Progress on Houses

I have been working on these blocks for a while now, it has been a lot of fun.  A group of us are making the quilt in a class at our local quilt shop.  The pattern is from Edyta Sitar's book "Friendship Strips and Scraps".  The fig block I designed myself, the original does not have this in it.
With any luck I will be able to update this by the end of today !

Update Sunday night:  I managed to get everything put together, there are just a couple of stems and birds left to be added:

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 !

PQ Block of the Month

I have been working on the next round of the BOM we are offering our quilt guild.  I am just using scraps and the center is an old applique block I had.  I am quite enjoying the process but think I need some remedial piecing help !!!

I am so excited about the exchange in Pierrefeu.  Lou sent us her photo album yesterday and I can tell you the show was fabulous, lots of boutis and all different kinds of projects.  I have made a promise to myself to go one time (maybe even next year !).  You can really see that everyone thoroughly enjoys what they are doing and I am glad that the art is continuing.  I do not know yet which purse Janet and I are receiving in the exchange, I will wait for Lou to send us pictures.  There will be some links in coming days for pictures, I will post them as soon as I get them.

Sunday

I don't have any stitching updates to show you, since I have not done very much lately.  The house quilt is progressing and I am hoping to have that together soon.  A group of us are going to work on Kim McLean's Flower Garden, so I am busy collecting fabrics for that, and will start after the houses are finished. 
I have been to two quilt shows recently, but I don't think I have seen too many new things.  People are using up what they have collected over time I think, especially since cotton fabric has gone up a lot in price.
I want to make a few small quilts for the stairway in our country cottage, but I just can't decide what to do.  I would rather applique than piece, of course !
I am very excited today and can't wait to see some pictures from the boutis expo in Pierrefeu du var.
Janet and I, as well as Hiromi and Lou sent pouches to exchange.  The drawing was planned for this afternoon, so with the time difference they have already done it.  I can't wait to see what we will receive !!!  It was so much fun to participate, and the exchange has grown exponentially since the first one two years ago.  As soon as I have some pictures, I will share them.
Until then, what do you think of the bougainvilla growing in our garden ?  It was a poor pot plant which just looked sad until we planted it in the yard.  It is huge and beautiful now !
Hope you all get some stitching time today