Two Weeks Away!

I've tried to reign in my excitement, but one of my lifelong dreams is coming true in two weeks!!  I am heading to Europe with my sweet husband for our second honeymoon, celebrating 15 years of marriage this summer.  This trip is over a year in the making--planning and waiting, and I cannot reign in the excitement any longer!!    We are spending 11 days in 3 cities - London, Paris, and Rome.  Since we are going to London on day 1, sometime that day I am planning to get my tail over to Liberty of London.

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Poor Branson is not going to be able to get out of fabric shopping while we're there!!  Good thing I am packing an entire empty suitcase to carry it all back home :o)

I have been making travel bags lately to get ready for the trip (because I apparently don't have enough pouches!!)  I thought about making the Amy Butler Weekender Bag, but that pattern scares the crap out of me...so I've been putting it off and now I really want to make one!!  I don't have the time before we leave to make one, but maybe I can make something close.  Today I finished my over-the-shoulder bag, complete with inside zipper pocket (not shown).  The flower was made using English Paper piecing, placed on Paris map fabric, and sewn together with my favorite Aurifil thread from Italy.....how appropriate!

This purse measures approximately 10" x 11" ish....I didn't get a final measurement.  There is just one strap so it can fit comfortably over my shoulder, across my chest.  I don't want to carry a heavy bag when we're sight-seeing!

I'm linking up this week with Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish It up Friday!  Amanda Jean's blog was the very first quilt blog I started reading and what got me so hooked on quilting in the first place.