almost home

In just a few days, I will be on a plane heading home. It's been two months and I can't wait for that flight, but still I will miss it here. It's quaint, rustic, quiet and has views to die for. And I've come to know this little village pretty well. Like when you're walking down the cobblestone road, avoid the smooth rocks. You're just asking for it. And don't leave your windows open at night or you will have some animals cuddle with you in your bed. Yes, that happened. I honestly don't know who was more scared, me or the cat.

But, it's been a long journey here. Lots of smiles and laughs with a few screams and tears along the way. It's my last quarter of college, so there has been extra stress, but I made it through. There were people that thought that I couldn't do this. People that thought I couldn't be away from home for 2 months. Including me. I cried every night for a week before I left. I didn't think that I could do it. This was a huge step for me and I'm so proud of myself. Who knows what else I can do.

woven

I'm so excited to share some pieces from my portfolio! This is my collection of three. I designed three jacquard fabrics, wove them myself, and then made some awesome pillows. This has to be one of my favorite projects. Don't get me wrong, I obsessed with quilting, but this is something that I will probably never be able to do again. Well, that is, unless I can get my hands on a jacquard loom. Guess I have to do grad school at scad? Anyway, I can't explain the feeling of watching your design come to life. I drew these repeat patterns, and have loved them on the computer and paper, but to see them woven was unreal. I loved how each pass of the shuttle gave me another line of my pattern. Watching it grow was amazing. Eventually, I will put up all of my portfolio pieces, but not today. I only have TEN more days of college! So, I better get back to work.

And here are some process shots:

two weeks

That's how long I have until I leave this sweet village. Two weeks. I will be on a plane home to my family and I will have finished college. It's hard to wrap my head around that last part. Some days, I feel like these 4 years have completely passed me by, and others they couldn't go fast enough. But, I am so excited that they are almost over. 

It's been a stressful four years. Art school may seem like a cake walk, but it's really hard to put your work out there for people to so easily knock down. I put so much of my heart in each piece, and I want everyone to love it and respond to it like I do. When they don't feel the same, it's hard to swallow. Clearly I'm very excited that after these two weeks, I won't be graded anymore. I can make a quilt and not obsess over all the seams lining up. Although, knowing me, I will.

Wish me luck in my final days. We both know I'll need it.

lauris

Today we visited Lauris, another small town in Provence. We came to see the Jardin Conservatoire de Plantes Tinctoriales. It was such a beautiful trip. The garden is absolutely stunning and this isn't even in full bloom. We got an early tour since we are leaving before it opens, officially. Can you imagine how amazing it will be in a few weeks? This conservatory grows plants and flowers and then uses them to make natural dyes. Can I work here?

in a week

 Chef Fabrice held a cooking class so we could learn how to make some traditonal Provençal dishes.

::::::::saturday::::::::

 I came across this hunting store, and it obviously made me miss Bradley. He would have loved this.

::::::::sunday::::::::

 I pass by these beautiful pansies multiple times, everyday. They always cheer me up.

::::::::monday::::::::

 Today, I slept in. It was wonderful.

::::::::tuesday::::::::

 Today, we dyed with woad. And then the rain started.

::::::::wednesday::::::::

 We found this poppy field on the way to a fabric store. A great little moment.

::::::::thursday::::::::

Today, we went to Nîmes, and then to the Pont Du Gard.

::::::::friday::::::::

lyon

Last week we went to Lyon for one day. We left Lacoste at 5:30 am- so excited about that. By 8:30 we were in Lyon and ready to see Prelle! I could have taken four times the photos that I did and I still would have missed stuff. Everything here was gorgeous. Prelle is a family run company that has been in business for over 200 years. They specialize in handwoven fabrics. They have made fabrics for Versailles and the Biltmore Estate that cost about $4000 per meter. And Marie Antoinette looked through those swatch books below to decide what she was going to wear. No big deal.

from paris, with love

I went to Paris! We spent 5 days there, and now I am completely exhausted. There is so much to do- far more than you can accomplish in 5 days. There came a point where I had to pick and choose the things that were really what I wanted and to learn to stop. You can't keep going nonstop the whole time. You'll end up tired and drained and you won't be able to move and you won't enjoy anything. Paris was a great city- it's so big! Bigger than I needed. After being in Lacoste for 4 weeks, Paris was a huge change. And by then end of the 5 days, I wanted Lacoste back. I missed our little village where you could get to class in 1 minute. But I am glad that I was able to experience Paris and I'm sure I will return.