Strawberries and cream.. and coffee, of course

I don't know about where you were but here in Northern California it was a lovely weather weekend. Elizabeth and I took a nice car ride on Saturday, over to Mill Valley and up to Sebastopol, with stops along the way of course. There were some places on her list of places to go and so go we did.

Our trip took us across the Richmond-San Rafael bridge, which is a pretty bridge, but I didn't capture any of it's glory. Maybe another time. As a kid I never liked this bridge, you can see out between the roadway and the sides, and I was always thinking about how easy it would be to slide out and plunge to a gruesome death below. Because that's the crazy stuff I'd think about when looking there. I don't think you can walk across this bridge anyway, and even if it was possible, NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN.

But I digress as I often do.

I'm not sure if I ever went into Mill Valley, or at least into the little old-town, I don't remember it specifically. Its a charming little area. We'd read about a French shop there and we were dying to see it. The sidewalks were brick and this shop was part of a little warren of buildings that had a tunneled walkway between them, including this darling sewing shop and a restaurant.

I was thinking about all my bloggy friends and taking photos, so when I saw this book it just seemed like serendipity. The sewing shop had an eclectic collection of things, we didn't buy anything but it was fun looking. We walked around the block and enjoyed the sunshine.

And then we went for a coffee and a snack at the little French Bakery.

I mean really, is this the best looking mid-morning snack you've ever seen? I rarely see such lovely pastries anywhere and it was hard choosing what to have. The strawberries were so ripe and flavorful it was like I'd never had strawberries before.

That's pretty much because this was all part of my little fantasy life. No, I mean I was there, but a place like this is something I've always dreamed about. Living near a little downtown area where you could stroll to breakfast on a Saturday morning, have a coffee, read the paper.

Live in a little old house, funky but filled with interesting nooks and crannies. A magazine life. Or one made for TV. Filled with baguettes and fresh flowers and of course, strawberries. Insert the fruit of your dreams. Have a coffee. And a charming day.

Elizabeth has more of the day.. read about it on her blog.

The One where I'm Insane

A couple of weeks ago I was blogging around and happened to come across a post about a store in Seattle called Daiso.There were the obligatory photos of the goods purchased and it looked like stuff from a store Monica had been telling me about, a Japanese Dollar store.

You know, kind of like a crack house for Hello Kitty Lovers.

I was pretty much hyperventilating when I found out there was one, in fact a brand new one, in Daly City, which is not all that far from me. Well, an hour but still, who WOULDN'T drive an hour to go to Daiso. I mean the blogging possibilities alone are worth it.

But then I kind of forgot about it for a week, and my free day had passed and I couldn't believe on Sunday morning that I hadn't remembered to go to the Daiso store. So Frankie, taking pity on her obviously pitiful mother, said "lets go". I'm really not a lets go kind of person at 1:30 in the afternoon but what the heck? I mean really WHAT THE HECK?

So we went. Frankie took the photos and most were kind of blurry as she tried to rein me in. Seriously, I don't know why she was trying to take all these serupticious photos because people had cameras out like crazy taking photos in front of the store and of each other in the store. I have a ton of blurry photos so seriously, I'll be doing it again. I was OHMYGOSHING from the moment I stepped in the door. I have never ever seen so much darling cute amazing stuff.

Here's our haul.

So I ask you, who doesn't want a cat bed that looks like a strawberry? I almost want to get a cat just so I can get one. And I'm allergic! And the little paper products and baking good stuff, I mean I don't even know what to call it or what to do with it but OMG I want it so bad I could weep. Cupcake cups for the tiniest cupcakes ever, in all kinds of darling patterns. And plastic, there's a whole room of colorful plastic stuff. And those tiny lunch boxes, with tiny little chopsticks inside.. like I'll ever take mine out of the package in the first place. Frankie is using hers for lunch. Did you hear me, SHE'S USING IT.

So there you go people. Now you can see just how crazy I am.
(You can turn away now, the spectical is over.)

Copy Cat

Turns out I'm not the only one who fell in love with the little table runner in the Square Patchworks book. Monica also made this runner.. you'll have to hear about hers over here..but right now she's out getting that Hello Kitty Sewing machine that I am ABSOLUTELY DYING OVER. So head over and check that out. OH. MY. GOSH. Seriously people. Have you seen it?

