A Visit to French General

When my husband and I were in Los Angeles in January,

we stopped at French General!

It was during the Road to California Quilt Show, which I didn't have the time to attend, 

so I was so grateful that the shop was open. 

As soon as you walk in the door, you feel like you are entering another beautiful, peaceful world.

So many treasures in every nook and cranny!

I loved this antique blue cabinet full of threads and would love to have it live with me!

Of course there are stunning quilts everywhere!

I could have admired this cabinet for hours!

The antique millenary flowers

and ribbons -  Oh My!

You have to look up as well, so that you don't miss a thing!

You know that I didn't come home empty handed...

I bought the pretty heart in hand charm and the amazing milagro filled heart, 

both brought back by Kaari from her travels to Mexico.

And thread winders and an antique button and glass bead bracelet.

And you can't leave French General without some French General fabric ;)

I hope that I will get a chance to visit again someday...

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul 

and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

~Matthew 22:37-39

Blessings, Patti

Boxwood & Berries 2016 ~ Part 1

In September, the Bittersweet Sisters attended Boxwood & Berries.

A beautiful time of year to be at the Country Sampler in Spring Green, WI.

Our talented teachers.

It was a five day event, but I was only able to attend for 2 1/2 days.

I was so grateful to be there, even for that amount of time.

It was a wonderful respite before the stressful days ahead.

The schoolroom is always so inspiring.

Beauty surrounded us.

Gorgeous needlework that made your fingers itch to create...

Kaari Meng of French General was our first teacher.

It was so interesting to hear her story and to see how she goes about curating her fabric collections based on antiques.

So many beautiful antique fabrics!

At each place setting we found these lovely bags.

Filled with neat notions.

And here was the day's project.

Traditional Japanese Sashiko embroidery on antique French fabrics 

mounted on our French General linen bags.

Oh what a thrill to go through all of these beautiful antique French fabrics, choosing just the right pieces for our own bags.

Kaari and her friend Mogul.

Here you can see how far three of the Bittersweet Sisters got on their projects that day...

Mine is in the middle. I'm sorry to say that it hasn't been picked up since, but I will definitely complete it as a souvenir of that lovely day...

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;

    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call on me, and I will answer him;

    I will be with him in trouble,

    I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him

    and show him my salvation.”

~Psalm 91:14-16

Blessings, Patti