A Quilt for Katell—From Florida to France

A Quilt for Katell—From Florida to France

Posted by Betty Ford-Smith on Jan 24th 2025

The friendship began in 2014 when I sent a picture through the internet of a pinecone quilt that I made to a quilter, LeAnn of Nifty Quilts in Seattle, Washington. I saw an example on her website and decided to ask her if she knew anything about this type of quilt. She told me that she did not know much about it and had a friend in France that would be interested in learning more about this type of quilt. She introduced me to Katell Renon on line and that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship started by the love of quilting. Katell speaks English very well and sometimes when she could not explain something in English she would write it in French and I would use the Google translator to translate. Katell and many of her followers became so interested in my pine cone quilts that she began writing about my quilts, pinecone quilts with related stories and my activities in Florida on her blog

Below is the message I wrote to go with the quilt for Katell to explain to her friends and other quilters as she carried the letter and quilt around to workshops. I am touched everyday with the joy she receives from knowing about this special handsewn folding technique for making a quilt. I only hope this quilt will bring joy and place a smile on the face of anyone that sees it.

This quilt symbolizes the friendship two women developed and their common interest from across the ocean through emails and why this Pine Cone Quilt square is for Katell Renon.


First, the center is a small green star which for me represents Mother Nature, good health, prosperity and good fortune. Katell is the nurturing star in all things good happening in quilting circles around the world.

Second, Mother Nature is surrounded by water represented by the color blue and shades of purple. Purple being one of Katell’s favorite colors and for the book and movie we both love- the Color Purple. Purple represents royalty, nobility, power and ambition. Purple also represents creativity, wisdom, devotion, peace, mystery and magic. Blue represents the sky and the sea. This is the only way to travel from Florida to France. Blue also symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, faith and truth which are traits I have seen in Katell.

Third, as this piece was developing before my eyes, it was beginning to get a bit dark, so, to bring a little sunlight into these often dark days yellow was introduced to the pattern. The sunlight against the earth and the happiness of a sunny day inspired cherries growing in the sunlight somewhere on the hills of Europe. I do not know why but I kept thinking about cherries in France. The cherry fabric was in the box and already cut. Thinking that Maraschino cherries are often found in drinks and on top of ice cream sundaes which I love made the cherry fabric a good fit.

Fourth, back to nature, green represented for me money, wealth, health, growth, energy and the environment which we need to survive in this world today. A tropical jungle emerged in the rows of green with beautiful birds and lush foliage bringing to mind Africa which Katell and I both love. I felt the need for more sunlight this time representing Florida, cherries from Europe and wine from Europe represented in a fabric with purple grapes green leaves and a black background.

From Florida to France Pine Cone Quilt Block approx. 30" by 30" Handmade by Betty Ford-Smith in Sebring, Florida. This Pine Cone Quilt Sample was made especially for Katell Renon in France and completed on January 30, 2017.

Fifth, lavender another shade of purple comes in mixed with green and represents the mixture of feminine gracefulness, elegance, refinement and continued growth and good health. Lavender has a sacred place in nature, it suggest uniqueness and specialness. It is a rare occurring color in nature and Katell is a rare and special friend.

Sixth, using an alternating mixture of dark and light green represents health and wealth, again. Another reason for the green was because Katell started the 2017 blog. with the color green.

Seventh, light blue with butterflies, the color purple more blue and another shade of purple are introduced to uplift the spirits, calm the nerves, enhance the sacred, increase sensitivity and encourage the imagination. This is the ocean and all the wonders of nature separating us but keeping us together with similar likes and joining us in the beauty of creativity.


I love this quilt so much I made a canvas bag with the picture printed on it, T-Shirts for Katell and I, along with postage stamps and return mailing address stickers. This design, thanks to C&T Publishing will be offered on a Eco friendly tote bag coming out in February. This design happens to also be on the title page of my book: Pinecone Quilts Keeping Tradition Alive, Learn to Make Your Own Heirloom.

Cart your quilting fabric, books, groceries, and more in this sturdy and spacious bag. The tote features From Florida to France quilt from my book, Pinecone Quilts. The environmentally conscious tote is made from recycled water bottles, making it water-resistant. With double handles, you can carry it over your shoulder or on your arm as needed. 

Heavy-duty, double-handled, oversized tote bag with an interior pocket, easy access opening, shoulder straps, and sturdy stitching Bottom panel is reinforced for standing upright and carrying books, sewing projects, and more 

Gorgeous printed bag shows off my From Florida to France quilt from my book, Pinecone Quilts and measures 15” x 15”.

Copyright © 2024 Betty Ford-Smith and Pinecone Quilts

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Betty Ford-Smith began making Pine Cone Quilts in 2004 under the apprenticeship of Miss Sue (Arlene Dennis), a 92-year-old African American woman in Sebring, Florida. After Miss Sue's passing in 2010, Betty went on to share the art form through lectures, exhibits, classes, museums, and consumer shows. Visit her website for more pineconequilts.com