A getaway

I went to London last week to meet up with some girls that I recently met through the blog.  It was awesome to finally see them in person.  Over the last few months we've been talking by phone and email and they have encouraged and inspired me so much, both in quilting and in life.  We talk art and design, colors and patterns, and they are always making me think of something new.I really value these new relationships and appreciate that they could all take the time to meet last week and talk over coffee and courgette cake (which was wonderful, btw!).
Though it was a short trip, we did our best to see the sights. 

Costas and George both had fun, and the three of us were exhausted from walking all over the city, which has quickly become one of my new favorites.  Most family photos are posted on facebook (for my family only), but I'll leave you with a bit of heaven-- I got to go to LIBERTY...

After an emotionally draining 9 weeks living in Athens, walking into Liberty was a breath of fresh air.  Immediately calm embraced me and I was happy and peaceful.  (I was pretty happy our whole time in London actually).  I started in stationary but just browsed (Makiba, I could imagine you being there with me..), then moved up to the third floor where my guidebook promised "haberdashery".

I have mentioned before how starved I feel for needlcrafts and personal creativity/handmade goods when I come to Greece.  I need to clarify for a moment.. there are needlecrafts here (and craft bloggers-- Theodora, Zaferia, Jana, Teje, Constantina), just not in my neighborhood or social circle.  I often feel very much the outsider, very alone even though I know the world is teeming with fiber-crafty people.  So you can imagine how elated I felt to step off the elevator and see this:

A part of me felt like I was home. <3

I will admit that I have never been crazy for Liberty fabrics, but this must have been because I had never actually seen and held any.  But I am a convert.  Now that I own my own little beautiful, precious, and insanely expensive bundle of prints, I finally understand what all the hype is about.

And it was really hard not to leave with one of those sewing baskets too (but how the hell would I have gotten it on the plane?!)

We've got just a few more weeks left in Athens and I'm trying to make the most of them.. I've got a "real" job waiting for me when I get home (and a dusty house without a housekeeper!).   Unfortunately I think it won't be until then that I can crack into my Liberty fabrics, but I'll keep you posted.