La Ferme = The Farm

Deep in the heart of France, we went on a wild goose chase - or maybe I should say a wild goat chase - through the back roads along the River Aveyron.
After searching high and low for an angora goat farm, I had heard about from my friend Karen, we finally found the sign, La Ferme Chevres Angora, and entered down the mile long driveway - having no idea whether they would be open for visitors at 6:00 in the evening. When we arrived, I jumped out of the car and figured, we've come this far, may as well knock on the door and see if we can meet a goat or two. Rudolpho, one of the two brothers who manages the farm, came out of his 14th century stone house and was happy to show us the lay of the land.

First we visited the atelier, filled with handmade scarves, blankets, socks and mittens - all in the most beautiful shades of reds, browns and blues. They also sold skeins of mohair all freshly cleaned, carded and spun - ready for knitting.

Then it was time to meet the goats - all 200 of them. 150 of the goats are raised for their milk and the remaining 50 are raised for their wool. We spent some time getting to know the baby angora's, and then it was time to milk the goats. Along with Rudolpho and brother Frank's help, Molly and I both took a turn learning how to milk the goats - which has to happen fast if you don't want to get kicked. Drinking fresh goat milk straight from the udder was something new - and had my mom practically running out of the barn - she grew up on a farm and wanted nothing to do with the milking!

At the end of our two hour visit, we had bonded with the goats and the brothers and promised to return soon - feeling an attachment to the land and the agriculture - which we hadn't felt before. This is the deep France experience - the France profound - that I have heard about and wanted to know more.

Back in France

We've finally arrived back in France for the summer - and everything feels right again. The smells, sounds and flavors all come rolling back - just like we never left. Molly, mom and I have spent the past few days relaxing in St. Antonin, eating at some of our favorite bistros, visiting a couple of our favorite brocantes and getting lost on the country roads.
More to come....

The Creative Connection 2011

Bibelot Charme Workshop

I'm really excited to be returning to The Creative Connection Event again this September. This year, Wendy Addison and I got together and decided to try something new...instead of each of us teaching our individual classes and wondering where the other was all day...we decided to combine our classes and teach them ensemble. We figured we could spend our time enjoying our classes as well as seeing each other - the old two birds theory. And...we get a little extra perk...Marcia Ceppos from Tinsel Trading will be setting up a petite emporium of metallic threads, trims and sequins...our own private Tinsel Trading right in the classroom!

Boite de Bijoux Workshop

This year The Creative Connection is expanding to include three days of social media and business workshops, creative workshops, food panels and classes, pitch slams and of course the fabulous hand-made marketplace.

You can read more about French General, the workshop Wendy and I will be teaching and join a giveaway at Where Women Create and spend some time looking over The Creative Connection Event - hope to see you there in the Fall!

Table Time

With just a week before we leave for the summer, my mind has drifted to the food of France. I stumbled upon these five key dates of French food, and it made me start dreaming about the fois gras, the fresh herbs, and the chicken cordon bleu...

1. 1533: Italian aristo Catherine de Medici marries into French royalty and, under her guidance, the Court gets passionate about its food for the first time.
2. 1691: François Massialot reveals the recipes of Louis XIV’s kitchen in Le Cuisinier Royal et Bourgeois, effectively launching haute cuisine.
3. 1765: When Parisian soup maker Monsieur Boulanger offers customers at his tavern a choice of dishes, the world gets its first restaurant.
4. 1902: Auguste Escoffier pens La Grande Culinaire; 500 recipes of the rich, sauce-based cooking that would dominate 20th century French cuisine.
5. 1969: Food critics Millau, Gault and Gayot identify 48 chefs creating lighter food focused on fresh produce, recognizing nouvelle cuisine for the first time.

Turning 14

I rarely let a day go by without remembering when Sofia was 2 or 4 or 10...she was so cute and confident. Remember when she said this...or danced to this song...or wore this...she was so young and sweet. I live in the memories of Sofia as a young girl - maybe it's because I was young too or maybe it's because it just seemed so simple then.
One of these days I have to accept the fact that I have raised a beautiful, talented and quite capable fourteen year old! But somehow - I still find comfort in knowing that she is just a young lass - still searching for her own way, creating her own artistic path and building her character step by step.
And....I kinda like that she is willing to jump into a cold pool...fully dressed in her school uniform - just puts it all into perspective.
Happy Birthday sweet Sofia - from someone who loves your creative spirit more than anything else.

