Another finish and a new start...

Another book read and crossed off my list. Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland is the story of Louise de la Vallière (known as "Petite") who becomes the mistress of the Sun King,  Louis XIV, in his younger years. This is the first of Gulland's books I have read, but it won't be the last; I have now added her well-known and internationally successful  Josephine B. trilogy (the story of Josephine Bonaparte) to my list.
If I had to determine the genre of this book, I suppose it is first historical fiction, but it is also a story of love and passion - the story of young Petite who falls hopelessly in love with Louis XIV. Petite rises from the lower ranks of French aristocracy, and becomes a lady-in-waiting in the French Court. Her passion for horses and two "chance happenings" bring she and Louis together. Before long they give in to their desires and become lovers. Petite soon realizes that, as Louis says, "all is not what it seems" in the French Court. Can their love endure the challenges of lies, deception, betrayal, evil and sorrow ? Petite is more in love with Louis the man, than Louis the King... Can she hold on to him as their love begins to unravel?
Gulland has developed her characters so skillfully; it is easy to feel the intense emotions that grip the characters. Many fascinating details of life in the time period, and in the French court, are evidence of the author's dedication to meticulous research. I love a story written with attention to detail.. this one fills the bill.
Mistress of the Sun  also gives a look at the beginnings of turning the country hunting château of Versaie into the grand Palace of Versailles, although not in much detail. To Dance with Kings by Rosalind Laker goes into much more detail on that, and it's on my "Read Soon" list. I visited Versailles many years ago, I'd love to go again... I'm quite sure I'd appreciate it a bit more now... and I'd certainly take a LOT more photos...

Last batch of Half Square Triangles, made with Thangles

I have started working on my Guild Challenge project, which must be finished for our May meeting. We are supposed to do something "Out of the Box", meaning out of our comfort zone, something we don't normally do. So I have chosen to work with a color I rarely use, and a technique which is quite popular these days, but I have never done it (well actually, I did try it once but never finished the piece.... so I'm giving it another try.) I don't really want to reveal what I'm doing, but I'll give you little updates and perhaps some sneak peeks... First step- 80 HST's made, all scrappy. Tomorrow, more cutting and some strip piecing, then I hope to make some headway on piecing the top together, or at least get it all laid out. I hope other members are doing this challenge - it's always fun to view them all and see what others have done to "push" themselves. I haven't heard many people talking about it - let's hope there is good participation  - maybe everyone is keeping their project under wraps like I am...?
While cutting fabric today, I came across something I had never seen before- on the selvage of a recently purchased VIP cotton were the words "License is required for any use beyond individual consumption." Have you ever seen that on fabric before? It was a first for me...

Peace,
Linda

"And though she be but little, she is fierce." ~ Shakespeare