Ooops! I didn’t mean to take so long between posts. I’m sort of buried here, catching up and weeding through pictures from Scotland. And wrestling with the fall leaves. At least, until today, we’ve had beautiful weather — we got home just in time to enjoy some very pretty trees.
While we were in the UK, I managed to meet a few more bloggers. TheManoftheHouse was fantastic and deserves an award for going along with me. My first meetup was with the fabulous Lucy Locket. She, of the famous mini-quilt swaps (she’s swapped a ton of quilts — I don’t know how she manages to get them all done) and three adorable children. We met at K1 Yarns in Edinburgh. Lucy doesn’t live in Scotland — she lives in Northern England but when she found out I’d be in Edinburgh, she rode the train for several hours to spend an afternoon with us. We had a great time in K1 Yarns and I just can’t say enough about the shop and its owner. She even made us each a cup of tea to drink while we visited. (She was probably hoping that if we were drinking we would shut up. We talked non-stop and then talked and giggled some more.) We sat there and exchanged gifts and chatted for at least an hour, maybe more — I lost track of time. Here we are in our Wilson pose with the quilts we exchanged.
Lucy looks like she’s up to something, doesn’t she? I gave her a little mini-quilt replica of the quilt I made for Isabelle and she made me a little quilt with an embroidered rendition of a drawing that the children did for me. Isn’t it adorable? Can you see where it says “Scruffy helps with Anna’s sewing”? Too Cute! I just love it!
Thank you Little Lockets! And if that weren’t enough, Lucy made me a crochet hook roll. I’ve been meaning to make one of these forever and just haven’t managed to find the time. I’m so excited about it — I’ve put a few of my hooks in it already. I’m sure I have more, I just don’t know where they are. Now, as I find them, I can put them in their new home. Look at the cute japanese fabrics that she used.
But wait! There’s more! Lucy really spoiled me — she also gave me some ribbons, a notepad, an ornament, adorable recipe cards (which don’t show up well, but trust me they’re awesome), drawings from each of the children and a very cool Cath Kidston bag from Tesco (which, unfortunately is under all of the loot!)
After we exchanged gifts and did a little yarn shopping, we walked down the big hill and visited a few more shops. Of course, we had to stop by Cath Kidston. We did a lot of oohing and aahing — mostly over the prices!
We also went to a fun kitchen shop and then Lucy took us to Whittard’s, where I asked her to help me pick out some tea for BigDaddy (since I know nothing about tea). We even saw one of Isabelle‘s rainbows along the way. (Speaking of Isabelle, check out this picture — I think she’s teaching that catlet how to study quilting stitches!)
Before I knew it, our afternoon was over and it was time for Lucy to go back home. We went with Lucy to the train station and bid her farewell. Thank you SO MUCH Lucy for taking the time to come and see us. I had a fantastic time and really enjoyed finally being able to meet you. And thanks to you and the children for all the goodies — I love them all!
Toward the end of our trip, we had yet another blog meet up. (I told you TheManoftheHouse was very patient!) Because of our airline schedule when we flew home from Scotland, we were told we would have to spend an overnight in London. (Oh darn LOL!) We decided to make it several nights and as an added bonus, while we were there I was able to meet the Flibbertygibbet’s Gail and Make It Up’s Abi. I met Gail when I very first started blogging. She had a fabric swap that I joined. And Abi was one of my partners from that fabric swap. We met at Waterstone’s Book Store so that TheManoftheHouse would have plenty to do while we visited. Wow! What a fun duo. We talked and talked — Gail was full of good information about everything from London to book suggestions for my upcoming book group (thanks Gail!) and Abi was just as sweet as could be — she had a hard time getting a word in edgewise! They’re both very talented and have lots of fun stuff on their blogs. Two hours disappeared before I knew what happened. I had so much fun getting to know them — it’s so fun to meet people you’ve been e-mailing and reading about for awhile.
So. Where’s our Wilson picture??? I’m SO MAD. I forgot to take a picture! I can only attribute it to being on London overload and being clueless. Next time Ladies — we NEED a Wilson picture! We did exchange gifts however. I gave the girls bunny pin cushions and look at the adorable Liberty Christmas ornaments that Gail gave me.
Aren’t they beautiful? They’ll be perfect on my glass ornament tree and they’ll always remind me of our get-together. Thanks Gail and Abi for taking time out of your busy week to come and meet us. (And thanks for the yummy hot chocolate!) I had a wonderful time!
Now, back to work. Are you all busily working on Christmas gifts yet? I’m starting to get nervous. I’m hoping to start a few projects this week. Happy Monday!
XOXO,
Anna
What a special time you’ve had going on your “international blogger pal tour”! LOL! I’m so happy for you that you’ve been able to meet-up with some fabulously talented bloggers! How lucky are you, Thimbleanna!?! I would love to go on an international blogger pal tour of my own! :)
((hugs)) to you!
I’m glad your home!!! Sounds like you had a wonderful trip. Love that Wilson pose. LOLOL!!!!
