when pam came for a visit yesterday she came bearing gifts. ingrid from sweden, had her deliver some wallpaper to me by way of orvieto, where they recently shared a week of art play. (the paint by number scrap is from pam's stash and will eventually make a nice sketchbook cover)
i "met" ingrid online years ago in remains of the day, when she graciously let me post a photo of her swedish winter wonderland home.
she lives here 6 months out of the year. i think it looks like a fairytale setting.
ingrid has been very good to me over the years, sending wallpaper, fabric, and other gifts from afar.
this red & white toile wallpaper gave me an idea.
so i crudely copied it into my book.
we sat at the kitchen table for most of the afternoon into the evening gabbing, noshing, and decorating our pages with whatever caught our fancy.
we dreamed out loud about the great road trip we'll take across france on a motorbike with sidecar on my next sabbatical. goggles, scarves flying in the wind, crusty french bread sandwiches eaten on the banks of grassy streams, flea market quilts laid out for napping. perhaps some plein air painting in giverny. later, maybe a little detective work that leads to solving a centuries-old cold case involving french antiquities and 17th century robber barons. just the usual stuff.
whenever you get to France you can always stay with us!!! and i really mean it! i could even take you on a horseriding tour in the Vercors, the most beautiful region in France!
Told my husband last night if finances allow come my burthday/Christmas, I’d be perfectly happy if I can only take your Sketchbookery class. You get me so inspired but I lack the getting started know how. Prayin’ and hopin’….You and Pam make me smile when you tell of your art get togethers.
Amazing how you do something “crudely” and it turns out just fine. That’s a gift.
Ohh la la…yes, robber barons and bicyclettes, and goggles asunder. Make sure you roar in your Deux Cheveaux through the Languedoc region. It is the French land of yes, and a warmer and more France Profounde area you will not find. I give you my solemnist pinky swear on this.
Ps- speaking of flea markets in France, have you got a chance to check your PO box recently?
Love this post MA. How wonderful to have a kindred spirit side kick for craftiness and life adventures, you lucky! I had the immense pleasure of taking 2 of Pam’s classes at French General and she’s adorable – can imagine all the fun you get up to.
These quilted pages of your artwork are enchanting and make me cozy to the tips of my toes! I can feel the fun that you and Pam had…those are the days that really count in life.
Love the way you made the toile work in your journal. What a nice day you had playing with Pam and all the goodies she brought you.
Can we see more pix of Ingrid’s home/studio? You know how much we love to peek at others studios.
I’d love to go on a motor trip anywhere. There are so many places in this country I’d love to visit. I’ve been to 26 of the states, need to fill in the rest of them.
Any chance you and Pam would turn that French adventure into a craft monkeys workshop? I’d sign up in the flash. Otherwise, I’d like to ride along in Michelle’s hot air balloon or perhaps on a Segway, or maybe a scooter. 😉
I love these conversations you have with us dear Mary Ann. They’re a constant and gentle reminder of how important the little things like day dreams, 17th century robber barons and the usual stuff are. Thank you as always. Mwah!
So lovely to have an art friend like Pam to share afternoons and get-away weekends with…you know how lucky you are!! Been busy lately with work (what’s new there, huh?) and packing up all my stuff and moving. I’ve made the move but still working at getting ALL my stuff out of old house…apparently a never ending task! I will have a dedicated craft room in the new place. And I am looking forward to getting that set up. Spending every weekend next door packing but it’s a slow process for me, fighting pain and severe fatigue…I have to look at everything before it goes in the packing box. I’ve learned I am a craft supply hoarder!! LOL don’t think I’m alone there! Have a great week!
I want to go on your French adventure! I’m good at mysteries…and I could do photo-documenting. And i can make sandwiches–foie gras et cornichon? Mais oui! Maybe I could bicycle behind you? No! I’ll be in the hot air balloon. With the champagne…..on ice. You can tether the balloon to the motorbike and just pull me along!
Love what you did with the toile.
XO
It’s nice to have friends. Sounds like you found something really good.
What a sweet way to spend the day. I painted all day today while listening to jazz. A la Sketchbookery. That class changed my life. Thank you.