San Francisco Fine Art Fair at Fort Mason

This year's San Francisco Fine Art Fair was not the most awesome art show I have ever seen, but it did have some very interesting things. Just one textile artist (I bought her catalog) and some wonderful photography.

A gardening day at home

After a brief hailstorm this morning,the sun came out so I decided to tackle the weeds in our back patio. You can see our new back fence in the background. Then I rewarded myself with a bouquet of roses from the garden. The white flower in the glass vase is from one of the bushes I bought last week, it seems very happy in our kitchen window.

My entire weekend of lace knitting

I know it doesn't look like much, but this is the result of many hours of lace knitting on the 2011 Anniversary Mystery Shawl! The next clue won't come out until Saturday and I'll be too busy to get much done on this project, so I decided to get as much done as I could now, while I have the time. The next clue will take much longer than this one, also.

A couple weeks ago, we visited the Alameda antiques market again. We got there early enough to actually walk around all the booths! I can attest that the prices go down at the end of the day--I got some silver plated serving spoons for $5 each, originally marked $18.50 each, and a cute plastic sewing thread carousel for $5! It was not a good day for crocheted bargains, but I picked up several Japanese-style wooden boxes and a vintage toy "ray gun" that shoots light when you pull the trigger!

Sunday, May 08, 2011

Japantown for Mother's Day

We ate lunch at the sushi boat restaurant (for once, there was no line to get in) and then shopped. I bought several books, and we had "bubble tea" and ice cream crepes for desert. Isn't it cute how they made little faces on our desserts? (last picture). I love Japantown!

1870 Art Center Open Studios

Today, I also visited the 1870 Art Center in Belmont, it's a place that I visit frequently and have gotten to know some of the artists who have studios there. Today I was looking for sculptors who teach classes at the center, there are two: a wood sculptor and a stone sculptor, both very experienced teachers. I also found some beautiful photo prints and tatted bookmarks, everything was bargain prices here, as well.

San Mateo Garden Center Spring Sale

Usually, the San Mateo Garden Center is not open on Saturdays. But today was their Spring Sale, so I stocked up on new plants for my own garden (at bargain prices) and took a few pictures of the Garden Center, which is looking great! The rose garden is especially lovely, full of colorful blooms.

Hunters Point Shipyard Open Studio Tour

I have not been to the Hunters Point Shipyard artists studios for many years, so it was a treat to visit there on Saturday during the Open Studios tour. We saw about half the buildings, so I know where I will go during the next Open Studios in October. This is a free, very inspirational way to spend a day! Makes me want to start painting again.

Visiting Carmel on Easter weekend

It was a lovely day, we found a parking spot on the street near the Old Forge so that's where we ate lunch (I had a huge quiche and salad--half the quiche went home for my dinner). I stopped into Yarns by the Sea for a Knitscene magazine and a skein of sock yarn, then we explored Pilgrim's Way bookstore and the delightful Secret Garden courtyard behind it.

My latest bargains at the Candlestick Antique Market

It was chilly and windy, so about half the vendors didn't show up. But the ones who were there were cheerful and willing to bargain. I didn't see any great textiles, but I did buy a nice little Chinese wood cabinet with lots of drawers and inlay, and a needlepoint cat pillow that will eventually live in Atlanta, after I replace the backing fabric and stuffing. I like the Candlestick Park Antique Market, I just wish more sellers would come!

Why I was late to work on Monday

It took about an hour to get over the hill on highway 92 on Monday, April 11, because a gravel truck overturned on a steep curve and blocked both lanes. I shot this pic just as I was finally able to get past the wreck.

Baby J's Buzzy Bee Blanket is done!

When I saw this pattern in knitpicks.com, I had to buy it! It is so cute, the colors are so untraditional for a baby blanket (yellow and black), and the pattern is such a fun mix of an easy lace pattern and garter stitch stripes. I also ordered Knitpicks Shine yarn to make it. There was one large error in the pattern, but after I figured out what it was, the rest was clear sailing. I did have to wash it when it was done, because a lot of yellow fuzz came off on my jeans when I was working on it.

Alameda Antiques Faire--another lucky Sunday!

My major purchases, a crocheted 1940's afghan and a 1940's quilt, are in a blog post on the Crochet Today website. But I wanted to post a couple of other purchases here: 4 Singer sewing booklets and an interesting toy "slide viewer" that came with tons of mini-slides of insects--I hope Isaac does not read this blog and spoil the surprise (although I might save these for a Christmas present, so he will have to wait awhile).

The other photos are my friend Alice, who brought a very interesting crocheted shawl to Peets a couple of weeks ago. We could not quite figure out how the stitches are worked.