Who Knew....

Come to find out, by way of Michelle scoring this treasure at her local auction in Stillwater, Minnesota, that I am from a long line of crafters - and from Dresden - no less!

Calling all (local) Crafters!

We've started something new and different here at French General - something a little unusual and maybe a bit uncomfortable...but nonetheless somewhat enjoyable...an Open Craft Day. The last Thursday of each month is dedicated to local crafters in the area who would like to come in and share a few good hours of crafting together. We've been at this a few months now, and so far, so good. People bring whatever they are in the middle of working on, find a comfortable spot and get to work on their project - no questions asked. (Well, maybe just a few...because I need to know what EVERYONE is working on...)
If you happen to be in the area and would like to join us, even if you are just passing through town on the last Thursday of the month...please come and see what we are up to. RSVP here so we can be sure there is enough room for everyone.
See you soon!

To Market To Market!

What fun we all had in Salt Lake City! The Quilt Market was filled with all sorts of beautiful fabrics, designers and old and new friends. Moda is really good at pulling together all of their designers and making them feel like we are at a 3-day party - thanks Cheryl and Lissa and everyone else who make it look so easy and fun. One new friend, Christina Strutt, turned out to be even better than I expected! Upon meeting Christina and her daughter Kate, from Cabbages and Roses, Christina immediately said "I hate you" to which I replied "I hate you too". We didn't really hate each other - I don't think - we were both just insanely jealous of what the other was creating. Sometimes jealousy hits me hard - the little green monster sneaks out - the one that makes me feel like a total failure standing next to someone who's work is so beautiful. It's ugly and I don't like admitting it - but I just can't control it sometimes.
Within seconds, Christina and I were laughing and the ice had been broken - we couldn't get rid of each other - even if we tried! Every morning Christina and Kate would arrive in their beautiful frocks, lot's of stripes, organza and linen - only to drive me more crazy - not only beautiful fabric, but beautiful clothes too! I think they are a great addition to the quilt world - and I learned (the ugly way) that there is room for everyone.

Dreaming in French

It's that time of the year again...I'm starting to dream in French. With just a month left before we leave for France, I am beginning to look forward to the sound of the old villages, the scent of patisseries and the colors of the sunflower fields. Although I am not French, do not speak French and really have no ties to France other than the desire to live there - I seem to fit right in when I arrive. There is the local hotel in St. Antonin, the bistro in Caussade, the hat factory in Septfond, and the church in Montpezat...all welcome me as if I had been coming to this special area of France all of my life.
We're off to our Chateau Getaway towards the end of June for a couple of weeks with two wonderful groups of women who are eager to live like a rural Frenchwoman - forget their troubles, see the landscape, craft like bees and eat like queens.
Our Chateau Getaway for Summer 2012 is being planned now - please let me know if you would like to come and I will send you more information. You can either send us your e-mail at notions@frenchgeneral.com or leave us a comment here. Sign ups for Chateau Getaway 2012 are scheduled for early September. See you in France!

Lucky Number 16!

There are sixteen pawns in a chess set and each player in a chess game starts with sixteen pieces.

Sixteen is the amount of waking hours in a day in an "8 hours of sleep" schedule.

There are sixteen ounces in a pound.

Caterpillars have 16 legs.

Sofia is already planning her sweet 16th Birthday Party - and she's 13.

Molly's favorite movie growing up was Sixteen Candles, with Molly Ringwald.

So....Molly randomly chose our 16th comment as our lucky winner.

Congratulations Becky! Please send us your information and your choice of either a stash of Panier de Fleurs fabric or a Panier de Fleurs Bracelet Kit. Merci!


(funny from Savage Chickens)

Panier de Fleurs Giveaway

I'm packing my bags and getting ready to head on over to the International Quilt Market, held in Salt Lake City May 13-15th.  I'll meet up with the wonderful Moda team and be visiting the French General designer booth on both Friday and Saturday. The Spring Market debuts our Fall 2011 line, Panier de Fleurs, a collection of faded French red, navy blue and grey botanical prints - complete with ticking stripes. This new group of quilting fabric was inspired by the bountiful baskets of flowers and herbs I see at the markets in the South of France.
If your coming to the show, come by and say hello - we'll have a fun giveaway and I'll be bringing my market basket filled with some new ideas, including our county fair prize ribbons and Panier de Fleurs charm bracelet kits. If you can't make it to Salt Lake City, (thousands of quilters and I will miss you!) enter your name in our giveaway and you can choose your prize!

Straight from Woad

I've loved seeing and hearing about all of the amazing creations that have come out of our Woad Workshop - fabulous knitted scarves with wool, upholstered dining room chairs with cotton yardage, baby clothes and pillows with linen!  Denise Young came in today and showed us her newest creations with her tie-dyed woad - a collection of pillows that are perfect for a day bed or sun room.  Denise has made up a handful of these blue beauties out of the linen she woaded.  If you didn't make it to our workshop, this might be the perfect way to own a bit of woad!  For more information write to deniseoon@hotmail.com 

If you're still kicking yourself for missing our event in April, sign ups are now open for our September Woad Workshop - September 24th, 2011.