I don't know what it is about the Kitty but now that she's sewing I have to be a part of it. There's actually two Hello Kitty Janome sewing machines but this one with the cherries.. well, it says "Pam, please buy me. Leave me in the box and stash me behind the sewing table with the thread and dog fur and dust and leave me there till someday you clean up your sewing room and find a lovely display spot perfect for me." Lets face it, the Kitty knows me.

I am sew weird

This is what I've been up to at home. Sewing. I love sewing. Sewing and Coffee. And Crossing Jordan. And possibly my old boyfriend, Perry Mason. Definitely him.

When I'm not sewing at home or working at the shop, I'm sewing for my friend at her house. I'm like that. Gadding about. You can read all about it here.

Yum. Paid in full.

Boutique Patchwork

Are these not the cutest? They're my three Petit Boutique Patchwork books. I'm so delighted with them. I've already been working on a project from the Square Patchworks, but next is my little house. Is that so sweet? Why it's called Piggy Patch I have no idea. Each book has something Piggy Patch in it, maybe it's a designer name? Mystery to me I guess. Every one of these books had something in it that I was anxious to make. Can you blame me when they are just this cute?

Happy Monday my little spring flowers. Lets have a wonderful week!

Fancy Things

One of the lucky perks with the Quilter's Buzz article was that I received a lot of really nice comments and email from people. In one particular instance, it was someone that I had met a long time ago at quilt market, October 1999 as a matter of fact.

I think people who have been quilting for a long time might recognize some of the quilts in the background there. They're quilts from Cabbage Rose's Fancy Things books.

Barbara has a new blog now. When she left the comment on my blog I was over the moon. Famous people, you know how that wows me. Barbara was very friendly and nice to me when I saw her at quilt market. Of course she saw like a million people and I don't expect her to remember me at all, but I think we had girls the same or similar age, and more than once I plopped my fat.. I mean weary bones down in her folding chair.

Like a lot of quilters who've been at it for a while, personally or professionally, we're all looking to make some changes, try some new things, and Barbara is at it full speed ahead. Check out her new blog, I love the owls Barbara. I still love your stuff, old or new, its fresh and clean, inspiring.

First one to see Mt. Diaaaablo!

That was the winner's cry when I was growing up. We lived in Clayton (California) at the foot of the very beautiful Mt. Diablo. Every morning we'd have breakfast in front of a big window looking out over the mountain. Winter time we always looked for snow on the mountain and in spring we'd always trek out across the little hills for a climb up Mt. Diablo. As kids we thought we were really up there, but looking at the mountain now, no way. We also rode our bikes over the now horrifying to me Ygnacio Valley Road and tried to ride up Mt Diablo, neighborhood kids on sting-rays and other regular old bikes. I can't believe now that we really rode all over like that because the thought of coasting down Ygnacio Valley road at some crazy speed makes me realize how lucky we are to be alive.

Anyway, whenever we went on long rides or off on vacation, on the way home it was always about being the first one to see Mt. Diablo. Yesterday in Clayton the mountain was so beautiful with its dusting of snow. I don't often see it from the same angle as my youth. Living in Livermore we're on the other side of Mt. Diablo . Always though in my head I'm saying "First one to see Mt. Diaaablo".

Can't get to sleep at night

There's nothing an 8 foot ladder, a flashlight and a pair of binoculars can't find my friends.

(the rabbits in their glory the last time I saw them in Spring 2004!!!)

Good Morning!

Greetings from Somewhat Sunny California! I don't know how long the bit of sunshine we have will last but I'm soaking it up. Along with a lot of coffee. I woke up early feeling refreshed and like I want to get busy doing something. I'm not even sure what. (Maybe find those stinken rabbits that have been missing for like 2 years.. but we'll see how long that lasts.)

The mystery has been revealed so I can reveal it here as well. The photo is taken in my hallway, which is dim, so its not really very good. The background is a darling white on white which you really can't tell at all. Cute quilt, no borders yet. I think it's twin size in the end. You can probably pick out the one turned block. I just didn't have the heart to rip it out and fix it, so there you go, permission to leave your mistakes as a reminder that ... well whatever you need reminding of. (In my case possibly that I'm lazy.)

Does anyone else get Mary Engelbriet Magazine? Did you see this month's issue? We got them in at the shop and although I get the magazine by subscription I had to buy it, it was so good. Of course I'm considering arson at this time, so lets not look too suspish. And is anyone else noticing how much sewing related advertising that's going on in home dec magazines lately?

