Stitched Narratives with Jessie Chorley

I'm slowly, slowly showing you my week in France. I still want to reminisce about it and I don't want it to be over so quickly, even though it feels like a long time ago.

Today I'm introducing you, to our wonderful teacher Jessie Chorley and some of her work. To be able to learn from her was really a dream come true. She was an inspiration and a very helpful teacher (and quite patient I might add).

What I learned from her; was to be able to see things differently. To add a little piece of fabric here and there or that tiny little seed stitches do make a world of a difference.

 The beautiful sewing set she gave us.

Her bags of fabric pieces were like Mary Poppin's bag. What a delight to be able to rummage through her bags, everything was soooo beautiful.

 Here she is, showing us her work on the first day.

 The inside of the sewing set, I know you'd be curious to see the inside.

A fragment of one of her works.

What I realized from the workshop was that I love (LOVE) words, (as if I didn't know this before). During the workshop week, it just got reinforced that stitched words is what I love doing the most, now I just have to figure the best way to go about this love. Not an easy thing.

I'll show you next time what I did.

Have a super wonderful monday.
Giova

The Most Perfect Gift

Last Christmas my husband asked me what I wanted as a gift. I replied; "I would actually like to go for a week in France to do a workshop, and as it is a "big gift" it can count as Mother's day and 40th birthday too." He hesitated for a few seconds and then agreed to it. He was not only paying for it, he was also staying by himself with the kids. I think he really didn't know what he was getting himself into, and I know this is the last time he'll ever ask what I want for a gift.

I had to wait 9 months for my present to become a reality, and since time just flies I suddenly found myself in the most idyllic and perfect place. It was an amazing week that exceeded all of my expectations. Here are some images of the most wonderful week.

I mean, really? In my dreams it didn't look as good as this (the house you see, is where I stayed). Les Souers Anglaises was the spot for the workshop I had chosen, but I'll tell you more about that very soon, I'm still trying to organize my thoughts and pictures.

 Then it was the food, and the amazing setting and view we had everyday.

My first time at a "brocante" in France.  I didn't last too long in there, as it was a sort of cave very humid, dark and with a strong damp smell (not my favorite kind). But I did manage to get a few things (wink, wink).

And the amazing people I spent my week with. The most creative, inspiring and kind women I've had the pleasure of knowing.

Seriously, yes, very, very seriously, this was one hell of a present. I can't even describe how incredible this week was for me. All the things that I learned, saw and experienced would fill a bunch of notebooks. In the meantime I leave you with this few images, and I promise I'll show lots more in the following days.

Have a most wonderful day.
Giova.