Around the world in Liberty print and back again.

I'm back!!!

3 months of working as a Paralegal for the loveliest law firm, 1 month of travelling around the beautiful country that is New Zealand and a pit stop in Singapore... it's come to the point that I am now back. Back with my cat, and back with my sewing machine.

Since being home (Cardiff) life has been a jumble of strange bits and bobs. Returning home to a walled Cardiff for the NATO summit took some adjusting too, especially whilst trying to avoid traffic and police to get to job interviews all around the city. Yes, interviews...I'm on the hunt for my dream job.  I think it's a pretty horrible position for graduates at the moment, but hopefully something will turn up :) I'll let you know, or disappear from blogging for several months! Either way you'll know. I've also went Punting...so much fun!!!

I've come to realise that it's the smallest things in life that mean the most, to me anyway. So I've decided that I am going to make something with lots of small fabric pieces. I am going to attempt to steer away from using liberty print, in order to use the beautiful Maori prints that I managed to pick up in the most amazing quilt shop in Rotorua, New Zealand. Saying that 3 metres of William Morris strawberry thief print turned up on my door step this morning...

I'm starting life back in Cardiff by spreading the love... clearly...or just using up an abundance of unnecessary buttons? Up to you! 

Much more importantly...these are the beautifully Autumny Maori prints :) aren't they beautiful? 

I've been in so many different minds as to what to make with a metre of each. However, I have finally decided after much deliberation and further indecisiveness at St Fagans quilting club this morning. I have been going to quilting club since I was in Sixth Form, and we decided that it must've been running for about 4 years this morning...we all were slightly shocked! Anyway, it makes me very happy to sew with some very lovely people :) especially when I can come to a decision at to what to make. So finally, I am going to make a sewing case/book using very small patchwork pieces that will have multiple pockets and secret compartments. I promise to upload my progress on this one and how I get on...could take a bit of time (and effort). No machines for me :( 

Since being home, I have also decided to make a Liberty Triangular Swatch quilt. 

I guess it's quite boring, but you get the idea from these pictures :) 

This afternoon - I've behaved ridiculously! I have been waiting to own more than 3metres of my favourite fabric for a really long time. This is strawberry thief in purple (I like saying Aubergene) I am going to make a dress out of this...but until that is done just know that I am just going to wear it, and appreciate it. I would like to thank ebay very very very much for sending me a £10 voucher for this to become a reality...

Ridiculousness. 

More ridiculousness. 

On a less ridiculous note...however probably still slightly ridiculous. I had my own little trip around the world to New Zealand and Singapore and I decided to take liberty print with me...of course! Below are some pictures from the best adventure of my life so far, some including liberty...some not! I'm sure you're relieved!

My liberty reversible coat survived in my suitcase thank goodness. This is a place called Rewa village. It was beautiful!

A garden dedicated to Alice in Wonderland in Hamilton.

Taking the hobbits to liberty land... Hobbiton was awesome!!!! Of course I wore liberty print. 

Rotorua Yarn Bombing - they take it to another level!!!

Such a beautiful yarn bombing display. Lucky tree gets to stay warm in winter.

In New Zealand they have such incredible quilting technology. It's pretty pricy though. I'll stick to hand quilting for now... 

William Morris inspired quilt - the birds take influence from the strawberry thief design. 

I love cranes and I cannot lie. 

Because this is one of my favourite films. 

Nelson - the most beautiful place, the most beautiful sunset. Take me back!!!

Cromwell searching. 

Queenstown 

The most beautiful rolling piano I've ever seen. 

 Nom nom nom. 

As much as I've enjoyed my travels, and as much as I would love to go back tomorrow. There is still lots of magic in home. That magic probably has a lot to do with family and friends. I have been so busy with jet setting, interviews and sorting out my life that I've hardly got to spend time or speak to so many of the people that I love. Having a broken phone really doesn't help either. 

I don't know if you're reading but if you are, I miss you all - Kate, Emily, Katie, Alice, Cat, Lin, JV, Jenna and Alex. 

Anyhow blogspot, it's good to be back! 

Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army.

Today, I write with a combination of themes. This week, I have graduated from the University of Exeter with a 2:1 in my Law Degree. Alas...I graduated in Liberty print!! 

