This is fun.

Especially if you've read 'First Among Sequels' by Jasper Fforde, which I did on the plane yesterday. I was laughing so much that the woman sitting next to me asked what on earth I was reading that was so funny. If you like to read and you like to laugh, read Jasper Fforde.

Isn't it pretty? I promise it works too!

In the last couple of weeks I've enjoyed making lots of things.

First up was the doll quilt for the swap I signed up for here. My first thought on being challenged to make a mini quilt was to use big patterns. While I was in London I had a trip to Liberty and bought some fabulous fabric that just seemed to sing to me. Here are some of the details:

My swap partner asked for pink, green and orange. I was happy to oblige.

Front:

Back:

I think I like the back better! Oh, well.

Next up was this:

If you can tell me what it is, I'll tell you why I made it!

This is known in my mind as my Wimbledon skirt. The shape is vaguely reminiscent of a games skirt, and the colours are sort of Wimbledonny too, as is the pattern of dots. Plus, I made it while watching Henman win.

And this is my first experiment in the world of machine felting a knitted item.

Good. I think that's enough for now.

Six and a half weeks, eleven beds and one sofa, nine counties, two ferries, countless cars, seventeen trains (many of which were even on time), and, of course, many, many kind friends and family.

First of all, home.

Then the travels began with my cousin's wedding in Dublin.

Then down to London to visit lots of friends here...

...where it was sunny for at least some of the time!

I also got to visit one of my favourite places...

...which was having a particularly appropriate exhibition:

And Helen treated me to a special dinner:

My next trip was up to Liverpool to see Dawn, who took me out to Crosby Beach where we walked among Anthony Gormley's sculpture.

Apparently when they were first put in, the coastguards were inundated with calls from people who thought there were drowning men on the beach as the tide rose over the sculptures heads.

A quick trip up to Chorley for lunch with Scott and Laura, then back down to Wolverhampton to see these lovely boys and their sister. Oh, and Neil and Amanda too.

Where next? Um, I think it was Kent. Sevenoaks to see the McClellans and Tunbridge Wells to see the Masons. Then briefly back to Sevenoaks to collect my mobile phone and on to Isleworth. More London friends over the next few days then back to Oak Hill for a huge garden party to say farewell to David and Lesley Peterson. And for me to catch up with a lot more people!

The last couple of weeks were more at home, busy with things I shall blog about soon. But I did squeeze in a few days at Oxford, taking in St Andrew's Centenary Celebrations. No photos, sorry.

And after all that, I'm exhausted!

Britain's Got Talent (of the secret baton twirling variety) and it makes me very pleased to be British.

(HT: David Field)

These mini quilts are just gorgeous. I always know when I've got over my end of term tiredness by the itching in my fingers to get making again. I might try something like one of these tomorrow.

Also, apparently this Saturday (June 9th) is the World Wide Knit In Public Day. Just in case you were thinking of leaving those needles at home. And Helen, maybe this is your chance to get over that irrational phobia?