November 2018, Texas (1)

It has been a while and I really should have written an update on this blog some time ago, but after a very busy period late summer into fall with hardly any sewing time, when things got back to normal again, all I wanted to do in my spare time was sew, I just could not sit down and write a blogpost, I had to get back to fabrics, needle and thread first.

With some sewing hours behind me now, here is it is a first update of november, which involved a great trip to Houston and beyond, a trip that once again confirmed to us (the Mr. and me) that and why the lone star state has stolen our hearts. 

At the beginning of our holiday we already enjoyed a major highlight of this trip, a visit a few hours north of Houston to our friends Rich and Charlotte who are making their dreams come true and are building a ranch there.

Having been neighbors in The Netherlands, Friday evening drinks, dinners (an epic turkey made by Rich one Thanksgiving is forever a great memory) , walks with our dogs, an evening at the movies  etc. were a regular thing before they moved away to Ghana for a few years, during which time we did see Charlotte a few times, but Rich we had not seen for a few years, so it was a joy to ‘hang out together’ all 4 of us, the way we used to. And this occasion, our first glimpse of what they are doing now they have permanently moved back to Rich’s home state made it very, very special.

The peace and quiet, the green, the small elevations in the land of where they will be living is – especially for us, living in an over-crowded and very flat country – such a special experience.
They took us on a ride on their land in their new ‘mule’ a vehicle I totally fell in love with (had no idea of these before).

A quick lunch at a very Texas burger place

before we headed to a ranch of friends of theirs where Marc was kind enough to spend most of the afternoon showing us (again, in one of those ‘mules’) around his property and explaining us all about the animals there, the work involved and teaching us about indian signs.

We had to say goodbye way too soon, but other people and events were waiting for us in Houston.

Back in town Emma (click) and Olivier joined us, we had a few days before and in between the quilt events at the Convention Center to do some sight seeing, first trip was to Beaumont to visit the gator rescue park there, Gator Country (click).

One little gator seemed to have a special connection with my Mr. , he/she even seemed to try and climb out of the enclosure (never knew they could climb) to come closer.

Also, there was time to do some shopping at the Galleria Mall (of course), with its huge Christmas tree and other decorations.

And a sunny day trip to La Grange to visit the Quilt Museum.

Unfortunately no pictures allowed inside the Quilt Museum because of a Kaffe Fassett exhibition , but not to worry, just around the corner was the old Court House and lucky for us it was open for visitors. This was an unexpected other highlight of our trip.

The courthouse was beautiful and so well taken care of. Old, but spotless, shiny and in perfect condition, clearly something they are very proud of and look after very well, even though – as we were told – it is only used once or twice a year at the most.

 There was a small covered courtyard with a fountain:

 and, interestingly, everything was there for the elections a few days later.

Upstairs the historic court room itself, just beautiful.

Back downstairs , a quilt!

With the law, (American) history, politics and quilts being interests the Mr. and I share you can imagine this was a very memorable visit.

After lunch there was time to drive around the area and do some antiquing:

So I end this post with quilts, more on quilts and the quilt events in Houston in my next blogpost.

In the meantime I hope you enjoy fun (and safe) New Year’s Eve celebrations and best wishes for a healthy and creative 2019, hope we will meet each other again here on this blog or elsewhere in the quilt world.

Phyllis

October 2018

What a way to celebrate a birthday!

Having met Margaret Mew for the first time last year in Nantes, we hit if off straight away and I was so happy that when we met her again later that year in Houston with Emma (click), Emma was able to organise for Margaret to come and teach at her shop in Gauchy…… and on my birthday of all days!!

So once again I was off to France, unfortunately my husband who was planning to join me had to cancel due to work commitments, but I was not alone, Margaret was my travel companion and with during the train rides we had hours to chit-chat before arriving at Emma’s lovely house, which by now feels like a second home to me.

Straight away next morning, Margaret started her 2-day workshop (‘no rest for the wicked’  as they say 😉 ) at Emma’s shop, during those two days the shop was a beehive of activity

The second day Emma had organised a wonderful celebration of my birthday. Emma, Olivier and all the ladies in the boutique certainly know how throw a party!

I was touched not only to receive lovely gifts from Emma and her family but also from some of the ladies I see each time at Emma’s boutique, merci beaucoup Francoise et Annick <3.

It was a truly memorable birthday and seeing the pictures again, it certainly looked it.
I thank everyone and am grateful to everyone who made this day so special for me.

The partying went on in the evening time and both at Emma’s home and in town Margaret and I shared a glass or two (or so) of something nice.

So it was good that the next day was a day for some r&r for Margaret, just sewing, chatting and enjoying the good things of the French country side, baguettes from a local bakery, freshly picked lavender and lots of sunshine in Emma’s large garden. And left-overs from that yummy birthday cake!

The gorgeous weather gave us the idea to photograph the quilts Margaret had brought with in Emma’s garden:-

It was a wonderful relaxed day which ended way too soon, next day Margaret had to leave for her next destination, hugs, hugs, hugs all around, it was such a joy to spend time with Margaret a lovely, warm and kind lady, with a great sense of humor and her quilts, oh, so inspiring!

I got to spend another day sewing and finishing that yummy birthday cake at Emma’s before I too had to leave (the applique bird is Emma's work).

I will miss this beautiful part of the world (the view from 'my' window in the morning):

On the train back home to the Netherlands, not as busy and packed as we are used to

And back home – nothing to do with my birthday - , there was another, unexpected present waiting:

As I was unable to attend the workshop by Linda (click)  at Marcha’s (click) in September due to my operation, Annemiek (click),  Linda  and Marcha kindly send me the pattern of the pouchette that was subject of the workshop and Simply Vintage magazine it appeared in so that I was at least in on part of the fun.
Much appreciated this thoughtful gift, thank you ladies.
But if I can ever make that pouchette without help…? I am not that clever with these kind of things, but I as I know some of the participants I may ask them for their help in the future.

I almost forgot, some of the sewing this month consisted of 4 new circles of the Sugar Plum pattern by Judy Newman(click)

A lot to look back on this October month, thank you for visiting my blog,

Phyllis