22nd November 2010

Val:   If, like me, the dark nights make you want to head for the sun or just put something appetizing into your diary for next year then Arena Travel have given me the heads up on two great tours they are organizing (final details still to be tweaked) but I can reveal the dates and destinations: Sisters in Oregon, USA 1st-13th July 2011 and the European Forum of Patchwork in Alsace 14-19th September 2011.

The Sisters Oregon Quilt Show is one of those ‘must see’ events for anyone who makes quilts or dreams of doing so. 1200 quilts from all over the US are displayed throughout the town (outside!) and this will be on 9 July 2011 but there are events and classes taking place the entire week with displays of quilts and other fibre and textile arts from sponsoring businesses

In September each year the European forum of patchwork (Carrefour Europeen du patchwork) takes place in Ste Marie aux Mines in Alsace. More than 800 textile works from different countries are presented in Ste Marie and the neighbouring villages of the Alsace during this four-day festival. And again classes are available.

Obviously to get to Oregon you need to fly, but the exciting bit about the Alsace tour is that you go by train – Eurostar plus the TGV to be more precise - so no long delays with security control AND you will be able to take sewing with you to while away the time!

If you think you will be interested in getting more information on either of these make sure you let them know; the contact details for Arena Travel are on our Small Ads/Quilts retreats pages. http://www.justhands-on.tv/small-ads/1/

We also have another new contributor in this section – Hors des brumes in France – which looks wonderful too and I understand Ferret is on the teaching schedule for next year.