Invasion

Paid a visit to my neighborhood Starbucks and this is what I saw.

Since when did my Starbucks and Home Depot's parking lot become a truck stop?
I counted seven semi-trucks including the trucks out of frame. I know truck drivers need to refresh but this is not a check point for them, worst of all, they travel in packs. Let's hope they at least bought a muffin at Starbucks.

bbl with knitting. :-)

Friday Crochet

Woohoo! My Fridays are so exciting.
A quick update on the baby blanket.
All of my squares are finished ~~> sixteen to be exact. Yay!

The plan is to crochet a trim on each square in a contrasting color and then piece it all together using blue yarn. The blanket is still in the editing stages and it could change many times in color and size.

Pattern: I found the pattern for the baby squares on Krisknits blog. She designed each pattern with baby cloths in mind, but I visioned a baby blanket instead. Go figure.
Yarn: Vanna's Choice Baby Yarn in white, Sweet Pea, Duckie and Little Boy Blue.
The colors compliment each other nicely, but I'm still debating whether I should stay with three colors or go with four. Any thoughts?
Needles: US size 9 circular knitting needle and size I crochet hook.
Notes: Kris recommends using a size 3 needle to help the design standout, but my yarn is a 4ply and went with the suggested needle size on the label. In addition to the set I used (Baby Cloths) there were three other sets included; Spring Cloths, Summer Cloths and Beach Cloths. ~~> I'd like to add that there were a few errors in a few of the patterns, nothing major. Thank you to Jennsquared for noting the mistakes on her Ravelry page and to Jen for bringing it to my attention because for a minute there I really thought I was missing something. Also, I did not use all the designs in each set, I pretty much chose what I thought would scream BABY BLANKET. :-)

So there you go...my exciting Friday.

Is it autumn yet?

Sewing Projects

The princess pillow is finished - with soft plush fabric on one side and a princess print on the other - it's ready for lounging.
This is also my mediocre attempt at quilting or in my case sewing long strips together. I can confidently say my sewing skills are pretty good. I can follow a pattern like nobody's business, but trying to construct a simple pillowcase with two contrasting colors to cover up some flaws in the princess print panel almost did me in - I tend to overthink things all the time and forget that simplicity is key.

I started by adding the blue and pink strips to the panel (in the second picture you can see the plushy fabric in the background).

And, here is the beautiful pillow.

I also finished the summer dress I started a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, I am not a photogenic person and you'd have to tie me up and slip the dress on to get me to pose for the shot. Fat chance. I do have to say, it's very comfortable.

They're not the best pictures, sorry. I draped the dress on something and it looks like a blouse, but I assure you, it's an above-the-knee length dress. And, since I made the largest size to avoid fiddling around with a zipper, I added loose elastic to the back to give it some shape... yay, it worked.

My next project...the baby blanket that I've put off for too long.

Happy Wednesday All!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

...to Spain for winning the World Cup 2010!!

(Photo courtesy of Yahoo Sports)

Viva España!!!

On other related news: Paul the Oracle Octopus is now eight for eight!

I wonder what Manny the predicting parakeet in Singapore thinks about Paul's streak?

ttfn :-)

NEWS FLASH!!

PULPO PAUL IS SEVEN FOR SEVEN!!

He's dodged "revenge grilling, death threats" by predicting the winners for the last seven World Cup Games, correctly.
Including Spain's victory for tomorrow's final game against the Netherlands.

Crossing my fingers for a Spanish win!!

... and for Paul's extended life.

Summer Road Trip 2010

My friend "Nina B" and I put on our traveling pants and hit the road, bright and early Thursday (Where's my coffee?), and headed north.
Destination: The J. Paul Getty Museum.
If you ever find yourself vacationing in the Los Angeles area, you must visit this glorious museum.

The architecture throughout the center leaves you in awe.
Not even the grayness of the sky kept the shadows from transforming into artistic installations. As we toured one gallery after another, each building was illuminated by the many strategically placed windows and skylights.

As you arrive, volunteers lead you to a platform where a tram takes you up to the museums; four buildings filled with beautiful art.

I'm not sure what's happening with the California weather, but it was unusually chilly for a summer day. The first photograph overlooks Pacific Palisades and Malibu; the Pacific Ocean is behind the coastal fog. Later in the day, the fog burned off a little and the blue sky peeked through, but only for a short time.

I photostitched this photograph to show the extravagant design of the Central Gardens.

Throughout the museum you'll find European paintings, decorative furnishings, sculptures, and gorgeous tapestries.
I took as many pictures as my camera allowed me of all my favorite pieces, before the battery died.
I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Have a great weekend. :-)