Sunday, July 5, 2015

A Trip to Toulouse!

While in France, I knew I must see my dear friend, Katell
She couldn't travel to Paris during my stay, so she invited me to come to her home near Toulouse.
Of course, I accepted!

,
Only an hour plane ride south of Paris, Toulouse is a beautiful city.

       They call it "the pink city" because most of the buildings are made from brick.


Here is my lovely host and tour guide, Katell.  
We spent all afternoon touring the city, then drove to her beautiful home for a home-cooked meal with her family.   


This is just one of Katell's stunning creations that adorns her home.


The next day, "The Bees" quilt group came for show and tell!
I took dozens of photos, but will only show some highlights here.  
What a talented, fun, generous bunch they are!















Before The Bees arrived, Katell told me a surprise would show up.  
I had no idea what it might be.
Then Ana Maria walked through the door.  She had come from Madrid!  Wow!!

Ana and I both turned 60 this year, just a week apart.  
The trip to France was my celebration.  Hers is a trip to the U.S. with her husband.
Seattle is on their agenda, so I'll see her at my house in a week!
I'm so happy that I'll get to see her again soon.

After the quilt show and all the excitement, The Bees produced a beautiful lunch.  


We sat on Katell's covered patio and laughed and laughed and ate their wonderful homemade dishes.

Then it was time for me to return to Paris.  
Ana and Katell left me at the airport with a few little tears in my eyes.


It was truly a dream come true.
On the plane, I vowed to myself that I would return.
I've begun saving my pennies for the next trip already.

So many thanks to Katell, her family, The Bees and Ana!

I am amazed at how quilt-making creates instant friendships across the globe.
Quilt-makers are the kindest, most generous people I have ever met.
Wouldn't you agree?





25 comments:

Anonymous said...

How lovely, and the quilts are too ....Sur le pont d'Avignon

Rachaeldaisy said...

What a wonderful post!! I can hear the happy laughter of good times through your photos. Thank you again for such a great show and tell of beautiful quilts. It's lovely that you'll be seeing Ana again soon, a special thing to look forward too.

Linda said...

How lovely that you met up with these wonderful quilting friends. Yes, I agree, Quilting friends are the best!

Marly said...

You certainly got the most out of your trip to France. How lovely to meet all these Internet friends.

Annemieke said...

You must certainly have had a wonderful time there and all these talented ladies. They make beautiful, fun and different quilts don't they. I can imagine you are enjoying yourself. And about lunches: It is what we experience also while visiting France: having lunch (or dinner) is so important and everyone takes time for it, it is truly a important part of the day.
Groetjes
Annemieke

Julie Fukuda said...

Well done! You couldn't have planned it better. Thanks for taking your blogging friends along.

smazoochie said...

Quilting (well, really, any passion, but quilting is the best passion) is a great way of meeting new friends, learning a language. What a wonderful day for you! Such beautiful work displayed there!

Quiltdivajulie said...

What a wonderfully joyful post - and yes, quilting friends (near and far) are the best!

Chris said...

What a joy when new friends are just old friends that you haven't met yet. I love that! Thanks for sharing.

Quilteuse Forever said...

It was so wonderful to meet you LeeAnn! Thanks for having accepted y invitation!
I am very pleased that you will meet Ana again, another nice time to come :-)

patricia belyea said...

Your story gave me goosebumps as the connections are so sweet and strong. What a talented group for you to meet and spend time with, plus your two blogging buddies!

Ada Plouvier-Kopitopoulou said...

What a nice experience, meeting a Bee in another country! They made lovely quilts! You can see that you had a fantastic time with them!

Marit said...

Quilts are a language of their own. So much beauty being shared in this post. Lovely to be invited to tag along on your exiting trip.
; )

Sharon said...

What an amazing blog post! When I first moved to the U.S. one of the first quilter's told me. "if you quilt, you will have friends no matter where you go". This is proof to that statement. Hope you got to visit a bit with Kathy and her posse! They were a joy to meet!

Helen said...

You are so right about quilting creating bonds across borders. That trip is worth taking again..and again!

Louisette said...

Wonderfull quilts and foto, greeting from Belgium

Kim said...

That looks like the most perfect vacation ever! Happy 60th and many more happy years of creating and expressing yourself in quilts!
Are you going to make yourself a Jubilee quilt to celebrate your 60th year? I love mine in hangs in my living room.

Happy Sewing...love the pictures!

obat kuat said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Barb said...

Thanks for sharing your wonderful visit with us! wow that show and tell was something - what a talented group!!
The cheese tray was so beautiful! I have to remember that presentation.

Ailsa (Cape Pincushion) said...

What a fabulous trip you had! Thanks for sharing.

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Judy Martin said...

What a lovely post. Happy 60th!

fiberchick said...

Thank you for sharing your visit with us. So much beauty-human,textile and culinary:) How exciting to meet blog friends in 3D. Happy 60th!!!

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