Blown away again

Friends, it's been another week filled with kindness.

Earlier this week, I received a lovely package from Cathy. Cathy has just moved into a new house and you'd think that with the move and two young kids she'd have others things on her mind than send gifties across the Atlantic!

Just look at her thoughtful, sweet gifts:

Cathy had emailed me a little while ago, telling me she'd bought something that made her think of me. We're both tea addicts and she thought I'd like that little tea holder. You were so right, Cathy! This is just so handy and cute. Cathy included some of my favourite tea - English breakfast - and a little card she made herself, once more highlighting another of our common interests: singing and music. Cathy, your package was just so sweet! Love it all! Thank you!

But friendly goodness didn't stop there this week. I got a delivery notice yesterday for another package. I thought it was that nth book on modernism I'd bought from Amazon UK (as most of the books I need aren't readily available in France). Imagine my surprise and delight in discovering a plump package from the Netherlands!

I had no idea that the secret project Barbara had been working on lately was for me...

The design is so cute! Barbara filled the pillow with catnip and added tassels to awaken Violette's interest...
I've never added tassels to pillow corners - this is so perfectly stitched and finished!

Violette is indeed quite crazy about that pillow:

(on the second picture, you can also see the lovely backing fabric)

Violette threw quite a fit yesterday when I took it away to put in a special basket I'm filling with some of my most treasured gifts. But there's no way I'm leaving the pillow to her!! It's way too precious.

I have no idea why Cathy and Barbara decided to send such goodness on my way - it's not my birthday, nor anything else. But this, added to last week's visits from Laure and Sylvie, has been making me feel all warm and fuzzy.

Thank you friends!!

Word association tag - and Lavender Rose case

Hello everyone!

Dear Ali just tagged me... She asked me to tell which word came to my mind in response to the words you can see on the left.
I did this very quickly, writing down the first association that came to my mind.
visit -> smiles
cake -> family time
period -> full stop
triumphant -> radiant
screen -> computer
neglect -> sadness
guitar -> Seb (he's learning the guitar)
loathe -> puke (not very delicate I know, but I find the English verb so evocative it's a word Seb and I laugh about a lot !)
sugar -> coat
montage -> cinema

Thank you Ali for the tag! That was a fun one. I'm honoured that you thought of me about this English voc tag! :)

I'd like to tag Jenna,(even though I still can't visit your blog, Jenna - maybe this will lift the spell?) Barbara, and Zoanna, if they agree of course :)

~*~

While I'm at it, here is my paltry progress on the Lavender Rose Sewing Case. I've just been so tired or busy in the evening lately that it's been difficult to stitch - besides, I also started stitching my Cat Crazy Lady Exchange (which Sylvie is moderating on the Robin's Nest board), which turns out to be rather dense; and I started sewing a box-pleated skirt.

I merely stitched the case flap to the left and the long-arm border next to it:

While I had every intention of making a good start in the accessories yesterday evening, I had to call it a night after only a few stitches because of a sudden headache (which also prevented me from sleeping for most of the night). You can see the tiny flower I started stitching on the bottom right-hand corner of the picture.
I am so sorry Karen to be lagging behind. I'm hopeful to make good progress very soon :)

Everyone take care! I should have more news soon with a new skirt finish to share with you :)

The blessings of friendship

Those of you who read Sylvie's blog probably know already that we finally met in real life last Thursday, after a year's correspondence and blosoming friendship.

When one gets to meet "for real" someone one knows through the Internet, a little anxiety is usual - what if we were disappointed in each other? What if we didn't connect? Wouldn't it be best to stay on one's good impressions?
Yet when Sylvie suggested she came to Paris during her holidays, I didn't feel any of those scruples. Our friendship has grown so steadily and happily since I met her through Becky's SBEBB board at the end of last Summer; we've always found ground for deep understanding, never for disagreement. Actually, the closer our meeting date was getting, the more thrilled I was growing.

I was so afraid to be late at the station that I arrived 30 minutes early (Paris has four main train stations and I don't know the gare Saint-Lazare too well). But the chill of that rainy and cold day vanished when Sylvie finally appeared amongst the travelers from Normandy. Her luminous face and sweet smile were even better than anything I'd imagined.

