how a crazy person passes the time...

Can't argue with Cath, right? I didn't think so either...

OK, first I have to apologize--I pride myself on always providing links to everything I talk about, but today I just don't have time. While I'm typing this I really ought to be packing--for my trip to Scotland.

Pam will be taking me to the airport--not at the crack of dawn, but waaaay before that actually. And I don't need to tell you that it takes awhile to get from here...to there.

If you've been around for awhile you may recall that I've been to Scotland twice. But that was via cruise ship, so the sum total of my time on the ground is a whopping 3 days. Which was nowhere near enough time to spend in what I knew immediately was one of my favorite places in the world. So this time it's a week. On the ground. Exploring new places and rediscovering why I fell in love with that country in the first place.

So anyway, it's been a looong wait for tomorrow...like a little kid with an advent calendar at Christmas I've been checking off the days...

I've always traveled with a beat up black case...with a broken zipper in the front pocket. I decided that would never do. So now I have a new suitcase. Red.



Thought it needed a cute luggage tag. I recalled a Moda Bake Shop project of awhile back and thanks to Angela's great idea, I now have a cute tag.



I've never been able to sleep much on planes. I actually hate flying, so that gives you an idea just how much I love Scotland. I picked up one of those travel pillows--thought that might help. But wow was the cover ever ugly. A little Red Rose Farm and some ribbon later and this is much better.



Another thing I'm ashamed to admit is that I tend to stick lots of Target bags in my suitcase--for shoes, dirty clothes, etc. Well, not this time. Pam's cute Lecien laundry bag pattern is now being used for shoes. Why the monogram? Why not?



Cindy Taylor Oates' laundry bag will be coming with me...it's super roomy and I figure when I'm ready to come home I can just shove everything right in and packing should be a breeze.



My extremely talented friend Kay of Serendipity Studio did the math for me on how to adapt her ipad bag for my new macbook...unfortunately the US Postal Service decided I really didn't need her instruction book to arrive in time so I used one of Pam's bag patterns to tide me over.



But Kay is definitely represented...the little duffel bag holds hair supplies, the lingerie bag is so pretty, and now my jewelry has it's own safe place.



For an added bit of crazy, I took a super soft wash cloth that was given to me by Jackie Clark and did what her sister Tamara would have done...and crocheted around the edges.


Now I have just one problem--there's not enough room in my new suitcase for all my pretty travel accessories. So what else could I do but dig out Kay's Bijou tote pattern and make a Red Rose Farm carry on bag? Now I'm all set.

Except for the pesky packing part.

So what will I be taking with me to work on in the evenings? Why some knitting of course...

Well that's it for me...I'll be taking my camera so you know that means lots of poor quality photos to come. Can't wait to share my trip with you!

P.S. I'd like to thank everyone for their words of support...your emails, etc mean more than you know...

still here...

I'm still here...I sure hope some of you are too. It's been kind of tough this year to keep up with blogging. There have been changes going on in my personal life--very stressful and difficult changes, but ones that will lead to better things.

I've always wanted my blog to be a happy and inspiring place, so it seemed the best thing to do would be to step back for awhile.

Having said that, I'm happy to say that I'm looking forward to taking my very first vacation alone next week--and it's a big one. More on that real soon...there will be a post coming just before I leave.

To make the time pass more quickly (I just can't wait to go!) I've been making travel items and am looking forward to sharing those with you. We're all so lucky to have access to great patterns--it's been fun stitching things up.

So because I'll be gone, Late Bloomer Quilts will be "closed" all of next week--from February 28 until March 7. Any orders received during that time will be shipped off as soon as I'm able to function back in my time zone. I apologize in advance for any inconvenience.

Oh, and there are a couple of bag kits and Tied with a Bow kits left...so if you were afraid you'd missed out, head on over to the website and order. If you order by Friday, noon Pacific time, I'll even get them on their way to you before I leave.