Home again jiggity jig!

Hello friends!

I am home again after a most amazing adventure over seas. Suffering a bit of jet lag and still processing the wonder of my whirlwind trip. Upon returning home to see the smiling faces of my family, receiving the best of hugs and welcome homes, I did indeed do a jiggity jig - albeit a little clumsily and haggardly.

I have many photos to go through and many tales to tell, oh yes I do! I think today I most want to share some pics and words about the Lola Nova Sewing Whimsy Workshop in London.

Look at this lovely group of creatives! The only one missing is my glamorous assistant and photographer Jane of Flaming Nora. Who, it must be told, I could not have done without!

The workshop was held at the marvelous shop Bermondsey Fayre , thank you liz for having us! It was a gray and grotty day out with a chill and bluster about, but inside the little shop it was cozy as could be and my workshop friends all sat round the table making wonderful bits of "whimsy".

It really was a special evening thanks to all of the ladies who came and shared with us. There was making and chatting and that great feeling of working together on creative endeavors. There really is something so rewarding in that.

I was so impressed with everyone's projects, what they came up with, the clever and happy bits of making going on!

Thanks to Jane there were heaps of pretty bits to choose from, it took a bit of strong will on my part not to run off with a bag stuffed full of her supplies.

Thank you Colette, Linnie, Abi, Laila, Jhilmil, and Juliet! You all truly made it an evening I will always treasure.

Oh, and here is a little peek at their fab creations!

What a wonderful time we had!

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A small note here to say that my thoughts and prayers are with the East Coast USA at this time. The devastation of Hurricane Sandy will be a long time in the recovery and I encourage you to donate to aid the relief efforts. HERE you can find a list of reputable charities. Thank you.

Cheers from London

Well Hello!

It has been a whirlwind trip so far and I am having the best time! I can't wait to share all of my adventures, but I think I will have to wait until I get home to do it all justice.

The workshop was absolutely wonderful! I have to thank all of the lovely ladies who attended and blew me away with their creativity! I will post some pictures soon.
Thanks to you all!

Oh, and look who stowed away in my luggage!

London Workshop This Sunday!

Just a last reminder from me before I finish packing my bags and head off to London town.
My Sewing Whimsy Workshop is this coming Sunday, October 21st
5 - 7 p.m.
At: Bermondsey Fayre
212 Bermondsey Street
SE1 3TQ London
and there are still some openings available!

Please register for the workshop HERE!

All supplies will be provided. Copies of my book will be for sale. If you already have a copy of my book please bring it along and I'll be happy to sign it for you!

We will be making whimsy and putting together some really fun hand sewing projects based on items from my book, as well as stretching beyond the book! There will be lots of laughter and good company as well!

I am incredibly fortunate to have a very glamorous assistant on hand as well! She is quite the expert and I am so excited to have her along.

You really don't want to miss it!

REGISTER FOR MY LONDON WORKSHOP

Well my friends, I am giddy with anticipation. I will do my best to pop in from time to time whilst on my travels. You might also find me on the Twitter, Instagram and my Facebook Page

Until then, Cheers!

I hope for the kindness of strangers

but I've always relied on the kindness of friends

As my days are busy with preparation for my big trip across the pond, my hands are always moving, piles of lists and papers growing, I have been thinking on things. Thinking on what an adventure this life is, how fortunate I have been and what surprises have come my way.

I have been thinking about friends, the ones close by and those far away. The friends I have made through this blog yet never seen, and it is a wonder. I am quite excited that I will be meeting a few of them in person very soon. That these friends have offered so much kindness and generosity makes me feel so deeply grateful.

sewing pretty notebooks for my London workshop lovelies

Last weekend the family loaded up the car and set out over the pass, winding our way along the gray ribbon of highway to the coast. It was a planned weekend of friends - that seemed to come at the worst time, only to turn out to be the best time... as it so often does. This group of friends, this exceptional circle of people; they are (if you will excuse the new age-y-ness of my vernacular) my tribe, my community, and my family. There is something just a little bit magic about being with people that make you feel at home, that embrace you as you are... warts and all.

For all of us, big things are happening. The weekend was about one last 'all of us together' before the biologist and the mountain climber leave for an extended stay in South America. What a brilliant memory we now have!

finishing up samples for the workshop

We had the most stunning weather I have seen in years. The Oregon coast is always beautiful, but the weather can be a bit dramatic. There was very little wind, we woke up to blue bird skies instead of a medieval shroud of mist and fog, we sunned in T-shirts on the beach and we sighed deep thankful sighs.

There was a surprise Frenchman thrown into the mix; a stranger to most of us, but he quickly turned into a most welcome guest and surely a long time friend. We collaborated on amazing feasts, we opened more bottles than I care to recall, we engaged in meaningful conversation until it turned crass and we laughed till it hurt.

The Music Man broke out the guitar and then the fiddle, he sang pretty songs in English and then he sang pretty songs in French. More guitars and songs and music. My gorgeous girl sang songs that she wrote and blew the room away. I was not the only one to get a little teary eyed.

working with little bits

Such an abundance of comfort in these friends. What a lucky woman I am to be able to enjoy this superlative company, to revel in the kindness of friends.

As for strangers, I have just this morning been shown great kindness by a lovely woman named Holly from St. Louis Missouri. She fielded my call about bank business and in what should have been a most tedious task, instead became a truly delightful experience. Thank you Holly.

And thank you my friends far and wide, you have been so kind.

Tongue Tied Tuesday

My girl working her vast imagination...

No good words today, just a capture that I love.

Making Stuff

The creative sap did rise and I made.

A slap dash little quilted camera case for my point and shoot travel camera.

I managed a few good rows on my Granny Cowl with pretty but pesky gray cotton.

And I am eyeing this fabric for a bag, it's an unusual choice for me, but it is awfully pretty.

What are you making?

Have a happy weekend all!

Today

Today there is a big wind sweeping the sky, liberating the leaves from the branches and tossing up a change. The Indian Summer is giving up it's foothold and passing the days over to Fall. There is suddenly an abundance of squirrels in the garden frantically scurrying, burying and scolding. I am wearing a sweater indoors for the first time in a long time, wishing I had a sweater with pockets, for I do love a handy pocket.

Today there is a menagerie underfoot, wee animals in groups of twos and threes and fours scattered from one end of the cottage to the other. It is very important to my girl that her four legged friends form families, so that no one is all alone. The polar bears were discovered in the fridge this morning when I reached for the milk.

Today I am studying maps, organizing collections, and wondering aloud. Today I promised my girl we would bake something sweet together after school, something with berries and cream. We will talk about the day and have two spoons to lick clean.

Today I have decided it is high time I got something going on the hook again, and the dust settling on my sewing machine creates a deep longing to spend time with my old friend. The wind has stirred up my creative sap and today I am dreaming up what I will make with my hands.

That is my today.

Tomorrow I sew!

What is your Today?

P.S. Thank you everyone who left me such wonderful comments on my last post and fantastic recommendations for my travels, what a wealth of information! especially to Patti who went above and beyond, I had no way to reply to your comment, I so appreciate it!