Tag: crafts

Photos of Fiestas Patrias in Old Town State Park!

A great event was held today in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Mexico’s Independence Day was celebrated with a fun, cultural Fiestas Patrias!

California State Park employees and volunteers teamed up with the Boosters of Old Town San Diego and the Old Town San Diego Chamber of Commerce to bring an assortment of free activities.

It all began with a late morning kick-off parade circling the historic park’s Plaza de las Armas. The very colorful Fiestas Patrias parade was led by Old Town’s beloved rescue donkey Dulce. Then there were two wonderful performances of ballet folklorico by beautifully costumed young people, representing Gift of Dance.

On the perimeter of the grassy plaza, living history activities could be freely enjoyed by anyone, young or old. There was a calligraphy learning table, tortilla making and traditional crafts. Kids were excited to make corn husk dolls and Mexican cascarones.

What’s more, there was a Guac’ Off Competition! For five bucks the public was invited to try samples of guacamole and judge which was best!

For those who wanted a good look at San Diego’s early history, Historic Adobe Tours were also available to the public, with groups setting off from the Robinson-Rose House Visitor Center.

I walked around the event late this morning and took some photos…

Everyone could get a small Mexican flag to wave during the fun, cultural event.

Here comes the Fiestas Patrias parade!

Dulce the Old Town donkey leads the Fiestas Patrias parade.

Smiles and period attire on parade!

The parade included volunteers of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

Many traditional Mexican folk dances would follow the parade.

Young dancers from San Diego ballet folklorico school Gift of Dance.

Pure joy.

Fiestas Patrias activities for families in Old Town’s historic central plaza.

A smile from Strenger Studio, which provides calligraphy workshops and supplies in Old Town.

A young Fiestas Patrias visitor learns calligraphy.

Kids were learning how to make confetti-filled cascarones here.

Traditional tortilla-making demonstration.

Friendly Boosters of Old Town work the Guac’ Off Competition tent.

Which guacamole is best? Winner gets bragging rights for a year!

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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.

The Art and Science of Indigo at Mingei Museum.

Next month, on September 14, 2024, a colorful new exhibition will debut at the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park. It’s titled Blue Gold: The Art and Science of Indigo.

As I walked through the Mingei last weekend, I came upon a display that previews the coming exhibit. Glass cases near the museum’s front desk contain exquisite crafts and works of art: blue glass, Shimaoka ceramics, and lapis lazuli colored objects and jewelry.

Blue Gold: The Art and Science of Indigo is one of many exhibitions and programs to be presented in Southern California as part of Getty’s 2024 PST ART initiative. Returning in September 2024 with its latest edition, PST ART: Art & Science Collide, this landmark regional event explores the intersections of art and science.

For me, the blue of sky and water and the indigo plant intersects with a feeling of wonder. So much beauty can be found in this world we live in. And much beauty can be created.

Learn more about the upcoming exhibition by clicking here!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.

Rainbow artist brightens world with creative lamps!

A number of local artists were displaying their work today at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. I happened to walk by their event, so I had to check it out.

A display of fun, super creative table lamps immediately caught my eye. I was looking at the multi-media artwork of Rainbow artist Clark Warren.

He’s been assembling these wonderful, whimsical lamps for thirty years, Clark told me. People he knows give him the figurines and other found objects that are incorporated into his wonderful “sculpture” lamps.

He turned one lamp on that looked like a steampunk contraption, and the light continuously changed color. I saw photos of other lamps, including one that rises strangely from a sewing machine. His creativity knows no limits! And he’s too nice!

I wasn’t surprised at all when I learned his work will be exhibited at the Oceanside Museum of Art sometime in 2025.

If you’re interested in the Light Expressions art of Clark Warren, I’ve posted a photo of his business card.

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.

Win a historic, handmade quilt this Fourth of July!

You can win a valuable and historic handmade quilt in Old Town San Diego this coming Fourth of July!

The beautiful quilt has an antique Churn Dash top that was probably made in the 1890s or early 20th century. It was purchased in 2015 and finished by volunteers at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, while sitting on the front porch of the Threads of the Past building. Perhaps you saw these ladies dressed in old fashioned garb during a visit. While talking to passersby and explaining their stitching, they carefully applied cotton batting and a reproduction blue cotton backing.

The quilt’s mostly red, white and blue pattern has other fun names: Monkey Wrench, Hole in the Barn Door, and Hens and Chickens! The quilt can presently be seen inside the State Park’s Robinson-Rose House Visitor Center. That’s where you can purchase your opportunity drawing tickets, too!

One dollar purchases one ticket for the Fourth of July quilt raffle; five dollars will get you six tickets. The big jar containing tickets wasn’t terribly full when I saw it today, so your chances might be fairly good at winning!

The proceeds from the raffle will help fund Living History programs at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. You need not be present to win!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.

Anti Slavery Quilt of the Women’s Museum.

