Saturday, January 25, 2014

Grow Your Blog

Welcome to my blog and the Grow Your Blog event. To see who is participating click here.

 My name is Jean and I live in France.
 
When I tell people I live in France, they assume I live in Paris. Far from it, I live near the borders of Germany and Luxembourg. By train it is about 1 hour and 20 minutes to Paris on the high speed train otherwise known as the TGV.

Life is not bad here. Around Christmas my adopted town looks like this:
 
And in summer, more like this:
 
Living in this little corner of France has really opened the opportunity to become a serious collector of sorts. I now find I am addicted to collecting moldy smelling old lace, vintage fabric and threads of all sorts. If I am not collecting vintage, I am collecting modern fabrics manufactured by good hearted companies producing an end product with less than correct French grammar.



I am not satisfied with collecting. I want to use that Fabric with bad grammar.
http://frenchoddities.blogspot.fr/2013/03/un-sac-de-mauvais-francais.html

Not satisfied with just collecting lace, threads and fabric, when it comes to lace, I want to know how it was made. 
Battenburg Lace

 
Thanks for stopping by, I know you have at almost 600 other blogs to look at. Before you go, register to win one of my latest project; Jewelry for your scissors.  Scissors not included, you have to supply your own naked pair of scissors.

It will be given away to some lucky person who leaves a comment below. Drawing is supposed to be on 15 February, but...hehe... I will be in Paris with, most likely not very reliable internet access. Ah C'est la Vie! Drawing will be on the 17th of February. Good luck!

109 comments:

  1. Bravo pour ce sympathique blog . J'ai appris à faire des bijoux pour mon sac !
    Ram

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi! I live in France too, but further south than you. I love the idea of collecting "bad french" fabrics...I have been known to not buy a garment that I like just because f the bad English! Maybe I should start being more positive about it!!

    dormouse.wibsite.com
    fatdormouse.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Jean! I’m a GYB party volunteer stopping by to say WELCOME and leave well wishes in the event! Thanks for participating. You post looks great and won't someone be lucky to win a trinket from France!!! I added myself as GFC follower! Stop by if ya get time: myplvl.blogspot.com. With smiles, Val:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love the lace, always enjoy knowing how things are made. I have a lovely pair of naked scissors that would love a fob.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm happy that I found you blog! Thank you for the opportunity to win! Stop by my blog http://picklesquilting.blogspot.com/ if you would like to. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Jean,

    I'm visiting from the Grow Your Blog party. It is nice to meet you. I love lace too, but never researched how it was made ... LOL. To live in France would be a dream! I plan to look around a bit more and then be on my way to visit the others. I do hope you will stop by for a visit and enter my giveaway. Have a wonderful weekend! Hugs – Donna

    ReplyDelete
  7. J'adore le sac et le style que tu lui as donné avec les bijoux mais j’avoue que mon anglais "is too bad" je ne comprends pas le rapport avec la grammaire ;) pas grave c'est très beau félicitations !!! Flora

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Jean, lovely blog site! Thanks for mentioning the GYB party on artisan square. I enjoyed your blog about making the lace and denim bag and really liked your added info about the lace and fabrics. Thanks for allowing me to enter your give away. I have joined as a follower.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jean, I have joined as a follower. Really enjoyed seeing what you do with lace and fabrics! Be sure to stop by to enter my fabulous fifty giveaway for the GYB party.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Jean, I try to always follow your blog. You do amazing things.
    Lois

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your new site is awesome!!!! I love the look!!! I love all your projects!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Jean....what lovely photos on your blog. Very nice to meet you. I love old lace also....but one does not find much here in Chicago. Please stop in to visit my blog also.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Greetings Jean. I really like the square you have treated us with in your photos. It's so pretty at Christmas. Your blog projects are wonderful and the scissor jewellery is so sweet, thank you for the chance :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. you can't beat a bit of mould old lace! I used to live in Toulouse, I really enjoyed living in France

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hello! I thing your blog is great! I love the things you make with your fabulous treasures. Someday I'd love to visit France.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hello! I just read your Au Canada post about the buttons. So interesting and the blouse you made is lovely! I love your scissors tassel and am appreciative of the chance to win!

