Sunday, April 10, 2016

Retreating (& More)


Last weekend I attended a sewing retreat. Lots of sewing happened but, for this or that reason, I was only able to finish one quick project.

TOC:


Another Presto

I found this ITY knit in my stash and it fits with my teal color scheme. The pattern has a 3/4 length sleeve, but I lengthened the sleeve on this version. I made no other changes.

And, yes, I have new glasses. After many years of stable vision, my prescription changed substantially this year. I now require less correction though my eye doctor refuses to say that my vision has "improved", I just "require less correction." Hmmm....


Sewing Retreat

I enjoy a good sewing retreat! I recently spent 3-1/2 days in the hills outside of Watsonville with some sewing friends. What a beautiful location! It's a charming little retreat center called Venture Valley.

An apt metaphor for creative dithering

Dorothy wearing yet another of her wonderful Alabama Chanin pieces

On Instagram, I posted pics of what some of my fellow retreaters were sewing and wearing. I won't re-post all of the images here, but you can find them on my Instagram feed.

Luanne got the sunny spot

On her Instagram feed, Luanne busted me. I sew with bare feet. ;)

All packed for the retreat. Clothes in the suitcase on the left. Fabric and patterns on the right. Sewing machine and Ott light packed separately. ;)


Talk at Cañada College

My talk at Cañada College is next Saturday. If you are coming, please know that you can park for free in the college's parking lot. (You can ignore the parking fee for this event.)

I spent today preparing (no sewing for me this weekend), and I hope to see you there!


Style 16

I'd heard about the Style 16 show for years, but I finally attended this year. Style 16 is a fundraiser for the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) and supports cancer survivors. This was especially poignant for me as a friend recently died of breast cancer.

This event brings together over 50 wearable designers for a delicious sale of their goodies. Style 16 was held at the PAMF center in Mountain View, a beautiful building featuring two impressive Chihuly pieces.

I ran into many friendly faces, including Carol Lee Shanks, who led the Design Outside the Lines retreat with Diane Ericson that I attended last fall. She was selling some of her beautiful garments. I also saw Jane Foster, who was there with a posse of her students, who were attending her sewing retreat. (She posted pics from her retreat on her Facebook page.)

Gayle Ortiz was there and, after the shopping, a group of us enjoyed a long lunch.

left to right: Lisa, Gayle, me, Lynn, Tamara


Annie Liebovitz "Women" Exhibit

Misty Copeland, one of my favorite Liebovitz images from the exhibit

I have to thank JillyBe for bringing this exhibit to my attention. If you are in San Francisco before April 17th, you might want to check this out. This exhibit has been mounted in an old military barack-style building at Chrissy Field. All of the pre-registered tickets are gone, but you can stand in the walk-in line. The exhibit is free and definitely worth a visit.

Outside the exhibit at Chrissy Field, San Francisco

The exhibit will eventually travel to New York, but it will also travel to non-U.S. cities. It has already been to London and Tokyo and will be visiting Hong Kong, Frankfurt, and Zurich, to name a few. Check out their website for more information.

The walk-in line moved pretty quickly and was filled with (mostly) women of all ages


Walk to Work Day

Last Thursday was National Walk to Work Day.

I decided to participate. I live on the western side of San Francisco and my office is on the eastern side.

Cresting Twin Peaks

Stopping in Union Square for my favorite green smoothie with chia seeds

I made it!

It's six miles from my door to my desk. It took me two hours, which includes waiting for stoplights, taking and posting pictures, and stopping for a smoothie... I won't be doing this every day. ;)


I didn't sew this weekend. I won't be sewing next weekend. Next week I have another quick work trip to Seattle. I have some half finished projects, but I'm not sure how soon I'll have anything to show.

I hope you have a great week!