a trip to China!

Eve and I traveled to China over my spring break, spending 5 days in Shanghai and 4 in Beijing. Eve's having lived in the country and ability to speak the language made her a wonderful traveling companion.

Lynn and Echo's mom

We explored the South Bund Soft Spinning Material Market with the mother of Eve's classmate. Eve had a coat made and I purchased scarves and a bit of cotton fabrics that are already making their way into my piecing. The Propaganda Poster Art Center was very interesting to look at the posters and remember corresponding US and China events in the news during my childhood. The Long Museum and Spin Ceramics were great visits. And, we took a soup noodle cooking class!

Spin Ceramics

Making Shanghai Soup Noodles!

In Bejing we went to Love Linen People, located in the hutongs. The 798 Art Zone was a really interesting place. And, of course, The Great Wall and The Forbidden City were amazing.

I must say I spent most of my time saying to myself,"I can't believe I am in China!"

A wonderful trip.

St Patrick's Day is a a fine day for a wedding

And, this year we get to celebrate our 34th anniversary for a 37 hour day!
(I traveled from Beijing back to Andy in Chicago today.)

I've been drafting more 4 inch block ideas and this morning cut out a few so I am ready for little bits of time at the machine.

The Temecula Quilt Co.'s sew-a-long is about 4 weeks in. They post new blocks on Fridays. Because I am really enjoying unearthing my fabrics as I organize my sewing space and getting time at the machine, I caught up with their blocks and have been making more with other traditional patterns.
The sew-a-long project will be a small quilt and I intend to make a larger one, so my impatient nature will help meet that goal.
The blocks finish 4 inches.