Catching up

I've been so busy crafting that I haven't blogged! I got a bug to embroider a tote bag for my BFF Ellen's birthday. Of course, I forgot to take a photo of it, so you can see in in Ellen's blog in the slide show of her little party. It's the Tiki bag. I had so much fun making that!! I used a transfer pattern from Sublime Stitching. What a great company!! They have tons of terrific patterns to iron on. I have now bought several -- I'm hooked.

I also crocheted some Spa Cloths from a pattern Ellen gave me and gave them in a Market Bag I made from the Sugar'n Cream pattern to my next door neighbor, Charles, for his birthday. I modified the bag to have two straps, one on each side. I used Cream for the Main Color and crocheted a stripe of Shades of Green on the body of the bag. I also failed to take a photo of it before I gave it to him. I should get the camera glued to my hip. And use it. He loved it.

Last Friday I hosted a Bollywood party for some of my friends. We are getting together to watch Indian movies and eat and drink. We're trying to do it on a semi regular basis. It's a lot of fun. We watched Koi... Mil Gaya. If you ever get a chance to see a Bollywood movie, DO IT!! They are a hoot. And the dance numbers are too much. It is the first in a series and we are planning to see the number two,Krrish, next. Jackie made chicken curry, Heather brought hummus and pita and they both brought bottles of wine. I provided bindis. Amanda was sick and couldn't make it, which is a shame because she knows all the movies and tells us back stories about the performers. She has seen tons of Bollywood movies and owns the ones we see. Here is a very blurry photo of Heather and Jackie, wearing their bindis.


I'm cruising along on my Clapotis shawl. My favorite part of the pattern is where she tells you to "eat a croissant". It's coming along very well, but I'm getting a little bored. It may be time to start something else.


I like the color changes and it's so soft!

Bella hid for the party. She is not very sociable yet, but I have hope. Here she is in her new favorite spot -- under my bed.

A Quick Note

I went to Ellen's art show last night at Future Studio and, to quote Ellen, it was faboooo! I met Madge, her husband, Tom and Marie for dinner at El Cholo Cafe in Pasadena, ate waaay too much (Green Corn Tamales!!!). shared a pitcher of delicious margharitas, then waddled over to Highland Park for the art show. There was quite a big crowd there and it looked like she had sold a lot of her pieces. I love Ellen's art and wanted them all, but finally picked this one because of my fondness for old LA and the Batchelder tile in the corner. I can't have it for a couple of weeks, but I've already scoped out the perfect spot so I can look at it every day.

I gave up on a top I was knitting -- it wasn't turning out the way I thought it would -- and started a Clapotis shawl with Caron Simply Soft Shadows in Pearl Frost. Here it is, so far:



It's pretty easy going. I'm doing only things I can work on at SnB while chatting or something to work on while watching all my Tivo'd programs. This is perfect.

Little Miss Bella has been a good companion while I've been on vacation. Here she was today in her favorite spot:

Fourth of July on the Beach

I spent most of last week up in Northern California, visiting Rosalie, my sister. I arrived Monday afternoon and stayed until Friday morning. She had Tuesday through Thursday off, so we got to spend a lot of time together. It was a great trip, starting with mud baths and massages at Indian Springs in Calistoga. It's an older spa and hotel all the way at the end of the main street and it is WONDERFUL!! The mud bath is a real bath -- you sink into volcanic mud. It's like being wrapped up in hot pudding. After showering off, you soak in an old fashioned claw tub with a glass of ice water on a tray in front of you. Then it's into the sauna for a while before the massage. Have I said yet what a sensualist I am? After being turned into noodles, we had a terrific lunch in town and then I went a little crazy over the some Southwest jewelry at Calistoga Jewels and Gallery. I blame noodleness for my lack of control. I bought a couple of beautiful rings that are being sized now. Pictures will accompany when I have them.

On Independence Day, we were off to a lovely party at a condo/golf course in Bodega Bay. It is one of the prettiest beaches I've ever seen -- the views are amazing.


