5th August 2008

Another busy morning. Sadly our last at the Auberge. Lee starts his new job in September and he and Amanda are looking forward to a little brother for their 3 boys in December.  At Sue Paddock's suggestion we will be embroidering a birth sampler as a small thank you.

18 ladies today not including Ruby Sue at 5 months our youngest attendee. It was nice to see Terri's girls joining in too. A lot of lavender bag and bunting making was still going on for this Sunday's fête at Troche.

Troche is also were we will be relocating to. The Mayor has agreed to us using their very spacious Salle de Fete. There was an issue about insurance which seems to have been resolved. It may in the future be possible to become a non subscription association which will make it even easier. The first meeting there will be on the 19th of August. Please try and bring a friend especially a French one! Craft is not obligatory a good chat goes a long way! As we will have the use of the kitchen we will do our own coffee tea and chocolate. A cake rota will be started and ingredients paid for out of the coffee money. Any money made will be given to a charity of our choice every six months.                            A bientot.

22nd July 2008

'Tis the season of visitors and school holidays, and although there were not quite as many of us this week, we still managed to have a very productive morning.  Terry helped me finish sewing up a batch of lavender cushions for the Troche Day event, whilst Sue Paddock and Julia were weaving lavender and ribbon to sell on the day.

Cross stitch and knitting also happened.

We had our youngest ever visitor on the day as well when Sue Field brought in her daughter Claire and 4 month old grand-daughter, Ruby Sue, who certainly seemed to like the lavender cushions and gave one of them a good "gumming".  

We are all trying to get geared up for the Troche Day event on 10th August and bunting still needs to be sewn, so any volunteers, please contact Julia Branch Evans.

Also, as the day is getting nearer, we need  volunteers to bake scones and cakes.  We are asking that if everyone can bake 12 scones and at least 2 cakes, then there should be plenty for the cream teas and the cake stall.  Please let Jan Rees know if you can help out and what you will be baking for the day.

For those of you who are planning to have stalls, please let Jan Rees or Julia Branch Evans know as soon as possible what you plan to sell and a contact phone number and/or e-mail address, so we can stay in touch with you and keep you up to date with progress leading up to the day.

You can contact Jan Rees on janincorreze@gmail.com

Also, don't forget to put in your forms for the Vide Grenier on 24th August.  They need to be registered with the Mairie at least two weeks before the event.

Well, that's all from me.

Love - Jan

8th July 2008

Well, what can I say - us stitchers filled the restaurant today as there were 19 of us.  It was a good job Lee had made two lemon drizzle cakes.  Lee - thank you - the cake was delicious and we apologise for the noise, but, well, when you get 19 women together ................!!!.

We were joined today by two new members. Ros, who has just moved to the area and has only been here four days, and Beverley who is relocating from Troche to Beyssac.  Welcome both.  We were also joined by the "grandmas" who came along with Terry and her daughter.  Really nice to see new faces in the group, so welcome to all of you.

Julia and Beverley, aided by Sharon and Ros were cutting out triangles for the bunting which will be going up on Troche Day on 10th August and at the next meeting, it will be all hands on deck to make more bunting, lavendar bags, etc for the event.

....... And while we are talking about bunting - we need to start collecting white material, in particular voile or satin and silk to make more bunting for the wedding of Sue Field's daughter, Chelsie, who will be getting married in France next year.  The bunting is needed to decorate the marquee for the wedding breakfast.  So, please, if you have any such material lurking in your home that you no longer need, please let us know.

Troche Day on the 10th August - This event is held in Troche and to coincide with it, Radio PAC and Stitch & Bitch will jointly be holding an English Fete in the garden of Julia Branch-Evans house.  The plan is to provide Ploughman's lunches and English Tea in the afternoon.  Also some stalls.  So far we plan to have a book stall, a cake stall and a stall selling hand made items, such as the lavender bags, Sam's pin cushions, etc.   Volunteers are needed to bake cakes for the stall, and also bread for the ploughman's lunches.  If you have any home made jams or chutneys you wish to sell, then this is your opportunity.

Julia has also negotiated with a guy called Nicholas Greene who collects French classic cars, to be there on the day with a sample of some of his cars.  If you know anyone who would like to have a stall to display or sell any items, please let Julia Branch-Evans or Jan Rees know, so we can get details and it will give us an idea of how much space we will need for the day.  All you will need to do is provide a table for your wares, something to sit on and cover of some sort to shelter you from (hopefully) the sun.

The Fete is not just for the English.  This is a brilliant opportunity to mix with the French and other nationalities and show them what we get up to and hopefully get the French to sample some of our home made English fare and get a few French ladies to join Stitch & Bitch.