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.  

The Rug Auction

Ever since we moved to California eight years ago, by way of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada I have had a weakness for good old Navajo rugs. I remember picking up my first Ganado style rug at the Hubbell Trading Post and I've been picking them up ever since. A couple of weeks ago, I saw a tiny ad in the Los Angeles Times about an American Indian Auction being held in Pasadena - and I knew I had to go. I walked into the room and I instantly felt I had found my people and my rugs. Ganado, Klagatoh, Crystal, Two Gray Hills - all were represented by an old auctioneer and his family of traders.

I set my sights on a couple of beauties and picked up a paddle thinking I would dabble in the auction if the prices were reasonable. The auction started out with some sterling and turquoise jewelry from the twenties - "Who'll give me a hundred, a hundred, a hundred, ok - seventy five, seventy five, seventy five - no? Ok - fifty, fifty, fifty" - and finally someone would raise their paddle and the auctioneer would yell "SOLD!"

So, when it came time for the rugs - I half expected a similar pattern - but what I heard was "Who'll give me three fifty, three fifty, three fifty - no? Ok - move it out" Move it out? - but I thought there was going to be more of a game - what about 300 or 250 or 200? Sadly, no. What I learned at the American Indian Auction that day is that Navajo rugs are not given away - they are prized for their craft, beauty and history and there is a buyer who will always pay for a good rug.

When the next rug came up for auction, I was ready. The auctioneer said, "Who'll give me three fifty, three fifty, three fifty?" I slowly raised my paddle.  SOLD! No bargaining, no bidding war, just me and the auctioneer. The result.... I am now the proud owner of a 1900 handwoven, wool, Crystal style rug (gulp). I guess I'll have to hit the road and see if I can find a bargain the next time. I'm thinking about a rug tour - a van, a tent and the open road, headed towards Taos.  Anyone?  Anyone?

Down By the Sea Workshop

I'm heading up towards Santa Barbara on Saturday, May 7th to teach this lovely necklace and earring set at Summerland Mercantile. Run by friends, Cathy Mogull and Stacey Crenshaw, Summerland Mercantile is an atelier, workshop and market filled with vintage finds, creative crafts and great food.

Join us for the day - sign up here.

The Lure of Catalina Island

Growing up in Southern California, I could see the island of Catalina from our backyard. As a kid, we used to go over for the day to explore the island, run around, camp, and basically feel like we were in another world - just for a couple of days. This past week, Sofia JZ and I headed over on the ferry, the Catalina Express, for a short break - just 26 miles from Palos Verdes Peninsula.

I hadn't been to the island since 8th grade, when our whole class played hooky and spent the day on the tiny beach tanning (burning) ourselves in preparation for our graduation. The first think I noticed about the island were the beautiful, colorful tiles that seemed to be everywhere - along the walkways to the casino, on the beach benches and throughout the botanical gardens. 1920-1930 tile designs had been preserved or restored and gave the island a vintage feel - almost like nothing had changed since the twenties when Hollywood stars used to go over and dance at the casino for a night or two.

We found a couple of good restaurants - Sofia enjoyed her first pound and a half lobster, after she figured out how to eat it - and there were plenty of cafes serving the local fish. A visit to Catalina wouldn't be complete without a Pacifica and a basket of fish and chips, doused with vinegar, from the pier.

Pondering why I wasn't doing one thing everyday that scared me, I decided to join Sofia and JZ on a parasailing adventure one afternoon. Flying 1200 feet into the air, we were pulled by a small boat which gave us a birds eye view of all of Avalon. Slightly unnerving, but eventually exciting, we were amazed to see the dolphins and seals swimming below us.

A perfect three day vacation, within an hour from Los Angeles - the lure of Catalina is still as strong as ever - I can't wait to go back!

