Happy May Day ~

It is a great time to get back to blogging again.

I took some time away to grieve and ponder the universe. I cannot say I have any answers but I am getting back to the rhythm of my extraordinary life, day by day.

I start some new projects ~ this one found on A Crafty Fox blog

Playing with colors for a folded log cabin surprise gift

Working my way through Liberty Stars Quilt from the book Material Obsession

Noodlehead Cargo Duffel in Liberty quilting cottons

And a few economy blocks ~ Red Pepper Quilts tutorial in Liberty lawns

Goodness I see a theme.

I have also begun to Instagram. And the above pictures were taken about a month ago. It is quick and easy and probably another reason for the lack of blogging. I am trying to feel my way and see how to do both without feeling redundant. I do like reading blogs and see that there is a place for both. There are many crafty people out there. I will be sharing a little crafty project of my own with the rainbow of colors shown above. 

 So with Springtime here, it was time to tackle some of those less crafty projects around the house. So with pen to paper I wrote down 40 items that needed my attention and that I have been neglecting for far too long. I am now 10 days in and have found an amazing amount of dirt along with an equally amazing amount of guilt lifted off my shoulders. Perhaps my brain has known all along that these things needed to be done. It also just feels good to have a somewhat clean house. I still have 30 days of cleaning to do.

 I felt that sharing it keeps me honest and on track. 

Have a great May!

Last day in London ~

I stayed at the wonderful Rhodes Avenue B&B in London and enjoyed fresh made strawberry jam from Haya's mother. It came all the way from Jerusalem. So tasty!

For those who like to travel and go to craft shows, there is a large one that takes place in Alexandra Palace just around the corner from here. I gather it is quite large and wonderful. People from all over the world come. Who knew?

I walked long Albert Road to Durndford Rd to the Piccadilly tube line.

Got off the tube at Islington and walked around a very nice area of London.

Notice the Wifi and telephone signage?

Colorful shop fronts.

Till I reached Loop tucked in the cutest alley.

two floors of yarns

Lunch just down the way at Ottolenghi

Then once again to Liberty of London to do some serious shopping

Chandelier hanging down 3 floors

Tea services and plates

4th & 5th floors

Non Liberty items. Wish I could bring these beauties home.

A variation of this sign is found all over London. Not one person can say they forgot. This one I found as I was descending a beautiful staircase.

6 Floors of Liberty.

Out the back door or entrance through to the chocolate room.

And back through the tube.

Yes I purposely did not take any pictures of my purchases. 

Tomorrow an early morning to fly to Dublin, then JFK and finally San Diego. The best adventure I have traveled by myself. Something I had never done before. I am glad I did because the people I met and experiences I had would have been completely different. Next time I will be bringing the family or perhaps an all girls fabric shopping trip. Who knows. Thanks for traveling with me!

geranium dress

Bodice with voile lining

skirt added and hemmed

red buttons

Every once in a while I am asked to sewing a little something for a super secret project. I have been wanting to post and instagram my progress during the making of this dress but the recipient follows me on both. A member of the SDMQG gave me the fabric and we hatched a plan. And just in time for St. Patricks Day.

Now that we have properly surprised her I can tell you that this is a well written, easy to follow pattern and Liberty fabric is wonderful to sew. The dress is lined with a voile and accents the little red bows perfectly. There are many options for sleeves and pockets but we went with view A and let the fabric be the center of attraction. I love the little red buttons. 

I would make one again.

I have been away from my blog, doing both secret things and distracted by my upcoming trip. I will be blogging my adventures in a far away land and I hope to find a little bit of fabric along the way.

Now for planes, trains and driving on the left side of the road. How much trouble can one girl get into?

Frugal ~

My head is out of the clouds, for now and I am back to a somewhat normal routine. You know the one, sew, sew ,sew, maybe a little housework, squirrel, back to sew. Oh yea, I forgot about the important one on the minds of my family, 'what's for dinner' because fabric doesn't taste good. But it sure does look good.

