Botanical Charm Club Giveaway

We're starting a new club over at French General - The Botanical Charm Club - a monthly bracelet kit club that features all sorts of old glass flowers, leaves, stamens, fruit, butterflies and bees - all of the vintage botanical bits and pieces that make up a garden inspired charm bracelet.
Whenever I find myself knee deep in a basement digging out notions, I always seem to be drawn to the floral and fauna - the old glass ladybugs, the brass sunflowers and the wire embedded apples. If you love old glass flowers and charms and dream about far-away gardens, then you will love this new club.
After joining the Botanical Charm Club you will receive a bracelet kit every month - you can choose to join the Annual Club for six months or dig in and join the Perennial Club for a whole year. Since much of the material we use to make our jewelry kits is vintage, there may be a substitution here and there - but we hope you agree that having a unique kit makes it all the more special.
To kick off our new club, we're giving away a six month Annual Club membership to someone who needs more botanical charms in their life. Please leave us a comment about your favorite garden and Sofia will pick a lucky winner. Bonne Chance!

The Woad Workshop

Last summer, I wrote about our woad days at the chateau. I dreamt about being able to bring Denise Lambert, the master dyer, over to the states and have her teach the magical workshop here in Los Angeles to friends and artists that couldn't fly to France to learn the craft. We talked about it over lunch one day at the chateau and Denise said "Find me a group of women who are interested in woad and I'll come".
I've been talking about woad for a couple of years now, and everyone always looks at me like "what are you talking about - indigo, vegetable dye, Rit?" So - I decided it's time to find a group of interested women who want to know about the ancient craft of woad dying.
To my surprise and delight, Denise has agreed to come and teach. We are planning a full day workshop where one will be able to come and learn from the one of the few master woad dyers in the world - the world!

Woad, Isatis tinctoria, was known throughout Europe as far back as the Egyptians, whom used it to dye the cloth wrappings used for the mummies. In the Middle-Age, it was used for its medicinal and healing properties, and according to the archives of the city of Marseille, it was the Moores that introduced Woad to the south of Europe. In the beginning of the 15th century, Woad was found in England as well as in the northern part of Europe, where it was mainly used for dyeing. European Woad is the legendary blue plant dye from Europe and was prized by Napoleon to dye the uniforms for his army. Woad is the eponymous French Blue – a rich, soft shade with a touch of grey.

For our workshop, we will be dying in an old, historic area of Los Angeles - Elysian Park - less than a mile away from French General. In an old field, surrounded by trees, we will be treated to a lecture on the history and technique of woad and then, for the remainder of the day, we will dye together. Bring your old white linen, cotton or silks - anything that has seen better days that you would like to dye a beautiful French blue color. You can also bring skeins of yarn or ribbon - anything of natural material - linen, cotton, silk or hemp.
This promises to be a very special day and you will be amazed as you see your whites change from acid yellow to bright green and finally, by the time you hang your piece on the laundry line, a rich, deep woad blue.
I have dyed with Denise many times, and I still get excited about the process - it's not every day that one has the opportunity to learn a medieval craft. Class size is limited. Visit us at frenchgeneral.com for more information or sign up here for the workshop.
Woad It!

Design Inspiration

Lately I have been sorting through all of my swatches and document scraps of fabric - the old French pieces that I can't bear to use. Sitting in the archives (aka the garage), pulling them out of the old files, rearranging them and looking at them all day long somehow seems to inspire me and lead me in new design directions. I've also been collecting all sorts of images that fit in well with my scraps - images found in favorite magazines or pulled out of an old French swatch book - anything that awakens something inside of me and says "yes - that's it!" I'm learning that inspiration for my design comes from so many places - whether it's a frayed old piece of tapestry or the weave in an old hemp sheet. These pieces, looked at closely are giving me a whole new way of seeing - which will hopefully lead to a whole new project. Stay tuned...

Beaded Posey Workshop

Back by popular demand - Shea Fragoso and Debbie Murray are returning to French General! Come learn the centuries old French craft of beaded flowers and create a lovely little bouquet of sparkling posies. Saturday, March 19th from 6-9pm. All materials included - just bring your glasses! Sign up at frenchgeneral.com

Pin Pillows

I've been obsessing over pin pillows, or what we now call pincushions, lately - what they were made of, what they were filled with and how they survived so much pinning! I found this cute little ball in Omaha and have found myself going back to it again and again - the colors, the craftsmanship, and the filling - a light, fine sand. Isn't it funny how one small, seemingly insignificant object can give you a wealth of inspiration.

Merci Merci Merci!