Block Printing Workshop

Come learn the creative techniques of block printing! Wood block printing on wallpaper become famous in France at the end of the 18th century. ZUBER & Cie claims to be the last factory in the world to produce woodblock printed wallpapers and furnishing fabrics...oh to get into that basement!
On Saturday, April 30th we will learn how to carve an image on a rubber block, what kind of inks to use and how to print an image on paper and fabric. Join artist Laura Palm as she teaches us about this antique method used to print text, images or patterns on textiles and paper. Bring in your own image to transfer onto the block or design your own in class - maybe you'll be inspired to print a roll of wallpaper!
Sign up here for this new French General workshop.

Hyperbolic Coral Reef Coming to Town!

The Autry National Center, here in Los Angeles, has awarded Margaret and Christine Wertheim, co-creators of the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef project, the first Theo Westenberger Grant for Women of Excellence, an honor that recognizes “innovation in any field of art” by a living female artist. On Saturday, April 30th the sisters will present a lecture about their five year project building a community project to help save our coral reefs.

Who would have thought that crocheting would lead to solving a 200-year-old geometry problem and then become a crocheting phenomenon. Designed and curated by The Institute For Figuring, Margaret and Christine have taught women throughout the world how to crochet a coral reef. By engaging local communities to crochet coral reefs, they have celebrated their beautiful diversity and addressed the urgent need to protect these vanishing ecosystems.

From the sisters' blog:
"THE HYPERBOLIC CROCHET CORAL REEF WAS LAUNCHED AS A RESPONSE TO THE DEVASTATION OF LIVING REEFS FROM GLOBAL WARMING AND OCEAN ACIDIFICATION, THE CROCHET REEF RESIDES AT THE INTERSECTION OF ART, SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS AND ENVIRONMENTALISM. ENGAGING PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD, THE CROCHET REEF IS AN UNPRECEDENTED INVOCATION OF A NATURAL WONDER THAT HAS BECOME IN ITSELF A NEW KIND OF WOOLY WONDER."

Check out Margaret Wertheim speaking about the beautiful math of coral on Ted Talks - one of my favorite places on the web for information and inspiring ideas.

More information for the Autry discussion on April 30th can be found here - hope to see you there!

Woad is Me!

What a day we had this past Saturday - our Woad Workshop in Elysian Park was as magical as I could have hoped for!
Friday was a different story! I was a little worried, after Denise, our master dyer, had arrived in Los Angeles from France, called me and said pray for me - "pray for you?" - "no", she said, "pray for the mother vat." It turns out, a woad vat does not just appear with a bit of powdered blue dye and a bucket of water. Denise arrived at my kitchen early Friday morning and for the next six hours, she and JZ performed alchemy like I have not seen before! A little bit of this, a little bit of that, a bunch of gurgling in old pots, oh and where's the powdered lime wash? A few frantic runs to the hardware store, paint store and a building supply store and, voila! The mother vat was finished! What a vat it was - I hadn't seen such depth to the color blue since I began woading two summers ago!
Saturday was meant to rain, but the clouds parted ways and the sun shone throughout the day! We had over 1,000 feet of laundry line hung in the park and we dyed over 500 pieces of material - including skeins of wool, linen pants, hankerchiefs and shoes! Everyone learned something new and we all felt a kinship towards each other that one only gets with spending five hours in a field together. Thank you Denise for coming and thank you to all of the students who took a chance and signed up for our very first Woad Workshop - we're ready starting to plan the next one - are you coming??

The Number of Blue

800 Feet of Laundry Line
500 Clothes Pins
100 Gloves
45 Blue Aprons
40 Students
20 Garden Sticks
7 Vats
5 Helpers
2 Editors
1 Dye Master

We did it! We sold out of our Woad Workshop to be held this coming Saturday in Elysian Park - praying for clear skies and dry ground, we plan to spend eight hours in the park learning about the medieval plant that has been brought 5,870 miles from the South of France to Los Angeles! Now if we can just try to dye the 14 different shades of blue - we'll have a wonderful day!