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!

A simple, quick and easy patchwork quilt in a day -

 albeit a small one - 36" x 36" when finished. 

An ideal project for when time is in short supply.

I've just made two for 'new baby' gifts!

I've used Batiks in this instance - 8 strips of 4 and a half inch by 34 inch for the main body of the quilt plus a strip of 4 and a half inch for a border.  The binding is cut 2 inches wide, attached to the front by machine then hand-finished on the reverse.

First sew the strips together lengthwise.

Cut across the pieced strips to make 4 and a half inch strips of squares.

Turn the strips to alternate the fabrics then sew strips together taking care to match the corners neatly.

Layer up with batting and a backing fabric then quilt it!
I've used my longarm for the stitching but as it's only a small quilt it's easy enough to do on a domestic sewing machine.  Or of course by hand if you're not in a rush!

I've chosen one of my all-time favourite edge to edge small scale panto patterns - 'Peacock Meander'.  Its flowing curves contrast beautifully with the angles of the pieced squares.

And a Thomas update!