Somewhere there’s a balance between writing too often and not writing often enough.  Have I really had nothing to say since November?  Actually, lots has gone on since then and I’ve finished a few projects, which I’ll get to shortly.

The fall was busy with mini trips and workshops.  Then, on a wild impulse Blake and I decided to take a week in December and go to London to see the Christmas lights.  We lived in London for a year when we were first married and it holds a special place in our hearts.  And, they really know how to decorate for Christmas.  Here are a few of my favourite dressed up places.

We went to see the musical Kinky Boots, which was great fun.  I think it’s coming to Vancouver this winter.  We also located several filming locations from the movies Love Actually, Notting Hill and the series Luther.  We lucked into a cancellation spot and were able to go to the top of the building on the right, in the photo at the top of this post. This building is referred to as the “Walkie Talkie”.  The shorter one in the middle is “The Gherkin” and the black, slanted one is “The Cheese Grater”.  How fun!

As for sewing and quilting, it’s a been a productive and educational few months.  In October I took a two-day workshop, taught by Krista Hennebury, called Structural Improv.(You can access Krista’s blog if you click on ‘Poppyprint’ over on the right side of my blog.) This piece, called Fire and Ice, is the result.

Two weeks later saw me at another of Krista’s workshops.  This one was Speed Date with Improv.  We learned seven different techniques in the one-day workshop.  It took a while for me to get back to it, but here it is, finished.

Right now I’m just about to pin together a queen-sized quilt that I’ve been working on for my good friend, Laura.  I haven’t quilted anything this large before and I’m quite excited about it.  Pictures will follow once I’m done.

Now it’s time to make a cup of tea and enlist Blake’s help to get this quilt sandwiched and pinned.

Thanks for reading and I wish you all a happy and healthy 2017.