Bridgnorth Christmas Market was a huge success this year with more stalls than ever along the High Street.  

I'm flanked by mother and daughter Sadie here on the 

'Number One Tearoom' stand.  

Mother & I just returned from a marvellous short break at Alvaston Hall.  I even learned to dance - Salsa is my favourite!

And a lovely Thomas update!

More quilted shoulder bags finished off.  These are monoprints on walnut hull dyed fabric with colour after quilting using Pébéo moiré fabric paint for a bit of glitz.  
Size approx. 9"x9"  23x23cm
If you're interested in purchasing (25 pounds each +p&p) please email me for more details - maureen@quiltingplace.com

This version with a handy little pocket is for hanging on a wall for storing bits 'n' bobs.
(25.00 + p&p)

I've completed another 3 quick and easy 'cosy quilts' this time in lively Christmassy 80/20 cotton/wool fabrics for extra warmth for the winter ahead.  I've quilted them on a domestic sewing machine using a walking foot.  
These are called 'plaids' here in France.
Size approx. 36"x36" 92x92cm.
Price 50 pounds each + p&p

The huge kakis on this tree are stubbornly hanging on despite the big drop in temperature!

The weather here in the mountains can often change quickly - from lovely sunny days in the photo above to the snowy scene we have now in a matter of a couple of days!

I thought the sky looked ominous!

These geraniums must be in shock at the sudden change of temperature.

At least the cold weather has given me plenty of time indoors to get on with more UFOs.

These are the little monoprints I did recently, now painted and ready to make up into bags.

Here's another quick and easy 'cosy quilt'. I've got half a dozen more as works in progress.  

Here's another quilted bag.  This time I've used walnut dyed fabric as the base for a monoprint, quilted the motifs and then finished off with moiré fabric paints before constructing the shoulder bag.

The black acrylic paint background 'noise'
helps to add extra interest!

Vibrant fabric paint colours look great against the neutral 'walnut' fabric.

I like how it turned out so much, I've got 4 more prints
ready to go!

On a totally different subject - I realise this image isn't very clear but I do believe it's my first shot of an Eagle Owl!  Wow!

These are some of the text prints done at one of Laura's recent 'Sunday School' workshops onto my blue hand-dyed and rusted fabric.

I've used them to add to my current shoulder bag collection.

I've used the heavyweight jeans thread again, here in a caramel colour to tie in with the 'rust' colour, and one of the decorative stitches on the Toyota domestic sewing machine.

The reverse quilted with the same stitch in vertical orientation.

I've been making good use of some monoprints I did some time ago onto one of my favourite hand-dyed fabric colours made by mixing blackcurrant and golden yellow.  For the stitching I've used my recent bargain purchases of heavyweight 'jeans' thread to create a bold mark.

This shoulder bag started off like the monoprint of my trainer sole on the right.  On the bag I've used hand quilting to give relief to the sole itself and machine quilting for the background.

Similarly for the hand print I've used hand quilting on and around the hand itself to give relief and then filled in the background with machine quilting.

On this monoprint I stamped the lettering at Laura's recent 'Sunday School' workshop focussing on the use of text.  I've used Linda's recent DMTV programme idea of 'wrapping' text in stitch to emphasise the letters.  Here again the heavyweight black and caramel coloured threads have worked well both for the hand and the machine quilting.

This walking camouflage seen in Ornolac today turned out to be the lovely M. Bazy in disguise!

  

Still working hard at 88 years old!

Further up the mountain, above Ornolac, is Barri d'en Haut with its pretty church and majestic mountains in the background.

This is one of its stunning stained glass windows.

Nearby Saurat hosted a small marché aux puces pour couturiers yesterday.  It was a lovely way to spend Sunday afternoon.

The setting was magnificent.

The weather was glorious.

And the event was well-supported by the locals.

This cute café in the main street looks like it needs a new owner to give it a little TLC.  

I was really pleased with my few purchases - some cones of extra thick 'jeans' thread at a bargain price and some gorgeous little previously loved and very comfortable brass thimbles.
I'm planning to use the threads in combination with some I've recently hand-dyed using walnut hulls.
The 'flesh' of the walnuts is heading for a Roquefort salad.

  

Today was a perfect day for a picnic at nearby 

Chateau de Roquefixade.

After half an hour's gentle walk we found a lovely spot with panoramic views over the mountains towards le Chateau de Monségur and les Monts d'Olme ski station so there we laid down our patchwork quilt and had lunch al fresco.

We were not alone of course! 

The figs are late but plentiful this year in the Ariege.

They are delicious with the local jambon du pays.

And there're plenty left over to make a few jars of jam.

Foix château towers over les halles in Place Saint Volusien seen here after Friday morning's market.  I can recommend the menu du jour on the terrace at the Café du Commerce - with the green frontage overlooking the market place.  It's a favourite spot to people watch too!

Through this remarkable entrance near the market is where the Croix Rouge donations are organised for distribution.

The weather is still warm here in the south-west so little lizards are still soaking up the sun.

Hopefully I'll finish off some of many UFOs while I'm here!

This mono print of my trainer sole will soon become a little shoulder bag.

At last - we have action on the renovation of the facade of  No. 11 Place Garrigou!