A blog update about blog updates. While it wasn’t my plan, posts have been sporadic. It’s been a challenge to keep up with long-form writing here. I like doing it, but the time and effort (lots of effort!) is hard to find when I’m already writing short-form on Instagram (for 3 accounts) and Facebook. I’ve been beating myself up about it and decided that there’s a better solution. [Read more…]
Not a whole lot to report since my last update over a week ago. I got a couple of outlets fixed, had the gas line to the kitchen removed, had my annual review with my investment manager (yikes), tried to go to a brocante (flea market), worked on the house, and released a new YouTube video. Sewing costumes for Carnevale continues. I’m starting to crave pumpkin baked-goods, but finding pumpkin is a challenge! So many projects underway, and not many results yet. I like results! [Read more…]
Just a quick bonus post today. I’m thinking about some ideas for better organizing my costumes and off-season clothes. I use Amazon.fr here in France, but I often use the US site first to search for what I’m looking for. [Read more…]
At the end of September, I had my first doctor appointment within the public health system. The weekend of October 1, I took the train to Paris for a short weekend. I went to the library, walked around the city, and enjoyed a wonderful evening celebrating the birthday of a friend. Then last week, I had appointments with a kitchen planner and an electrician. Life has been busy! [Read more…]
Today I finally get to just write about the last week. I’ve been writing, renovating, and trying to stay warm. I’ll be able to talk a little more about some of the milestones from last week too. [Read more…]
I’ve been living in my new house now for 3 weeks! I’ve had a few milestones –
some more important than others, and a few set-backs. [Read more…]
I still don’t have my residency card, but I’ve moved into my new home! No more living out of suitcases. Phew!! I’m going to try posting weekly, so that my posts will be able to include more details of my daily efforts to renovate the “chateau” and get my business rolling. When too much time passes, I end up writing summaries about what’s been happening. [Read more…]
Only a week until I get the keys to my new home in Bourgogne! Then the real work starts, so it was nice to take a few days to visit friends at their chalet for a vacation in the French Alps. The landscape was stunningly beautiful. In many ways, it reminded me of the PNW, with the thick underbrush, evergreen trees, and alpine lakes. But it was steeper, studded with alpine meadows, and sprinkled with clusters of cute chalets on the mountainsides. [Read more…]
My arrival in France launched a whirlwind of social activity. When it came to starting my business and settling in, though, the fabulousness was mixed with challenges. I set up in my tiny Paris studio apartment, saw old friends, made new ones, went to an 18th century ball at Château de Versailles, visited new towns, saw amazing museum exhibits, ate delicious food, went fabric and clothes shopping, found treasures at the flea markets (brocantes), and found my own chateau to buy (follow along on Instagram: ChatelaineLife). [Read more…]
I finished my sample of my first 18th century quilted pocket designs, so I’m using pictures from the process to write a tutorial that will be helpful for anyone making one.
Suggested tools and supplies for hand-quilting :