This beautiful Anti Slavery Quilt is in the collection of the Women’s Museum of California. The quilt is now on display at the San Diego History Center, in celebration of Black History Month.

I was surprised to learn yesterday that the Women’s Museum, located for many years at Liberty Station, moved. It now makes the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park its home!

The quilt is by D’Andrea Davis Mitchell. A nearby sign explains how in the 1970s quilting experienced a revival and became considered work of both craft and art. Inspired artists have used quilting to challenge perceptions of gender roles and the African-American experience in US history.

The Anti Slavery Quilt is part of a larger exhibition inside the San Diego History Center that can be viewed all this month.

My next blog post will show a bit more of what you’ll experience should you walk through the History Center’s door in February!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Make security blankets to comfort hurting kids!

Do you knit, quilt or crochet? Do you know someone who does?

Project Linus would love your help!

Project Linus gives warm security blankets to hurting kids, particularly those who have cancer or have suffered trauma. The effort is named after the lovable Peanuts comic strip character who carries a security blanket at all times. Project Linus has more than 400 chapters in the United States. Over the years, more than 4.5 million security blankets have been distributed!

The San Diego chapter of Project Linus had a display at last weekend’s Boston Tea Party anniversary event in Chula Vista. I spoke to several ladies and learned about the wonderful things they do. I was told they could always use more volunteers. Even if you don’t knit, quilt or crochet, you can help in other ways, such as donating fabric or transporting blankets.

Please visit this page concerning Project Linus in San Diego. There is contact information near the bottom of the page.

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Make holiday crafts at San Diego History Center!

The San Diego History Center in Balboa Park is offering a fun family activity during the holiday season!

Let There Be Light invites both young and old to create holiday crafts. The crafts represent different “Festivals of Light” from cultures around the world. Easy instructions and supplies are laid out on tables, in easy reach of small hands.

Make your own Christmas ornament, paper menorah, paper diya, mkeka mat, paper Donzhi Festival lantern, or write a message on a bodhi leaf . . . and more!

Those who participate can also learn about Diwali, Hanukkah, Bodhi Day, Yaldā Night, Dongzhi Festival, Christmas, Kwanzaa and Día de Los Reyes.

Once we pass the winter solstice on December 22, the days will be growing longer. The light returns!

Let There Be Light will be available to the public through the end of the year. Bring all the kids. Admission to the San Diego History Center and this holiday activity is free!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Balboa Park cottages prepare for holidays!

Christmas Tree ornaments in the House of Mexico cottage.

Many of the International Cottages in Balboa Park are already getting ready for the holidays. And others cottages will soon be decorating. December Nights is less than two weeks away!

I poked my nose into most of the cottages today searching for Christmas and seasonal decorations. These photographs represent what I found.

Hand-crafted holiday gifts inside the House of Sweden cottage.

Hand-painted Christmas ornaments available inside House of Italy’s cottage.

Beautiful candles and greenery inside the House of Hungary cottage.

The House of Scotland Pipe Band will be performing during December Nights.

Santa and elves at work inside the House of Denmark cottage.

A uniquely beautiful wreath inside the House of Ukraine’s cottage.

Here comes Santa Claus inside the House of Finland’s cottage!

As I walked around, I noticed other parts of Balboa Park are getting ready!

The big poinsettia Christmas Tree that is coming to the San Diego History Center has its framework set up. Santa, his sled and reindeer are already taking to the sky between the Plaza de Panama and the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. And the the religious nativity scenes have been set up in back of the pavilion. No Gingerbread House yet!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

The Pompom Project in Civic Center Plaza!

Are those Christmas ornaments hanging from the trees in San Diego’s Civic Center Plaza? No! They are pom poms made of yarn!

The Pompom Project has decorated the Civic Center with many bright spheres of color. Artist Katie Ruiz and the Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego produced this cool installation with the help of the people of San Diego. A goal is to bring strangers together in our community.

This public art is a part of Creative City, a cultural planning project of the City of San Diego.

I took these photos during my downtown walk this morning…

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Holiday crafts sale coming to Balboa Park!

Mark your calendars! An epic craft sale will be coming to Balboa Park during the holiday season!

The public is invited to peruse all sorts of beautiful creations, many with a Christmas theme, on the weekend of December 16th and 17th. The annual craft sale will take place on both outdoor patios of the Casa del Prado and inside Room 101.

I learned about the upcoming 2023 AgeWell Services Annual Craft Sale when I poked my head into the Balboa Park Senior Lounge today. (They were busy decorating the lounge for Halloween and Thanksgiving!)

Homemade crafts for sale are all created by skilled crafters age 55 and older. I checked out this big event last year. Shoppers will discover tables and tables full of great, heart-warming gifts! You can view a few photographs that I took here.

Are you a senior in San Diego? If you’d like to learn about additional AgeWell activities, click here!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!