Still sewing 10-05-19

Finished the binding and the sleeve on the snowman quilt today.  It is only about 14", but I haven't done a traditional binding for a very long time and it was a re-learning process.  Looks good, though.  

An unusual occurrence was that I finished what I needed of the red thread with this much left.  Doesn't happen very often.  More frequently I seem to run out about three feet short. 

KoKo was right there watching over things.  Until he got bored and wanted down.  He fetched Froggie and wanted me to throw him.  Hard to sew and throw a frog, eh? 

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Friday Food 10-04-19

Yesterday in Carlsbad, CA, my friends and I had lunch at the Bluewater Grill and everything was delicious.   The service was excellent and there was no raucous music.  The train tracks are right on the other side of the parking lot and the Metro and Amtrak went through maybe six times, but they are gone in seconds so it isn't really disturbing.  There are other Bluewater Grill locations, including one in Newport Beach, so if you don't want to drive to Carlsbad try one closer to home.  There is a burger, steak, and a couple chicken offerings for those in your party to don't eat fish.  

Kathy had the shrimp skewer with lovely little carrots and spinach. 

Carol ordered the swordfish with spaghetti squash and potatoes. 

My choice was the Paella with clams, oysters, mussels and tiny bay shrimp.  I didn't need any dinner last night.

I will definitely stop here on my way to and from SDiego in the future, It is about three blocks off of the I-5 at

 417 Carlsbad Village Drive.

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A visit to Carlsbad, CA 10-3-19

Friends Carol and Kathy went with me to Carlsbad today to see an exhibit called "Six Little Words" at the Front Porch Gallery.   It is a very small exhibit of photographs and stories told in just six words.  I don't know which came first, the story or the photograph, the latter I think.  My favorite was the image of a monk in his robes with Mt Everest in the background.  The story was: "Siri, quickest way to Mt. Everest." Although I am not sure that is actually a complete story.   But there were many clever stories.  Part of this exhibit is at Oceanside Museum of Art and the lady at the gallery told us that the displays will be switched in a month or so.  You can read the story behind "Six Little Words" at  https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123289019

We walked around a few blocks of Carlsbad, which has a great deal of retirement housing and beach rental properties.  Some interesting architecture and lots of restaurant along with a great view of the vast Pacific.  

We stopped at the train station which serves both Metro and Amtrak just to see what is there.  Inspecting the ticketing machines we talked about taking the train down next time.  However, I will miss driving, even in the traffic!

Up the street we came across strange signs like this.  Made no sense until we looked across the street at vending stations on the side of a building.  We walked over and accosted a couple who were filling gallon jugs with water.  What is this water about? 

They told us it comes from a well somewhere nearby and it has the perfect PH balance that will improve your health.  It seems a very popular product as a number of people were coming and going with their jugs.  None of us remember hearing about it before.  

You can buy empty jugs nearby, but we just went on our way, driving just a few blocks to a wonderful restaurant that I will feature on Friday Food tomorrow evening.  

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Wordless Wednesday 10-02-19

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I do enjoying quilting 10-01-19

It isn't a very big project, just four little pre-printed coasters, but I have been working on them a bit every day.  Since getting away from sewing, for an unknown reason, I am gradually returning and reviving my skills.  My arthritic hands don't work the same, but I am adapting to new ways to deal with that problem.  

Here they are, all quilted and ready for satin stitch binding.  I haven't trimmed them to the edge of the image because I think it works best if that is done just before the binding process.  All the black outlines are stitched, but not free motion, just plugging along, sometimes one stitch at a time. 

And a tiny bit of hand stitching (stab stitch) on the dotted lines showing the bees buzzing.  It just needed to be done and I can still hand stitch, slowly and carefully. 

Of course, with the dark red checked backing the quilting hardly shows, but it seemed like the perfect fabric to go with the farming designs. 

Hope someone will enjoy them for years to come. 

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Thanks 09-3019

Thanks to Annette for commenting.  I'm glad you enjoyed Christopher's in Coupeville, WA.  It is a good meal and in a lovely little town and I look forward to returning some day, perhaps another class at the Art School.  

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Monday Browsing 09-30-19

Another September gone.  Guess I need to stop celebrating my birthday until next September 1st.  It'll be here in a flash, I'm sure.   I am still not doing much browsing online, just have other things going on and have gotten out of the habit.  These days I am sewing on a few items for the Surfside Quilters Guild November Fest and I need to finish them up to turn in next Tuesday  - oh, no!  Guess I need to sew faster. 

Someone sent this on Facebook, suggesting it might be a good exercise for the elderly.  I'm not sure I could do it, but it would surely help my coordination. 

https://vimeo.com/195326481

And here is a site with the winners of the Northwest Quilt Festival last weekend in Portland, OR.  Some great quilts. 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10157585642932232&type=3&sfnsn=mo

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In the neighborhood 09-29-19

Lovely cool weather for the last few days, it was 64F at 7pm when we went for our walk.  But the temperature will be up in the 80s later this week.   It is the last weekend in September and suddenly it is already Halloween.  These are the first decorations up on our walking route.  More to come, I'm sure. 

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