Sharon also gave out some forms for stalls at the Vide Grenier in Pompadour which is to take place on the 23rd and 24th August in the Chateau car park.  The 23rd is usually the professionals day, but the 24th is the day for the Flea Market and this is where we can have our own stalls to sell off any unwanted items from our lofts / attics / barns, etc. So if you get a chance to have a rummage why not come along and sell your stuff on the day.  If you intend to have a stall, the forms need to be back with the Mairie in Pompadour at least two weeks before the event.  Could you also let Sharon or Jan know if you have booked a stall, so we know how many to expect.

Well, sorry it's a bit of a long blog, but there was lots to say this week.

Until next time - a bientot.

24th June 2008

A roasting hot day, so we stayed indoors in the cool, where knitting was knitted, sewing was sewed and plans hatched for a joint Radio PAC/Stitch & Bitch English Fete on Troche Day on 10th August.  More about that when we have more information to distribute.

Di has finished her bedcover and was in the process of making another one for her guest bedroom where she has already completed a roman blind in matching material.  Sam was busy hand stitching pin cushions which will be for sale on one of the stalls on Troche Day.  Beautiful miniature cushions in boxes that would make an excellent present.  So please contact Sam for more information. 

Some of us attended our first drawing classes with Sue Wilson this week, and I must say, even though my attempts were pretty poor, I thoroughly enjoyed the class and there are some budding artists amongst us.  Hopefully with Sue's enthusiastic guidance and teaching, mine will improve by the end of the classes.

Thank you to Lee for the chocolate and nut flapjack this week.  Delish. 

We all want to say a big hearty congratulations to Amanda, and Lee of course, on hearing the news of Amanda's pregnancy.

10th June 2008

27th May 2008

The weather couldn't have been more different from the previous meeting with torrential rain and heavy mists, but that didn't stop the stitchers gathering in the warm and friendly atmosphere of the Auberge.  Along with Amanda's delicious swiss roll and a nice warm drink, it all went far too quickly.

A few members were astonished at the size of my ball of wool which was a 400g ball of aran brought from the market in sunny Milton Keynes on my last trip back to England.  I did buy two of these monsters, but was limited on space in my suitcase on the flight back.  Good job they were nice and squashy which meant I could bring back my other purchases.  I had found a lovely pattern for a baby blanket with a star design knitted into it in double knit, but I brought the aran wool to make a cover for my guest beds, hence the size of the balls.  Amanda however, is doing the baby version with her new knitting skills.

Knitting, sewing, cross stitch were the hobbies of the day, with Di almost completing her patchwork bed cover, which is looking stunning. 

Jean and Evelyn were telling us about the hassles they were having with France Telecom and getting their phone and computer sorted out.  Just when they thought it was all up and running, a lightning strike put paid to their computer, so sadly they are still no closer to getting their phone line and internet link up and running.  If anyone out there knows someone at France Telecom who can help them get it sorted out quickly, do let us know.

What's on in the next couple of weeks.  Friday 30th May is Quiz Night at the Auberge de L'Etrier, starting at 8pm.  So if you feel like testing your general knowledge skills, and having a bite to eat, contact Lee & Amanda on 05 55 98 50 58 to book your place. 10€ for meal and 1st drink.

This weekend - 31st May and 1st June - there is show jumping at the Haras at Pompadour.  Always a colourful and exciting event. 

On 6th/7th June there is the annual Limousin Rally which speeds around the Beyssac area.  Lee and Amanda are doing a full English before the start, so book your place for breakfast, then sit back and watch the rally drivers test their driving skills around the streets of Beyssac.  Excellent fun and remember to stay behind the cordened off areas to watch in safety.  Contact Lee & Amanda on aubergedeletrier@wanadoo.fr or phone them on 05 55 98 50 58.

Back to horsey stuff, there is Eventing at Pompadour on the 7th and 8th and also on the 8th is the Open Day at the Bluebell Woods Boarding Kennels.

Lots more events coming up over the next few weeks, so I'll post these nearer the time.

So, until the next meeting - a bientot.

Jan

13th May 2008

Well, it couldn't have been a nicer day for our first "al fresco" Stitch & Bitch.  With a slice of Amanda's chocca mocca cake and a cuppa, we sat out on the terrace in the sunshine and stitched away at our various projects.   The time went really quickly, but was very enjoyable.  Some lucky ladies are off to visit respective new grandchildren in England in the next couple of days, so there was some frantic finishing off of baby cardigans and cross stitch samplers.