Once we were home, Violette first affected coyness: after she enjoyed a few cuddles, she decided it would be more dignified to go sulk under the bed. Fortunately, Sébastien made a round trip from his lab just to meet Sylvie and take our pictures - and he took Violette from under the bed. Little Miss Cutie (a translation for P'tite Mignonne, which is how we actually call Violette) decided to stay with us from then on.

Just look how enraptured Violette was with her new friend:

Sébastien told me later that we looked like sisters...

Sylvie didn't come empty-handed: she'd brought a pretty blue bag (which Little miss Cutie dutifully searched) from which she took a delicious cake for dessert, and lovely gifties.
She gave me the stitching of a kitty inserted into a box which she'd also decorated, and an adorable fabric cat sewn from Tournicoton's pattern. Both gifts match perfectly the flat's colours.

I gave Sylvie her birthday gift a couple of weeks in advance:

Even Violette was spoiled: she got a catnip toy.
She has hardly left it since last Thursday...

(this picture was taken on Sunday)

After lunch, time just flew away. I still haven't figured out where some of the afternonn's hours went. I looked at my watch, thinking we had still plenty of time left before leaving - but we were actually running late!
We talked about so many things - stitching of course (Sylvie showed me her latest work, all lovely, including her Celtic Banner whose length is truly impressive); but we did not merely chat about stiching or cats - our kinship ranges far beyond either topic, although they did initiate our relationship last year.

I rarely saw time passing so quickly. Sylvie even missed her train... I was so so sorry about that, since that meant she'd be home late. I would gladly have her stay overnight, but Plume (her cat) had been left alone... As Sylvie remarked, though, this gave us at least time to part properly before she caught the next train.

Just as Sylvie does, I find it truly difficult to fully express the profound happiness this meeting - as well as her continued friendship - have brought me; but what matters in the end is that she senses it too and that we understand each other.
I cannot thank Becky enough for allowing us to "find" each other. If it were not for the SBEBB, I don't know whether our virtual paths would have ever crossed.

I can't wait for us to meet again!

Busy week...

Hello everyone!

I've been terrible this week at updating my blog, leaving comments or replying to emails, and I apologize... This week has just been so incredibly busy - I'll need two separate posts to tell you about it.

On Tuesday morning, I sent out two packages that meant a lot to me.
First, I finished the last items for the Virades de l'Espoir, using my friend Sylvie's last two stitched squares.
(The Virades de l'Espoir - "races for hope" - will be held all over France in September, to draw funds for children with Mucoviscidosis. Among various activities (besides the races), hand-crafted items shall be sold at a charity bazaar in Southern France. All the money from that sale shall be devoted to research on Mucoviscidosis.)

For a little girl...

A small wallhanging in a wonderful shiny fabric from a fat quarter lot that dear Becky had sent me on my Birthday.

For a little guy...

A scarf cut in two-sided fleece, with an Eyeore himself wearing a scarf !
I appliquéd the square with a satin stitch.

So I could finally send out my total of 12 items for the Virades de l'Espoir sale.

I'm so happy to have met that goal. This brings my list to 28 items for charity since last October.
I am so grateful to dear Sylvie for her six lovely stitched squares which spurred me to make more items than planned, and whipped up my creativity. There are so many things one can do with stitched pieces!

~*~
Earlier this week, too, I finally sent my sister her pregnancy blouse:

Burda pattern #8377
(I'm modeling it here and I'm looking pregnant!)

This blouse took me so much time - not because it was difficult, but because it required several fittings - it was the first time I was making a pregnancy garment and I obviously couldn't check the fit on myself, like I usually do when I sew for my sisters. I started it in July, but had to wait till I met my sister at my parents' countryhouse before completing it. I'd planned to finish it while staying there, but my Mom's sewing machine didn't make buttonholes, and two were required for the casing below the chest. It therefore only got finished in Paris last week. My sister asked me to make the front of the blouse longer than the back and with a rounded edge, so it wouldn't ride up her belly at every move.