Of course in a lot of ways, who needs magazines anymore when you have blogs to read. Its a nonstop flow of amazing things. I do have one request though people, please stop with the studio pictures and all the organization. I already feel inadequate as it is.

Well my peeps, I hope you have a wonderful day.

Check us out

Head on over to Quilter's Buzz and check out the article about Elizabeth's new book, featuring a photo of us where it looks like I've just jammed a ruler in her head and feel quite smug about it. And it was the best picture we took.

I kid you not.

But seriously, Elizabeth is a great friend to let me participate in any way. She knows the thrill of seeing your name in print under work that you've done, work that you love doing. It's the validation that you always hope for when you do something you love. She's a good and generous friend and I celebrate her success.

Hello!

So how goes the weekend people? Its been threatening to rain around here this weekend and its gloomy out, but that makes for good stay at home days. Not that I totally stayed at home. Target was calling my name and lately, I've been answering. A little too much.

I received a wonderful little Japanese craft book in the mail from Monica over at Happy Zombie. I love it so much. It's called House. (here's an ebay link, don't know how long it will last) I am totally cracking up over the fact that I had ordered a book on eBay that was a little companion to it, called Star. Photos are pretty much an impossibility for me in the dark light, but I'll work on it. I could weep they're so cute. And so totally me with their thirties fabrics.

I've been catching up on a sewing job I promised. Job because its not my favorite thing to sew garments but I promised. My mother-in-law cut out the nightgowns for me since I had put off that chore for so long, and tonight I finished one and just have hems on another. It took just two Crossing Jordan's on tape, and that's only because I had to keep stopping to see what was going on. Well they were pivotal episodes.

And I can't believe the things Elizabeth is sending me, drawings of quilts to come. She's been on a roll. I am positively swooning over one of them, and can't wait to make my own version of it. I'm starting to get excited about our road trip to Spring Quilt Market.

I think for once I'll try and hit the sack at a decent time to have a productive day tomorrow. I hope you're all having lovely weekends!

My name is Pam ...

...and I am a fabriholic

Well actually, I have better control than a lot of people after 10 years (or so) working in quilt shops. But things like this really make it hard on a girl. I went in on Wednesday and this pile of plastic wrapped goodness was on the cutting table, along with a bunch of bolts you can't see. I love love LOVE the blue rose floral, third one down in the second photo. It came in a large print and then in a smaller print, big lush roses. It's a line from South Seas and its really lovely.

My first impulse is to cut some.. but I resist if possible. Sometimes I can't, like that floral from the apron. I had to have some of that. Stat. Fabric emergency. Sometimes I just get over it, move on. I try try try to make myself not cut it till later in the day, to make sure I really want it.

Sometimes I try and figure out some great sample to make, then I can work with it, and then move on. But lately I've been too busy sewing for other people to make a commitment to sample making.

Its hard though, with that kind of temptation laying around, don't you think?

In the news!

In Between Stitches celebrated its 5th Anniversary last week on Valentine's Day. Look at this great article about Leslie and Melissa. Cute photo huh? Read the text here.

Congratulations girls!

PamKittyAfternoon

Yesterday was divine. I don't really know why, but it felt good. Our faux spring is over, the temps were still decent but the sky wasn't pretty and blue. Bret and Frankie went out to run some errands and I stayed home and sewed. I played a few of my Crossing Jordans in the background, they make for good sewing. Some shows don't you know. My TV is behind me when I'm sewing, so I have to be able to follow without watching. But I try and pin during the good parts.

Sewing for someone else means you have to really pay attention to detail, and you can see I'm still working on the piece for Elizabeth. The blocks are done and later, after work, I'll start working on the rows. I had to do a fair amount of picking out, which makes me just a tad sad because its all squares and rectangles. I must be a crappy seamstress because I didn't have to cut a thing, so it's me and the sewing. Why are my long pieces often crooked? It seems like I pay the proper attention.

