In a crazy turn of events yesterday I headed off to California and today am attending the first day of the Beads on the Vine beading retreat.

Today is a bonus class with the talented and lovely Melanie Potter and we're beading her Cinque Wristlet and it's a lot of fun to sit and bead with friends with no having to worry about writing-up or teaching what I'm beading. Beading purely for fun is such a treat!

We're staying in a beautiful town called San Luis Obispo and the scenery and weather here is just beautiful.

After class I walked down-town and wandered some great shops such as Pipsticks which was full of colour, stationery and stickers and Ruby Rose where I found an amazing bag made with a vintage needlepoint... unfortunately I debated it too long and when I went back the next day it was gone for me to mourn for all time.