By Paris Breakfasts.

Vivian Swift's Atelier

 Author Vivian Swift is clearly an expert embroiderer. Some might be inclined to conclude that Vivian is also an expert at embroidery in the figuritive sense as well.

 I visited Vivian last Friday to check out her claim of owning NINE cats(!)

Cat#1.

 If you look at Vivian's books, Le Road Trip and When Wanderers Cease to Roam, you'll see many cats strewn about liberally.

 I decided to take a count. Here is cat#2.

 Cat#3.

 Vivian claims there is a cat lurking in her closet.

Do you see it? I do not, ahem.

 This is Vivian's studio or  atelier where her books are created. This is for real.

 Vivian's inspiration board. Tres vrai.

 And the butterflies in Le Road Trip on page 163. Definitely for real.

 Why Vivian has seen fit to hang on to samples of French dirt illustrated in Le Road Trip, I did not inquire, not wanting to seem too nosy. Perhaps they have sentimental value?

 Sketches for her newest book in the works on gardens. (I hope I'm not giving away trade secrets here).

 More embroidery samples on the studio wall.

 In case you think I'm making up or embroidering this story that I visited Vivian, here she is showing me her forbidden collection of New York birdsong feathers (all sent to her by her readers of course!). Et voila!

Another page from Le Road Trip: A Traveler's Journal of Love and France. I did not see any Morris Columns in Vivian's atelier. Not even a miniature. If you've read Vivian's books because of previous posts at PB by all means do leave her a glowing review. Perhaps you might be a lucky recipient of one of those so-called NINE cats. If Gawd forbid you haven't read any of Vivian's books get on the stick and do so. Honestly it really doesn't matter how many cats she says she has, the woman can tell a very good story and will have you laughing endlessly as well as becoming informed on France in ways that make excellent conversation at a dinner party like the truth about Johnny Halladay etc.

Just do it!