Waking Up in San Francisco

I was just falling asleep last night when I was woken up with a jolt. It felt like someone pushing the bed really hard, or something falling, but with no sound. An inaudible thud. Then all the coathangers in the wardrobe started to rattle along with the bottles on the dressing table. Then stopped. Extremely weird sensation. The cat leapt into the air and off the bed (an audible thud this time). I got up and crept about, having visions of REALLY LARGE burglars, before accepting the reality that I had just experienced an earthquake. In rural England. Waited a while for aftershock and opening credits of full disaster movie, and then climbed back into bed. Not under it. Did consider sleeping in the wardrobe just in case, but realized it would not be particularly good protection against a whole upper floor of falling bricks. Cat hid somewhere. Traitor. I have just checked on the news, and apparently it was a 5.2 with an epicentre in Lincolnshire (about 50 miles away). How exciting, and also a reminder that stuff can come from anywhere at any time.
And that God will never let me down.
'God is our strength and refuge, our help in trouble, so we will not fear, even if the earth shakes..
Slept like a log. Now for strong tea. I am off to test drive a new (to me) car later this morning. Will post picture.
Note to British readers, I have a secret yen to be 'Stigette' on Top Gear. Except for the tight fitting white leathers.
Pink is more my style.

Textile Tuesday

When I looked at the counter map yesterday, I realised that people have been visiting even though I have not been blogging. I need to be more disciplined about writing as well as reading blogs! And I thought that a forum / challenge might be quite fun. And it is Tuesday. And I love textiles. And alliteration. So TEXTILE TUESDAY is born. For today, post your favourite Textile Tip. In future I will ask you for museum, technique and so on. Feel free to suggest other categories for this challenge. Welcome to Textile Tuesday

Paris Photos

I probably should warn you that I do not photograph the things that normal people do on the whole. This is a small belvedere on a bluff in the Parc des Buttes Chaumont, a scenic park created from an old quarry. It was rather chilly, but the view took in Sacre Coeur to the south. The railings and such looked like rustic wood, but were made from sculpted concrete.


This is a well gargoyle in the courtyard of the Musee de Cluny, where the Lady and the Unicorn Tapestries are displayed.
and this is a detail from another mediaeval tapestry, the folds of a gown.
And finally, for now at least, a beautiful piece of abstract art:

Actually it is part of the wall at George V station on the metro. I saw it from the train as I went through, and got off on the return journey to take photos. Strange looks from people on platform, but I am getting used to it.

I Love Paris in the Springtime

Oh I do. Have just returned from a five day, textile filled trip. Highlights include the Lacroix exhibition, Gobelins tapestries and the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries at the Cluny Museum. Also to a trade fair. Have sore feet, and swear that am 2 inches shorter than used to be. Boost to ego as was chatted up by Frenchman. Needed the boost I can tell you! Have just realized that cannot post images as they need to be downloaded from camera. Await with bated breath dear reader.