Buying a Piece of Paris - Ellie Nielsen

I listened to most of this book on my way to and from Laidley. I did the trip twice, so that's a lot of listening time. Listening to a book on a road trip means that if there's a hold up, that's good - you get through more of the book!

Well, my all time favourite city is Paris, so I could relate to Ellie's love affair with the place - although she is WAY more obsessed than I am! This is a true story, by the way.

Ellie and her husband Jack have given themselves 2 weeks to find the "perfect" apartment. They have some interesting encounters with real estate agents, but they are not totally doing it on their own. They are very lucky in that they have friends in Paris who have friends who know people who can help them.

The narrative wanders off into reminisces about previous visits and little vignettes relating to Ellery (Ellie and Jack's 5 year old son), and there is a lovely section about Ellie's loved mother-in-law whose legacy makes this all possible.

Of course, there is a happy ending!

This is a nice gentle story; the sort of book to read when you want to have a little dream of owning your own perfect apartment in Paris.

June and July 9 patches finished

I've been a busy little bee - and I used my Featherweight, too!! It was fun.
These are for the swap Christine is running.
Here are my finished swaps -

So that's 3 months down and 3 to go!!!

Caboolture Show

I went to Caboolture today to help with judging of the Caboolture Show patchwork and quilting classes. I enjoyed seeing what the locals are making up there. The stewards and other helpers were great. Here are Jan and Sharon who were the holders and folders and who made my life so easy - it was rather cramped and they did a great job.
As a thank you I got a nice bookmark and card - handmade of course! I collect bookmarks, so this is just perfect for me.

Treasure Chest

Last night was the last Committee Meeting for me as President. It is a sad/happy time. There are so many exciting things about to happen in the world of quilting I am sorry I won't be as involved as I have been. On the plus side, I won't be as involved as I have been...if that makes sense?
The committees I have worked with presented me with a box FULL of delicious batiks. A real treasure chest.

But what I will treasure more are the wonderful friendships, relationships, experiences and learning opportunities I have had. I am truly very lucky to have known these ladies.

Giveaways

It must be giveaway season - every second blog is having a giveaway. I have left a few comments here and there in the hope that I win something. Wouldn't it be nice?

I started cross stitching about 2 years ago and couldn't resist entering the giveaway being run by Melissa - http://wordsnblooms.blogspot.com/

Vinnies visit

I stopped in at Vinnies today. Books are normally $1, but today there was 50% off everything - sorry - everythink

- so I got 2 books for $1 total.

In passing when I was leaving, I asked whether they had any sewing patterns. The lovely guy behind the desk disappeared into a back room and brought out a huge box of patterns. And they were - wait for it - free!! because there is no guarantee all the pieces are there.

This box held someone's sewing history from the 60's on. What a treasure trove. There were hand written notes on the envelopes of some patterns, wedding dress patterns, playsuits, just wonderful. I left most of the patterns there for someone else to rummage through and enjoy. Here is what I brought home.

Zen and the Art of Quilting - Sandra Detrixhe

If you are looking for spiritual guidance, this is not the book for you. If you are looking for quilting patterns or pictures, again, look elsewhere. However, if you have some time and want to read about someone else's thoughts on quilting, it may be your cup of tea.

Chapter by chapter we learn about all the elements of making a quilt, from fabric selection to the finishing touches, with many detours into stories and experiences of the author (and of others). There's even a little bit of history thrown in.

Perhaps I didn't pay close enough attention, but I kind of missed a lot of the zen-y bits. And I didn't really learn much about quilting either. I also wasn't all that interested in what Jane Smith or Mary Jones did or what they thought about this and that. In your own circle of friends, stories such as these are great because you care about the people involved, but it's hard to get interested in people you don't know.

It's not a bad book, as such. It's just that I would rather be quilting....