Moving Right Along

The boxes are gone, the suitcases are ready for zipping, and we're saying our goodbye(for now)s to our English contingent, including this lovely guy, who has been enjoying his first birthday present.

I'll be posting some photos soon of my last days in this incredible city. Now that the weather is nice, it's proving even harder to leave.

That Time Again

As many of you know by now, Mr. Jones and I are preparing for another international move. I've promised to have only one good cry before I leave London. I'll miss this city like crazy, as well as all the lovely people I've met and worked with here. It was great to come back to familiar friends, and meet inspiring new personalities, as well.

But big opportunites have presented themselves, so this is our last week on British soil, at least for a while. I'll still be posting, and hope you'll stay tuned to see details of our relocation, as we settle into a new creative pattern.

Fairy Tale Hoodie

Sometimes Fairy Tale Characters leave their sweaters on branches while they go and play magical games.

But they always return to get them, before the light of the woods grows too dim.

And they have to find their way home again, by breadcrumb...

I made this jumper over time, putting it down and picking it up over a few months. It's the 'Jasper Diamond Hoodie', (Ravelry Link) from my favorite knitting book, made in Tosh Sock. I knew it was the right yarn from back when I used it before, and I noticed it's incredible drape. The pattern was great, and I think it might be one of my favorite things I've ever knit. It inspires my imagination.

Lemon Drizzle Cookies

These cookies came to work with me today. They're from this recipe, though I freestyled on the glaze and made a thicker drizzle with only icing sugar and fresh lemon juice. My coworkers have almost eaten them all up, with just a few snide comments (i.e. "what happened on these biscuits?"). Just a few comments is good goin' around here.

Their lemony-ness tastes very Springtime. I'll definitely be making them again.

Quilty As Charged

I finally made it to the Quilt Show at the V&A! It was spectacular, perhaps one of the best exhibitions I've ever seen. If I didn't live here, I would want to fly here just to see it.

It was just so classic, with all British quilts from the 1700 until now. What I loved most is that there were so many quilts depicting scenery, everything from corronations, to Bible stories, to images from playing cards, to children's book illustrations. The piecework was impecable, and the stories behind them were fascinating. And not since the stitching show, had I seen the English ladies out in such force!

Of course, I couldn't take any photos of the exhibit, but since it was sponsored by Liberty (ah, Liberty), I thought you might enjoy seeing their recent (naughty) shop windows, decorated to celebrate quilts as well. You can also see me in the photos.




I've resisted buying the special fabrics commissioned for the show, though I still might cave. They're not as nice quality as regular Liberty fabric, though I love the idea that everyone has bought these quilt packs, and are making matching quilts all over the country (or world)! Though I did pick up some Liberty fabrics from a shop near the museum that Elizabeth told me about. They sell everything there, and at a severe discount. Score!

Overall, it was just the inspiration I needed to think about making my first quilt. Now, to begin!

Springtime in Iceland

The recent four day Easter break was good to me, and I finished my Icelandic cardigan! Even though it's 100% wool, and not really the time to be wearing wool, I'm enjoying it as a Spring jacket.

The pattern is Icelandic Star, by Sarah Hoadley (Ravelry link). It was quick to knit, easy to put together, and even ok to block! Overall, it was the minimally frustrating experience I needed. Did I tell you I recently finished a 4ply sweater and it was such a disaster I threw the whole thing out? Like I said, I needed this.

The reason I chose the pattern was for the embroidery. My 98 year-old grandmother has some embroidered cardigans from way back, and I really like the way they look.

I wore it all weekend. And it was a great complement to some watercolor painting in Regeant's Park.

Cast Your Mind Away

I've had the absolute worst week on the job. The server got corrupted, and I lost three weeks of work. I was left with a tiny movie (and a baffled IT department), and asked to replicate everything I'd done previously. Oh. No.

So over lunch yesterday, I spent some time looking through old holiday snaps on my hard drive, remembering gorgeous places I've been, where a digital camera was the only technology I had with me.

Vienna:
Hawaii:

Switzerland:

The Grand Canyon:

These photos make me feel lucky that I've been to so many beautiful places.
Here in London, it's going to be a warm weekend where I have a birthday party, some bike riding, and some crafting to look forward to.

The word 'Friday' never sounded better!

Mr. Furly: Ahoy!

It's been a long time since we revisited the adventures of Mr. Furly. As you can see, my friends, he had an adventure on the high seas, and had to disguise himself as a Pirate! Way back when I was in Bristol, Mr. Furly left the hotel one day and was exploring the lovely dockside (he hates hotels - there's been past incidents with maid "service"). Much to his surprise, he was taken aboard a local Pirate ship and taken out to sea. He couldn't write. He couldn't call. I anxiously awaited contact.

If there's one thing Mr. Furly has learned through his adventures, however, it's "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!" Seeing that the only way to avoid the wrath of these nasty Pirates was to disguise himself among them, he crafted himself a costume from scraps around the ship, and was able to travel without further incident. He assures me he did not get into any of the the "normal" nasty behaviour of Pirates, and was even, on occassion, able to comfort innocent people.

At Christmas, when he met me in New York, I was happy and relieved to see him. Though he could not reveal the identity of his fellow Pirates, he was happy to show me photos of his rather impressive ship. Can you find him in the photo below? (click to enlarge)

Now that he's been home for a few months, he's been looking into Summer jobs. Just small ones that he can take over for a few weeks at a time. Jobs with a lot less risk (for a change). Any ideas for him?

Happy Easter

May you get a visit from someone very special.

A Hare Ahead

These cookies went to work with me yesterday.


And they worked! Because we had a deadline...

And we made it.