Recommended Classes- Sewing Demystified- Sewing Classes in North Oakland, CA

With the new year coming soon, I thought I'd write about this sewing class I found out about!  The business name is Better Living Sewing and they provide sewing classes to individuals and small groups in a fun, patient, and supportive atmosphere.  Classes are small so you get individual attention and hands-on experience.  According to the brochure, ""You'll leave class with skills to help you fearlessly tackle new projects.

About the instructor:  Diana Stasko has taught sewing to hundreds of students for over 15 years in the SF Bay Area.  She has a 35 year sewing background in costuming, textile art, garment making and alterations.

Studio Location:  The sunny, private studio is located near 40th and Broadway in North Oakland.

Resources:

Better Living Through Sewing
(510) 681-3779
info@bitsew.com
www.bitsew.com

I Love Hallmark Channel Holiday Movies!

I love Hallmark Channel Holiday movies!  They are sweet, romantic, and when I watch them I usually feel like things are great with the world!  Our cable service currently doesn't get Hallmark channel, and I really miss watching the holiday shows.  I was at my brother's tonight and we watched a movie- my brother, son, our dog, and I all cuddled up on the couch and it was wonderful just to relax!

Resources:

Holiday movies on Hallmark Channel
http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/

Spiritclips
(This service is similar to netflix, but has more family friendly content, I haven't tried the service yet.  The service is owned by Hallmark, but all the Hallmark movies are not available on this service.)
www.hallmarkspiritclips.com/

The Historic Holbrooke Hotel, Grass Valley, CA- Christmas dinner is 11AM to 6PM- California State Landmark

The current structure of the Historic Holbrooke Hotel in Grass Valley, CA was built in 1862, it was then named the Exchange Hotel, because it was convenient to the local gold exchange.  In 1974, the hotel was declared a California State landmark.  I saw the Holbrooke Hotel this past Friday night when I attended the Cornish Christmas Festival in Grass Valley with my son.  Mr. Snow, a local, was roasting chestnuts in an antique popcorn popper over an open fire, and allowing people to taste the chestnuts for free.  They were delicious.  The Holbrooke Hotel was a gorgeous backdrop to the scene of the fire and roasting chestnuts, so my son and I wanted to go in and check it out.  The hotel was decorated for the holidays and was gorgeous!  They have a Christmas dinner menu, plus you can warm up by the fire inside the Golden Gate Saloon and enjoy specialty drinks.

Resources;

The Historic Holbrooke Hotel
(530) 273-1353
1-800-933-7077
212 W. Main Street
Grass Valley, CA  95945
(Open for Christmas dinner, menu at $28.95 per adult, and $15.95 per child under 10.)
 Hours are 1PM to 6PM for dinner.

Bronners Christmas Shop, "World's largest Christmas store!" Frankenmuth, Michigan

Bronners Christmas shop in Frankenmuth is thought of as the "World's largest Christmas shop."  The store is open year round, and has nearly every Christmas decoration you can imagine.  The ornaments are gorgeous, and they can be ordered online and shipped.  Frankenmuth is also decked out for the holiday season, and is thought of as "Michigan's little Bavaria."

Resources:

Bronners Christmas Shop
www.bronners.com
25 Christmas Lane
Frankenmuth, MI
48734

Christmas Buffet at Zehnders in Frankenmuth, MI

I remember going to Frankenmuth, MI around the holidays, with the lights twinkling and decorations galore!  The main dining room has a Christmas buffet.  When I think of places that would be fun to celebrate Christmas, I think the Zehnders would be special enough for dinner!

Resources:

Zehnders
730 S. Main Street
Frankenmuth, MI
48734
www.zehnders.com
Hours of main dining room on Christmas Day:  11-8PM

Christmas buffet
adults, $24.50 per person, lower prices depending on age of child

Celebrate the Holidays in Nevada County, California

This holiday season, my son and I went to some of the holiday celebrations in Nevada County.  They really know how to celebrate!

These are some of the festivals they offer:

Victorian Christmas- Nevada City

Artisans Festival at Miners Foundry

Cornish Christmas - Grass Valley  (My current favorite)

Auburn Christmas Festival- Auburn

Resources

Victorian Christmas Festival is today at 1:30PM in Nevada City, CA, great way to get in holiday spirit!

Nevada City is such a magical place around the holidays!  There are white, twinkling lights everywhere and beautiful buildings!  Today is the last Victorian Christmas Festival of the season, and it will be at 1:30PM.  This weekend before Christmas is a gorgeous time to be in this area as there are several winter festivals.  On Friday night was the Cornish Festival in Grass Valley, On Saturday night was the Auburn Christmas festival, and today is the Victorian Christmas festival in Nevada City.