Elizabeth cuts and sews each piece individually, and I'm from the strip pieced school of quilting. But the piece-by-peaceness of this was kind of nice, well except for the crooked bits. It's like a bit of zen sewing, sewing one piece then another and another till its done. I think of the strip pieced units as units-of-work, which is an accounting term I remember from college. I don't suspect they use that anymore, 70's accounting practices are long gone, but I always liked the idea of unit-of-work. It really fits the way I think, evaluate, and view things. I like how pieces are connected to a larger unit, which is part of something far greater. Like people, like family, like friends.

Happy day little units!

China Lilies

My mom has always loved these little China Lilies, they have same type of fragrance as the Paperwhites and they really can 'smell up the house' as some might say. I have a ton in my back yard now. My mom buys bulbs or plants in bloom and then they never repeat for her, so she gives them to me. I don't know what it is about me, or my backyard, but I just jam them in the ground and they grow. And bloom like crazy. It pisses her off, just a little.

The weather was positively delightful yesterday. Frankie and I went to San Francisco to the Gift Fair.(thanks for letting us use the passes Melissa) We had the nicest day, shopping, lunching and just enjoying the weather. But it looks like rain is upon us next week.

I'm leaving the windows open until then! Happy Sunday Buttercups!

Some Fun, Some Frustration.

Lets start with the fun. After my dentist appointment I figured I'd head over to the new Thimblecreek and see if my friends Chickie and Sandra where there. Having grown up in Clayton and Concord, and lived there I guess half my life, I figured I could make from point A, downtown Clayton, to point B, Concord by the airport, without any problems.

Well while it's true I had no problems, I did take a rather interesting route. I thought I could toodle down Clayton Road till I passed a road that would take me towards my destination but I just let all those possibilities roll by till I noticed I was on Port Chicago Hiway and somewhere... well else. When I did get on 242 and work my way back, I really don't know what town I was in. I think maybe some new part of Martinez? I should get a map out. Because believe me, I don't remember Port Chicago Hiway looking at all like that. BART tracks for one thing. I guess when you DON'T live somewhere for 26 or so years you just don't really know the way from point A to B on your own. I don't mind though, it was interesting. I think back about how Concord used to be, sometimes I dream about it. Well, way different now. And huge.

On the way I ran an errand. Monica, over at Happy Zombie has told that story, you can read it there. That's the frustrating part of the day. Grrr.

But as luck would have it, I am pretty good at finding things, you know in that idiot savant way. I had the general idea where I was. And I was in the mood for adventure. As you can see, I made it to my destination.

This was my first time at the new location,so it was fun discovering all the nooks and crannies. This cranny is my favorite, it's chock full of thirties fabrics. I'm sorry now I didn't get a better picture of those cute Prairie Dresses by Favorite Things . There was a childs dress as well, super super cute.

Here's Sandra working on some kits. There's my big pile in front of her. She's trying to concentrate and I can't stop talking.

Quilt Soup is a darling pattern company. And check out those cute crocheted cupcakes.

Here's Chickie, so sweet, cutting my fabric. I wish I had nice really good pictures of Chickie and Sandra but I just have these and two of them where they look like they're really really trying to ignore me, and probably wishing they'd said no Pam, it's not appropriate to bring your camera in here.

In the end it was a very nice day, save that tiny bit of frustration. It was so sunny and nice you can really believe spring is just around the corner. In fact, I understand it will be almost 70 degrees Friday and Saturday. Ahh, spring. Its like living in paradise.

Happy Weekend my Peoples!

This kind of morning

Yes, that's the kind of morning I wish I was having. Instead I'm going to the dentist. I don't mind really. It's just not in my routine. Hope to have a quick trip, it's just for a cleaning. And since I'll be out of my area, maybe find someplace new to go. Like an adventure.

Hope you have an adventure filled day!

Pick Your Poison

Have a Super Day!

Darling Black Heart Keychain courtesy of a generous gift to Frankie from Angelina at Dust Pan Alley.

Hip Homemaker?

Sunday Sewing

I guess this really isn't Sunday Sewing, since it's done. Morgan's apron goes together fast, and I finished this yesterday. No one would model for me,but I think you get the drift. I love it. Love the design, love the cheerfulness of it. Super. Cute.

Time to make a nice Sunday Breakfast then hit the sewing machine again. Since it's raining its a good day for coffee, TV and the sewing machine. I hope you all have a lovely day.

Morgan's Valentine's Day Apron

My friend Morgan over at One More Moore has graciously put up a tutorial for her darling Valentine's apron. I am totally making that apron. I've had the fabrics in anticipation!

