Boutis Expo at Pierrefeu du var

As every year for the past 8 years at this time, the association Lei Roucas dou Barri held a boutis show this past weekend.  There were 24 individual exhibitors of boutis pieces, as well as two shops for supplies and a bookstore.  The show is organized by the wonderful and lively Henriette, and always includes either an exchange or a challenge on alternate years.  This year was a challenge to design a bag with the theme of the "sea" which should be all white and completely stuffed. The items were displayed in a "pointu" small boat - such a good idea.
Several ladies were able to take photos and have posted them on their blogs.  Here is a brief list -go and look at them, and enjoy the beautiful, traditional boutis - which I am pleased to say is alive and well in Provence.

Henriette

Lou

Boutis divins

Marie Silvestre

Lei roucas dou barri   for this one, look for the photo albums to the left of the page

Boutis exposition Lei roucas dou barri .....

In March each year, the wonderful ladies of Lei roucas dou barri have a show at Pierrefeu du var.  On alternating years, there is either a swap project (last time it was small pouches or purses), or a challenge with certain rules.  The project challenge for 2013 is to create an original design on the subject of the sea, a bag,  all in white, completely stuffed.  Henriette has shown hers today on her blog.  She has made a charming bag to store slippery scarves which otherwise fall on the floor !
You can also see what Marie made on her blog.  I am sure there will be many more elegant examples.

Here is the poster for this year's exhibition.  There will be 20 exhibitors of boutis, 2 stores, and one bookshop.  If you are in the area, go !  You will be assured of a wonderful exhibition and magical welcome from warm and talented boutisseuses.

Henriette  says that she works on a smaller project while also keeping a big project going.  I was thinking about that this morning, so I decided to set up a small and simple boutis to get me up to speed with my large project.  Since it is Superbowl Sunday here, I will get some stitching time later LOL !

Pattern is Magali from the book Boutis Traditionnel by Christiane Vignal

 Swiss batiste front and back, cotton handquilting thread.

Henriette also has kept a memory book where she records all her projects, when she started them, how long each step of the process took her, as well as photos of the finished item.  I have not done this but find it a wonderful idea and I am starting today !  I will also go back and take pictures of my other pieces, both collected and made myself.  No one else knows their story, so I am thinking about keeping this for my daughter.    The small petasson took me 2 hours to trace and baste.  I will keep a notebook in my sewing basket now to keep track of how long I work on each thing.  It will be especially important to look at for my large vanne !

Boutis Expo Pierrefeu Part Deux

Lou has posted on her blog about Pierrefeu.  She says that the atmosphere is wonderful, a sense of happiness, sharing tips and tricks, makes this show unique.  She was kind enough to collect the pouches destined for Janet and myself, and now I have the photos.  I will pick them up when I visit in May, but more about that later.

The white one is for me, and the red silk is for Janet - aren't they gorgeous ?  I am so happy we participated and we will definitely do it again.  Use the link above to visit Lou, she has linked to her entire web album and you can just enjoy all of her photos.

Boutis Expo at Pierrefeu du var 10 and 11 March 2012

I wish we had all been able to attend this wonderful show of boutis !  Fortunately, we can all take part virtually by viewing the photos and reading the reports of other boutis lovers who were able to go.
This is the 7th time that Henriette and her team have organized this show, to promote the love of boutis and sharing among stitchers.  This year we participated in the pouch exchange, and two years ago, we participated in the heart exchange.

Here are a few links to some photo reports of the weekend:

Henriette who has started showing each pouch individually - she has a way to go since I believe there were 116 !
Marie has shared some of her impressions with us
The ladies of Boutis divins Chateau Gombert have shared these photos
France Boutis has posted a link to photos on their blog

And dear Lou, who was kind enough to collect our pouches and those of Hiromi, sent me photos last night because I simply couldn't wait !  She will post about Pierrefeu in a couple of days.

enjoy !

7th Annual Meeting around the Boutis, Pierrefeu du Var

Boutis exhibition at Pierrefeu du Var, sponsored by the association Lei Roucas dou Barri
Henriette has asked me to pass on this information in English to anyone who is lucky enough to be near Pierrefeu in March:
These two days will include 2 vendors selling boutis supplies, a bookshop selling boutis books exclusively, and 22 groups or independent boutis stitchers who will be demonstrating their expertise and working to promote the exchange of ideas.
This year we proposed making a small pouch or purse to exchange as a link between stitchers.  The works will be displayed for the 2 days of the show, and then will be exchanged by pulling names out of a hat.  Each pouch will leave with a different boutis stitcher, thus creating more pleasure and exchange of ideas.
Up to now 92 boutis stitchers have signed up for this exchange.

I wish I could attend, I think this will be wonderful yet again.  Nevertheless, Janet and I will be there in spirit, as we are working hard to finish our pouches in time to send.