When travelling during the summer, wouldn't it be nice to have just a little weekend bag, a toothbrush and a change of undies, a book to read and a WIP embroidery?
Alas, I can't travel like that, firstly I'm away for much longer than a weekend, and secondly, there is the thing called retail therapy, stash building, new item testing, also known by another name, namely SHOPPING.
Then there is the GIFT EXCHANGE.
Returning from Europe this summer I had all this in my bagage:
It is a god mixture of purchases and gifts. I am thrilled with the 16 parts of the needlework encyclopedia, Hemmets Handarbetslexikon, I had been wanting for such a long time (I already had the first 4 parts), the book on embroidered portraits, the hard cover exhibition catalogue from Broderande Berättelser, the vintage book on initials and patterns, there is the cushion and the bridal crown I found in a thift shop, the beautiful cross stitch my 'aunt' gave me, the lovely quilted envelope case with inscription made by a gifted friend, kumihimo bobbins, thread winders, lace, a miniature embroidery frame, a Lucet fork for braiding, fabric, a beautiful brooch made from a pink metal zipper, floral boxes (with more goodies within: lavendar smellies, bookmarks, stickers, tissue cases, ric-rac, soap...) and there is
thread, thread, thread, needles, needles, needles and the mystery package that can't be opened until Christmas.
And then there were my two quilts brought back from the Festival Of Quilts in Birmingham.
So now you know why I can't manage with just a small weekend bag.
22 comments:
I totally understand! What fun for me to see all of your treasures!
Did you have to pay extra baggage .When I returned from a family visit to Vancouver one I had to have an extra bag from my Uncle .I hope you had a great time.
Tricia
Even Mary Poppins couldn't fit that haul in her bag! Just goes to show, no matter how easy it is to shop online, nothing beats the thrill of real shopping. The cushion is a great find–such lovely colours.
You have lots and lots of goodies and I wonder what is in the mistery present!
I cut the size of my luggage this year and probably half what was in it was stuff for passing to others, outgrown clothing for cousins, gifts for new grandson, items being carried to children from out of their past ... (carry on was quilt in progress) and what went home in its place? books! Luckily I purchased them first because a request came later from Daughter #3 for things she cannot buy in Japan. The best part was, because of my smaller bag, it weighed in with plenty to spare and I could empty my carry-on books into it, saving one to read.
The problem on unpacking is finding new homes for all the things. Help I need a new book case!
No, I didn't, and it was lucky as I had spent my pocket money on the books and thread. I had a spare bag within the luggage, just in case.
Maybe Mary Poppin's carpet bag couldn't, but I'd rather have the beaded bag of Hermeone Granger, the one with an 'undetectable extension charm' cast on it (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows). I wonder if my skills with needle and thread will be enough to sew one, or do you think I have to graduate from Hogwarts first?
So do I!! I have instructions not to open it until just before Christmas so we will have to be patient.
The secret to my success was that I too had a lot of things to give to people in Sweden and the UK, and that freed space was almost enough for taking the loot in the picture back to Japan. Knowing my habits I had packed a spare bag.
Now I have to make sure I read the books, use the thread and display the decorative items, or I have committed a terrible environmental crime by wasting jet fuel on my whim.
It must have been fun to unpack this. I hope you have enough space to store your new goodies!
what a lovely collection of goodies Queenie, when I came back from Australia I had to send a very large parcel by post that cost me $100+ to post!
What a wonderful picture of all your goodies. The threads look wonderful and I'll be looking forward to seeing all the lovely things you make with your purchases.
Most of he thread I bought is the kind I have never seen in Japan and my chance to buy it was in Europe. The wool comes from a charity shop that sold half finished embroideries and left over yarn.
Yes, I am pleased with every one of my treasures.
A friend of mine was unfortunate at the airport and had to pay a HUGE amount, for just a bit of overweight. It seems you have to choose the check-in counter/baggage drop with care!!!
Ahem, space is always a problem in Japan! The solution is to use up the thread and wear out the needles, no?
I always wonder how I'm going to fit all my purchases in my luggage. Sometimes I get to the last flight and throw away all my old clothes to make room for my embroidery. Then, if I have family with me, I go through their bags and throw stuff out. I have tried mailing purchases home but sometimes they don't arrive for another 6 months and by that time I've forgotten what I mailed. You on the other hand have made very sensible purchases, no rubbish here. ( I see you have an in stitches CD, I've bought all of them on line but those embroidery books must be the best buy.)
lol - what lovelies in your suitcase :) on Margaret's blog, it is wonderful to see you both together :) perhaps I will be able to meet some of my friends from online stitching and such somewhere in the world at some point too!
I am very happy that Margaret and I met at the show; she is so active in the blogging world, always leaving kind comments with good advice, she notices all the small details, and she is just as thoughful 'off line'.
I believe Sharon Boggon is arranging a meeting for any blogger who is interested in the UK at Bath Museum of Costume on October 26th. I'm afraid I won't be ablt to attend. You can read about it here:
http://pintangle.com/2013/09/03/bloggers-meet-up-in-october-at-bath-museum-of-costume-uk/
When I travel for the summer, I often pack some 'sayonara clothes', use them until the last week and then either discard them or wash and give them away. That gives me some free space in the suitcase. I would not throw out my husband's clothes, though!
The In Stitches DVD is a 'selected highlights' disc and was a gift from a quilting friend. Lots of eye candy! You are right, the needlework encyclopedia was the BEST find; in prestine condition, for a mere handful of pennies at the thrift shop. I've wanted them for many years.
What a fantastic haul! I'd love to get my hands on that encyclopaedia! Can't wait to see how you make use of it all.
This was a once-a-year shopping trip; I had to take the opportunity to get things when in Europe. The encyclopaedia would only be of use to you if you read Swedish!! It is a fantastic work of art and information.
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