    Karen H
    http://faeriesandfibres.blogspot.ca/

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hello from Grow Your Blog! I'm so pleased to find you because we are hoping to travel to France from the US this year. I know I can learn about the country from reading your updates. You've already interested me in lace and moldy treasures :) You are so creative -- and I would love to win the Eiffel Tower!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hello -
    I am visiting via GYB and your blog is beautiful. The pics of where you live are beautiful. It must be so inspirational for you. I look forward to reading more from your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I would love to tag along with you on a shopping expedition!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hello ,

    Nice to meet you.:)
    I would like to take part in your giveaway.Lovely presents.:)
    petitearmoire2@gmail.com

    Greetings.
    Bernadett

    ReplyDelete
  21. I adore that denim bag! and yes, mouldy discoloured lace begs to be bought and rejuvenated Im with you there!
    lol naked scissors, made me chuckle!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi from another GYB party goer!! You have a lovely little place here, happy to have found you. I too love vintage laces and grab them up whenever I can find them here in the US, usually on smelly vintage clothes and linens LOL. Your little scissor keep is lovely, I would give it a good home if I win. Thank you,
    xx' Kim

    ReplyDelete
  23. i love the jean jacket purse!! bag. awesome!! i grew up in the 80's & that was so the style - it has come back big time now. love it!! so fun. hi there. i'm Beth from E. Lizard Breath Speaks - so nice to meet you through the Grow Your Blog get together/party. ( :

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Jean! It's so nice to meet you and explore your blog and creations!
    Kelly

    ReplyDelete
  25. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Jean! I enjoy reading and looking through your blog - am pleased to be a new follower~ and thank you for the opportunity to enter the giveaway~
    http://kippyssomature.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  27. Love your blog and am looking forward to hearing more about your life in France. If you stop by my blog you will see I've only been to Paris, but do want to return and see more. Will be following! Hugs, Terri

    ReplyDelete
  28. Jean,
    Hi from Michigan, USA. I'm trying to get through the GYB list but I will be back to check out your linens and buttons. I'm also a collector and am following. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  29. What a delight to find my way here to your lovely little corner of France via the GYB party. And collecting lace? Oh how swoon-worthy.

    ReplyDelete
  30. What a beautiful blog! France is one of my favorite places to visit though its been a very long time since I was there. I look forward to reading your blog!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Ahhh, France. I love the french countryside, what I've seen in pictures.:-)
    The fabric and lace is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hello! Stopping by from the GYB party! Love your blog and I'm now your newest follower so I don't miss a post. Love your spool earrings too. Hope you will stop by and visit my blog too.
    XO
    Rachel

    ReplyDelete
  33. Jean,
    you live in a very beautiful area, we were there two years ago. Our daughter and her family live in Germany and we took a trip to Luxembourg. I love the lace on your blog background, and like you I want to make lace, not just collect it. I took French classes in school, but I don't know enough to do very well. Just enough to irritate most French people I try to communicate with. I love your purse! It reminds me of the purse I made in the late 1970's when I was in school. you have beautiful additions to your purse. I hope to be in your area again in the next year.
    be back to see your blog more again!
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  34. Love the lace and fabric too. Not a bad thing to collect!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hello,

    We're here from the GYB event and have to tell you how much we admire your lace making! It's fabulous and yes we each have pretty large stashes of handmade lace.

    Good luck with the GYB party--we'll be back to see what you're up to.

    Kathy and Deb

    ReplyDelete
  36. My sister just moved back to the states from Switzerland. She really misses Europe! I loved seeing the pictures from your corner of the world. Lovely! France does sound so dreamy... Do stop by my blog if you get a minute as I have a little giveaway, too.:) Lori

    ReplyDelete
  37. I believe you might just be my first French blog - dropping in from Vicki's Blog Party, and so glad I did! I look forward to reading more here, for sure - happy creative Sunday! Tanya

    ReplyDelete
  38. Poor you being trapped in France :) I love living in Australia but have loved living in Europe, your blog looks really interesting and I am happy to be your latest follower - the scissor bling looks a fun giveaway!
    Wren x (Little Wandering Wren )

    ReplyDelete
  39. Jean , je suis ravie de découvrir ton blog..merci de nous avoir donné le lien;
    Isa

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hello!
    Nice to meet you!
    HAppy Grow Your Blog Party!
    You have won a new follower ;)
    xoxoxoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  41. I love all the thinhs you collect and you live in the\\\a perfect place to find them.

