More Art

While driving up to Big Sur this morning,  I asked Sofia what her New Year resolution might be, she simply said "more art."  I really like the simplicity of this idea and think it works for me too...what about you?

Gone From My Sight

I am standing by the seashore.

A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze

and starts for the blue ocean.

She is an object of beauty and strength,

and I stand and watch

until at last she hangs like a speck of white cloud

just where the sun and sky come down to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says, ‘There she goes!

Gone where? Gone from my sight – that is all.

She is just as large in mast and hull and spar

as she was when she left my side

and just as able to bear her load of living freight

to the places of destination.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her.

And just at the moment when someone at my side says,

‘There she goes! ‘ ,

there are other eyes watching her coming,

and other voices ready to take up the glad shout :

‘Here she comes!’

Henry Van Dyke, 19th century

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year....

Stop by French General this Saturday, December 15th from 10-5 to celebrate the season....

 Our packages are wrapped....

 Our Holiday 2013 quilting collection, Esprit de Noel has arrived...

 filled with French General classic reds and naturals..and just a bit of green!

Our tree is trimmed with beautiful Wendy Addison ornaments....

And, we've uncovered a treasure trove of old French silver monogram pins!

Hope to see you on Saturday for a glass of Lillet and some holiday treats!

I Almost Forgot...

If you left a comment on my earlier post about The Makerie Sewing Giveaway, please send your address to notions@frenchgeneral.com with The Makerie in the subject line.  I will send out some scraps right away so you can get working!
Bonne Chance!

The Makerie Sewing Giveaway

I am really excited to announce that I will be teaching at The Makerie Sewing in Boulder, Colorado this coming April 18th - 21st, 2013.  This inaugural special event focuses on textiles and sewing - both hand and machine - featuring fantastic workshops taught by renown teachers from around the country. I'll be teaching a workshop on natural plant dyeing using shibori techniques to create beautiful patterns and designs.  Some of the talented teachers at The Makerie Sewing include: Amy Butler, Heather Jones, Jenny Hart, Liesl Gibson, Cal Patch and Tamar Morgendorff.  It will be a creative weekend filled with lot's of heart and soul!
The exciting news is that The Makerie is giving away a fully paid scholarship to the event - air travel, accommodation and a full set of workshops - all free - to one lucky winner!  To enter into their scholarship competition, you will need to write up a short letter describing why you should be given the award and then create a small 4x4 paper quilt block.  To sweeten the deal...I will send out some of our paper and fabric scraps to anyone who would like to apply for the scholarship - just leave me a comment about how your quilt block will represent you!
For more information about applying to this exciting program, please visit The Makerie Sewing Scholarship.  Good luck to all - hope to see you in Boulder in April!

Holiday Open House at French General

We are happy to announce our Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 15th from 10-5.  French General will be open for crafting, camaraderie and cheer - with workshops offered by the talented Evelyn Niely and the creative Mavis Leahy...both wonderful teachers and local artists.  Join us to learn how to create the needle-felted Christmas Goose and the Victorian-inspired Vintage Angel.  Both workshops will have open seating so you can join in any time you like, but to reserve your seat, please sign up at www.frenchgeneral.com

Happy Holidays and hope to see you soon!