Where in the World....Day 7

Leaving on a jet plane...don't know when we'll be back again....la....la ....la.  Trust me, you'll be so glad I typed those words and didn't record them with my own voice for your listening pain!

I have another day of amazing travels to share with you....but I'll be on a plane today...so it will have to wait until my return.

As a little teaser...I'll show you the photos of the Founders of the companies I visited.  Feel free to guess who they are.  You know there are always fun prizes for those followers who read and leave comments....and you don't even have to be correct to win :)

Founder of first location.....

Founders of second destination....

With my luck one of you are related to these people or are their neighbors....LOL.

Smiles,
Kelly

Oops...Where in the World....day 6

Oops...I missed a day!   I guess that can happen when ya fill your days with so many activities.

Soooo...Day 6.....

Lunch at Nick's favorite Mexican Restaurant, La Villa in Gardina, CA.

 

 Nick & Krista

An un-named Movie Star had apparently joined us for lunch.  I suppose he was worried he'd be recognized and mobbed?!?  Lunch was a 10, the food was authentic and delicious (not that we are professional restaurant reviewers :)

After  lunch, Nick took us for a tour of  SpaceX  (Space Exploration Technologies) , his place of employment.  For those of you who don't know, SpaceX is the first privately owned company that designs, manufactures and launches rockets and space crafts into space. 

We were all extremely excited about the tour and felt quite honored and privileged to be stepping past the front door.  It is really worth your time to check out their web page HERE.  Just scan the page and you'll be very impressed with what these folks do. (It blows my mind!)

Photos are only permitted in the lobby and in front of the building....this is a prototype of the SpaceX  Merlin Engine that is in their lobby.  You know I was very well behaved and never once even considered taking out my camera...I can be be so well behaved when the occasion necessitates such things :)

The only way I can describe my experience at SpaceX....is complete and total AWE!  I think my mouth was partially open the entire time and my eyes were sparkling (I had tears in my eyes often and goose bumps too).  There are only a few other times in my life that I've been in AWE of the things that humans have made/achieved.....at Kennedy Space Center ( NASA)  in Florida, and my visit to the Louvre in Paris. 

We stood right next to the Dragon Spacecraft, the first privately owned vehicle to return from space.  The Dragon docked at the International Space Station.   The experience of just seeing it was "out of this world."
I feel incredibly lucky that we have a family member who has the privilege of working on these rockets. 

The only down side to our tour is that Elon Musk, the owner, was not there during our visit (click on his name and you'll be blown away by what this 41 year old man has achieved  :)
Since Elon was one of the a co-founder of PayPal,  I assume he has some friends that are still with PayPal..  You know if I ran into him I would have most certainly asked to have an Executive PayPal account with all fees waved for my lifetime :) :) :)  (Yes....I'm just so bold....crazy....off my rocker....LOL)  Here is a link to Elon Musk's Facebook page...don't you think a ton of quilters should Like hime?  I do....how fun would that be?

OK...on to the Fabric I prommised.....

Krista wants a table runner and I wanted her to show me some fabrics that she would like.  SewCalGal told me there is a store in Anaheim that has a very large selection, M & L Fabrics. 

After our SpaceX tour, we headed to M & L. 

 Everywhere you look, fabric....I mean lots and lots and lots of fabric of all types and varieties.  I think there was enough quilt quality cotton fabrics to make thousands of quilts....honestly.

I was especially tickled to see all the different types of fabrics....I loved the ones above!  How fun would some of these fabrics be added to a wall hanging or added to home decor?  I think there is something for everyone in that store!

Thanks for traveling along with us.

Smiles,
Kelly

Where in the World...Day 5

I didn't have the heart to change the title of these posts....even though everyone knows where we are...am I silly or what?

Before I tell you what we did yesterday, I want to tell you where I wasn't this past Sunday and Monday. 
Checker Distributor 64th Annual Open House.  Typically I'm there...both days and having a ball.  This year Mr. McSteamy scheduled a trip to see our daughter in Long Beach so I sent a spy into Checker Distributor on my behalf!!!  As soon as I return to "headquarters" I'll get the scoop and share all the fun details with all of you :)

Yesterday was spent in Santa Monica and we walked through the 3rd St. Promenade.

 I got a kick out of this shop window....look closely to see what they have made the American Flag out of....

Sneakers...apparently Shoes are Boring (I guess I'm behind the times....again!)

It seems like I'm always trailing behind....usually because I stop to take photos and also because I stop to speak to people.

 

This time I had stopped to tell this lovely woman how beautiful she was and that she was courageous to do what she is doing (she dresses up and goes down to the Promenade to entertain visitors and supports herself with the donations she receives).  Look at her eyes...I  knew there was an amazingly beautiful person...with and without all that pretty makeup.  She allowed her friend to take our photo and I was honored...she even gave me a hug :)  Can you imagine how foolish I would look doing that?  But not her...she looked like she belonged in that beautiful outfit and makeup.