What a grand weekend we had here at French General! Workshops were filled to the brim in our little old shop - student's learning all sorts of techniques and creating the most beautiful of projects - and teacher's who traveled far and wide to be here - even braving snowstorms!
From the very beginning, I wanted The Art of Craft to be a creative learning experience for everyone involved - students, teachers and all of us here at FG. I loved sitting in on all of the classes and hearing other teachers teach - learning from them and a bit more about myself. I loved how my mom, Kick, was in the kitchen feeding all of us for three straight days - next time she'll craft more and serve less! I loved how my sister Molly came and was here from beginning to end and still managed to teach an inspiring class! I loved how JZ, Sofia and my dad showed up Sunday evening and helped us throw a soiree with Jo Packham! I loved how the girls, Dawn and Christine, worked the till till the end, and finally, I loved how the teachers and students gave and received so graciously. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

(photo courtesy of Charlotte)

Something New....

I love it when a business model changes and evolves into something new and different - something to shake things up a bit.
This weekend we are trying something that we haven't tried before - and although it has been a lot of work in the planning - I think it's going to end up being a lot of fun - and that's what the big payoff is for me - having fun while doing something I love.
The Art of Craft is three days of creative classes at French General - coinciding with the Craft and Hobby Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center. So besides it being a fun way to introduce all sorts of new crafts to people, I get to see a handful of old friends who are coming into town for the show and to teach workshops at FG. Shea, Debbie, Tracie and Marilyn, Anna, Molly and Charlotte - all wonderful friends and teachers.
We've reconfigured French General into a working workshop space - five long farmhouse tables, covered in old linen sheets - seating for up to 30 people. All five of our workshops have sold out - so I think we're on to something new here....more to come after the weekend!

The Dress-Up Trunk

Sometimes you get lucky and fit into all of the clothes in an old trunk...dress up the way it was meant to be!
Sofia in New York trying on custom made dresses from the forties and fifties.

Small Details, part deux

Sunday we visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art - one of my favorite museums. Maybe it's because I met JZ there, or maybe it's because I worked in the Film Department and Jackie Kennedy was good friends with my boss Karl Katz - so I got to put her call through to him on a daily basis. Or maybe it's because I can lose myself for hours and actually get lost - have no idea of where the labyrinth begins or ends. On this visit, I found a room I had never been in before - the Museum Archive Room - just behind the Period Rooms in the American Wing. The Archive Room houses much of the collection which is not in current use - so everything that the museum is holding or storing for an exhibit in the future. It felt like being in the worlds greatest antique store - and it was filled with amazing small details!

Metallic Thread, Silk Flowers and Glitter

Visiting Tinsel Trading in New York is always a treat - but if you happen to be friends with the owner....well, then it's an extra special treat! For years I begged Marcia to let me down into the vault of her grandfather's shop - I wanted to see the boxes overflowing with turn of the century gold and silver trims from France. Eventually, Marcia agreed - although I had to secure a book deal so she knew I was seriously interested in seeing the goods. A few summer's ago, Molly and I spent days down in the basement which had been storing old decorative goods for over 70 years. Covered in dust and dirt, we emerged with handfuls of old beauties that we used in crafting our little projects in the book, Treasured Notions.

This past week, Sofia and I walked into Tinsel Trading and after we had said our hellos (we were only going to stay for a quick visit) I asked Marcia if we could go to the basement...just to have a little look-see.
Before I even had the chance to hear the answer - Marcia was leading us down the steps into the "new and improved" basement. Don't get me wrong, I loved the old basement on 38th Street, but in this basement, on 37th Street, you can actually find what you are looking for - be it crimped gold wire, ombre ribbon or pompoms - everything is labeled or at least organized by material.

As well as stocking aisles and aisles of beautiful old treasures from France - sequins, beads, metallic thread, silk flowers and glitter - Tinsel Trading has a secret atelier hidden in the basement. Behind an old piece of burlap, hides Wendy Addison's East Coast studio. Tucked behind all of the production and vintage materials is a small creative space where Wendy dreams up her fantastical art. Drawers of old labels, tassels and ribbon sit next to boxes and boxes of old glass glitter - all used to create Wendy's repertoire of goods. Each original piece, handmade by Wendy, is then set into production using all of Marcia's vintage materials. This combined effort, or harmony between the two, is seamless and produces some of the most exquisite, original collectibles, boxes and whatnots. To see some of Wendy's art, check out Tinsel Trading's website or visit Marcia's shop in Manhattan at 1 West 37th Street - you will be charmed!

A New York Bead Dig

Sofia and I have been having a little fun - spending the last few days in New York City - seeing friends, visiting old haunts and eating at some of our favorite restaurants. On Monday, I snuck out for a bit and dropped in on my friend Mr. C who owns one of the deepest bead digs in New York City. Room after room after room after room - stuffed with boxes of old glass cabochons, beads, buttons and notions - Mr. C owns one of the last great places that still sells vintage by the pound. Whenever I arrive, and I have been coming here for years, Mr. C takes me into each room and explains where everything is - the pearl room, the chain room, the Napoleonic room, the Victorian room, the Austrian crystal room and on and on and on. The funny thing is - I know all of this already - I know exactly where I want to go and what I want to dig out - I probably hid it there the last time I was excavating. After Mr. C gives me the full tour and tells me to play nice - he leaves me to dig through the boxes to find the gold. I usually overspend and carry out way too many strands of old glass pearls - but I can't help myself - and it doesn't help that Mr. C is constantly reminding me that the supply is running out - get it while you can!  It doesn't get any better than this - a true, honest to goodness New York bead dig - just what I needed!

