Book Giveaway in France

I've met the most wonderful people since I started quilting.  A couple of years ago I received an email from Martine, a lady I'd never met, who lives in France.  She belongs to a group of quilters who travel to shows all over the world (sounds like heaven to me!) and blog about their travels on www.quiltinusa.blogspot.ca.  That year, they were attending the Sisters Quilt Show in Oregon and she emailed me to see if they could drop in at my place to see my quilts.  Yes, yes! Quilters are always welcome here!

It was a magical afternoon for me, meeting these ladies from so far away and making new friends.

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Much too soon, they waved goodbye and were off to explore other quilting destinations.

A few months later, my husband and I were able to visit Martine when we traveled to France.

I love how quilting brings people together from all over the world!

All this by way of introduction...Martine is offering a giveaway on her blog www.quiltinusa.blogspot.com, of a signed copy of my latest book, At Home with Country Quilts.

Don't worry if the blog is written in French--just use the Translate button to get the details.  The draw is on July 17 so check it out soon!

And soon I'll be launching a book blog tour right here!  Several of my quilting buddies will take turns reviewing my book and offering a signed copy as a giveaway.  Each week, I'll announce who the next blogger will be.  You'll have a chance to win each week, if you're a follower of my blog and go to that week's site and leave a comment.  So stay tuned--it's happening very soon!

Goodbye 2010!

What a roller-coaster ride this past year has been for me! Here are some highlights.

During spring break in March, my teacher-friend Meg and I headed down to the Washington coast for a girlfriend getaway. We spent the night in this wonderful B&B in Port Townsend, a town filled with historic homes.

In April, my first book, "Country Comforts" was published by Martingale!
What a day that was, when my advance copy arrived, along with a bouquet of flowers.

In May, my Monday night quilting group had its annual weekend retreat in a lakeside house near our home.

We've been doing this for years and as always, we enjoyed great company and amazing meals.

Also in May, I took a road-trip before Spring Market in Minneapolis to visit "Primitive Gatherings" quilt shop in Wisconsin--something I'd wanted to do for years. Definitely worth the drive!

My book debuted at Market and I did a couple of book-signings there. In June, I visited Schoolhouse Quilts in Georgetown, Ohio (another great shop) for a trunk show.

Afterwards, hubby Ben and I drove through Amish country near Berlin.
Then I exhibited at the National Quilting Association Show in Columbus.
In July, Ben had nerve-graft surgery to try to repair the damage done to his right arm after an accident last December. Since nerves take so long to heal, we still don't know if the surgery was successful.  He'll be having tests done in January to determine if any healing has happened.  He's now been off work for over a year and if the tests show that the nerve isn't healing, it's unlikely he'll be able to go back to his previous job, which he's had for 33 years.  2011 could bring a lot of changes! 

Later that month, a group of quilters from France came to visit me in my home. The trip was organized by Martine (on my right) as part of a tour of quilt shops and shows. Martine and I had not met before but instantly became friends.

In August we spent a week with two other couples in a house on BC's "sunshine" coast.
Going back several years, this has become an annual tradition for us. We are so thankful for these close friendships and as always, the scenery was spectacular.
Also in August, we attended the beautiful wedding of my niece, Tessa in Washington state.

Then it was off to The Buggy Barn near Spokane for their annual show.

In September, three other Canadian designers and I hosted the second "Quilts at Tanglebank Gardens" near our home. The forecast was for rain but thankfully, they were so very wrong!And then, what has to be the highlight of the year for me, Ben and I spent an incredible 3 weeks in France.

The French version of my book was for sale at the Patchwork show in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines in the Alsace.

We visited my friend Martine at her home near Tours.  She was a wonderful hostess!

And we spent a couple of amazing days with another friend and fellow designer, Vero Requena, who owns the "Born to Quilt" shop at her beautiful home in Burgundy. 

Whew, I'm exhausted! When I think of all the wonderful friendships and experiences that quilting has brought into my life, I am amazed beyond belief.  And so very, very grateful.  Thank you all!

WISHING YOU ALL A NEW YEAR FILLED WITH JOY!

An Amazing Afternoon

Several months ago (I don't remember exactly when) I received an email from a woman I'd never met--Martine (at right in the photo below) who lives in the Loire Valley in France. Thanks to the internet, she'd discovered my patterns and tracked me down. She belongs to a group of quilting friends from France and Belgium who travel to quilt shows around the world. (How much fun would that be?!) She asked me whether I'd be willing to invite this group of ten into my home and studio, while they visited Vancouver, and then traveled on to the Sisters Quilt Show in Oregon. What an honour! Of course, I said yes! They arrived yesterday afternoon.

I gave them a quick tour of my home so they could see my quilts.

And then invited them into my "shop" where I have items on display which I've made, as well as fabrics to purchase.

What a wonderful group of women and what a wonderful afternoon! If anyone had told me several years ago that someday a group of quilters from France and Belgium would visit me, I would never have believed it! I was so thrilled that they came.

I'm sorry I can't remember all their names--my menopausal memory kicking in again! There was one male, a husband to one of these beautiful women. He was assigned the "photographer" job.

They'd handmade some gifts too, which were so beautifully wrapped I hardly wanted to open them.

Look at the beautiful stitching! A sachet filled with French lavender, a delicate thimble-case and thimble from Angers, a fun little mouse to hold thread, and some nougat. Yum! Thank you so very much all of you!
I'd made a batch of chocolate chip cookies and some ice tea, since it was such a warm day.

They took a few cookies to the bus driver (waiting patiently on the street outside my home) and then they said good-bye, to drive back to Vancouver and continue their travels. You can follow their journey on their blog, http://quiltinusa.blogspot.com/.

Au revoir, mes amies! It was an unforgettable afternoon and I hope to meet you all again very soon!