I couldn't help adding a matching giftie...

So that the future Mom can be pretty to the tips of her hair!

~*~

On Tuesday afternoon, my friend Laure and her DBF came to Paris so that I could show them the Bouchara fabric store, as well as my place, and of course introduce them to Violette. I had visited Laure in last year (she lives in a suburbian town 36 kms/22miles from Paris), and it was more than time she came to see my own little universe.

Laure gave me this machine-embroidered butterfly:

I forgot to take a pic of the little heart I made her - but she posted one on her blog.

The following picture shows what I found at the fabric store (I'd made a little shopping list): a crumpled sable fabric for a blouse, and some gorgeous chocolate cotton satin for a skirt.

Someone claimed them for herself as soon as I took them out of the bag...

~*~

That's all for now friends... Stay tuned for an entry about dearest Sylvie's visit last Thursday!

In the meantime, I hope you'll all have an enjoyable weekend.
I'm sorry for not commenting more on your blogs lately, but what with those two precious friendly visits and the upcoming conference (and teaching semester), I've been up to my ears in work.

This and that

Hello everyone!

Thank you for all your kind comments. I've been sleeping much better this week. I thought it would be hard to sleep while Seb was away (he left on Monday morning and came back yesterday), but that's forgetting the sweet kitty who sleeps close to me every night - and next to my desk all day ;)

Besides, I've reintroduced at least an hour of stitching or sewing before going to bed, and that's helped significantly.

A few days ago, my friend Doris sent me some warm fabric and bias tape to sew jackets for Lebanese refugee babies:

(More on this project here)

Doris couldn't help including some of her wonderful tea (she'd already sent me some of it a while ago), and two skeins of DMC Variation - "to keep the seamstress going".

I'd better be efficient if I want to make all my commitments.
I sewed up another of Sylvie's stitched squares for the Virades charity sale:

Initially I'd planned to make a true girl's purse, complete with lining, pockets, etc.; but I had to reconsider my goals - or I'd never manage to meet all my commitments.

I also put the finishing touches to my first jersey T-shirt:
(I sewed it up a few weeks ago but turned out of thread when it only needed hemming):

My apologies for the picture's poor quality - it's the best I could do, photographing myself. The only full-length mirror in the flat is 20 cm wide.

The fabric and pattern were a birthday gift from my friend Bernadette. It's a bit large, but it looks good on a pair of fitted jeans.

Finally, here is my progress on the Lavender Rose Case SAL:

I have now completed the back and front of the case. All this over-one was time-consuming, especially for someone so short-sighted. I do love the design, colours and verse though - aptly enough, I'll be teaching Romeo and Juliet next semester! ;) Karen has been making great progress on the case - she's stitched almost all the accessories. I think Nadine is stitching this on weekends; and I'm not sure whether Anne has started yet...

Everyone have a lovely Sunday!

Back in Paris

Hello dear friends.

We took the train back to Paris yesterday night... Seb left again this morning at 6 to go to the Gers county, where his parents are spending their holidays. Violette and I shall be on our own for a week. Violette hasn't left me for one minute ever since she got off her travelling box yesterday evening. She enjoyed her time at the countryside (and didn't even mind the journey back that much), but it seems she enjoys being "back home" even more.
I'm a little sad to be back in Paris and away from the countryside... I am not a Parisian at heart and miss the sight, smells, sounds, quietness and "thoughtfulness" of the country. I hope this doesn't sound ridiculous - Paris is such a beautiful city, I love it and I certainly won't deny the advantages of living there - but it's just that I am not meant for city life.
Obviously, it doesn't help that I've had three sleepless nights on end. I really hope to finally get some sleep tonight. Seb says that's because I've been working too much since we came back from holiday on July 15 - but I do enjoy my work! I guess I should probably take a break for a day. Weekends have just been like the other weekdays.

At least I am now back to a full Internet connexion, and I enjoyed starting to catch up on everyone's blogs this morning - I hope to be caught up within a few days. It is good to see all that you friends have been up to.

I managed to put a couple more hours' stitching into the Lavender Rose Case in the train (the effects of a sleepless night, added to boisterous kids in the train, deterred me from taking out my books during the journey).

