Pour L'Amour du Fil, Nantes 2013 - Congratulations Di!

If you haven't guessed by the long break between posts, I have been on holiday (in France).  Home now for just over a day, it is time to gather my thoughts and write about the main reason I was swanning around overseas - Di's official book release at Quiltmania's Pour L'Amour du Fil in Nantes.  

Pour L'Amour is a combination of an exposition and an outstanding market place where you can buy all things relating to thread - fabric, wool, embroidery etc etc.  The exposition is by invitation, and this year more than 20 artists and designers were there.

Along with Di, there was Kaffe Fasset and Brandon Mably, Petra Prins, Polly Minick and Laurie Simpson to name some of the more recognisable. Each had their own 'salon' where their quilts were displayed as if in room(s) of a house.

The entrance to Di's salon

From the moment the Expo opened, Di's salon was crowded, and apart from some quiet moments late in the afternoon, this is how it was each and every day.

Standing room only!

I lost count of the number of times I heard c'est magnifique, superbe, douee artiste!  My french is terrible but even I got the gist of these comments!

Rotherfield Greys (on the bed), Jane Austen and Oak Alley(left)

Drayton Hall and just a glimpse of Miss Porter's Quilt

Antique Wedding Sampler (left), and Sarah Morrell

Di is very humble about her creative ability and her quilts.  She is also one of the most warm and generous people you will ever meet. Over the 4 days at Nantes, Di spent every moment, apart from 3 hours on two days when she was teaching, signing books.  Each signature was accompanied by smiles, lots of chats and personal messages in each book.

A happy group of quilters from Spain!

And there was even time for an impromptu lesson on needleturn applique to this lucky group of quilters from the UK.

Concentrating hard!

And of course, there is Di's dear husband Brian.  Brian is now officially an 'honorary Sister', even if he can't thread a needle.  When Di was busy teaching, Brian held the fort in her Salon selling books and trying to explain the intricacies of Di's quilts to all and sundry.

Brian, with Maggie Grace's Garden (left) and Ann's Legacy (right)

It was the most wonderful time. I was so fortunate to be there. It was a privilege to share the time with Di and to witness the reaction of folk seeing Di's quilts for the first time.

I count my blessings every day that I wandered into Primarily Patchwork one Saturday morning, enrolled in a class with Di, and now some 9 years later have had my life enriched by friendships that will last forever.

Until next time,

Meghan