I am completely in love with these fabrics, so I'm looking forward to turning this into a quilt for the master bedroom. In addition to the charm packs, I have jelly rolls (2.5" strips of each fabric in the line), fat quarters and yardage. I have all the fabric I'll need for the back of the quilt, too.

I'm just sure it's going to be one of my favorite quilts ever! I also will remember the time surrounding its creation, as I do with most of my larger projects.

This particular quilt will remind me of this week in my life. I'll associate it with healing, family and friends who sent up prayers for my quick recovery, and Handsome leaving the hospital with me in his own wheelchair, following an unforeseen turn of events.

We're both home now, both healing and feeling better. And the quilt pieces awaiting my touch will represent more pieces of our life together.

Thank you for your prayers, your kind thoughts and your good wishes. I'm feeling so much better already.