It was a block party with lots of food and good company. We went off for a walk on the beach, where we saw a kite flyer


and some boats on the water.


It was a gorgeous day, almost too chilly on the beach, but we left the party to take a stroll around Schollenberger Park in Petaluma. Rosalie is a bird enthusiast and it is a good place to find egrets, Canadian geese and more. It's quite beautiful, too -- a large pond with all sorts of wild life.



My stay ended with a scrumptous dinner at West County Grill in Sebastopol on Thursday night. We both had the catch of the day -- halibut -- and the service, food and atmosphere were perfect for my last night in the North.

I do have a error to report on my last blog. The yarn I'm using for the cartigan is Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick in Charcoal and Plum. Here is is, so far:

It's amazing how much I can get done when I do nothing else... Still haven't tackled those boxes of books yet, but I've got another weeks' vacation left. Tomorrow I'm taking the sweater to work on while I meet Madge and her friends in Monrovia for some stichin' and bitchin'.


It seems I also forgot to post the beautiful Bella, so here goes:
First the Sphinx

And then the beauty shot

Isn't she plushy?

Angela and Ari

Last week I met my good friend, Angela, at the Farmer's Market. I was there to meet her new baby, Ari. He was the perfect baby -- he was adorable and slept the whole time. He got much attention; I don't think I've ever been so noticed at the Farmer's Market. Angela is also a terrific knitter and chomping at the bit to get back.


Speaking of knitting... I finished the Lacey Vee Tee! It just needs blocking, but I thought it turned out pretty well. Here I am in the new bathroom, trying to take my own photo.

After blocking, I will ask someone else to take the photo, but this gives a good idea. I've now started a sweater -- insane idea in this weather! -- from Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel. I'm knitting in in the designated yarn, which I hardly ever do. I'm using Lion Brand Jiffy Yarn in Oxford Grey. I'm proud to say it was from my stash!!! Something else I hardly ever do.

Santa Catalina

Just 2 days in Catalina seems like a vacation. It's hard to believe that something so close can seem like a place so far away. Alyson and I took the ferry over on Wednesday. We popped the extra money for the Commodore Lounge -- I highly recommend it.

You get a free beverage (that includes alcohol!), the seats are comfortable and it is air conditioned!! And I got a "Senior Discount". (Note to Ellen: evidently, 55 is considered a senior in Catalina.) I have to say, vanity took a back seat to the discount.

We stayed at the Pavilion Lodge -- a great place close to everything and suprisingly quiet -- and each got a great massage from Massages by Michelle. We had BBQ for lunch and fish for dinner and then went to the movie at the old 1932 Avalon Theatre. It's a beautiful place with original art deco murals covering the walls. The movie was Evan Almighty. Not the best movie I've ever seen, but I got the "Senior Discount" which made it a bit more palatable. The next morning we had waffles, rented a golf cart and rode up to the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Gardens. Wow. It's very impressive with beautiful tile work.


Here are Alyson and me in the memorial and the view from the tower.


Alyson did all the driving in the lucky #13 cart. We stopped to take photos of the most beautiful bouganvilla. It was eye popping.




I had never taken the tour of the Casino, so that's what we did. It's an amazing place that hasn't been changed much in the last 70 years. We started outside learning about the murals -- all original art work.
We went into the movie theatre and saw a little film about the history of the Casino -- a famous spot for a lot of Big Bands -- and then went up the ramps to the ballroom.





















Here is the chandelier.

Again, all art deco and all original.

We also got to see the Casino bar, which only served soda pop when the casino opened. It seems that Wrigley was a staunch teetotaler. It now serves all sort of beverages, but is much reduced from its original design.


After the tour, we boarded the ferry and headed home. It's really weird; I felt as if we had been gone for a while.

And, in case you were wondering, Bella didn't miss me at all.

