Have Handwork, Will Travel

What are your handwork essentials?

You know, the things you HAVE TO HAVE to stitch up a little something.

Here are mine. (Besides the little something, of course!)

How do you tote them around when you are on the move?

Dare I suggest an eye glass case??

So simple. So little. So tidy. So portable. Sew perfect!

4th Graders Rock

I was at the Diablo Valley Quilters show in Walnut Creek earlier this fall, and they had this little gem displayed.

A quilter and a story-teller all packaged into one little 4th grade girl.

Book Worm's Delight

I have no idea how I came by this picture...

But I have a couple of book-loving daughters who will love it.
Hope you both find plenty of warm, snuggle-y, super-silent, hot chocolate infused reading time this winter!!

Triangle Love

Oh yes!

Double Rainbow

This is my first ever double rainbow sighting.

I was SO glad to actually have a camera with me when I saw it.
I was in Sonora, at a quilt show of course, during a BIG rainstorm. It was my first rainy day of the season, so it felt fresh and cool and wonderful. Then as the storm blew out of town, we were blessed with this sight!

Just lovely.

A Lazy Sunday

What does a lazy Sunday look like at your house?

Around here, the look differs by the week and by the person asked. But for me, this past Sunday full of tootling around looked like this....

a little canning...

a little roasting...

a little iced coffee...

a new recipe...

and dinner made by my guy.

(He, of course, would have preferred 2 steaks and 1 artichoke but sadly we only had 1 steak and 2 artichokes, so he had to make do. He's a trooper like that.)

As I put these pictures up it occurred to me that this looks a lot more like work than tootling, but I guess it's all in the attitude. And this past Sunday the attitude was all about ease.

Why did the tarantula cross the road?

I don't know either, but they are definitely on the move!!

Actually, I think this must be their migratory-or mating-or something-season because they are out in full force this time of year. If you come up the hill to visit me, be on the look out.
It would be too gross to squish one, even with the car!!

Scissor Love

How many pairs of scissors do you have in your studio/sewing room?

I probably have a dozen pair. Maybe more.
They all get used. Regularly.

Let me show you five of my favorites.
The two pair with patterned handles, those are Ginghers. They are the work horses of the studio.
The little swordfish pair, those are my newest addition. I just picked them up at a show and they are going into a little handwork case.
The red nippers live by my sewing machine and I use them when I am piecing.
And the thin, curvy nippers, I use those when I machine quilt.

The right tool for the job, and all that jazz!

And how about that fabric? I just picked it up at a flea market. And I think I might be in L-O-V-E!!

Vera Bradley

Hello all you Vera Bradley lovers!

Did you know you could add a little Vera flare to your computer?? For free??

It's true. Just hop over to her website (link here) and check out the great backgrounds she has to offer.

I picked this one. For now.

San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles

I stopped by the SJMQT last week on my way to Walnut Creek. They are currently showcasing an exhibit called Collecting New York Beauty Quilts: Bill Volckening's Passion. (It runs through the 27th of October if you want to see it yourself.) It was amazing!

Here are just a few of the Beauties on display.

Makes you want to break out the paper and start piecing doesn't it??!!

He is taunting me!

Do you see him??

He is running along the retaining wall trying to get my attention. And when I look up he stops and stares back. He doesn't even run away when I make big noise or take his picture. And he does not seem to be at all phased by my evil-stink-eye, and that is saying something because my evil-stink-eye is the bomb!!