movie time

Have you seen the movie Precious?  I just went with a friend today and was blown away by the acting and the intensity of this film.  The film was based off a book called Push, written by Sapphire.  The casting was done extremely well.  The young actress who pulls off the character of Precious does a remarkable job, and the mother played by MO'Nique is outstanding.  I have to say there was more than once I was wiping tears away as they dripped down my face.  This is a must see film.

Sew Expo

This is the weekend of the annual Sew Expo in Puyallup.  I always look forward to going and seeing what's new not just in the Seattle area but from all over the nation. 

I attended only one seminar called Refined Embellishments for Creative Sewing.  The speaker Londa Rohlfing was very interesting.  She has put out a video that's almost 3 hours long with more detail for the items she touched on in the seminar.  It really was a pretty interesting class.  She uses a lot of couching of threads, and bias.  She also has developed several styles of jackets with sweatshirts as a base.  These aren't the sweatshirt jackets of the '80s that you split up the middle and put some fabric trim  on the middle and cuff.  These really are much more distinguished, and was surprised that the jacket she wore in the seminar started life as a sweatshirt.  She states the sweatshirt is really just fabric and binding or ribbing that you are purchasing.  She has a website and I would recommend that you visit.

Although I went thru the entire place more than once I was drawn to a couple booths over and over. Nifty Thrifty Dry Goods is a collection of unique and vintage notions.  I love the set up on this booth, it reminds you of an old country story, with jars filled with a single colour of buttons, and cards of trims of a thousand varieties it seems, and beads , etc.  I think I went back here three times to browse their wonderful goods. They also have a storefront online.
Of course I had to go to the Professional sewing Supplies booth and restock my silk flower pins and tailors wax.  There was the Seattle Yarn shop  which is in West Seattle.  I can't wait to go over one day and visit their actual shop.  There were some lovely yarns and textures in their displays.
Lastly I went to Pacific Fabrics.  I love this place. I was so sad when they closed the Issaquah store last year.  I have to really think to go to the bellevue store or my favorite the North-gate store with its Galleria section of fabrics.  I found several goodies here.  A new release of Washington fabric that has pictures of most of the high points.  Seattle's pike pike place market, mt Rainer, snoqualmie falls, apple or cherry blossoms, wheat thrashers, totem poles, crabs, just a few things to mention here, i can't off the top of my head remember them all.  I also found some new Heather Bailey fabrics to use in my guest room.  And I picked up a couple of specialty patterns.  I really didn't spend too much this, trying to be more responsible and cut down on the excessive stash I already own.
I routinely do this show alone.  I went a few times with a good friend who also sews, but I find that I'm looking for one thing or another and I don't want to take the time to look for the things they want too.   I know its kind of selfish but it cuts down on the time I'm there. I don't care for large crowds like this type of event calls for, and its better if I can get in and out as fast as possible. 
The Expo is still on Sunday and if you live in the greater Seattle area its a fun way to spend the day or a few hours.

The revolving door

My house has a revolving door these days.  My husband left for Vermont and my auntie flew in from Hawaii on the same day.  She left earlier this week and my husband with luck will return tomorrow.  Then my daughter will be leaving on Friday for a whirlwind trip to Boston to audition for the conservatory there.  My auntie once again flies in late Saturday night and flies out Sunday, and my daughter returns Sunday night.  My little car makes that trip to the airport quite fast these days. Since they've started the "enhanced" security we no longer go in, as its the security trip that can take 40 minutes or an hour & half, but you can't spend time with family and friends any longer.
      So here's to clean sheets, fast commutes,  quick security lines and pleasant travel.  And Thursday as its the only day this week I won't be at the airport!
treva

its official!

It is official I opened my Etsy shop today.  I plan on downloading a new item every few days to keep it up in the interest area.  You can go there by going to :
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RedandCurlyBebe

Where Berries and Cream is my first item listed for sale.

taking a drive

Today was the perfect weather day.  Crisp, cool, snow on the ground in some places and clear & dry roads.  We drove to Leavenworth this morning, had lunch at Gustav's to fuel my aunties shopping engine.
Then we hit the street running- mmm actually that would be shopping.  First place out, auntie finds the perfect buys for her.  We mosey in and out stores, checking out the merchandise and giggling over several things we stumble upon. 

Finally we stumble into the Icicle Ridge Winery Tasting Room.  Yeah- I love this place.  5 pours for $2.50 and free with purchase.  I got to taste the new release of Sangiovese-a yummy red that is low acid.   A lovely sparkling white was also available to wine club members.  Yeah for being a wine club member! 

After an hour in the tasting room, we headed to Mozart's cafe and had coffee.  Cafe has a different picture in my mind this was more of a restaurant and was set romantically for dinner.- uhm yeah drink and run.  Outside was starting to cool off from the clear skies and setting sun, so we decided to head home. 
 It was a lovely perfect day for such and outing.

Theatre

Ahh what a great week so far.  Saturday and Sunday we were able to attend the Chop Shop Bodies of work- Contemporary/modern Dance showing.  Fabulous show both days.  If you weren't able to see it this year, definitely make the opportunity next year if your in Seattle in February. Congratulations to Eva Stone who put this gig together.

Today we were able to hit the movies and see Crazy Heart with Jeff Bridges, Colin Farrell, and Robert Duval.  What a great flick.  They all sing, which was pretty impressive. Not bad voices either.
If you get  chance you want to hit this one up.

Olympics!

I love winter Olympics, don't you?  The beauty of the skaters, and the thrill ride the skiers and snowboarders have. What great weekend to have the Olympics going on.  Its Presidents weekend here in the states, It's Valentines Day, The Olympics competition is going on just north of us in Vancouver, and the Chop Shop Festival-bodies of work festival also was on Bellevue.


My hubs is Vermont for work, so we are spending the day apart obviously.  But I did have my daughter home this weekend, and my auntie is visiting from Kauai for the week.  We've been watching the Olympics in the evening, attending the dance festival and doing a bit of shopping and lots of eating out.

I hope you all are having a good weekend. 
I'm working on a pair of booties for infants that kind of look like ballet slippers. They were so cute I just had to try them.  pretty quick to put together, as most small items are.  Will post when the set is done.

I dedicate this post to the luge rider who lost his life the practice runs before the opening of the Olympics.  Such fierce competition, we know there are dangers in these sports, but we don't expect them to lose so much.
treva