Vacation

I've officially started my vacation. It was an imposed one, in a way -- my room at work is getting some new equipment --, but I'm grateful for the free time. Maybe I'll finally get around to putting books away! It's been months since the house has been ready for the books to find a home, but I haven't been sure what I'm going to do with them all. I have decided that the teak bookcases I have will not work in the studio; they are too dark and too big. Eventually I will have The Container Store put more shelving in there, but in the meantime, what to do with those books? I'm coming close to a decision, but then there are all the paperbacks! I need a serious weeding through all those boxes.


My vacation plans? I'm going to visit my sister, Rosalie, in northern California next week and this week I'm taking a couple of days to go to Catalina with Alyson. The third week will be mostly doctor appointments. Although I LOVE to travel to far away places , this time I'm staying close to home and enjoying my new house.

Saturday I went to the movies with my old roomate and wonderful friend, Elaine. (We met working wardrobe on the 1984 Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies.) We saw La Vie En Rose. It was amazing, although I think it assumed some knowledge of Edith Piaf's bio. As it is a French movie, I guess that is a given, but we were confused in some places over who was who. It did not take away from the power of the film. It is a feast for the eyes as well as the ears. (My professional opinion? It sounded GREAT!)

Bella will have to put up with my constant picture taking. Does she look annoyed? Or bored?

I almost forgot...

Here is the top I've been working on. I love the colorway and how it's turning out.
If you want to see all the photos from the car show, please view my album at KodakGallery.com.

Cars,cars,cars

Brit and I took a walk through Beverly Hills yesterday to look at vintage cars. It's an annual Father's Day event and an eye popping one at that. Brought back a lot of memories. My mom had a '55 Chevy 4 door Bel Air, and although there were none of those, there were a couple of '56 station wagons.


Brit saw a Dodge Charger and thought of Vanishing Point. (We had to go to Amoeba Music afterwards so she could buy a copy.) Here we are in front of the most amazing Sebring Mustang. The owner (there have only been 5!) took our picture.

There was a Rolls made out of wood,

and a purple 1953 Cadillac originally owned by Rita Hayworth.

There was a Jaguar that was the same age as me,


with little windows behind the head rests that were etched with little jaguars. They just don't make cars that stylish anymore.

Afterwards, we had a delicious lunch at Massimo and strolled up Little Santa Monica Blvd. to grab dessert at Sprinkles Cupcakes, but the line was out the door and down the street. For cupcakes??? No, thanks.

When I got back home, who should be waiting?

Bella 6/10/07

Bella 6/10/07, originally uploaded by mjl4952.

New Camera!

I've been coveting this camera for a year. I have a film Nikon N80 that I've taken on all my trips, but I've wanted a SLR digital camera, too. They are VERY EXPENSIVE and I couldn't justify spending the money, when I already have 2 cameras. I realized a few weeks ago that I have an overabundance of Membership Rewards points from American Express and I should check if they offer the Nikon D80. They did!! I snatched it up and have been enjoying it. It's really fabulous. It will be accompaning me on all my future travels. Digital photography is still new to me; I had film photography down pretty well and realize I must learn all new rules. I took the Nikon course a long time ago and am looking into their class for digital.

Bella is doing better every day. She will now jump up on the couch next to me (not in my lap yet) and checks out the bed at night, but is not comfortable staying there. She has now taken to hiding under the living room sofa. At least she is visible more than not these days.

Finished projects!!

I finished the baby blanket I started at Madge's. I just got a thank you card today. It was for little Drew Banks, the newest addition to the family of Damon, who is my boss at work. I like the way it turned out.

I also finished the two summer tops. The Blue Ballet Top just needed to be blocked, but it took me over a month to get around to that. Here are my self portraits in my new walk in closet.


Who knew I had become so busty? Is it middle age?

The mitered square top is also finished. Again some self portraits.


Of course, I've started something new. The Cabin Fever Lacey Vee is my next project. I'm making it with Elann Sonata Print in Licorice Allsorts. I love that yarn!! I made the mitered square top out of Rose Garden. It's cotton and cool. I've just started it, so progress will be shown as it happens.

I, of course, have many projects in various stages of being done, but those, again, will have to wait.