Saturday, May 26, 2012

FQ London 2012 Linky Party

DSC_0415

It seems so sedate, but in a week, many quilters will decend and things will not be the same. It is time for the Fat Quarterly London Linky Party. You can go to the link to "meet" the group of wonderfully talented people I get to meet next up with here at Baden Powell House, which is just around the corner from the hotel many folks are staying at. Of course, I scoped it out in advance

Fat Quarterly

DSC_0419

And this is just a block further down the road. It is the Natural History Museum which is next to the Science Museum and next to the Victoria & Albert Museum. I hope to go to see the V & A at least tomorrow. These buildings amaze me, they are old and stunning and people just get to walk by them every day on their way to ordinary places like the grocery store or their work.

I live in Edmonton, in Alberta, in Canada. It is 7 time zones west of London. I adore London, having been here once before. It is full of history and wonder - both ancient and cutting edge new all at the same time - not at all like the almost brand new wild west that I live in.

Noise

So I am supposed to tell you about me. I like to quilt (here is my current favourite quilt, Noise, again), and I have made all these quilting friends on the internet. So when the FQ retreat was announced, and I knew they would all be meeting each other in person, I really wanted to go too - I did not want to be left behind.

Also, I have a full time, busy, intense, stressful job which I like to keep separate from quilting so I don't mention it on my blog (but Annabella, Lynne, and Liz have similar training). We have four kids -2 at home now, the youngest being 14, one of the others is returning soon for a bit, and the last getting married next summer. We also have a dog, a cat and a fish. I quilt because I have always done some kind of fibre art and I finally succumbed to quilting 2.5 years ago, having started sewing when I was about 5 years old. Quilting helps with the stress of my work and family, it gives me some space to think or not think, as I need at any moment, and it is making me a nicer and better person, I think.


I hate, hate, hate, hate having my picture taken which works out well as no one else likes to take pictures in my family except me much anyway. Susan told me to find one and post it but there are none in my computer. So, time zone zonked, melted with pretty bad hair after many hours walking in the London heat (I know it was cold last week but not today, today it was stupid hot), only for Susan, this is me in the mirror of the tiny bathroom at the Radisson Vanderbilt. In the interests of full disclosure, I will also tell you that Susan is just the tiniest bit younger than me, but she may have an even worse mouth than I do given her naval days - she assures me that it is a Canadian trait and that I will keep up.

DSC_0439

Back to London. Today I saw a lego picture of the Queen. It is wonderful - I love lego, having spent many thousands of hours building lego things with the kids. Better still is that as I was taking the picture, a man with a decidely Irish accent who was trying to photograph his wife in front of the lego portrait explained that his nephew designed and built it. How cool is that.

DSC_0441

And I decided to do my most favourite thing first. I went to the Liberty store - that is my picture taken today. I walked there and on the way I stopped to buy new runners at Harrods - they were a good price (I did not expect that) and made a big difference to the walking part. I also stopped on the way to knit a bit in Hyde Park. It is a bit of a walk so I took the subway back, having purchased my own Oyster card so I can come and go like the locals.

DSC_0445

It was dark when I took this so the colours are not great in this picture. They have these 2 metre bundles of pieces, some of which are no longer for sale - vintage the Liberty clerk said. I might have bought even more that I put in the picture, but I did leave several behind at the store, just saying.

DSC_0434

And one more picture of my walk today for Rhonda, at Quilter in the Gap. I know she wanted to come to London too and just could not make it work this time. Let's encourage her to come next time as I know she would love it here. She is feeling a bit "meh", do go and visit her to cheer her up.

Best,

Leanne

33 comments:

Susan said...

I think I know how Rhonda feels! I was in London this time last year...one year early it seems! You are going to have a ball! If you need any inside info on Paris, let me know, I've visited twice in the last 2 years (just saying..!)

Svetlana said...

Oh, Leanne, what a great post. I loved learning more about you and your family. Seeing the pictures and your description did make my feel a little sad as I used to live in London for a couple of years but now live in the US. And even though I love it here, I miss Europe a lot, A LOT!!!! Enjoy your stay! I'm sure it will be fantastic!

Valerie said...

Leanne-this is awesome! What a great trip-thanks for the update. How fun you got to go to THE Liberty of London-amazing!

Debbie said...