    ReplyDelete
  42. ooh I love to collect vintage linens and lace as well. I am so happy to have found your blog and will be following so I don't miss anything. Enjoy the party

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hi Jean, I'm visiting from Grow Your Blog and took a few minutes to look through your posts. You are quite talented! I am happy to be a new follower....looking forward to seeing more of your great work. Please stop by my place when you get the chance. Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Cool Blog! I adore vintage materials of all types. I have no skill with a needle and thread, but I admire your talent. My parents lived in LUX for several years and I had the chance to visit a few times. Love that part of the world.
    Thanks for sharing, looking forward to following you. Regard, Tammie Everly/ TTE Designs tammie@ttedesigns.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hi Jean, visiting your wonderful blog from "GYBP", I'm in love with anything vintage especially lace, so pretty. Enjoyed looking around and looking forward to many more visits!
    Happy Blog Hopping,
    your newest follower,
    Diana

    ReplyDelete
  46. So glad I found your lovely blog through Vicki's Party-
    We were just in France in September and love it and I was in Luxembourg many years ago- such beautiful area! How lucky you are to live there! Your denim bag is fabulous and would love to be entered in you r giveaway- I adore anything with the Eiffel tower!
    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  47. Hi Jean, visiting your blog through Vicki's Grow your Blog.

    I love yours...you're very talented. Looking forward to reading about your future projects.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hi Jean and so nice to meet you. Wish I had found your blog earlier because we just moved back to the US from Germany. We could have met up and done some serious crafting! I really love your village at Christmas time and I so missed the Christmas markets this year. Just so magical.
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  49. Beautiful scissors and fob! I love old textiles and hope to visit France one day, so I will be reading your blog often

    ReplyDelete
  50. Nice to meet you. I've enjoyed looking through your blog, you have made some gorgeous things. I love the bag made from the denim jacket

    ReplyDelete
  51. "jewelry for your scissors"...LOVE IT! You are SO totally clever! I'm visiting via Vicki's GYBP and enjoying your blog. I'm going to follow you because I want to return to France, in the meantime, I'll travel via your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Hello I am a new follower:) I took a wee look through your blog. You are so lucky to find all that old lace and such. Your scissor jewellery is very sweet and I read how you made the purse jewelry...very smart.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Hi from Canada!!! This summer my husband, daughter and I will be coming to Europe... woo hoo!! I am so excited. We will be visiting Paris too!! I love the Eiffel Tower charm for the scissor jewellry... that is so adorable!! Thanks for sharing in the hop!!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Your blog looks like a lot of fun. Hope you have a great trip.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Love that purse! I use lunchboxes myself. Thanks for sharing your blog. I can't wait to read more posts. I am an embroiderer participating in Grow Your Blog too.

    aprilsongstress

    ReplyDelete
  56. Oh, lucky you! I'm happy to visit you and your French blog!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Pleased to meet you Jean! I'm a watercolor/fiber artist participating in GYB & I look forward to following your creative posts from France! best to you, deborah http://deborahstanleyinspirations.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  58. Greetings from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. I design & create textile art. Great blog. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Jean, I love your blog. It always leaves me wanting to go and make something lovely myself. It has also caused me to look outside the box for ways to use lovely little something or anothers. Valerie Knuettel

    ReplyDelete
  60. Love the blog and love that jean jacket purse. Stopped by for a quick visit and decided to follow, so I'll be back. Visit me at sugarmoon56.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Popping by for a visit from GYB. Your place is beautiful and I love the purse.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Congratulations Jean! Your blog is really nice and interesting!!! Never learnt so much about lace, since I know you....!!! Good luck! Bonne chance!
    Catherine

    ReplyDelete
  63. so jealous - would love to live in france! love your scissor jewelry - what a fun idea! and your altered T - it is wonderful. a fun blog you have!

    ReplyDelete
  64. Hello Jeanga, I'm Lynet, your blog is beautiful, I following now, nice to meet you ,I love to share with you from now on and we are good friends!Happy grow your blog

    ReplyDelete
  65. Wow...really enjoyed your pictures and 'view' on your lil corner of France. Love that adorable Jean Sac...Thanks for sharing! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  66. Oh I'm not sure if I like Paris in the winter or summer better. I'm leaning towards the winter. I too love fabrics and laces, but I'm a hoarder and hardly ever use them. It was so nice to meet you.

    Hugs
    Caroline

    ReplyDelete
  67. I am stopping by from the Party-so happy to meet you, and I am going to be a new follower. I just love the jean purse, and aren't finding vintage lace and fabrics so much fun. I love your scissor jewelry so please include me in the draw.
    I live very rural in Missouri usa am retired and I do allot with natural fibers-quilting etc. I also use allot of reclaimed fabrics from clothing at the resale shops If you get a chance please stop by for a visit Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  68. Love the Battenberg Lace! Just lovely!!! I am now happily following your blog via GFC!

    ReplyDelete
  69. Just popped over from GYB party, I'm still trying to search through the blogs that interest me, and yours certainly does. Firstly because I'm an English lady living in France & when I was much younger I used to do lots of thgs like you are showing on your blog, Remakes from 2nd hand clothes I'd pick up from 'Jumble Sales' I have a stash of lace some vintage & some from my bits & pieces in my sewing collection. Come & visit me at my blog you could be entered into my give away. I hope you'll like what I share.

