LEAP YEAR DAY!

Happy Birthday to those of you who only have one every 4 years!

A few weeks ago, I went out to Murrieta (1 1/2 hour drive) to visit my friend Tracy.  We decided to visit the Escondido Wine and Chocolate Festival.  It's only about a 30 min drive from her place.  We chose not to do the wine and chocolate tasting which cost 20 bucks since we found out that we both get hot flashes when we drink alcohol so we tasted the free samples of chocolate that were being given away.  YUM.  This was pre-Valentines day with small chocolatiers displaying their candy.  It was a fun day with perfect weather. 

Before arriving at the festival we stopped at a gift shop called Canterbury Gardens and Gifts.  We had thought there was an actual garden but mostly it was a gift shop.  They had so many pretty items.  Eye candy for sure. 

Then we stopped at a fabric shop called Yardage Town that reminded me of the fabric shops my mom and I went to when I was growing up.  It had that same smell and stairs that went to the "bargain" basement; the staff were nice and friendly. 

This was their Valentine window display.  I wanted to find some fabric with strawberries on it but it was out of stock. Tracy bought some ivory silk fabric to cover the buttons on the WEDDING DRESS that she is making for her daughter's wedding coming up this July!!!!!  It's gonna be gorgeous.  She is so talented.  I could kick myself for not taking photos while I was visiting of some ballet costumes that she's made.  Professional tutu making and boning, things I've never attempted in sewing. So darn pretty. 

We both ended up buying some hand made toffee by a small company in Carlsbad (north San Diego coast) called Toffee Box .  Yes, they do mail orders!  It is really delish.  I'm rationing it and having a little taste every day or two!

On our way back we stopped at none other than HOBBY LOBBY!  I've only heard about them but they were never out here in California.  So I finally got to see what they're all about.  I checked out the yarn section and just had to put my hands on the "I Love This Yarn"!  I didn't buy any since I have to finish what projects I've got and use up some of my stash like a good girl. WOW, it was a big store but we could only stay for a bit since Tracy's hubby was making us dinner and we didn't want to keep him waiting.  We have 3 stores here in So Cal now but none in Los Angeles County :(

 

YARN!

FLOWERS!

DECOR!

Hope you're having a relaxing evening!  Thanks for visiting.

More Plants the Merrier!

Howdy,
Lookie, lookie what I got this morning.  I got into town early so I dropped by the 99cent store and I got these plants for only for 99 cents each.  I think that this is Spanish Lavender.  They've already bloomed but that's ok.  I've never grown this type of Lavender before and I've only had some in pots and they don't really like it here very much.  I know that they like full sun, moist cool roots but not real dry hot air.  They really like the weather in the northwest; they have prolific Lavender fields up there.  SO... I have the perfect place in the new garden for them where they will get some shade at the hottest part of the day.  I also got 3 hot pink mini roses to go with the other 2 red ones I got awhile back.  I chose only one pot of the Inpatients a white one, to go with some others I have and they will get planted in the shade.

Oh and I got a small box of thin mints when I was there and I've eaten half the box already.  What could be more fun that flowers and chocolate?  Well except yarn I suppose.  Yum to the tongue but not the waistline.  I know, I'll burn off the calories working in the yard this weekend, yeah right.  Bye for now!

Ha Ha on Me!

Hi there, I just have to laugh at myself, I'm just a toolin' along on the Chevron Scarf and then I noticed that if I continued the pattern the way I was headed that the ends of the scarf wouldn't be the same!  Hmmm.  That's what I get for not following any pattern except of course the basic pattern of chevron stitch. 

This edge is the beginning.

This edge would be the other end (except it would be blue).

Here I have it folded on top of itself. See how they don't match?

Now, if I were making it to butt up together (like making a circle or let's say a sleeve) then it would work out perfectly and seamless.  But since it's a scarf, I want the ends to match.  So I had to think of what to do.  I have now BECOME a crochet pattern maker, hee, hee.

