An Evening at French General with Kaari Meng

I’m just back from Anaheim, California and The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) Winter Conference and Trade Show. One of the most memorable moments of the trip was at Kaari Meng’s French General in Los Angeles.

Kaari and I began corresponding last Summer and finally met in September 2011 where we both taught classes at The Creative Connection (TCC) in St. Paul, Minnesota. Of course I’d known of Kaari and French General for some time before that through her books, features, website and products, but getting to know her over dinner and drinks at TCC- I’m completely enamoured. She is a lovely woman of many, many talents and enchantingly beautiful style. And, she is the most fun to know. So, when I was invited to this private event hosted by Where Women Create and Kaari Meng at French General, there was NO WAY I was going to miss it! Camera in hand, I spent a great deal of time looking at as many details of the store, workshop and event as I could. So much to take in! Here are just a few of the photos I took.

First, the events social committee- Kaari’s husband Jon and her fabulous parents, Kick and Dick!

Kick kept us all smiling and Dick, serving as bartender, mixed for me a Lillet on ice, with a slice of orange and a splash of Chambord, French General’s house specialty. Don’t get me started, best mixed drink I think I’ve ever had.

I understand Jon to be the chef behind the evening’s delectables- the incredible quiches being my favorite.

Eating, drinking, socializing, shopping and crafting at the French General. Heaven. On. Earth.Kaari shared her latest Jolee’s Boutique products (see info below) for those in attendance to craft with. It was pretty darn cool to see that she keeps one of my rulers (given to her at TCC) in each of the classroom table tool baskets. And now for a little tour of the general store full of textiles, books, bobbles, ephemera and more.I purchased my share of goods. (Maybe a little more than my share, but how often will I have such an opportunity?)

Lucky for us all, French General products are not only available from the FG website, but very soon can be found in a store near you! EK Success just revealed the Jolee’s Boutique French General products at CHA! (Watch for them on the Jolee’s website soon!) Oooh, you’re in for a REAL treat!Can’t wait? Click on image above to see what’s coming from Kaari Meng’s French General and Jolee’s Boutique.