    ReplyDelete
  70. Bonjour! I'm lovin' what you did with the jeans bag! Enjoy the blog party! It's great fun meeting folks from all over the world. I'm here in very snowy, icy, frigid New York. Funny, when I mention New York, most people think NEW YORK CITY...NOT...upstate in the sticks, baby. Country girl all the way! Aloha

    ReplyDelete
  71. Bonjour Jean! I love your blog and I am so envious that you live in France. I was lucky enough to go to France right after high school graduation on a two week tour and fell in love. I, too, adore what you did with that jean jacket bag! Genius! I will enjoy following your blog. Avoir!

    ReplyDelete
  72. Cute! And yes, I have naked scissors as you put it.

    ReplyDelete
  73. Bonjour, I found you through GYB, I've very much enjoyed reading your blog and that fairy is adorable. I will be following you on Bloglovin
    Jill

    ReplyDelete
  74. Stopping in from the GYB party and following happily now. Thank you for the chance to dress up another pair of scissors, I'd love to be entered in your giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Enjoyed spending time on your blog I will be following on bloglovin and thanks for a chance in the giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  76. Well, hello! It is so nice to meet you. I love your pictures and the story of where you live. Thanks for sharing in GYB hop.

    ReplyDelete
  77. What lovely scissor jewelry. My husband, daughter and I visited her French pen pal in Lille just last year. It was beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  78. I very much enjoy reading you blog, Jean. (It also keeps me "in touch" with France between my twice-yearly trips there!) Thank you.
    Kathleen

    ReplyDelete
  79. Your blog is very exciting and fun. I am a new follower!

    ReplyDelete
  80. Hello Jean, I'm visiting from the GYB party. I love how you say, "not Paris" lol. I usually live in Canada and England, and when I say England people assume it's London, but I live in a small sleepy Cotswold village 10 miles out of Oxford right beside the Thames. My favourite France is actually The High Savoy, because I've lived in Geneva for parts of the year and explored it to pieces. That being said, Paris and London are tons of fun to visit. (for me it's about 45 minutes from Oxford by fast train) I also love collecting old fabrics and laces, but am much lazier than you at doing anything with them...lol. Off now to discover more about you and figure out how to subscribe.

    ReplyDelete
  81. I enjoyed my glimpse into your world. It is definitely a far cry from my day to day life but I can understand how you have to collect those gorgeous vintage notions!

    ReplyDelete
  82. Thank you for sharing your wonderful blog. I think I will enjoy following your adventures. I am from Canada and have only been to France once but it was so enjoyable. Happy hopping!

    ReplyDelete
  83. Interesting blog. I am looking forward to see your post in the future..

    ReplyDelete
  84. What a quaint little place you live in......and the pieces you churn out with those delicate vintage lace is art in itself. Glad I made my way here via GYB. Wishing you luck and wish to see more of your wonderful creations.
    Sruthi

    ReplyDelete
  85. Your work is both very exciting and interesting. I love lace, and your bags are pretty. Living in France must be exciting.... only an hour or so from Paris, I'm so far away. Living in Prince Edward Island, Canada is my home. Right now I'm on the road RV-living. Hope you visit my blog. NICE jewellery for scissors, thank you for the giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  86. Bonjour Jean lovely to meet you at Vicki's party!
    We have much in common - I adore lace too!
    On my trips to France I love perusing the brocantes in the villages around where my daughter and family live!

    Love your giveaway - will keep my fingers crossed as I embroider too!

    I'm following you and I'll be back once the party winds down with my cup of coffee in hand to meander at leisure through your lovely blog!

    I would love you to pop over and visit me where I have a GYB Giveaway of a Vintage fabric and lace Collage.

    hugs
    Shane

    ReplyDelete
  87. I also love smelly old lace and buttons, and vintage everything. Your scissors fob is delightful and I would love to win it. I am following you via email. Thanks, Jackie

    ReplyDelete
  88. i love the changes in the seasons, and the chance to win scissor jewelry. Lovely blog.

    ReplyDelete
  89. Nice sewing box, hope i win the scissor jewelry!

    ReplyDelete
  90. I am a new follower via bloglovin. I hope I win the scissor jewelry. It might help me keep up with mine.

