Front Porch progress, and London

I'm late finishing up the bicycle.  I procrastinated starting it - thinking that I would do something different - but - I'm pretty happy with it.  A fun summery quilt after all.  It is VERY "wonky" (I hate that word but it's the only good word for this) and might be missing a few parts but it is finito!  It is counterintuitive but I will remember watching The Crown when I look back at this bicycle!




I have to say, as much as I love Jan Patek patterns..... I often come up against construction problems.... the flower pot section is too long....



So I shortened up the brown flowerpot and it all worked out:



One more section to go!

Lori has a link up on her blog Humble Quilts.  Her sewalongs are great for helping us keeping on track and motivated.   She has chosen another Patek pattern for next year - fall themed.  I had already chosen another Patek pattern (the Winter Quilt) to do with two of my long-distance sisters in law.... so I'm not sure about the fall quilt, but it's tempting!  For next year I definitely want to do Barbara Brackman's block of the month.  Looking to simplify a bit.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!  David and I were visiting family in London!  Our middle daughter and son in law traveled with us.  It was a lot of fun.  We stayed with family and doing something so different took the sting out of being empty nesters!  I only wish I'd taken more photos.

A trip to Liberty is a must, if only just for browsing:





On the way out at Heathrow, "Santa" might have done a little shopping at Cath Kidston, with a little guidance from "Mrs Santa".  I wonder if English women 50+ years of age use these bags?  Well, I don't need to know the answer to that question - this American woman just loves it!  Oilcloth.  Floral. Durable. Practical.



And a quick stayover in NYC before returning to Mass:

HOPE might be my theme for 2017!