Map Pins

We've had fun marking all of our travels on a big U.S. map and decided to begin marking one of the U.K.  Large map posters are about $12 from National Geographic.  With a little spray adhesive and foam posterboard, they're ready for pins.  We've been using silver glittered map pins to show where we've been.  This isn't the greatest picture, but you get the idea!

Charm Bracelets

You must know by now that I love charm bracelets.  Here is the bracelet that started it all.  My sister sent me this photo of my sweet grandma's bracelet from the early '40s.  She received the charms from boyfriends, and I love the variety.  Next is my charm bracelet that I've been working on for a few years now.  I pick up charms on our travels - notable charms include bagpipes from Scotland and Abe Lincoln's top hat from Springfield, IL.  Now that it's full, I've started a new bracelet (with a mama bear and cub from Mount Rainier National Park)!   

Kikkerland Bag Clips

Do you ever see things from Kikkerland?  I believe they're a Dutch company.  I love their great design and creative products.  We recently found these adorable Woodland Bag Clips at Mount Rainier National Park.  I immediately donated all of my bag clips to Goodwill.  I'm also eyeing these Travel Map Laundry Bags...

1803 Candles

I know I've mentioned 1803 Candles before, but they're worth another mention.  I love to burn their soy wax candles as I work around the house.  Their wax melts are also very nice.  They weren't far from where we lived in Illinois, but you can also order from them online.  Northwoods Cabin is one of my favorites.

Craigmuir Castle

A couple of weeks ago we visited the Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center and learned a ton about our area.  We saw some pictures of historic homes and buildings in the town and then drove around to see some of them.  This one is called the Craigmuir Castle, and it's on the market.  It's quite beautiful if you have $2 million.

Hair Romance

I love looking at the Hair Romance blog.  It's a valuable resource for girls with curly hair.  Christina blogs from Australia and posts fantastic tutorials.  Her new ebook is 30 Days of Curly Hairstyles.  With her help, I'm going to challenge myself to do my hair better!

Burstenhaus Redecker Bottle Brush

I got a new bottle brush a while back, and I'm loving it.  It's made by German company Burstenhaus Redecker from beechwood and horsehair.  The horsehair smells a little bit when it's wet - kind of like wool - but I like the texture of the brush, and it's pretty!  (I got mine from Amazon.)

Love & Friendship

Have you heard?  There's a new Jane Austen movie out!  Love & Friendship is based on one of her early works written by way of letters.  Since she only wrote six full novels, it's rare that we get something new.  The film isn't playing in my area, so I may have to travel to see it...

Library of Luminaries: Jane Austen

I went to the fun letter-writing club at the Pickle last week.  Of course I have to purchase something whenever I'm there...  This time a book caught my eye - Library of Luminaries: Jane Austen.  It's an adorable illustrated biography of Jane.  There is so much research based on Jane Austen that it was refreshing to find something simple (and not overly scholarly).  Find it on Amazon here.

Nautical Knot Bracelet

When I was thinking about Young Women activities the other day, I noticed this Nautical Knot Bracelet tutorial on Etsy.  These are so cute, and I think they would be a perfect activity for teenage girls.

Tilly and the Buttons

I picked up a recent copy of Mollie Makes the other day, and I really loved looking through it.  One thing that caught my eye was a skirt pattern by Tilly and the Buttons.  Tilly's web site is fabulous.  It's full of patterns and tutorials and help for sewing clothing that you would actually want to wear.  There's even a guide for designing your own fabric.  I think I will be spending a lot of time learning from such an amazing seamstress.

Moonstruck Drinking Chocolate

I found some of this Moonstruck Drinking Chocolate by Sunshine Dairy at our grocery store on closeout.  It was so delicious and a great deal, but now they don't have it anymore!  I'll have to check around.  Best chocolate milk ever.

Liberty Bias Tape

I posted about these wool blankets from the Purl about a year ago, and I'm thinking of them again.  They sell the Liberty bias tape in their shop, and it's so lovely.  I think this would be a fun project!

Flower Bouquet Garland

I've been looking into the Liberty paper goods a bit more, and the Meri Meri shop that they are sold through is so cute.  I especially liked this flower bouquet garland.  (But it's sold out!)

Victoria and Albert Museum Fabric by Rowan

I loved the few pieces of Victoria and Albert fabric that I bought at Suppose so much, but the fabric is so hard to find online.  I turned to Etsy and found a few sources and ordered about 8 or 9 yards (including these designs)!  You can find some at the adorably-named FlyingBulldogs Etsy shop here.

Pendleton

As we drove back to Washington from Utah a couple of weeks ago, we stopped in the Pendleton Mill Store.  Of course we love their clothing and blankets, but we could not afford anything - until I found some fabric by the yard.  This lovely 100% wool was $5.99/yard!  I, of course, made a zipper pouch with some of it (lined with Liberty).

Sewing!

I got a new sewing machine, and I've been putting it to good use!  My first project was a tie for my husband.  (Pattern from the Purl here.)

Then I made some of these cute travel Kleenex pouches.  (Pattern from A Spoonful of Sugar here.)

This little pattern was so great that I was able to adapt it for other pouches!  I made this little Swiss dot pouch for my phone.

And then I made one for my Kindle out of some of the fabulous Victoria and Albert fabric from Rowan.

Pearl Earrings

My sweet grandma passed away, and her funeral was held a week ago.  She was so glamorous and lovely.  When each granddaughter turned 16, she gave her classic pearl earring studs.  I think everyone should have a pair.  (photo from Macys.com)

Robert Browning - Home Thoughts, from Abroad

There are only a couple of days left in England, and I've been thinking of this poem all month, so I thought I'd share it again.

O, to be in England
Now that April 's there,
And whoever wakes in England
Sees, some morning, unaware,
That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf
Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf,
While the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough
In England—now!
And after April, when May follows,
And the whitethroat builds, and all the swallows!
Hark, where my blossom'd pear-tree in the hedge
Leans to the field and scatters on the clover
Blossoms and dewdrops—at the bent spray's edge—
That 's the wise thrush; he sings each song twice over,
Lest you should think he never could recapture
The first fine careless rapture!
And though the fields look rough with hoary dew,
All will be gay when noontide wakes anew
The buttercups, the little children's dower
—Far brighter than this gaudy melon-flower!

Bath and Body Works Hobnail Candles

Have you seen the hobnail candles at Bath and Body Works?  My sister gave me one for my birthday, and I love it.  (She gave me a blue one called Peace.)  They smell lovely and look so pretty.