Picture of the small craft show my friend Linda and I did last week end, along with othere local artists.  We donated some  of the proceeds to our local marine lab here in Santa Cruz.  

It has been a while since I have posted.  We went to Waikiki for a little rest and relaxation.  We really enjoyed the warms sun and tropical breezes.  Good food and lots of walking back and forth to the beach.  We were there during the APEC(Asian Pacifice Economic Council), had 21 dignitaries visiting, hosted by President Obama.  Tight security, lots of road closures while they traveled back and forth to meetings but all in all we weren't effected.  As always we had a very restful vacation.  Shortly after getting back I got a cold and needed some down time to restore my energy.

Thanksgiving was here, I cooked the turkey and prepared our feast.  Now getting ready for the Christmas season----Another year almost at the end.

 Diamond Head ,  Rainbows, Waikiki Beach

Cold Brew at Yardhouse, Dinner at Duke's. 

Beautiful sunset on Waikiki beach.

A few more photos.

Amazing how old these temples have held up in time.  Almost unreal.

 I thought I share some pictures taken last year on our tour.  We were so fortunite to have been able to go before all the chaos that happened earlier this year.  I aften think about our tour guide and how is doing. We had such fun and met such nice people from all over the world.  We spent a lot of time on the river boat floating down the Nile.  Up early and out to see the temples before it got really hot.  Very relaxing-time for afternoon tea and a nap.  Hope you enjoy.

I was looking through some pictures taken in France several years ago and ran across these.  Taken two days before Halloween during our Country Roads of France tour. 

Decorations are out, I'm officially ready for fall.  Today is really warm--yesterday it was cold and we had liquid sunshine.  What a differenc a day makes.  This is typical fall weather for Santa Cruz, so I am going to enjoy it while it lasts.  Not looking forward to winter, the older I get the colder is seems.  Everyone enjoy your week
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Thanks everyone for the comments on my fabulous fabric.  The quilt is officially in the beginning stages.  I cut out and put together my first 58 squares.

New fabric, for new quilt.  This fabric feels like satin to the touch, but 100% cotton.  Just love the black and cream.  It was so hard to cut into this fabric. It took me hours to decide how I was going to use it.  Finally have a quilt game plan.   I have finished my first 29 31/2" squares. 

Finished 2 quilt tops in the last couple of weeks. The one above is easy and can be sewn in about 45 minutes.  It takes a while to cut but if you get the fabric already cut into 21/2" strips it goes really fast. I used flannel, three different colors 1 yard of each color.  The back will be finished with green and white flannel.

This quilt top was cut out about 1 year and a half ago.  It only took me a short while to sew it together.  Again, a real easy pattern.  I wish I could say I AM A QUILTER!  Not so,  just having fun doing my thing.  I sew to relax.  It's my world...........I love to create.

This is one of Christine's dolls going to New Orleans this month, Captain Penny,  I saw it in person and the detail is just unreal, click up close to see what I mean. 

Artistic, creative and just fun.

Today I remember all the lives lost in 9/11.  I pray for the families of the victims.  I pray for peace.  I hope that someday all learn to respect each other no matter what religion, race or beliefs we have.  The future of our children and grandchilden are in our hands, each and every one of us.

This is Paris Cafe, a beautiful sewing cottage turned into the setting for the baby shower for Kathleen's daughterin law.  After months of preparation the event took place yeterday afternoon.  The food was wonderful and Seana, mom to be received so many darling clothes for baby Vivian Kathleen, that she can change her three to four times a day and never have her wear the same outfit twice in a week.  She will be the best dressed baby in Santa Cruz.  Blankets, quilts, shoes, bibs, burp cloths, book shelve, books, running stroller and more.  Games played.  All left with the beautiful eiffel tower cookie, made by the help of three.  Jenna, Kathleen's daughter made the dough, Kathleen made the cookies along with the help of friend Donna ( kitchen oven and frosting). 

Bread was baked at Gayle's Bakery.  Cupcakes were baked by good friend of Seana.

  

Quilt made by me.  A real gift of love to the couple Seana & Jonathan.  Welcome baby Vivian Kathleen.

My gift of LOVE. This is a cotton flannel quilt I am completing for the baby shower for the same little girl I made the bibs for arriving in October or early November. The classic Pooh is machine embroidered by me. 

        Just finished these bibs for a baby shower I will be attending next month.  Having so much fun sewing for little ones, it's been a while.  My good friend's new granddaughter is due in October. 

I love this picture taken from the bell tower in Venice.  Italy was an amazing travel destination especially for those who enjoy taking pictures,  you can always find interesting photo opts.  What i remember most about this day is that it was not raining-as most of my visits to Venice usually had some liquid sunshine. 

I am really enjoying sewing these skirts for Phoebe.  I have a lot of fabric in my stash and can't think of a better way use it.

                                                     Phoebe is 4 years old today. What a cutie.

Book Club at my house last night.  Cupcakes baked and frosted with the help of my granddaughter Michaela. Yellow cupcakes were stuffed with vanilla filling, pink were strawberry, butter cream frosting on top.  Michaela commented that adults don't like a lot of frosting so the swirls would be enough to satisfy all.  I do believe that making a cake is much easier ----- no more cupcakes! 

 Our group read and discussed 'The Book Thief".  The book was enjoyed by all.

More pictures taken by Michelle  at  Knysna Elephant Park, South Africa. 

My daughter and her fiance have been back from their trip to South Africa for a week now.  They stayed at an elephant lodge near George, South Africa.  Michelle was very excited to be a part of up close and caring for the elephants.  Watching the elephants sleep - do they stand up or lying down?  She also found out that they snore. who would have guessed.  They did some wine tasting, whale watching, baboon encounters(they were all over) visited a township. Their stay started with a stay in a very elegant resort (Sun City, South Africa).  They enjoyed their trip but were happy to be home.  They missed their dogs and their girls.

The Fountain, at the Fairmount, San Jose.

We joined Ray's brother and his wife for lunch last week.  Ray had the tuna for starters and I ordered the delicious soup, potato, celery something.  Yummy!  I'm thinking about trying to make this myself.

I have been in sewing mode for a week or so now.  I finished working on the top of a blanket or quilt, I haven't decided yet.  In the meantime I needed to do something else--so I made a skirt for the neighbor's granddaughter, Phoebe.  I have another one ready to put together.  I have no littel ones to sew for so---I need to find some more subjects.  Little girls needed.

Lemon photo shoot-took a break from sewing.  I really enjoy taking pictures of nature.  You don't have to ask your subject to smile or keep their eyes open.  Just focus and shoot.  Rarely do you get a bad picture.

Thinking of all the great trips my husband and I have gone on.  I came across this picture and it reminds me of the many roads our sometimes short lives travel.  Our community is morning the loss of a wonderful family that traveled around the world. They choose to get out and experience life to the fullest.  I challenge everyone to do the same as this family-live your life to the fullest.  I will.

 

My grandson Ocean really likes macaroni salad--so he is learning how to make it .  We had a day of cooking.  He also made spaghetti meat sauce.  It has been a long summer-and still has another 4 weeks to go.  We've been trying to keep the grandkids busy-a task for grandpa and grandma. 

White cotton fabric, I printed and sewed together to make shoulder purse.

Backside of shoulder purse is tan and black cotton.  It is lined with cotton muslin.  Rayon cording with zipper closure.  I am starting to get into the sewing mood again.