What in the World Have You Been Doing?

I have never taken such a long break from my blog before...but I guess I needed it!  In the past month I have been all over and filled myself creatively with some wonderful experiences and ideas...here is just a peek at what I have been up to...

 I flew back to Cleveland, Ohio to tape an episode of The Spotted Canary, featuring our paper arts line with Jolee's Boutique...look for it on your local PBS channel in January!

 The episode featured a French General party complete with handmade invitations and party decor.

 From Cleveland, I flew to Houston to attend Quilt Market and helped introduce a couple of our newest lines, La Belle Fleur, which will be released in January and French General Favorites, which will be released soon and includes all of our favorite prints from past collections.

More from the French General Favorites Collection.

 I also  picked up a couple of antique quilts - one filled with small designs - perfect for our ditsy prints!

 Back in California, I drove out to the historic Langham Huntington Hotel where I taught at The Gilded Life's event, Spellbound.

 Staying at the hotel for three nights was like being on a holiday in a faraway land...it was magical!

 I got the chance to see some of my very favorite people - and they just seem to be getting younger all the time...hmm....

 At the Spellbound Event, I taught two classes - a beaded cuff with a yard of chain and 72 charms...

 and a flower and crystal petite crown, with beautiful hand-dyed ribbons from Hanah Silk tied on the back!

We also stayed "up all night" crafting with a box of French General paper arts supplied by Jolee's Boutique...it was an over the top night and everyone was crafted out by the end of the event!

Then, back to Los Angeles where I started the long and arduous process of painting the interior of our home for a photo shoot with Fabricut.

 Many days and colors later....

 Meanwhile, I took a two-day break and attended Glennis Dolce's shibori and indigo workshop at the Japanese American Museum in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles.

 I have taken Glennis's classes before, and I always end up totally inspired and filled with new ideas....

 A small selection at some of the techniques and colors from the class - her next class is in April if you are interested.

 Back to the photo shoot...here's a peek at the dining room set up with some of the new fabric we designed for Fabricut.

 JZ hanging and rehanging photos, pictures, carvings and anything else we could find to make our home look like an 18th century house in France...rather than a Spanish home built in 1930!

Footstools found in Tulsa and covered in our new fabric.

Finally, home to Palos Verdes for a long weekend to celebrate the holiday with family!  Hope you all enjoyed a lovely holiday weekend and are recharged and ready for the upcoming season...