For the Love of Jack!

A few months ago, a husband and wife walked into the shop and the wife started shopping for all the little bits and pieces that inspired her.  The husband and I started up a conversation and, before long, he told me that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer and was being treated in Los Angeles at City of Hope, one of the best cancer care centers in the United States.  We connected on our cancer stories and eventually Jack and Sandy had invited me to come up and visit them someday at their loft in Oakland.  We saw each other again at Spellbound, they drove over to the hotel to see the market place and they let me know that Jack was back at City of Hope for treatment - which could last as long as three months.  This past week at our Art of Craft event, Sandy came to a class and told us that, if everything went well, Jack would be released by the end of January and they would be headed back home to Northern California.
So, all of this got me thinking...about Jack...about others who are struggling with cancer right now and how easy it is to go about our regular life not knowing what people struggle with everyday during their cancer treatment.  It is not a walk in the park - it is debilitating to say the least.
So, we thought we would spread the love a bit and set up a Valentine card making table at French General.  For the next couple of weeks,  we invite you to bring yourself, friends and your kids to come in and create a lovely note of love for someone at City of Hope.  Filled with all the beautiful fixings and tools, our Valentine making table will be set up through Saturday, February 9th.  We will then deliver all of the hand-made cards to City of Hope in honor of our friend Jack.
 If you are unable to join us at French General, but would still like to be a part of our Valentine delivery to City of Hope, please send your card to us by February 9th.  Our address:

French General
2009 Riverside Drive
Los Angeles, California 90039

Thank you for your creativity and thoughtfulness!

Oh The Fun We Had!

This past weekend, we hosted our annual Art of Craft event at French General.  Ninety women from all over the country came to stitch, cut, glue, mold and get their craft on throughout six workshops.  The regulars showed up in full force, and then there were a handful of women who had never attended before but had heard all about it and decided it was time to take the leap and join in on the creative fun!

I knew when Pam Garrison, Charlotte Lyons and Rebecca Sower arrived together and stayed for two days we were in for a treat....we laughed, poked fun at each other and generally basked in each other's company.  And then there was Jenny Hart, my new friend and neighbor who was battling a bit of a cold and turned out a stellar performance in front of a room full of fans.  Molly Meng, regular teacher at French General, introduced everyone to her small wonderous world, while Arlene Baker brought in her  floral molds and got the crowd excited all over again!

And then there are the girls behind the curtain that make the show work...to Mogull, Dawn, Jody and Molly...thank you for all of your hard work and ability to work non-stop from morning till night!  JZ was our caterer for the weekend and kept us fed with jambon sandwiches and his famous chopped salad.  Our Sunday Soiree featured Nancy Soriano who spoke of living a crafted life and Ryan Khavari hosted a bar which stocked a whole lot of Lillet, our favorite French apertif.  We missed Kick and Dick but know they will return soon to host the next big event at French General...

Just in case you weren't able to join us...here's a peek into our fun-filled Art of Craft weekend...

P.S. Thanks Meleen for sending the beautiful lavender plant - it was the centerpiece of the welcome table!

The Really BIG News...

Starting out the new year right....French General will now be open Tuesday through Saturday from 12-5.  Come by, visit us during our new hours and meet Molly and Jody!
Check out our Winter/Spring 2013 Workshop Schedule!

Hope to see you soon!

Getting Ready

It's that time of the year again....we are busy getting ready for our annual arts and crafts weekend at French General.  Held every year during the Craft and Hobby Association Show,  the Art of Craft is a three day creative event which features some of the most talented teachers we know.  This year, we are happy to have Charlotte Lyons, Rebecca Sower, Pam Garrison, Jenny Hart, Molly Meng and Arlene Baker...all who will be teaching a three hour workshop at French General January 11th-13th.  Afterwards, we will celebrate at our Sunday Soiree, which will feature Nancy Soriano of Country Living and One Kings Lane.  Nancy will give a short talk about living a crafted life - something we can all aspire to in 2013.

We have a couple of spots left if you are interested in joining us on this special weekend.  Please email us at notions@frenchgeneral.com or give us a call at 323 668-0488 to reserve your seat.  Here's to a great start to a new year!