You know that’s exactly what I thought that catlet was doing! Love the miniature Isabelle quilt! you had a wonderful time of it I can see…..The Man Of The House—he survived it well—took all that quilty talk and quilty company in stride? A prince among men!
We may not have managed to get together Anna but I feel as if I was there, in Waterstones with you. The Man of The House is a star! So glad you had a good time.
Oh Anna – it was so fantastic to finally meet you! I had an amazing day with you and TheMostWonderfulManoftheHouse – he is LOVELY! I will be blogging soon about all the lovely goodies you brought for me and the Little Lockets – although photographing the sweeties will be difficult (um, make that impossible!)
Lucy xxx
Anna, what an absolutely fantastic trip!
I’d like Lucy to ride a train to come and see me!
Oh my goodness how fun to meet fellow bloggers so far from home, how often does that happen. LOVE your Wilson poses, LOL. Your giftys are wonderful and such special treasures that will help you remember that awesome trip.
Hugs – Karen
What a wonderful experience, meeting bloggers in person. I love those glass ornaments, they’re beautiful. I did start a Christmas gift this weekend, all the blocks for a lapsize quilt are on my design wall, just need to put the top together, quilt and bind it. yeah, I can get that done by Christmas! Have a good week!
How fun and what an incredible trip! I have used the term doing a Thimbleanna when at the quilt shop and someone wants their picture taken. Love. Your. Adventures.
What a wonderful trip! Add all those lovelies in and it must have been perfect!
Fantastic! Sounds like a very fun trip. And the goodies you received… wonderful!
Jen :)
What a lovely post, it sounds as if you had a really great time! More photos please!!!!!!!!
Kimx
The embroidered kids’ drawing is too cute! What a great idea…
anna,
could you do a reverse wilson? then we could cut and paste for the full effect!
what darling mini quilts! did you embroider on that one as well? if so, i hope you did a better job than you did on the last one, with that quarter-sized goof up and all… i love that she copied a pic her kids drew, it’s darling, and that you kept yours trip-themed. when i move to a foreign country, i’ll have you come and visit for sure!
i’m the 15th commenter!! woo-hoo. i’ll have to get back to blogging so i can claim my first commenter spot again. looks like for the time being, i’ve been usurped by tattingchic!
i only have nine christmas quilts to finish! five of the tops are done though. i’m doomed!!!!!!!!!!!!!
okay, i have an appt. with my trainer at the gym.
argh!
i’ll hobble back later on. i won’t post until at least tomorrow. spousal unit borrowed my camera. unless of course, i cut and paste and just post about your trip to scotland!
:)
have a fun day.
we missed you while you were gone!
Anna what a fabulous time!! You are quite the international traveler. Lovely gifts too!! I’m so glad your back but I’m glad you had fun and met so many new people.
Well you had the best time. Again, I’m living through you and your fun. I enjoy hearing about it all.
Wow, you really have been busy. I am just catching up on all my blog reading.
hugsxx
oh my gosh…I can’t believe where you have been. How fun for you! It was great catching up on your post and seeing all your pictures. I loved reading them:) Glad you are back!
What fun! I’m so jealous, but so happy for you. Loved the glass bobbles for the Xmas tree.
Jody
What an amazing adventure you have had – how wonderful to meet bloggy friends in real life!! Scotland is such a lovely part of the world.
What a wonderful opportunity you and hubby had. I’ve always wanted to go their. Hope there are more pictures. It’s so nice to have friends all over the world. Where else but in the world of bloggers is that possible!
Oh, what a sweet little baby quilt! We’re not really allowing the catlets free rein on the bigger version. It’s an heirloom. Glad you had fun on the rest of your trip.
I love Cath Kidston!! Did you pictures inside the store?? Great pile of presents and I love that crochet hook roll! Can’t wait for more pictures!
Such fun! I know you will have had a blast with Lucy – she’s fab. And I get to meet her again on Saturday, wheeee!
Like I just said on Lucy’s blog, you both look gorgeous in that photo ;-)
Your day with Lucy looks like so much fun and it was such a treat for me to speak to you on the phone. Those mini-quilts are both beautiful and how nice to swap them in person!
Your London meet up sounds like lots of fun too. In fact a bloggy meet up in a book shop sounds just about perfect!!
xxx
Hi Anna, I am just getting caught up and it sure sounds like you had a wonderful trip!! How cool is that to meet up with some blogging buddies across the pond? It sounded like you had such a fantastic time!
What a wonderful adventure!! So fun to meet blogging friends and even better when they have cool treasures.
I, for one, will never tire of hearing about your trip. The pictures are gorgeous and thank you so much for sharing your adventure.
The UK, friends, quilts, Cath Kidston… I am in such awe of your adventure… that you have rendered me speechless. <– And that’s NO easy feat.
Good friends, great gifts, and the wonderful Wilson pose! What more could a girl ask for? Oh, AND a visit to Cath Kidston’s. I agree with Ms. Zombie – I am in awe of your adventure, too. Thanks so much for taking us along, Anna!