black holes exist right here

I am a consummate time waster. I haven’t blogged in days and days, but I’ve just spent hours and hours reading other blogs. My starting point of exploration was keeping up with the creative spaces featured over on Joyful Abode. I am honored to be listed among them. This took me many exciting places, but one thing is clear. My advertising-heavy blog is not representative of my creative spirit.

More after the jump…

Don’t get me wrong. Someone has to pay for this domain, so I’m keeping the sponsored posts. BUT, I think it’s time to rethink my design. I need a new banner…I need a new theme.

Add it to the list, right?

I took a little roadtrip recently up to San Fran and had the chance to stop in a couple awesome shops. First was Strawberry Patches in Bakersfield, CA. The website absolutely doesn’t do them justice. I thought I’d find your standard quilt shop - instead I found a ribbon and minkie wonderhouse! If you’ve got a baby blanket to make, this is your ideal destination. They had the softest faux furs and coolest chenniles! Tons of great ideas for babies and kids, and plenty of great stuff for adults, too. I picked up a few Alexander Henry fabrics that I’ve been searching for.

On my way out, I stopped at the Sweet Surrender Bakery next door and got an iced chai for the road. This place was a little overwhelming to me - wall to wall stuff! A seriously excellent place to buy gifts for teen and tween girls and coworkers…knick knacks galore. Right as I was feeling nervous about the quality of the chai I was about to receive, the nice girl behind the counter hands me a huge to go cup with a perfect little cupcake on top. The chai (with an added shot of espresso) was perfect, and the cupcake even more so. I shoved it in my mouth right after taking this picture. It truly made my day.

Next, it was 5 hours of driving up the 5 freeway, listening to back episodes of This American Life and Slate’s Political Gabfest. Thank goodness for free podcasts.

Along that ridiculously long stretch of highway, I saw beautiful farms with happy cows and sheep grazing in rolling green hills. I saw sad and smelly cattle farms with thousands of cows sleeping in their poop and grazing on dirt. I saw a crazy biplane doing nose-dive after nose-dive, only to swoop back up into the sky, terrifying and thrilling passing drivers. I saw a foal playing with a flock of black birds. I saw lots and lots of bad drivers and a few terrible wrecks. At a Wendy’s, I guarded the door for the girl’s soccer team from Orange Coast something or other as they took turns using the men’s room because they couldn’t hold out for the women’s room any longer.

Finally, I arrived in the Bay area. I headed directly to New Pieces in Berekely, where I was pleasantly suprised by the eclectic collection of batiks and Japanese fabrics. This one is my favorite aquisition!

Next, I tried in vain to make it over to Pea Pod Fabrics, only to get lost in downtown San Fran. In case you’re trying to make this trip, be sure to stock up on dollars. I didn’t have any, and there is a $4 toll to get across the Bay Bridge. Thank goodness my brother-in-law had a small mint in his center console, I paid the unfriendly attendant in nickels and dimes.

I think that’s enough about that trip :) Happy crafting, everyone! I hope your days are as full of treasure as mine are!