Les Belles Poires & a Giveaway

My weekend sewing consisted of two potholders.  Although that's exactly 2 projects less than I had hoped to accomplish, I still feel great about starting and finishing this set for someone who has been waiting a very long time.  They are angel potholders for a swap I helped organize between the VMQG and the FVMQG back in the fall. Felicity jumped in and helped make a second set for another swapper in need of an angel, too **polishing our halos - thanks Felicity**

I drove all the way to Bellingham on Friday with my co-pilot double N Dianne in search of the spring 2012 Stitch mag and we struck gold at JoAnn fabric. Gold in the form of many copies of the mag available at 40% off with my super saver card. YES.  Want a copy for yourself? Leave a comment and one could be yours! Upon seeing my Orchard pillow all beautifully photographed in the pages of Stitch, I decided to revisit the pear and use the same template on these potholders. I just love the voluptuous curves.

Some poppyprinted fabric, right there.

I am so in love with Joel Dewberry's Heirloom Ribbon Lattice print for the binding

Undoubtedly, I've been thinking a lot about pears lately.  First, I finally got to share my pillow with you after waiting 6 months. Then, an arborist just came over last week to give our  pear tree a much-needed haircut.  And I've been online WAY too much planning our upcoming trip to France in March, which got me thinking about the last time I was there (at the the tender age of 17, when all I cared about was finding the perfect pair of Vuarnets).  One of the most delicious things I ate (this was not a difficult prize to attain, considering all of the raw steak and tomatoes* they kept trying to feed me) was Poire Belle Helene.  A perfectly poached pear sitting in a pool of warm dark chocolate sauce, drizzled with cream.  Heaven, I tell you!  Considering the last thing I ate before the poire was garlic butter Grenouilles, it's entirely possible the dessert wasn't as amazing as my memory of it is.  I vow to thoroughly confirm my memories in March.

And with that, I leave you with one final detail shot, clearly showing how gorgeous quilting with Auriful 12 wt. cotton thread looks when stitched with a 4.0 stitch length, on natural linen. Heaven, I tell you (again)!

*I am now a true tomato-lover, although I will admit to lying back then about being allergic to avoid having to eat another bite of tabouli.  The raw steak thing put me over the edge and I have not eaten red meat for about 25 years. I am, however, seriously considering trying meat when we're in France.  I might even attempt red wine. You know, when in Rome Provence and all....

I'll leave comments open all week, then employ the RNG on Friday night to choose one winner of a copy of Spring 2012 Stitch mag!  Make sure I can contact you via email if you want to win. 
ETA:comments are now closed, congratulations to comment #15, winner of spring 2012 Stitch mag!