Looking outside, it is hard to believe just a week ago, I was teaching at Quilt Canada, in Calgary, Alberta where it was snowing like crazy! Smart person that I am, I took along my wool coat which kept me toasty warm, but alas, no boots.

It occurred to me, after a trek through the snow wearing my Crocs, that my shoe choice was not the most sensible idea I’ve ever had. However, the quilts exhibited were incredible and the workshops offered were edgy, targeting new techniques and genres.

Speaking of views, this week my view is decidedly different than the snowy streets of Calgary. It’s sunny with a slight ocean breeze whispering through the abundant eucalyptus trees. Bright crimson bougainvilleas trail across fences and twist their way up over the gates and archways of the sun-weathered homes. If you haven’t guessed by now, I’m in my old stomping grounds of Southern California, in San Diego County, teaching, lecturing, and visiting family.

A trip to San Diego always includes a “mandatory” visit to the beach. Like Mt. Rainier, a visit to the beach restores my spirituality and makes me happy. While in the area, I had the opportunity to teach and lecture in the sleepy bedroom community of Fallbrook, north of San Diego. Fallbrook is home to many talented quilters and is world-famous for their delicious avocados.

If you travel to San Diego in the future, make sure you put Rosie’s Quilting Cupboard on your itinerary. This shop is a must-stop shop featuring an incredible variety of fabrics. I’ll be teaching at Rosie’s in a few days and I’m going to be in a world of trouble. Will all the new fabric I purchase be worth the overweight charges I’ll have to pay at the airport? We all know the answer to that. Have fabric, will travel.

Happy Stitching!