My solution is to make two identical pieces and seam them together in the middle which would be at the back of the neck. 

I started the other piece last night and now the ends WILL match!

It's become a tad on the wavy side and I hope after blocking it will flatten out some.

I poked around Big Lots (store) last night just to see what good deals they had.  I haven't been there since last spring I think it was.  I was curious if they had any closeout yarn and sure enough they did.  I'll show ya my find, soon.  I also got a couple books last week from Joann's and I'll share those, too.

I hope wherever you are it warms up for you this weekend and you getta chance to go out and enjoy yourself! 

Shopping and Shop

Howdy!  I finished my holiday shopping last Sunday; 7 hours from leaving the driveway to arriving home.  Tired? Yes.  Glad I was DONE? Yes-siree!  Now I can concentrate on helping bring the holidays under control for others with gift wrapping, packing and shipping.  We haven't been super busy at least not yet, which is a sign of this economy right now.

While out shopping on Sunday about midday I grabbed a cup of coffee and I sat down on a bench outside next to a lady that was not social at all.  As I was sipping my coffee it went down the wrong way and I started to cough and choke...eyes bulging out and tearing up and so glad that I didn't ya know, upchuck...luckily it was just a small amount but I kept having to cough and then she got up and left, like in a huff.  She didn't even ask me if I was ok.  After I got my composure back I was walking past a lady that had left the store and had 3 boxes stacked above the cart and she was headed down the small ramp so I asked if I could help her and while doing so I just did by reaching out to keep the boxes steady.  She acted like I might, heck I don't know, mug her or something?  Then when I didn't seem too threatening, she thanked me.  I was trying to be friendly and in the holiday spirit and most people were not, a few were.  I did have a nice/happy sales cashier lady at Michaels.  Los Angeles used to be more friendly, what happened???

Here is a pic of our shop tree with the couple of new items I got from Target that I wrote about a couple of posts ago.  The star on top is actually a hanging ornament with glitter and rhinestones held on with a twist tie and then I purchased a string of iridescent light bulbs instead of using the mini-lights.  I should have bought two strands but I was thinking it would be enough, either that or I'm cheap!  The stockings you see on the tree can hold a gift card.

Here's a couple shots of the shop all ready for Christmas.

I got a couple of gifts for the shop from Michaels since I had a couple of coupons that were burning a hole in my pocket.  Really these are for me but I got them to make fancy edges on the signs that I make for the shop but I'll also use them for card making.  While I was at Michaels I also picked up some of Vanna's tinsel yarn to make the crochet snowflakes that Clara was showing us on her blog.  They are easy and fun to make and I'll post some pix soon.

Hope your holiday shopping and baking is going well for you and you are getting in the spirit of the season!  Take care and I hope to post soon!

Ladies' Day Out

Good Evening!  Last Saturday my bestest childhood friend and I met for an afternoon of talking, eating and shopping at the new Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.  It is about halfway between us so travel time is about the same since we live sorta far apart from each other.  If you've never been to this pretty outdoor shopping mall you should go for a visit.  It is 150 acres of stores, like a little town of just pretty facades of storefronts. Most major stores are there and you have fast food and good restaurants and a movie theater, too.

We mostly sat outside and talked, catching up with the goings-on of our lives.  It was such a pretty day, a bit warm for the 1st day of spring but I'm not complaining!  We ordered the peach/green tea drink from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and it was soooo good!  It's the one on the bottom right.  Wish I had one right now...

That particular drink is just there temporarily so you should go right now and try it, yum!

I got these from a shop called Francesca's .  I just couldn't resist.  I'm only using one right now for my house key since I'm always trying to find it in the dark on my front porch!

Our lovely day came to a close after eating at Paisano's Italian restaurant.  Sad to say good-bye since everyone's so busy all the time and getting together doesn't happen as often as it should.  Hope you get to meet up with a friend soon to chat and hang out!