A Partridge in a Pear Tree - version one.

Some pics from around Tarascon sur Ariege taken on a walk today:

Aujourd'hui:

Araignée et énorme et jolie!

Ail Rose du Tarn et délicieux et joli!

Voyage et intéressant et joli!

A Partridge in a Pear Tree!

Another fab DMTV video - bag-turned appliqué using my hand-dyes and some seasonal sparkle.  It's work in progress.  The next step is to stitch around the motifs and sew on the seed beads, sequins and eye.

An attractive collection growing gradually.  All found in local brocantes and vide greniers.

There's now a decent covering of snow forming a good base for the imminent ski season in Pas de la Casa, Andorra.

Another sunny day in Tarascon sur Ariege!

Even in November the landscape in the Ariege is stunning. 

This is the view over Tarascon towards le Col de Port.

I photograph the colourful autumn leaves on this ancient wall every year because they're just so gorgeous!

There're still lots of butterflies about.

I've just had a wonderful day making 

chocolats délicieux!

This is a selection of white, milk and dark chocolate with a champagne ganache filling.  
Bronze and gold metallic powders create the gorgeous finish.

The correct temperature at each stage is crucial for a good result.

These choc lollipops have popping candy inside and pretty transfer prints on the reverse.

Chocolate bars are the simplest to make but none-the-less scrumptious for that - these contain a mixture of nuts, seeds and glacé fruits and are flavoured with raspberry and orange followed by a dusting of metallic gold! 

Plain dark chocolate is difficult to beat but who can resist eating too much!

Some UFOs finished off at last!

This is a painted Bondaweb lizard shape on rusted fabric teamed with my hand-dyed fabric.  I've outline quilted the motif and 'matchstick quilted' the background with a heavy caramel coloured thread then made it up into a cushion cover with an overlapping envelope reverse in black fabric.

This is a different lizard shape and is a monoprint onto calico surrounded by another of my hand-dyed fabrics.  This one I've made up into a commodious bag with a black fabric reverse and long shoulder straps.

A third lizard shape, this time outline quilted then surrounded with horizontal quilting in a variegated thread.  I've painted in detail with a deep red fabric paint and given him beady eyes, comme d'habitude.  This is another commodious shoulder bag.

This plump cushion features prints from actual leaves, using heat-fixed fabric paint.  I've used a fine red tulle to add warmth and texture to the central panel and added detail using two pretty decorative machine stitches around the central panel and the outer edge of the cushion.

These hand-pieced one inch hexagons in colourful Batiks have made up into a lovely cushion.  The reverse is black and there's a zip along the bottom edge.  I've used continuous zip - it's really useful!

There's plenty of colourful inspiration in the Ariege for future  projects!

This season's first sprinkling of snow in the Ariege.

Plenty of green tomatoes remaining to make delicious 

confiture aux tomates vertes. 

Gorgeous hedgerow colours on today's walk to Ussat.

In the interest of research - making a comparison between 3 different Bordeaux rouge 2015.

The Apley Hall vine leaves are looking magnificent in their autumnal hues!

The Hall and vineyard as seen from across the River Severn, from the old railway track which is now National Cycle route 45.  

Another hand-pieced Tumbling Blocks quilt is on its way!  For this one I'm using mainly Batiks in a multitude of colours.  

Hooray, finally completed my latest hand-pieced 

Tumbling Blocks wallhanging.

Finished size 63" high x 49" wide.

I've used 'Peacock Meandering' Longarm panto pattern in a cream thread for the quilting.  
It's one of my favourites!

It started off as hand-pieced blocks in a mix of Batiks, hand-dyes and commercial fabrics.

The careful placement of light, medium and dark
values gives a 3D effect.  

I've added borders in the same fabrics.

Squared off & ready for layering and quilting on the
longarm machine.

Family fun printing day!

Acrylic paint onto commercial and hand-dyed fabrics using a selection of hand-made printing blocks. 

Always a must - lizard prints.
Ideal to make quilted pockets for aprons.

For the leaves I carefully applied paint to the actual leaf and printed directly to fabric.

What an exciting selection to add to my stash.
Laura, thanks for a lovely day at The Wooden House!

Thanks also for my very attractive table display of 'blooms from around the word' from last weekend's wedding.  The brand new Mr. & Mrs. Sheridan went to Wales for the logs, cleaned them up & levelled the bottom, applied varnish and inserted a receptacle to hold the oasis for the display.  It worked beautifully!