Orvieto Day 6

Each morning here in Orvieto I start out my day with a wonderful cappuccino made by Anthony at the Blue Bar which fortunately is close to the convent. Some mornings mom and I also have a delicious pastry. I will miss these treats!

In class all the students have started working on their design. It is great to see each one developing into a very personal piece. They cut freezer paper templates of their design and then started cutting out the fabrics which they started to applique. They are all using images that are meaningful to them. Many are of the hillside surrounding Orvieto and others of images we saw on the pottery at the museum and on the outside of the Duomo.

In the afternoon we went to one of the Etruscan caves. Orvieto sits on volcanic rock which was dug out in the Etruscan times to form hundreds of caves underground. The one we visited also had a well which was used to retrieve spring water. The caves were fascinating! They included a kiln, wine cellar and burial grounds. Many items of pottery which were excavated from the caves were on display.

Creative Stitching

Sue

Orvieto Day 5

We spoke about the layers of Italy and each student layered a piece using textural fabrics and ribbons. Between all of us we had enough of a selection of fabrics for each piece. We then spoke about the wonderful images that surrounded us and each student began to draw the images that they wanted to incorporate on their piece. Here are a few of the backgrounds in progress.

We finished early in the afternoon to go to our cooking class with Simone.

She chose two starters - Pancetta Roll with goat cheese, walnuts and pears and Rotolini di zucchini e ricotta. For the main course - Pamigiana di Melanzane and Panna Cotta for dessert. We all got stuck in cooking all different parts of the meal. We made fresh pureed tomatoes for the sauce for the Parmigiana.

Kathy made the Panna Cotta while others cut and cooked the strawberries for the topping.

A few of us cut and fried the eggplant for the Parmigiana.

Mom zested the lemon for the Panna Cotta.

Janet started one of the starters crushing the walnuts nuts and mixing with the goat cheese.

All rolled the Zucchini rolls.

Then we all sat down to a wonderful meal with wine and good company.

I really enjoyed the evening with everyone.

Sue

Orvieto - Day 4

Monday was the first day we were all together. We spent most of the day around town with a little sewing in the afternoon. We all met for breakfast then walked the cobblestone roads to the Duomo, Orvieto's cathedral which is Italy's best gothic church.

What wonderful inspiration the mosaics and images on the front of the building were great resources for our quilt project.

The rose window was magical from the inside of the cathedral.

The interior of the cathedral was stunning. There were two small chapels one the San Brizio Chapel entirely covered with frescos by Fra Angelico , Gozzoli and Luca Signorelli from Cortona.

We were treated to a wholesome lunch at the convent before class stated.

I have 12 enthusiastic students in my class nine from the United States but also three international students. Angela from Dublin Ireland, Elizabeth from Sydney Australia and Baukje a Dutch student who now lives in the country in central France.

Orvieto is a city of layers. Each student started the afternoon making a background for their piece using layers of textural fabric, stitching and ribbons. Lynne got stuck in using linens and cotton fabrics for her layering.

Angela made herself comfortable om the floor piecing and cutting.

We have a lovely room with access to the patio.

Later that afternoon we were treated to a wine and olive oil tasting. Many wines are made in this area and it was very interesting to learn how the different wines affect your taste and what snacks to pair them with.

We finished the afternoon with a walk around the older part of town before heading to dinner.

This is the wonderful view off the rock. Orvieto was built on volcanic rock so the center of the city sits very high and overlooks the countyside below for 360 degrees. Creative Stitching

Sue