Our baby/child equipment hire project seems to be popular and we have decided to extend it to cater for older and disabled people who may need things such as walking sticks, maybe even wheelchairs, etc, so if you are sorting out your attic and have any such items, please let Sue Paddock know on susan.paddock@orange.fr

It's the first big race meeting in Pompadour on 25th May with flat racing and obstacles, so try and come along, and don't forget the Open Day at the Bluebell Wood Board Kennels on 8th June.

 

April 29th

Just a small group of us today, but it was a nice meeting.  I think a lot of people are taking advantage of some of the low cost flights on offer and gone back to England for a few days.

Topics of discussion were having a wedding in France, running a market stall and small projects for selling on the market stall. 

With summer coming up (yes, really), it's time to think about visitors and Julia suggested starting up a baby/child equipment and toy loan facility.  So if anyone has anything like child seats, booster seats, cots, toys, etc that they don't mind loaning out, could they let us know.  Sue Paddock will be co-ordinating on that one.

Well, I'm off to pack, as I'm flying back to England for a few days tomorrow to see family and friends.

Bye for now.

Jan

April 15th

A fun meeting today. Almost sunny and some of us stepped out to watch a herd of young cows being driven through Beyssac. They scattered all over the village not helped by us laughing.

There were 14people today, Sue Allan brought 2 very unusual and old lace making cushions.

Julie Branch Evans was asking for volunteers to help in the organizing of her successful radio slot on Radio Pac 101.9

We discussed running a WI style market (see home page) and who wears the exotic underwear that is always for sale in every french town.

Thanks Amanda for absolutely fab Coffee and Walnut Cake.

April 1st 2008

It was a good job that Lee and Amanda had created a larger dining room at the Auberge as there were 14 of us today with our various stitching projects.

Amanda had also baked the most luscious chocolate cake   Thank you.

A big welcome to Emma, who was there for the first time.

Sue Allen brought along some of her beautiful cross stitch which she displayed for everyone to look at.  My particular favourite was the kittens (but then I am passionate about cats).  See Photos page to have a look.

Sue Paddock brought along a catalogue from a company called Panduro.  The company has a website at www.panduro.fr, so if you are a crafty sort of person, this is the website for you.  You can save money on the postage by getting your order sent to the Maison de la Presse in Pompadour for you to collect. 

Also, there were various magazines for people to browse and get ideas for future projects.

The morning seemed to pass quite quickly, but it is good to get away from the house for a couple of hours to do something we all enjoy.

See you all on the 15th April.

Jan

 

 

March 18th 2008

11 people braved the bitter wind today.

It was worth it for a big slice of Amanda's luscious lemon cake. A display of cross stitch by Jan was enough to spur us on to better efforts. Most of the babies expected have been born now so the matinee jacket production has slowed down. Although there was a doll size one knitted for a  prem baby charity. Amanda is looking for expansion and opening a larger room though some of us are looking forward to sitting outside on the terrace!

Also, a big welcome to sisters, Evelyn and Jean who are newcomers to the area.  We all hope you enjoy living here as much as we all do.

March 4th 2008

Despite a few snow flurries to start the morning, the meeting was well attended, with 8 of us knitting and stitching.   It was nice and snug in Amanda's restaurant as we all supped our coffee (or hot chocolate) and got on with our projects.  Patchwork, knitting, cross stitch and felt decoration making were the items being worked and the topics of conversation ranged from the birdlife in France, cats, the dreaded moles and the best way to get rid of them, and the fact that some of us realise we need to get our eyes tested as we can no longer cope with 16 count aida - lol.  Well I struggle with it anyway !!!! 

I had been having a bit of a rummage in my barn, and brought along some old cross-stitch magazines for people to have a look at.  Amanda selected a nice poppy design which will be stitched onto a bookmark.  I will be bringing them along to the next meeting as well if anyone is interested. 

Sharon will be back with us for the next meeting, so I will sign off for now.

Jan 

19 February 2008

Sharon was not available for the meeting this week, so here I am again, bloggiing for the group.

Seemed to be a lot of cross-stitching going on this week, with Amanda's project making good progress. 

We all agreed that it can sometimes be difficult to work on cross stitch in the evenings, as old French houses are a bit on the dark side.  However, you can buy a "daylight" bulb to fit into a work lamp which helps things along.   Will have to investigate where we can buy them in France.  Sylvie who has the haberdashery shop in Objat may sell them, or be able to get hold of them.

Sue Allen brought along a new cross stitch project of poppies.  An excellent idea of hers, when doing projects that require a french knot, why not instead, use a small bead.  So much easier, especially if, like me, you are not sure how to do a french knot.  Her poppy cross stitch will have beads instead of french knots for the stamens of the flowers.  I think I may adopt this approach on some of my cross stitch projects in the future.