 Here is a picture that I plan on getting printed and framed of myself in my betsy ann print dress and my University sister/twin Alice!! She is fabulous! It has been an honour to spend my University experience with her, and I know that we'll be life long friends, no matter how much we fight/bicker!! We share the same name, the same car, some of the same viewpoints, the same degree, and many more!! But most importantly, we share a beautiful friendship! I wouldn't have wanted to share the years of uni with anybody else!! 

Here is a pic of myself and the lovely Emma Harris! :) My lovely Cornish friend and I have shared so many lovely times throughout my degree. I have particularly fond memories of lunches filled with LOTS OF PASTA and complaining about our degree!! She is absolutely hilarious, and I hope we stay friends for a really long time :) I will miss you when you're on your travels dear!! Emma has always been really supportive of my art, and has always encouraged me to pursue my dreams here. Emma's boyfriend Tom is also a star, who thinks the fact that I'm welsh is very hilarious when drunk, and continues to do delightful, albeit funny impressions!! 

My beautiful sister Jess! Words can't even explain this one. She's always been my best friend, and I love her to pieces. She is beautiful inside and out, and is always there for me. I certainly couldn't have done my degree without her, and she finds my love of liberty absolutely hilarious!! I'm so glad she came to my graduation :) 

Another of Alice and I for a frame :) 

To celebrate my degree and this new chapter of my life, I have invested and sewn some new liberty items, including this reversible Liberty print jacket and a camera case that I bought from etsy in betsy print to go to New Zealand with :) The bag I currently had for my canon was slightly too big for my travels, so this was a great find!!! 

"One could not count the moons that shimmer on the roofs, or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind the walls”

Dear Sirs...

This past weekend, I took a trip to London!
It was fabulous, and filled with culture as it should be. The weather stayed fine, and I had the most hilarious day in work before my journey began. I had suffered through a static dress day, and then stumbled across Cardiff in my heels in order to make my train, whilst still giggling to myself about a conversation I had had with a lady on the phone at Natwest regarding client name "Mr A Hole"... far too amusing for myself!!

My visit to London, was an eclectic collection of theatre, museums, art, travel, food, wine, leaflets, shopping and friendship. 

Below are some pictures from my wonderful weekend in London!!!

They are all in a jumble, I feel it's for the best. Jumbles are fun, albeit messy!

Liberty Upholstery Fabrics

Marketing of the new flowers of liberty range

Liberty scarf hall

Actual flowers of Liberty

The beautiful V & A

Royal Festival Hall - flying cranes with messages of promised hope written inside them. A flying hope.

One should always maintain one's library!

This type writer found it's home within the museum of broken relationships on Southbank...it sounds rather depressing I know, but this was not the case at all, it was insightful, free, interesting and full of beauty. Sometimes there is more beauty in the darkest of places. 

The public's messages from the museum of broken relationships - it was nice to read people's messages - it didn't feel intrusive and I even wrote one of my own. It's good to know none of us are truly alone. 

Just my type - I absolutely loved using this type writer to write a little message...what I wrote will remain a secret. I advise you make your way down to Southbank...maybe you'll find my message!

Hehehehe

Just a little plug of my new liberty top range. I'm really hoping this can become something I do full time eventually. Sewing is my true passion, and it's nice to be able to wear my own work. 

Emily and I went to see our favourite again!!! Once is a truly beautiful piece of artwork. I don't want to call it a show. That wouldn't do it justice. It contains so many beautiful lyrics, so many beautiful lines. It takes people to a completely different place and shows individuals where their hearts actually lie. 

Now for the crazy... 

I've been keeping this a secret, but I feel that cyber space can hear it now and I really can't keep it in. I visited my favourite store in the whole world. The one and only Liberty. So, there is a new range called flowers of liberty, a completely and utterly stunning range that my photo's don't do justice. 

Whilst in store, I noticed a sign saying "Caution, filming for channel 4 in progress"...I thought nothing of it... 

Still thought nothing of it.... 

And then I paid for some beautiful fabric and starting speaking to the lady at the till...who told me there was an ice cream van on Regent Street covered in Liberty print...so upon leaving I went and had a little look. To my surprise...there were the cameras and one of the liberty workers, standing next to this printed vintage ice cream van. All of a sudden the cameras were on me...ON ME!!! WHAT?!?! I was walking past, decked out in my liberty print...I guess I was pretty much a walking advertisement!! So perhaps I will be on television...who on earth knows!! I should think not considering the horrendous facial expression I most likely made!! To contain my excitement...below are some more pictures of the beautiful Liberties!! Enjoy :) 

A Butterfly for Jenna :)