Sewing in Portland

I didn’t only sew in Portland, but I did sew quite a bit. My sewing space looked similar to the way Friend Julie and I set it up last year. I really need two ends of the table on the same side. I like being able to see the whole room both when I sew and write. I could move the sewing machine. Instead I took the space at the other end of the table and put my computer and journal there. The view isn’t as good, but I can see out the window, which I like.

The projects I brought were:

• • • Pacifica Quilt Club pillowcases
    • Mini One Handle Totes
    • Chickadee backpack
    • Sad quilt block
    • Morning Glory

I think I was overly ambitious.

The projects I actually made progress on:

• • • Pacifica Quilt Club pillowcases – finished
    • Mini One Handle Totes – significant progress
    • Morning Glory – a tiny amount of progress
    • Portland pillowcases – complete

Still, I had a great time and I forced myself not to hibernate away by myself sewing the entire time. After all, I was in a different city where they have interesting things to see and do. I also have family there and wanted to spend time with them.

I spent a day with Amanda. We went to lunch at a great Thai place and then visited Modern Domestic and Bolt. Both shops are pretty much the same as they were last time. After Bolt we went to a coffee shop across the street and sat there for a few hours catching up.

On Friday, I took the YM to his storage unit where we cleared out the boxes, stuffed them in my car and took them to the apartment. There I cleaned and helped rearrange some furniture.

I also got to see my GrandCat, Penelope. The next day the YM went back to the storage with my sister. She has a trailer and brought a strong friend. They were able to quickly clean out a few bits of furniture. Job done: $200/month saved.

We went for lunch and I tried to buy him a new coat, but we didn’t succeed. After I dropped him off, I went to Rose City Quilts. I’ll write a proper review later, but the short version is: GREAT store!

I didn’t have to go help with the storage on the second day, so I went to the Westside Quilters quilt show in Hillsboro. I was excited to find a quilt show I could actually attend.  I heard about it from the guy who owns Rose City Quilts.

I sewed a bit after the quilt show, which was a good break

My sister invited me to a Halloween party. I almost said no, but decided to go and spend some time with her, so I went. I had a great time following a gang of kids as they tore around a neighborhood filling their candy baskets trick or treating. 

I went to the zoo again to see Tula-tu, the baby elephant. I went on Sunday morning at 9:30, which I thought would be a quiet time to go being after the sugar high of Halloween. It was pretty quiet. I spent an hour or so hanging out with the elephants, which I found very calming.

I saw a lot of other animals, too: Lamprey eels, a giraffe, two tigers who were sleeping, two rhinos-also sleeping or maybe resting, a flock of flamingos. I don’t think flamingos are very nice birds, but they are pretty.

I tried to visit Paramount Sewing again, but it was closed. They are closed on Monday and I forgot it was Monday. I was sad, but I realized it was a sign of a good vacation.

On the way back, I stopped and stayed with MaryM again. I helped her a bit with her Running with Scissors bag and we discussed her Hideout bag.

Mt. Shasta looked really different. I took about 30 photos and I thought this one was the most interesting. 

The trip wasn’t long enough, but I had to get home for other obligations.