    ReplyDelete
  91. Love your blog and your scissor jewellery is a great idea - I make jewellery too, but not for scissors :) - do come take a look at mine,
    xx
    Neena

    ReplyDelete
  92. Hi Jean, I am visiting from Germany (Palatinate) with the GYB party, so I'm not too far away of you ;-) I love your blog and will follow you with my bloglovin feedreader! Love your work, especially that jeans-bag.
    Perhaps you wanna come and see my blog with knitting, dogs, garden, and my surroundings. You're welcome!
    Tina

    ReplyDelete
  93. Hi Jean. I've browsed your blog and you have so many beautiful creations. I'd love to be entered in the draw - having some jewellery for my scissors would be amazing. I'm holding a giveaway at my blog http://acbeads.blogspot.com.

    ReplyDelete
  94. You have a beautiful blog. Enjoy Paris!

    ReplyDelete
  95. new bloglovin follower: Nicole Sender
    Enjoyed visiting your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  96. Dropping by for a little visit via Vicki's GYB party. Your blog is lovely. I adore all things French and hope one day, before too long, to visit France. Crafting, sewing and travel are but a few of my interests. Learning new things is important to me, so I strive to continue to do so.

    I have signed up to follow your posts through Google Friend Connect. Perhaps you might find time to visit Mimi Mine to get to know me a little better. Have a beautiful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  97. Hello, I am still hopping around and am glad to have found your blog. What a pretty bag you made with the linen and lace.

    ReplyDelete
  98. Hi Jean,
    I am visiting from GYB. I live in Georgia in the USA. Very nice to meet you. I am an avid collector too. Too much so. But I love vintage fabrics,lace,thread,beads,etc.... I am a new follower. You have a very lovely blog. Enjoy France! France is on my "Gotta go there" list. I am having a giveaway on my blog also.
    xo jan @ http://sewandsowfarm.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  99. Bonjour Jean. Je m'appelle RedSetter et je suis un blogger Ecossaise. Ok that's probably as far as my poor French is going to take me! I'm visiting from GYB and you have a great blog which I'm now following on Bloglovin'. I'm a jewellery maker as well but have many pairs of naked scissors just crying out for a little adornment.

    I have also just started machine sewing and love the little rectangular bag you've made.
    Love and best
    RedSetter
    Craft blog http://gonebeading.blogspot.co.uk/
    Cat blog http://pepsimaxaddict.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  100. Lovely to meet you Jean!
    Love your blog too as well as collecting old antique and vintage laces as you can see. Love also your cute little bag made with the French cottons. I love these fabrics and will try to pursue some.
    Lovely to see you have so much interest from the blog GYB party! and why not?
    Wishing you much success and I will be back,
    Suzy

    ReplyDelete
  101. Hi Jean,

    Dropping by as part of the GYB party - I love the idea of your blog and can't wait to see what projects you dream up. Also interested to hear about your life in France so I will be signing up so as not to miss anything!

    Alison x

    ReplyDelete
  102. I am visiting you via the Grow Your Blog Hop and am now your newest follower with Bloglovin. Please visit me at http://meadowbrook-Kristen.blogspot.com/. Happy Stitching!!

    ReplyDelete
  103. GYB party hopping, my first time in a blog hop and I just started my first blogging efforts. I don't have much blog time when i caught a glimpse of growing first. I got a Robo craft and cuttle bug last year and started studying about how to use it and what to use it on. but, and love all things creative. Inspiration is why i got into the blog party plus the chance to meet wonderful ladies. Thanks for letting me get to know you. Oh yes thank you for the chance to join your giveaway too. You are my 467 blog read. And I loved vintage but this blog hopping has made me fall in love all over again and much differently. I an over whelmed what people have done with vintage and more ideas than i can fathom in a good way.

    ReplyDelete
  104. What a lovely place to live, would love to be in your giveaway. I will be back for a longer visit!

    ReplyDelete
  105. Hello Jean, Just found your blog via the GYB hop. You have lovely things here and I will return later to read more. Please enter me in your giveaway and why don´t you enter mine?

    ReplyDelete
  106. Hi Jean,

    Why didn't I think of dressing up my pair of scissors? Lovely idea!

    I can imagine that a lot of people think of Paris when they hear France. It's often the same with Germany -- people tend to think of Bavaria then. Lucky me -- I live there, so they usually think of the right place!

    Lots of greetings from Munich,
    Birgit

    ReplyDelete
  107. GYB browsing. . . and I really enjoyed my visit with you!

    ReplyDelete
  108. What a pretty view! I've always wanted to visit France, but the best I can do is visit through the internet. I'm so happy to be visiting you through the Grow Your Blog hop.

    ReplyDelete
  109. Jean I love the blog! I can't wait for spring and the markets!

    ReplyDelete