A Handful of Winners

Reading over all of the comments this past week, I was struck by how many people have resolved to start sewing with their daughters or granddaughters. Sofia has started sewing this past year, and continues to come up with her own creations every time I put a pile of scraps in front of her - over the holidays she dressed Mr. and Mrs. Mouse in their opera mode - seems they needed a night out on the town.
The lucky winners of our Petite Ecole Scrap Giveaway include lot's of sewing moms and a grandmother: Paperbird, Diedre, Chook, Maggie, Noah's Nest and Mary - please send us your address at notions@frenchgeneral.com and we will send off some fabric for you and your daughter to have fun with.
Thanks for all of the great craft resolutions - as for me, I will be finishing off my new sewing room (the garage) by installing french doors, lights and a heater or two! Happy New Year and thanks for playing!

La Petite Ecole Giveaway

Our newest fabric line from Moda, La Petite Ecole, has arrived! Our latest collection is inspired by the small prints, polka dots and stripes used by the school children in France to cover cahiers - their small notebooks. I love the faded reds, grays and blues in this line - the colors are perfect for a little boy or girls room.
If you need/want/must have more fabric to add to your stash collection -- leave us a comment about your New Year craft resolution and we'll choose a couple of lucky winners to receive a handful of Petite Ecole prints.
 There's also a great block of the month designed by Anne Sutton that uses La Petite Ecole - just in case you can't get enough of this collection!

Joyeux Noel

May your holiday be merry and bright - and filled with lots of old red dresses!

The Art of Craft

Excited to announce our three days of craft workshops featuring Shea Fragosa and Debbie Murray, Tracie Lyn and Marilyn Huskamp, Anna Corba, Charlotte Lyons and Molly Meng. Each workshop has been created for our Art of Craft weekend - which coincides with the CHA show in January. Come for the craft and stay for the day! More details and information here.

Saturday Inspiration

Hope your holiday season has been peaceful and calm. We're open today for inspiration, cider and cheer - hope to see you.


All photos are beauties from my favorite source of inspiration

Drunkard's Path

Molly and I hit the Alameda Flea Market this past weekend - in the rain - and I discovered this old quilt being used as a packing blanket in a vendor's booth. I was a bit worried about the condition and if it would hold up, but when the dealer offered it to me for $10 I thought - I'll take my chances. The Drunkard's Path quilt pattern is said to have played a significant role in the Underground Railroad. The quilts were hung on a clothesline or over a porch railing to convey hidden messages. Legend has it that the Drunkard's Path told slaves to "zigzag a path" to make tracking more difficult. There's also evidence that the pattern actually originated in the late 1920s. I am working on improving my knowledge of early American quilts so I can incorporate our Moda fabric line into these designs - early 19th century French florals and stripes meets early Americana.

It's the Odile

More photos from the hat factory in Septfond...but these were the pieces that were too dear to Guy's heart - he couldn't part with the old stamps - each used to stamp the name of a particular hat. I think Rebecca might have convinced Guy to sell the number stamps - used for marking the size of the hat. The sizes weren't as important to him - but the names - ah yes, the names.

"What are you wearing?"
"It's the Odile"
"I love it!"

Jewelry 101

The basics in jewelry making are happening this Saturday at French General! Come learn how to work with the correct jewelry tools, the best glue for glass cabochons, the secrets of opening and closing a jump ring - did you hear the click? - and looping headpins. All materials are provided in the class fee, as well as a table of inspirational materials to make your project unique. Each Saturday, throughout the month of December, we are offering up simple craft workshops to learn the elementary skills....beading, collage and textiles are all explored on the craft tables at French General. Sign up for a class at frenchgeneral.com - bring a friend and your glasses!

Quilting Memories

How to choose just one? Every memory was special and conjured up images of younger years or family members that were quilting long before we were born. After much reading, the quilt used to wrap the dog was a memory we couldn't get out of our heads. Later, when talking to a friend about this idea of wrapping someone or something with a special quilt, she mentioned that she had wrapped her mother in a quilt before she buried her. I love this- the idea of covering a loved one in a quilt - to use something we have spent countless hours creating, to comfort someone else.
So many comments were about quilts made by their grandmothers that were thread worn, but still loved; a quilt made for a friend that was sick but needed to feel secure, a quilt given as a gift to a child leaving home - all of these quilting memories sounded special - how quilts have been a comforting presence from birth to death. Thank you for sharing - it's been a great look into how the quilt has played a part of our daily lives.
Jillayne please send me your address and choice of kit. Merci!