Strawberry Fields forever .......

Florida in the spring is the primary source for fresh strawberries here.  We are lucky that the farms are close to us in Plant City, where there is a strawberry festival each year as well.  Today was a beautiful sunny day, and so I thought it would be a good idea to get going on some jam making.  I am always so optimistic about this, but my preserves are usually a terrible disappointment, they just don't want to jell. 
This year, I have made it a challenge:  new recipe book, new beautiful copper jam pan from Mauviel, and iron discipline where measurements are concerned ! 

Macerating ready for me to cook later.

Nothing ripe left on this plant, the tourist season is in full force now and there were many people out.

The beds are covered with this foil, keeps the strawberries really clean.

 I love these onions, called "strawberry onions", there are usually a couple of rows planted at the edge of the strawberry fields.  I don't know why.

 

So once I have made the jam, I will post an update - will it set or won't it ????

 

Update:  Yes, it worked !   I made two batches, 12 half pint jars.  I will do it again next month at the peak of the season, maybe strawberry marmalade next time.

All that is needed now are nice labels and a decorative fabric cover for the lids.

Pierrefeu du Var - 10eme Rencontres du Boutis

If you are lucky enough to be in the south of France in March, try to get to this exhibition !  It is run by a local boutis club, and has grown significantly in the 10 years they have been exhibiting.  This year, the 10th anniversary edition, many well-known boutis designers are attending for the first time, as well as clubs and individuals who make boutis prolifically and do wonderful work.  My favorite designer will be there - Chantal Geoffroy is, in my opinion, the most wonderful boutis stitcher and designer I have ever seen, who embodies the spirit of boutis for me.  She is also an extremely modest person, who does not publish her work.

Here's the flyer:

February

It's already February and a very long time since my last post.  Christmas is always busy, and that carried on into January for me this year.
I have been stitching on my large boutis, and doing some applique.  I finished a quilt top I have been working on, an original design which I offered to my quilt club in 2014 as a block of the month.
I challenged myself to use fabrics I already had, and sometimes then you have to change what you planned, but overall I am pleased with the result:

The applique is wool on antique linen.  The rest are cottons.  I did learn that it's pointless to try to make such tight curves with a bias, it was just about impossible to get them smooth, so I will make gentler curves in future. The 3" nine patches were made using the technique on Fun with Barb's blog, starting with 4 1/2" squares instead of strip piecing.

I also took a class on making hexies stars with fussy cutting.  I love the result but this technique does take some time, so that will be a long term project.

Here's the first one.  More to come !

Advent

There hasn't been much sewing going on here recently, as we had a quick trip to Germany over Thanksgiving.  Our son decided not to come back here for Christmas this year, so we went to visit him instead.  It coincided nicely with the first weekend of Advent, so we were able to experience a very nice Christmas market in Deidesheim.  Deidesheim is a wine village at the end of the Southern Wine Route, a beautiful small place with world-renowned wines and restaurants.  It is the perfect setting for a Christmas market and further enhanced by the careful selection of the vendors.

I bought beeswax candles as I do each year, but otherwise we just enjoyed the atmosphere and some hot Gluehwein !
During our trip we also had a couple of visits to Alsace, to see some of our favorite places but this time also to visit Obernai, where I had not been.

Oh dear, sorry about the truck !

 

And last but not least ..... the very beautiful cathedral of Speyer, Germany.  I believe this is the first time I have seen it completely without scaffolding.  The cathedral has undergone extensive renovations in the last years, and is now restored to its full glory.

I hope you are all enjoying some peace during this Advent season.

Provence Baskets Charm Quilt

It's a beautiful sunny day here in west central florida, after a cloudy and cool start.  I finished piecing this   quilt a while back, and just had it quilted by Marlene of Lucky Sew and Sew. 

I had a collection of Provence fabrics in small squares - 5".  There are a mixture of Souleiado, Valdrome and some Camargue prints.  I was looking for a pattern to use them for a while, but I didn't want to waste any of the fabric.  Eventually I just designed my own quilt.  I made a rounded basket pattern out of freezer paper which just fit on the 5" squares with a seam allowance.  I cut 6" squares of a background, set the appliques on point and just kept them in a box next to my chair.  It was simple applique work, and they were finished quite quickly.  I had to work out how to set them, and used a favorite piece of Olivades fabrics.  I love it, it is simple and quirky and makes me smile.  Just have to get the binding on now .....

France Boutis just sent out the most recent edition of the Fil Blanc.  There were lots of small patterns and ideas for Christmas decorations, including some drawings of hearts using Provence motifs.  I loved these, and although I will go back and make them in boutis as well, I decided to try them embroidered.    Here are a couple enlarged 200%, stitched in stem stitch with one thread of burgundy silk floss, and feather or chain stitch around the edge.   Once I have finished the last two, I will make them up into little stuffed hearts for the keys of armoires.

Happy Sunday !  Hope everyone gets some stitching time.

Golden October !

It truly is a golden October day here !  Not that we don't have sunshine almost all the time, but it is cooler today for the first time, much less humid, so the light is different and for the first time for months, it was cooler outside than in the house.  All the windows are open, and we are enjoying fresh air instead of airconditioned. 

Last weekend, a few of us went to a quilting retreat, so we spent some time working on outstanding things.  I was able to piece ALL of the sashing for the Flower Garden quilt, which is a boring task - finished 1" squares - but more fun with others to talk too.  We also took the time to go to Jacksonville quilt show, which was not far away.

Here are a few favorites (in no particular order):

Beautiful Dear Janes, I loved the blues.

 

 Lou and I have a joint applique project - Country Inn by Blackbird.  Here is my first block, laid out ready to pin.  These are very large pieces, actually I think the largest I have ever done as applique.  But they are fun in a quirky way.  The corners will have a quarter section of a Dresden plate appliqued on them, but I have decided to do that last so I can be sure to vary the fabrics evenly.

 And just for fun - a quick photo of my backyard this sunny afternoon !

 Other side (sorry about the pool canisters - we are doing the usual chores)

I hope everyone is getting a little stitching time today !