When I first saw it I was just nuts over it. I'm thrilled she put together her tutorial and now we can all have a cute apron. Thanks Morgan!

This is what I'm also going to be working on. Elizabeth has put together a little kit for me to sew. Look how nice and organized it is. Elizabeth always has such pretty fabrics its a pleasure to sew for her. This kit is for her Simple Spring Rosebuds quilt.

I guess I better go pour myself another cup of coffee and get busy. You all have a great weekend!

An Open Letter to Albertsons

Dear Albertsons:

Please stop trying to win my affections with elaborate displays showing your love of helium. Instead, please stock the 100 calorie packs of Lorna Doones you keep advertising on your checkstand displays.

Your customer.
pkm
P.S. Helium Shortage , yeah, right.

Button Day

Probably everybody knows Sandy and I are great friends. I'm really lucky to know her and she's a very kind and generous friend. Today she invited a little group of us over to make buttons and have lunch. Which by the way was totally yum. It was a prestigious group, everyone there either had a book or was published in a magazine! It felt a bit like being a groupie at a Rock Star party.

Sandy blogged it all, so check her blog, she has more photos. Thanks Sandy. You're the greatest.

Uptown by Moda

Nothing makes us all happier than new fabric. This new line by Moda is so nice, it compliments some previous lines, like Tiddly Winks and has that new hip look that seems to have hit the scene. (hit the scene?.. geez Pam get a grip on yourself.)

I love the birds in the paint-by-number looking fabric. It's all unwrapped now, and put away. I'm waiting for this line, Summer in the City. There was quilt at market that was wonderful, and I'd like to make it.. it was kind of a string pieced affair. That's the hard thing about working in a store. All the possibilities.

I can see why a lot of you make things to sell. I love making things, but don't always have an outlet for the projects I make. I have finished and unfinished projects all over the house. And I mean all over. And not everything I make is something I want to keep forever, I just want to get a taste of it. I love fabric.

What are you working on?

Working with the Public

I think it was last week that I mentioned the thing I really like about working at the shop is the people. Some of you kind of doubted that, being you've met the public and all. But still. I really do like the customers.

Like this customer. Linda Souza is super nice and always cheerful. And not in the way that makes you sick either. She was a customer at the first store I worked at as well, so I've known her for a long time. Linda is retired now, and sews all the time. What's not to love about that? Linda is the first person to come in and say Hey I read your blog!!! I think maybe other people read my blog and just don't mention it. Or maybe I do have a big head and its just Linda and Chickie? I don't know, you be the judge.

So anyway...
Linda brought in a quilt that she'd made from a kit we sold at the shop. It turned out amazing! I asked her if she wanted to be on my blog and what do you know, being a good sport she agreed.

This is the photo that she'd probably like the most, being all serious and happy about how amazing this quilt turned out.

But this is the photo that cracked me up. Linda, you crack me up.

Here's a nice close up. It was kind of busy today, so I didn't have time to really capture all the lovely bits of this quilt. Or the darling label. Just had time to hang it and snap off a couple of shots.

This quilt is from the book Sweet Summer by Blackbird Designs and it was pieced and appliqued by Linda, and machine quilted by Cindy Young.

Thanks for sharing with my friends Linda. You do lovely work.

That's what it was like.

Yes, that is what it was like this week, visiting with Linda. Here. On our old stomping grounds. Linda came to live with my in-laws at the same time I came to live with Bret and we were really a force of nature! Some of my happiest family memories include Linda and how we'd just crack up over stuff. You know, silly ridiculous family stuff that's just funny to us.

We took her on a nostalgia tour of the area so she could see how things look now. We took her down to Monterey and Carmel, and then to San Francisco to the deYoung museum for the day, did the Japanese Tea Garden and Pier 39. It was great. Action packed days.

But now, Aleve. Because this is what I want.




Oh my aching back. Don't know what happened to cause this but it didn't slow me down. Much. This week back to my actual normal life. The one with my peeps and my blogs and the shop. We stopped in there to check it out and I found some lovely fabrics, which Elizabeth cut and put on hold for me. I'll have photos. I can't decide what to make yet, but I'm working on it.

So my little chickadees, I hope you have a lovely few days, I'll be checking in and seeing what you've been up to. I've missed you all.

Frankie and Phil agree.

Spring my friends, spring.