Some may call it obsessed, I call it frugal. Okay, obsessed. I have not gotten tired of a single scrap of Liberty fabric. I have my HST's on top for the Liberty Stars quilt, bookmarks backed with used color catchers (I knew I kept them around for a reason), a passport pouch and the triple-zip pouch. I have a little pile of scraps for more little things. Luggage tag!

What is even nicer is that when I look at my collection I am constantly reminded of all the good times. I see the crafty people who lend me a zipper, the trips we have taken as a guild and laughed at each others shopping pile and not to be forgotten the talented quilters who share their tutorials. 

I am sure we could do it alone but what fun would that be? 

Liberty accessories ~

Getting ready for a trip abroad and I thought a few accessories might be in order ~

First I made a triple-zip pouch from a great tutorial by A Quilter's Table made in Liberty loveliness. I finished it using the alternate ending seen here. It is very roomy and perfect for keeping different currencies separated. Or so I think

My second project, which is ready to stitch, is the passport pouch. Also in Liberty, see a trend?

And I will be making a few bookmarks from the scraps as thank-you gifts thanks to a crafty fellow quilter from the guild.

I have lovingly been called crazy, brave and intrepid. All of which are true. You see I am taking a trip to an island in the middle of the Irish Sea. The owner of one of the places I will be staying said in an e-mail that the "daffodils are ready to bloom in the hedgerows and the lambing has started." Beautiful ~

My journey continues, through sewing, genealogy and a little self-discovery

My to do list ~

is always changing. I think I have firmed it up and serendipitous moments occur. So I take a happy little detour. 

Besides all the daily chores and getting children from A to B and back again, I had planned to make progress on projects that have been put on the back burner, so to speak. My 2014 was going to be no different that 2013. When on Tuesday, February 4th, I Google searched my husband's unusual last name and the country to see if there was any truth to the family having changed the spelling after coming to America and any other information I might find. Within the next 48 hours we found out that his name is from a tiny island, we have a relative still living there and more importantly relatives in the US and Australia. This is all possible because of one person who was curious enough to research her family. I love genealogy. And it is my pleasure to share the pictures and stories of my husband's branch of the family with the researcher who has written several biographies. One more little piece of the big puzzle.

Liberty of London loveliness

Just as exciting is that I will be taking a little trip. Now I have two more sewing projects on my to-do list. First is the triple zip pouch. I think this will be great for keeping track of the different currency I will be using. And, not pictured here, I will be making a passport pouch by Michelle Patterns. I will have to learn to insert a magnetic snap.

Bloomsbury and Stile collections

And not forgotten is my Liberty Stars quilt. The stars are done and I have filled the tray with the squares for half-square triangles. 270 to be exact. I need to start reading the patterns before I begin and pay close attention to the numbers of things!

These are all the little trimmings from the stars. Sewn together, chain stitched, ready to iron. 272, 1-3/4" squares to be arranged for the back of the quilt. I won't think about that now.

More adventures in sewing and travel on the horizon

Happiness is ~

an empty tray,

and 34 Ohio Stars for the Liberty Stars quilt. I just finished the last three blocks last night. This is not the final arrangement. I now have some hand applique and sashing strips to complete before I can assemble and arrange. The fabrics are from the two Liberty of London quilting lines, Bloomsbury and Stile. I have been collecting it for quite a while. The white fabric is a Robert Kaufman quilting muslin and has the same nice texture. 

I was out of the blogging groove for a couple of weeks. I do have a good excuse. Another post when I collect my thoughts. It is all good.

We are enjoying warm weather again. I do not think we are going to have winter this year. 

A big thank you to all my quilting friends and to those who share their talents. 

***correction- I think these blocks are actually Variable Stars and not Ohio Stars like the book states

Oh Mrs. Postman ~

Liberty arrived today from Westwood Acres. This is my favorite!