getting into vaca mode

I am now on vacation. We leave for the NC coast later this morning, but for now, I am trying to gear down into vacation mode. I still need to pack, but I already have most of my things together. I have the addresses and phone #s of the 2 quilt shops I plan to visit in Morehead City. Our beach towels are folded, I found my swim suit! I am so geared to accomplishing things that I am just flitting hith and yon as I try to refocus on just being in the moment. It will happen! I plan on stocking up on magazines, both sewing related and trashy gossip; I am looking for a novel to lose myself in; I have sunglasses ans sunscreen. Now, RELAX, dammit!!!

ltnb*

*Long Time No Blog.
Lots going on. Guess it is just that time of year. I finished the Amy Butler Sophia Bag. I am going to make another one! I had so much fun and learned some new tricks in the class. I am quilting on my "Triple Treat" quilt. I got the pattern out of a great book called "Happy Hour". These are the best quilting directions I have yet encountered. Not only does the designer give great instructions (plus the yardage needed in FQs and 1/2 yds) she gives projects to use up the waste fabric from the quilts. Today, I have been making table runners from this book using the left-overs from the quilt. I love to use up all my scraps in a really useful manner. My next quilt will be a black and white "Pixely Sticks" quilt for Jacob. the main panels will be all black and white with the sashing in a lime green. I am looking for a batik for this. I am thinking of doing the border in a black and white dot. I will need to go on a Mary Jo's run for this!

Al and I are headed to Atlantic Beach on Wednesday. I am ready for some sun, sand and surf!
I am also planning a trip in September to Ningbo, China. I am going over to visit our plant there and to develop a process for developing fabric specifically to weave there. I am both excited and a little scared. Never been to Asia before. That is a really long way from home!

Reflections on Las Vegas

Las Vegas is a fantasy city. A city of this size should not flourish in the desert, yet Las Vegas is the fastest growing city in the US. Never mind the desert, they harnessed the Colorado River for water. You can watch the water level of Lake Mead go down. There are bright flowers, lush trees, tropical wildlife. The saturated colors of the neon lights and theme resorts make it look like Disney World. I guess Las Vegas is an amusement park for adults. The slot machines are just grown-up video games. The visitors to Las Vegas seem to be living a fantasy as well. They dress as though they were all super models. So weird to me. I sometimes wish I could suspend belief and live my fantasy world. I would about 2 inches taller, 50 pounds lighter, my hair would be a mane of auburn curls and I would have emerald green eyes. I would also be able to dance, walk in heels and giggle disarmingly. But, I am as I am. And I dress rather conservatively. The only conservative thing about me!

Unofficial beginning of Summer

I snapped these beetles procreating on a thistle at the Grand Canyon last week. Sort of timely, since this weekend marks the unofficial beginning of summer and all that sunshine makes us humans more "randy"(hehehe.) The sunshine definitely improves my outlook. We had friends over for yardbird last night. Much fun. We have done a little house work today. Tackling the basement in small increments. Even 2 hours of work makes a big difference! Managed to gather about 6 big bags of crap to put out on the curb. Swept up the dust. Changed air filters. Just those things that need doing. I have 2 new sewing projects: an Amy Butler purse, and a pink/yellow/coral quilt. I have been collecting the fabrics for the quilt for a few months, and I cut it out Saturday. It is going together very quickly. I will post pics once it is complete.

lots 'o stuff goin on!`

That's me on the West Rim of the Mighty Grand Canyon. "Grand" doesn't do it justice! Magnificent, breathtaking, awe-inspiring, I stumble to find a human word to describe. Al and I took advantage of my conference in Vegas, and stayed an extra day to get to visit this Wonder of the World. We were on the ancestral land of the Hualapi Tribe. They were all very gracious and welcoming. This shot was snapped at Eagle Point which is home to the Sky Bridge, which is owned and operated by the Hualapi. This are was not commercial. We also went to Guano Point where we ate lunch in the Guano Cafe, which is also owned and operated by the Hualapi. This was a fantastic experience!

Vegas was Vegas. Hot, Loud, Gaudy, fun! The heat was pretty extreme. The H/D Expo (hospitality design conference) was my reason for going. It was well attended and is now 2 full floors at the Sands convention center. I saw and spoke with a few of my customers and had the opportunity to see what is happening in the Hospitality world. It was much needed to refill my inspiration tank.

The man-cub is home for the summer and started his summer job. He seems to be himself. I do enjoy his company! We have had a crazy week: back from Las Vegas on Sunday (nightmarish 5 hour delay in the Vegas airport), work Monday and Tuesday, Al was a speaker at the Google ribbon cutting Wednesday (along with Gov. Easley!), I started a class Thursday night (a highly constructed handbag), a dinner party Friday night. We are having friends over for a cookout tomorrow. But Monday is Memorial Day, we don't have to work. Now is the time to settle down into a summer groove.
I will bitch in a later post about the economy and gas prices, but for now I want to concentrate on the good things in life. Have a Great Saturday!