 

We headed for the Pier and then to the beach.

Jonathan Livingston Segul stopped by for a visit with the IHAN® clan...LOL

I looked over and thought I saw a tired Captain Jack Sparrow....then I put my  glasses on and noticed it wasn't him after all....darn.

We left Santa Monica at 5pm....and we didn't arrive to our next destination until 7:15pm.  (we traveled 13 miles in 2 hours and 15 minutes).  After the first hour of being trapped in the back seat with my squirrley co-workers I needed a break.  So, I opened the door and got out....much to the surprise of Mr. McSteamy and Krista.  "What are you doing???" came from the car.  I just stood next to the car stretching my legs and replied, "what difference does it make...we aren't going anywhere!"  I thought I'd flip my wig....there is no way on this earth I'd ever have that trip be part of my daily routine...not for a million tax free dollars!!!

 Our destination?  It was the Observatory but when we got here I had enough and insisted we park the car and get out.

As we approached Hollywood Blvd. from the parking structure I went into the street asking, "What's your dream?" to everyone I met....for a few minutes....don't recognize that line?

It was the opening line in Pretty Woman :)

I could not help myself...I was out of my mind after being in that traffic....anyone would have gotten out of the car and just did the first fun thing that came to mind.

We had not walked too far down the Walk of  Fame before I recognized one of those "famous" people....My son Aaron has a star on the Walk of Fame.  Don't believe me?  Here is the pix for proof!

We also saw.....

You can imagine my surprise when I saw the following "star"....

 I could not believe my eyes....so I got out a magnifying glass....

Sure enough....there was my name.....ROFL (I'm sure I'm not the only goof ball to do this)

But look.....there my name was yet again....darn camera malfunctioned and I only captured my last name.  Next time I'll get a better pix for you :)

We had a ball walking up and down the street...I had the opportunity to give an autograph too.  Yep, I wrote my name on a napkin at dinner and handed it to my daughter.  It's a good thing my family is used to my odd nature :)

Smiles,
Kelly

PS...tomorrows post actually has something to do with fabric....

Where in the World...day 4

Since I was out carousing late last night...I didn't get a chance to tell you the rest of the story about Day 3...so...here goes :)

As SewCalGal was driving about,  we spotted some quilt blocks on a building....so the car came to a halt and it would not start.  She got out to check the alternator....and I laid down on the curb.

Ya just never know where you'll find my baggy woman self...laying on curbs in Southern California :)

A person can't be in Southern California and not stop at Quilt In A Day....that would be sacrilege!!  I was hoping to find Lady Eleanor and congratulate her on her recent induction in the the Quilters Hall of Fame.  It was a good thing we didn't stop for the flowers I was planning to give her as she was out and about.

I didn't waste any time crying....I figured while the boss was away....a very large mouse would play :)

 This equipment looked impressive ....I don't have anything like that in my sewing area : (

 I figured this must be the Lady Eleanor Studio.....where lots of wonderful films have been made. 

The chances of me ever being invited to speak on any Quilting Program is slim to absolutely none.  Therefore, I wasn't letting any grass grow under my feet.  I sat right down and pretended, just for a moment, that I was there watching Lady Eleanor taping a program.  ( I was on my best behavior too!!!  See me sitting like a good girl?)

Returning to the Quilt In A Day store I saw this bookshelf....and entire book shelf filled with Quilt in a Day books....can you even imagine?  I had goose bumps.

Check out these quilts.......

 

 I hope that building is insured for a bazillion dollars...that's all I have to say!

I did sneak into Lady Eleanor's classroom too.....

This is the most impressive class room that I have ever seen.  Check out the wonderful tables and chairs.  If I lived anywhere within a few hundred miles of here, I'd be taking classes there for sure.  I might even be one of those annoying people who would never leave...LOL.

Oh...and look what I saw sitting on a table...Julie Herman's (Jaybird Quilts) new book, Skip the Borders.  If I had been anywhere other than Lady Eleanor's store....I would have definitely stolen that book to give away :)  The jury of my peers would have allowed my prosecution because you never take anything from a Lady.

Besides...this was hanging on the wall and every time I moved around...the eyes looked like they were following me.  (Impressive security at QIAD!)

When I get back to IHAN® Headquarters I'm sure I'll find a fun Quilt In A Day prize to give away for those who leave a comment on this post.

Very Happy Smiles,
Kelly

PS....I almost forgot to tell you....while at Quilt In A Day I saw lots of beautiful fabrics (yes I bought some) and there is also a great sale going on....so just in case you are looking to purchase some lovely fabric from a lovely woman...I suggest you CLICK HERE :)