I'm hoping to stitch some more tonight; then, depending on the other stitchalong ladies' progress, I'll see whether to continue or to hold back a little. Anne has not started yet as she's been sick and busy (I do hope you're better, Anne!); but Karen and Nadine have both made a wonderful start. This SAL is so pleasant. :)

I wish you all a nice week!

Lavender Rose SAL

Hello friends! I hope this finds each of you well. :)
I can't believe it's Friday and we've been at the countryside for a week already. I'm happy with the work I've been able to achieve here. If only I could always be in such a peaceful, quiet, thoughtful atmosphere... The weather hasn't been that sunny and "summery", but I'd much rather have this than the intense heat we had in Paris last month; and as long as it doesn't pour with rain, I delight in the ever-changing landscapes provided by the fleeting clouds.

We (Seb, Violette and I) have had the whole, huge, wonderful attic to ourselves. Violette loves the space and all the various spots where she can nest or roost.

We even gave her a first taste of the field right behind the house (under close supervision, obviously, but she wanted to keep close to us anyway). She was thrilled.

~*~

Karen, Anne, Nadine and I started a SAL this week. We're stitching the Lavender Rose sewing case - I've been dreaming to stitch it ever since it came out. Stitching it along with good friends makes it even more special. :)
I can't find much time to stitch in the evenings, so I haven't been progressing that much yet. I stitched the outer border in long-arm cross stitch and started on the front roses.

I loved stitching the little rose in scotch stitch and rice stitch, but the large rose is done all in queen stitches and this is giving me fits.
I'm using the recommended fabric (Wichelt 32-count Waterlily linen) but I converted the pricey Kreinik silks to DMC and Anchor. :)
Oh, and I'll be keeping that one for me ;)

I'd better go now - we have a very sluggish dial-up connexion here and my parents are paying by the minute. I'll catch up on everyone's blogs next week. :) At least this has helped me stay fully focused on the paper I'm writing. I'm starting to have nightmares about the conference though!

Everyone take care! I'll catch up with you all next week :)

Busy, but fine

Hello everyone!

First, I wanted to thank you for your wonderful comments regarding my "blogaversary". I feel so blessed to know each of you!

I'm sorry I've been so silent lately. This is all due to good news though: the project I was telling you about was accepted. This is truly thrilling, but it also means a lot of extra and unexpected work. I am going to participate in a conference in England which the most renowned experts on my research topic will be attending, and I just don't want to sound like a total idiot. Believe me, this gives me the creeps. But it is also such a wonderful opportunity. The conference will take place in September.
In addition to writing that paper, I need to prepare the classes I'll be teaching next semester.

As a result, although I haven't been completely neglecting my sewing machine, I haven't done much. I also apologize for not being very present online and not being very chatty email-wise.

My very dear friend Sylvie recently sent me squares she'd stitched for the Virades de L'Espoir, and I started finishing some of them into items to be sold in the charity sale.

Here's a little tropical purse; the square Sylvie stitched was turned into a pocket:

Here's a very girly little wallhanging:


And this is a heart-shaped ornament made from the "Coeur Amitié" (Friendship Heart) by Isa Vautier.

Talking about charity sewing, I plan to sew a few warm clothes for Lebanese refugee children. Who knows where they'll be when the winter comes.
Hala is setting up the action J'ai froid, couvre-moi (I'm cold, cover me). She was asking for knitted clothes, but since I don't know how to knit I offered to sew clothes instead, and she agreed.

I am going to sew fleece jackets from this pattern (which I'd purchased for my nephew-to-be):

I also dream of sewing myself a few clothes for fall... Just received two lovely patterns from Ebay: this one and that one. Not to mention the latest Burda issue - I just love that jacket and that skirt. Oh, and there are quite a few birthdays coming up. Oh dear.
Let's just take it one step at a time...

~*~

I'm going to my parents' country house in Northern France for a week or so. We only have a limited Internet connection there, but the peace and quiet should help me concentrate on my work (not to mention the fact that I won't have to shop or cook!).
Wherever you are, I hope this finds you happy.