Sounds glorious so far!! Continue just soaking it all up!!

Lynne (Lily's Quilts) said...

Eeeeeep. Can't wait to meet you leanne. I'm jealous of your liberty stash I have to say!

Just Sew Sue said...

See you very soon. If you want to do some more shopping on Firday I'll be at the radisson by 10.

Canadian Abroad said...

A photo! Not sure what you were worried about. But now I'll know who to look for at the train station on Thursday. See you soon. Woohoo!

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Hello!!!
I hope blogworld is ready for lots of posts of pictures of women hiding behind quilts!

Didn't put 2+2 together and realise you walked from the Radisson to Liberty - you are bonkers!

Have fun this week xxx

Katy Cameron said...

So glad you had such a great time, and that the weather's been so good for you wandering about! See you on Friday...

Tacha said...

How cool is that Lego picture of the Queen! I can't wait to get to London and fingers crossed the sun is still shining. See you soon!

Charlotte said...

So excited to meet you!!!

MariQuilts said...

Great post....why exactly did I stay home again???? Have fun.

moira said...

IT's great that you've made it over. See you on Saturday x

Catherine said...

looks like you are enjoying London and the weather is finally fantastic! Now that I know what you look like I can come and say hi :-) Can't wait to meet you on Saturday

tusen said...

So good to see you, especially that I won't make it to the retreat this time. Have a wonderful time and I hope to meet you in person some other time.

verykerryberry said...

Lovely pictures, I will be popping into the V and A on Friday- my favourite place to go, I could happily live in there! See you Sat!

Sarah said...

You've seen way more of London than I have already! lol So glad you're enjoying it. See you soon!

Rhonda the Rambler said...

Loving it!!! So did you ride one of those double decker buses? Oh and that fabric....fabulous!!!

Liz DandeliondD said...

Eeeekkkk! I've nearly fainted with excitement that you mentioned me in your post :blush:

I can't wait to meet you in person.

I love all your pictures of London. What a fab trip report. I'm looking forward to the next instalment.

And Oh My! at those amazing Liberty fabrics.
xxxx

Kelly said...

Gorgeous fabrics and pics! See you Saturday :)

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

I love all your photos and am jealous of your Liberty stash! Oh, and I want to see a photo of your new trainers!!! Have a great week xx

Rachel said...

Can't wait to meet you next weekend, Leanne!

Annabella said...

Finally I get to see a photo of you!! Can`t wait to meet you Leanne!! Lovely to think we are in the same country...and I love Noise!!

Poppyprint said...

Ohhhh! I'm so excited to see action shots of your trip already!! Lucky you going to Liberty and scoring those beauties. Now that I know about those rolls, I will have something to wish for when a friend goes to London and asks 'is there anything I can get for you?'. Have the best time Leanne.

p.s. so happy to hear you have trucker mouth, too! Mine was well-trained working in field camps in the Yukon and NWT and I'm not quite ready to clean up my act.

Pippa Parsons said...

beautiful pictures, where was the lego queen ?? I'd love to try get a visit and I'm hoping to get to Harrods to buy some bits for the kids.
Yay to the oyster card, did you manage to get a limited edition one ??? supposed to have jubilee colours :)
See you very soon now !!

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

I'm brooding with Rhonda. We are the sad ones. Looks like your holiday is starting out perfect. I can't wait to see and hear all about your retreat experience and then all the rest too.

Justine said...

Wow! All the way from Canada - that's great! Loving your snapshots of London in the sun! I'm hoping to hit Liberty too whilst at the retreat and also Loop the infamous knitters paradise!! See you at the weekend!

Rafael's Mum said...

What a lovely post! Good to know what Baden Powell House looks like and your Liberty stash made me want to rush to London and get some myself! (no time though... and I doubt there will be time in the weekend! :-)
Have a great time in the sun this week!

Unknown said...

See you on friday!! Hope you're having fun in London!

Mandalin said...

I just can't wait for Friday to arrive! See you soon!

Betty said...

See ya!

Judith, Belfast said...

So glad I know what you look like now L! I'm so worried that I'll be like 'who are you?' with someone I've been chatting with online the past year!!! So I'm guessing we need to separate you and Suz at the restaurant in case the air turns blue!! Jxo

Sheila said...

Believe it or not, just catching this post now - sorry our paths didn't cross this time.