Yipee, I got as far as making my hexies back into a giant hexie shape! But this doesn’t really look big enough for a medallion middle in a pieced quilt. So I suppose I will now put several rounds around it. But I’m glad I got this far! That was the first milestone I set for my holiday. Thanks to those of you cheering me on, visiting from Life Under Quilts. It’s great to see what others are up to and to be inspired.

We are all back from Italy now. It was such a success that we are slowly considering maybe spending my sabbatical year there, in my mother’s house. I am due for a year of academic writing, on half-pay, from next summer. Such a wonderful treat! So we need to find somewhere to be happy as a family, and live affordably while finding sufficient intellectual stimulation. I certainly know that this amazing place provides beautiful inspiration for quilters!

These wonderful tiled floors were in the little hotel we stayed in on the way back home, by the sea in Levanto.

This is close to the famous Cinque Terre: five little villages clinging to rocky cliffs next to the sea. They went from hidden gem to global superstar a few years back. The Cinque Terre are indeed amazing, but really too busy in the summer. I rather prefer quieter places. We managed a little trip there from Levanto, arriving by boat. If we go to Italy for a year, it will be great to see such places outside of the busy summer.

Seven of us are working on a surprise for one of our hurting, healing quilty friends. I can’t say more hush hush, but blocks should start pouring into my letter box tomorrow… I can’t wait to start putting it together, hopefully this weekend.

Happy stitching! JJ