Kimono Shoes

Thanks to Julie Darley for passing this gorgeous little pattern for baby shoes on to me. During the heat I have loved pottering in the cool studio working on these for pleasure.
I have pattern sizes through 0 to 18 months and while they are quite tiny to work on the result is well worth it. Inadequate cards to match using fabric of shoes and stitching them onto paper card.. Cute!
I have wrapped two pairs up for a friend's daughters on birth of her first two grandchildren born two weeks apart!
If you have scraps of cute fabrics it might be fun to give a pair a go!

Classes resume for 2013

Happy new year to all!

You all should have received an enrollment email or letter today or tomorrow and if not please contact me.
After reeling from the heat it's hard to think about sewing, but the studio is cooled and very pleasant even on the hottest days.
I am just getting patterns and test garments ready for those who are taking up the challenge of the reversible linen ' go anywhere jacket'.
Pictures included to remind you of its easy shape and clever stand up collar.
I have purchased an array of colors that can be used together in various combinations for you to purchase, if you don't have anything suitable. Most are cotton/linens and the rest are pure linen, with prices of $16 - $29.00.

New puppy

Miss D'arcy at 13, has a new mate.. the daughter she never had! Remy, so named after our last week in Provence staying at St Remy, is just gorgeous, soft and cuddly and reasonably well behaved for a 16 week old Retriever ! Puppy preschool on Wednesday nights still has me a little challenged but there are signs of progress...

Melbourne Cup!

Thanks to Tuesday morning class for getting in the spirit..

Yuletide Blessings to all & recipes

End of term for another year! It has felt a little like Christmas in classes this week with French champagne and quiche, together with little ' gifts' from my kitchen. My thanks to all who support Judi' s Studio with attendance and wonderful conversation.. Always lots to talk about .... While we sew of course! Enjoy the break and families over Christmas and New Year!

Below are recipes from this weeks classes you asked for. .. The little prune / walnut logs ( thanks to Mandy Walker) make nice gifts to serve on a cheese platter for a change, and the gourmet rocky road( thanks to Julie Darley) looks pretty and tastes rather nice too !
First log is made with 2 cups dried figs, whizzed in food processor ( leave 1/2 cup chopped not processed) add 2 tabs pine nuts with 1 1/2 tabs of vinocotto( available at Harris Farm Markets). Shape into log 4.5x 18 cm. Leave wrapped in foil for a few days then wrap tightly with foil in fridge for a few more days. Keep refrigerated and cut with a hot knife into slices and serve with honeyed walnuts and blue cheese... Lovely!
I have also included my recipe for pastry done in whizz... So easy! For savoury I add 1/3 cup Parmesan to flour and sweet 2 tabs castor sugar. The salmon quiche recipe is also a goody thanks to Jane Wiesener. Served with caramelized onion.. Yum!
Bon Apetit! Bonne Noel!

Bike Ride almost 300kms!

Starting at Blois after catching an ultra smooth train from Paris, did not disappoint... Our first hotel was probably16C and most of town and of course castle date back even further, being first mentioned in 6C!...OLD!
We managed to get away after bike fitting the next morning with a clutch of maps... Not necessarily matching any sort of signposting we are used to... The French way!
Arrived at Amboise in the rain after 45 ks of fascinating little villages, sunflower fields, vineyards and chateaux popping up here and there. The hot shower and delightful hotel De L'Abrelles set in woodland was very welcome. We spent the afternoon wandering around Leonardo's last dwelling, a beautiful small chateau called Clos de Luce and magnificent gardens, the whole experience memorable.

Tricky communications

My blog hasn't been as successful as thought so apologies for not posting as planned. Internet signal and strength have been very erratic in places like Nth Devon, Paris, Loire & Carcassonne, making it impossible to send much at all. Here in Provence at a charming hotel much better signal and a little time before we head home. Photos taken in a Paris 'passage' .... A fabric shop which felt like turn of the century, with gorgeous silks and a wall of buttons all in beige suede boxes.. A little slice of heaven.