 

 
 Sue Paddock kindly printed off some copies of a pattern for premature baby sets and brought them along to the meeting for people to take.  The pattern is very easy to do, so hopefully we will be able to send some along to the hospital on our Charities page.

We do still need volunteers for making the dog coats and blankets for the "galgos" charity, so please check out their website (on the Charities) to get the pattern for the coat. 

Sew, time to sign off.  Happy stitching.

Jan

5th of February 2008

Another good meeting with 11 ladies. Odelile a french local lady brought her clay with her. Odelile makes models of local animals black bottomed pigs are popular. Large eggs with unusual glazes, Odille makes, glazes and fires her models herself .Amanda had made the most gorgeous carrot cake.to go with coffee and hot chocolate. Penny gave Jan a class on crocheting. Sam was way ahead of most of us with her very pretty cotton crochet. If you are after some beds there are some on the website under Articles for Sale.

22nd January 2008

A very lively meeting this week with 12 ladies stitching.

This week we welcomed Sylvie who runs the haberdashery/wool shop in Objat and she very kindly helped a couple of people with translations of french knitting patterns.  Also, another French visitor, Annick, who is a friend Ray and I have known for many years and was staying with us for a couple of days.  Sue Craddock taught Annick how to make a bead bracelet and she enjoyed herself at the group.  With both Sylvie and Annick there, some of us had an impromtu french lesson.

Sam brought along some of her homemade hats for sale.  Photo's on website.

Amanda provided us with the most delicious homemade marmalade cake.  This week she tried her hand at cross stitch, which she found very comfortable to do and made good progress on a new design.

There are some new pictures on the website along with Sylvie's address and e-mail under "local links"  for those of you who want to visit her shop, which not only sells wool but is also a haberdashery.

Sharon will be back from England for the next meeting, so I will sign off now and will see you all on the 5th February.

Jan



8th January 2008

First of all Happy New Year to everyone.

As Sharon, our group leader was in England for this meeting, she has left it to me to write this blog entry, so I hope I can do it justice.

A small group of ladies this week due to it being the first meeting of the new year and a few people still away in England.  Nonetheless, it was a good meeting with lots going on and lots to talk about.

Sadly Sue Paddock couldn't be there to give her "show and tell" on beading, so we all sat down with a cuppa and a slice of Amanda's lovely Chocca Mocca cake and started stitching.  Amanda is now not only a 2 stitch girl, but has now learnt casting off.  Di's patchwork is coming on a treat and the cross stitch that Sue Allen brought along is looking stunning.  (See pictures on Photos section of this website).

Next meeting is on 22nd January, same place, same time, so come along and have a natter and bring your stitching with you.

Best Wishes
Jan

18th of December 2007

The last meeting this year was seriously depleted by colds, flu and the Xmas exodus to the UK to join in the annual CrimboCrush we all really do not miss. Lots of grandchildren coming along Daisy Grace came on Tuedsday and I hope to do a patchwork quilt for her before she leave home!

Topics of conversation (besides gossip) ranged over ragrugs, machine embroidary and the very good wool shop in Objat. The owner has a good stock and speaks some English. We will try and persuade her to visit us in the future.

Sue Allan has already got some sewing machines that need overhauling or repairs. Sue is prepared to give classes in the use of your sewing machine.

4th of December 2007

The birth of the Beyssac Bitch'nStitch was on the road to Toulouse.

I had put out a note that I had room in my car for 4 others for a day trip to Ikea.

My muchbeloved hates Ikea but I know plenty of ladies that don't!

So the " 5 go mad in Ikea" group set off and with 5 hours in the car (with 3 on Quells) we needed a lot of conversation. Thus Bitch'nStitch was born.

The first meeting was on the 4th of December the lovely Amanda and I nervously arranged tables and got out the pretty christmas buns, would anyone turn up?

Half an hour later we knew we were going to need considerably more buns. So Amanda's 3 sons were going to be disappointed hoping for leftovers. Ladies who stitched were pulling out pullovers, putting out patchwork and bringing out beading. Jan was holding a masterclass in casting on for virgin wool knitters. There are a lot of babies due in the next couple of months. Anna was beautifully pregnant, I have a Bumpsadaisy cooking in the UK. Julia and Sue Fields were expecting their first grandchildren so matinée jackets and exquite booties were slipping off needles. Not mine as I am only on the holey scarf stage But Wendy kindly showed me how to purl so I am now a 2 stitch girl.

19 people attended the inaugural meeting helped by advertising on L'Auberge email circle, word of mouth and a couple of notices. Julia Branch Evans fluent french speaker has a 15 minute slot on Radio Pac our local station and will advertise the next meeting on the 18th of December. We had knitters sewers and crafts a good laugh and a great morning.

Shaz Resner

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