Had a great trip but even better to be back home. I was able to visit two needlepoint shops while I was there. One was in Santa Clara and one feature they had was all their threads arranged on racks by color families no matter what brand. I can see how if you are picking threads for a painted canvas that this might be helpful. The other one was Needlepoint Inc. in San Francisco. They are just across from Union Square in a posh shopping district with Macy’s, Sak’s on 5th, Neiman Marcus, Tiffany’s, to drop a few names. This is the company that does Needlepoint Inc. silks. Also went shopping to help the economies at Napa and Vacaville bead shops. Now if I can just translate these wonderful beads into wearable art…The niece’s wedding was in her aunt and uncle’s vineyard in the hills north of Fairfield. It made a very scenic backdrop for the nuptials! Taco dinner was out by an old barn lit with white strings of lights. The music was an eclectic mix so we “oldies” could relate. Once the sun went behind the trees and the breeze picked up, it made a very peaceful, pleasant setting. Also visited the Jelly Belly candy factory after helping clean up the wedding site on Sunday afternoon. Strolled in the Pacific Ocean at Santa Cruz, looked up at the mighty redwood trees and walked (puffed) up probably the steepest five blocks in San Francisco after visiting Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown areas. Got in nice visits with two sisters and families of Ken’s. Made it home in time for the last ball game of the season – a double header that Jordan’s team took both victories. We should get a short break before soccer and football get started.
We are getting in some new fabrics for Christmas and winter themes. From SPX Fabrics is Santa’s Journey, South Sea Imports by Debbie Mumm is Santa’s Gifts and Wilmington has Winter’s Story with pretty cardinals, Henry Glass by Leanne Anderson called King’s Arrival. Each of these has a nice panel that you could whip up a project in no time. We got in Dino World from Blank Fabrics for your favorite young person. Some of these have downloadable free patterns from the fabric companies. It is time to start your Christmas projects now so you have plenty of time to complete them for the holidays.
