Les promenades de Violette

Embroidery and Brittany

DROLEDEVIOLETTE — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 19:47:00 GMT

Hi there ! Long time no speak ! I really feel guilty for not taking time to post in english lately. Mind you, it has been hard to keep up with the french version too !
So much work, so little time.
Anyway, please forgive me and feel free to ask question about my latest post on my french blog over here.
In the meantime, I am happy to share some of the treasures I found along my way during our holidays in Brittany. Great moments staring at the mysterious landscapes and precious pieces of costume and embroidery.

More pics over here : www.cabanedeviolette.canalblog.com

Tribute to our grannies

DROLEDEVIOLETTE — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:27:00 GMT

A week ago I came back from Normandy where I was invited to exhibit in a lovely village of Normandy. The event was organised by a local handicraft workshop team, and taking place in a lovely old house. It was divided in 4 parts : exhibitors selling handicrafts , exhibition of the Club's work, embroidery workshops, and a tribute to our grand-mothers. I let you imagine the huge amount of work that is behind it !

The organisation team

This is the work of one woman : she spent over 1800 hours over it. All crossed stitched flower.

Some of the team's work

Precious memories

Some of the exhibitors :

Bayeux Tapestry

Hardanger Workshop :

I hope you enjoy this post,
I'll get back with more pics of the other events I have been participating.... ASAP !

Happy New Year !

DROLEDEVIOLETTE — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:10:18 GMT

*****I Wish you all a peaceful and creative year ! *****

Baby's bags

DROLEDEVIOLETTE — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:57:00 GMT

Here is my latest little work, made out of a tea towel ! (I really do love tea towels .. )

With details of lace and ribbons .. with an extra tiny bag

I must admit it is a chance to be the owner of a fabric shop ! I get inspired everyday ..

I hope Mum and baby will like it !

Vintage tea towel turned into a bag

DROLEDEVIOLETTE — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:58:00 GMT

Choose a nice vintage tea-towel and fold it up. Then cut out stripe of fabrics that you sewn on the front side, together with vintage ribbons ...

Sewn on both sides and cut out a folding, a few centimeters higher than the bag so that it shows on the top. Cut out two handles in a plain fabric. Then sewn on two long ribbons on each side and tie up to pleat : that is for the final personnal touch.

Now you just have to decide what you are going to use it for : shopping, laundry or storage ...

Well I have an idea of various bags to be made out of vintage pieces, and bits and pieces of fabrics that are piled up on my shelves.
This particular towel I bought in a "Brocante" in Normandy, the other fabrics are from my collections and from my shop. In the end, this is all about collecting bits and pieces and make something up.
I reckon it has a something of a Zakka bag. What do you think ?

The wonderful world of Handicraft

DROLEDEVIOLETTE — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:31:00 GMT

Second day spent in the exhibition "Creation et Savoir Faire" in Paris. For the first time I was nor a visitor, nor an exhibitor, just an author. In the afternoon I had some time to have a look around the exhibition. Lea is one of the most amazing handicraft designer we have in France. She mixes up textures and I knew she was hightly skilled in sewing and embroidery. Today I discovered that she loves granny squares and crochet too. It was nice talk, nice moment spent in her magical world ....

Lea Stansal

Here is the magical world of Lea :

My Book

DROLEDEVIOLETTE — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:42:00 GMT

Hi everyone !
Long time no speak. If ever you wonder what I've been up to, I tell you all about it right now. Unless you have been around to my french blog, you do not know yet about my book. It all started up last spring, when a publisher got in touch asking if I'd be interested in a book project. Well I must admit I was happy to hear that, but was afraid not having time to work on such a huge project. I was having besides my company to run, exhibitions to prepare and my family to look after! But the moment they mentionned the name of Beatrix Potter, I knew I would go for it.

So what it is all about is that the publisher had paid for the Beatrix Potter's licence, in the purpose of embroidery projects. They already had published a booklet with illustrations turned into cross-stitching patterns. Then they had in mind to go further and they looked for an author who would create a complete range of sewing projects, including the lovely little cross-stitching patterns.

I did had two great feelings about it.
The first one was that I would have been so proud to have my name besides HER name. She is one of my masters, and I admire her for her talent AND for all her commitments.
The second thought I had was for my daughters, they probably would appreciate a book from mum featuring Peter Rabbit and friends.
Now regarding the content, all I tried to do is create over 24 sewing projects from basic to higher skilled, including ideas, not only for children, but for all the family. Great experience, if you ask, though I was really exhausted after all. But if I was asked to, I would start it all over again. Now everything is back to normal, our home is nearly looking like a proper home again. They are still lots of pieces of fabrics and piles of files all over the living room but the current homework is dedicated to the new ranges for my company. New ideas coming, but always in the same spirit, the spirit I like : fresh and vintage at the same time !

Here is the matching purse !

DROLEDEVIOLETTE — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:47:37 GMT

Details are important.

A cardigan and a ring needs to be completed with a purse. (Still made by my mother for my daughter). Now the lady has to find out the right pair of shoes.