I'm back !! ^^
I had a lovely time on my trip! I visited Maine, New Hampshire and Michigan. The change in scenery was super inspiring. I loved to see rolling hills and saturated trees- it was a pretty sight everywhere we went.

Some recommendations from my travels (In the Portland, ME & Rindge, NH & Detroit, MI area)
- Portland museum of art was so fantastic. I visited on a Friday evening, which was perfect because entry is free from 4-8 pm! I got far more than I expected from my visit: 3 stories worth of captivating work from an array of mediums. They even have a little cafe downstairs  : )
- I got an Ube dream from Matcha mood and it was heavenly. I wish I could've tried everything on the menu, i'm sure all of it would've been just my taste <3 Super cute storefront, great service and a fantastic drink. 
- For dinner I ate at The Porthole and had a lobster roll and it was fantastic. Seating on the water and dinner was too good. would go again. 
- I experienced sunshine and blue skies most of the trip until this destination. I got the full gloomy and windy experience at the Portland headlight. I went when pretty much everything was closed, but it was worth it for the views. I rolled down a grass hill. would go again.
- I knew I'd be recommending this before even going, but the Cryptozoology museum was a such a good time.  Lots of lore and fun artifacts. I fell in love with big foot. 

-For lunch during my brief visit to New Hampshire I stopped by Emma's 321 Pub and Kitchen and had the Beet salad and fried goat cheese balls - it was the best salad I've had in a while. Cozy atmosphere and was seated in a room overlooking the nearby wood and creek. Just outside is bridge leading over the water. would totally go back.

- I had been to The Motown museum once before in probably 2012-14? It was a great experience before and it was this time too! Such a a beautiful setup all done in efforts for the preservation of the label's rich history and cultural importance. I truly can't believe how much of this chunk of history still exists. My group's tour guide was so great and it's clear that love and appreciation serves as a foundation to this exhibit and experience. 
thιs wᥱᥱk's ρrojᥱᥴts: sewing projects / dolls
​I’m changing gear! I did some tidying when I first got back and realized just how many sewing projects I never got to finish. Lots of small dolls and plushies-  I think most of them should be pretty straight forward and I should be able to finish most, if not all during the week. Most of their elements are cut, and just require a simple stitch.
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With this week’s project plans I’m really thinking of how I went through a felt doll-making phase in middle school. I’m vaguely remembering one I did with a black dress, long black hair and button eyes. I wish I had taken more pictures from that era, I think they were pretty cute projects. During this time, I learned a lot from the book “Cute book” by Aranzi Aronzo. I checked it out often from my local library. Below are some examples of the style.
They contain a lot of super cute tutorials and a lot of helpful techniques for hand-stitching projects. I think most of the basics i know i picked up from these. The characters featured are also super cute : )
I’ve also been thinking more about learning to use a sewing machine lately. I have a few articles of clothing I plan to draw on and embellish, but I’d love to sew alterations for some too. I'm sure i mentioned this already. Maybe a sturdy, entry-level friendly, second-hand sewing machine is (or should be) in my future?

thanks for stopping by and thanks for the welcome back hug
xooooooxooooooxoooooooooooo
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- mac <3