Quilting Class

I signed up for a sampler quilting class at Luella's Quilt Basket in Redondo Beach. I've made quilts before but I thought it would be good to learn how to do it "the right way." I managed to miss the first week when the class was choosing fabric so I dropped by the shop and Luella was super nice and helped me pick out some fabrics. She told me the key is to pick a first fabric that has lots to work with in terms of color and pattern and then go from there. I want to do something for the little boy in my life so we went with bright and cheery...

Monster Shopping Trip

I met up with Lady Linoleum this weekend and headed to downtown Los Angeles to check out Michael Levine. It truly is a sewing utopia packed with fabric, buttons, yarn, notions, etc. etc. and wow is it dangerous to the credit card. It's spread over 3 shops and the Loft sells fabric remnants by weight, although you do have to be prepared to sort through boxes and boxes of stuff. I had a fantastic time and it was lovely to meet and hang out with Regina. Here are some of the goodies I picked up.

Heirloom

I can't believe how beautiful this thing is...

Favortie Things

One of my favorite things about living in Los Angeles is all the great places we have to visit in and around the city. A family favorite is the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach where a visit to the otters is a must! We also recently visited Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro after reading about it in Sunset magazine. It's on a much smaller scale than Long Beach but just as much fun, especially the touching pool. Here are some photos of the kid enjoying himself.

Jack the Cat

Based on a Denyse Schmidt pattern from her new book Denyse Schmidt Quilts here is Jack the Cat. Jack is on his way to a certain little girl I know in time for her 4th birthday. Hope she likes him.

Camel # 5

Downtown Torrance Antique Street Faire

If you have never been to downtown Torrance, CA, it's worth a visit for it's main street USA architecture and antique shops. But on the forth Sunday of the month is the Downtown Torrance Antique Street Faire. The faire is on a much smaller scale than most of the other Southern California flea markets I go to and I always find something interesting.

Last week I picked up these pink thistle brush Christmas trees – I’m addicted to pink Christmas decorations - and some really lovely Little Golden Books, here's my favorite.

Monkey Business

I found the Sock Monkey Company through A Ervilha Cor de Rosa. I love this woman’s story – she writes:

"I challenged myself to make 50 different monkeys. I got to 50 and didn't stop. When I got to 70 something my boyfriend felt the monkeys were taking over our home. So, with much encouragement from my family and friends I am offering them to you and your home (just don't get 70 or more - it's overwhelming for some people)."

It was so hard to decide which monkey to get but in the end I went with this guy. He arrived this week and is just super!