How was your three-day weekend? I only had Monday off, and my last day of the work week was kinda hard. I just wish the world is full of good people with good intentions and common courtesy. Anyway, I had a million things to do around the house and I just wanted to relax at home, but if I stayed at home, I knew I would still be thinking about work, so I had to get away from the city. We've been to Bodega Bay before and loved its coast and cute little town, so we decided to drive up there. It's a good driving distance even after a slow day start. We made a stop here and there and enjoyed meals at the local eateries (we are big touristic restaurant haters). Unlike last time, the road was busy and the town was crowded due to the long weekend, but it was still good. So good. Slow and relaxing. 
the beautiful Sonoma coast...
hello cows...
a dog on the beach...
an interesting setting caught our eyes. a bbq and a liquor store together inside...
order at the deli and pay at the liquor store...
big "joe" barbecuing more ribs...
the smell was so irresistible when we passed by. we had to make a u-turn and we were not even that hungry.and this place became a must stop whenever we are in the area...
mmm...pork ribs...
a bubba burger...sooooo good.
a house filmed as the school in "The Birds." i've seen this movie a few times as a classic movie fan. it's cool to see old Union Square in a classic film...
on the way home we saw a sign saying smoked clam chowder. we were still so full from lunch, but as a heavy clam chowder fan, we had to stop by...
stop by for their hearty clam chowder and the Hitchcock souvenir...
a cute picnic setting across the road...
the chowder was pretty good...
a hippie surf shop adds a character to the cute little town...
why does a post office in a small town always look cute?
back to the city...and another work week...
Estella took a robe class at The Sewing Workshop a while ago, and I finally got a chance to see it. So this is the famous robe from "the famous robe class." I say "famous" because quite a number of people came to shop for their materials at Peapod for this class. Everyone looked like they were on a mission for four yards of fabric and I was wondering how they had turned out. Estella was kind enough to come back to show me her robe. This print was one of my favorites (sorry, no longer available) and she looks pretty relaxed in it. I know it would have looked more natural if the photo was taken in her living room :-) Thanks, Estella!
OMG, this combo of the blouse and shorts are the cutest thing I've ever sewn. No, I'm not exaggerating. I finished the blouse last night. Love it, love it, love it! I'm almost done with the shorts too. I won't be humble about it. They will wow you. 
I started to transfer the pattern pieces for Oliver + S' new pattern, Class Picnic Blouse & Shorts. I just love their naming. It represents the style perfectly . The first thing I do before sewing is to trace the original pattern pieces on a tracing paper. I never cut my original patterns. Keeping the original pattern as is gives you the second chance. If the size you've made doesn't work, you can make it again in a different size. I usually get a roll of paper from an art supply store, but now those sewing tracing papers are available at Peapod for $14 per roll (a pretty fat roll). Place the transfer paper on the pattern pieces and trace the lines as I did in this photo. Then cut them to be placed on the fabric. I've completed cutting the fabric pieces today and hopefully I can show you the finished products in a day or two.
There is someone who shares my love for the inky floral print with which I made my Portfolio Top. Yufu made these two matching dresses with the same print for her two girls. Bright colors are fun in children's clothing, but I also love the subtle colors on little kids. Yufu has been making everything in a pair for two sisters, but now she has more fun dressing them as little Shino is walking hand in hand with her big sister. As the younger one walks without getting wobbly, the older one goes to kindergarten next year. Time flies, huh? Now Yufu is looking forward to sewing another dress for Saho's preschool graduation. The pattern is from this book. Good job, Yufu! And thank you girls!
yeah, mom had to bribe the girls to sit still for the photo shoot...
Debi Cournale Sewing Studio is located just around the corner from Peapod. The July classes are available on Tuesdays. In four three-hour sessions, you will be wearing this pretty dress (in your choice of fabric) to enjoy the summer (or all year around). As she always emphasises that garment sewing is all about the fit, you will learn how to make this dress to perfectly fit your own body. Sign up on her website. She will send you back to Peapod to shop the materials needed. Happy sewing!
