Inspiration

Last year I did the online Quilt Whisperer course through MQ Resource which I found to be a fabulous course.  The material covered included mainly quilting design and taught me to look at everyday items in a different light.  I now tend to look at the detail in items around me and am amazed at the inspiration for quilting designs that it can provide.  I am currently travelling through Europe and am finding this even more so.  I would like to share some of these inspirational photos with you.

1. Ome Wim's Front Door, 2. Detail - Louvre, 3. Balcony - Paris, 4. Link - Arc de Triomph, 5. Paris - detail Arc de Triomph, 6. Detail - Arc de Triomph, 7. Detail - door Paris, 8. Entrance - Notre Dame, 9. Door - Notre Dame, 10. Window - Notre Dame, 11. Detail - Notre Dame, 12. Detail - Notre Dame, 13. Detail - Notre Dame, 14. Detail - Notre Dame, 15. Detail - door Notre Dame, 16. Detail - door Koningsbourg Castle, France

With limited internet time, I have not been able to touch up the photos.  Enjoy!

Den Haan en Wagenmakers - Amsterdam

Today I was fortunate enough to visit the beautiful patchwork shop Den Haan en Wagenmakers in Amsterdam. Den Haan en Wagenmakers are a Dutch Reproduction fabric company known in English as Dutch Quilts. They make an amazing range of absolutely beautiful reproduction fabrics – check out their website at http://www.dutchquilts.com/

The shop is located in a traditional Amsterdam building and as you step inside you find a room swathed from floor to ceiling in seemingly every style of Dutch fabric available. There are many quilts on display, both antique quilts as well as quilts made from the reproduction fabrics.  I was again met by extremely friendly and helpful staff who were happy for me to take photos.

I bought a gorgeous little book called “Amsterdam Made By Hand” which showcases the artisans of Amsterdam with beautiful photography.

Of course I was not able to resist their fabrics. I fell in love with the antique Tree of Life quilt and decided I needed to make a quilt with a tree of life panel. Below is a picture of my purchases.

Amsterdam was wonderful - it is a beautiful city and the day was rounded off beautifully with my visit to Den Haan en Wagenmakers.

Le Rouvray, Paris

I know my blog has been a little quiet and with good reason - I am currently travelling in Europe with my family.  Today, I was fortunate enough to visit the lovely Le Rouvray patchwork shop in Paris.  Le Rouvray is located in a typical Parisian little square near the Notre Dame Cathedral.

I was welcomed by a member of Le Rouvray staff who was more than happy to speak English and show me their beautiful selection of French fabrics and Provence fabrics.  There was also a beautiful display of quilts in the store including some divine vintage quilts.

Thank you, Le Rouvray - my visit rounded out a great day of visiting Paris monuments and gardens, drinking coffees and eating baguettes, croissants and crepes!