Blog Hop Party

Yeah!  Today is the day to kick off the HUGE  Blog Hop Party  with Giveaways in celebration of back to school days. 

My giveaway is a book that I love in my own collection.   It is wonderful for ideas from pre packaged jelly rolls or strips of your own scraps. 

This giveaway is open to everyone and runs until Sept. 3rd.   My followers can have an extra chance by leaving me a comment that you do so. Good luck to everyone.  Now...hop on over to visit the other giveaways.

A Healthy Fabric Choice

Can you eat your fabric?  If so, I think I have found a good choice.  I am hungry just sewing on this fabric selection. 

This was a fun and easy pattern at Moda Bake Shop  that uses charm packs and I loved the addition of the prairie points.

Over the weekend we celebrated the christening of one of our newest granddaughters.  It is always such a joy to join in the happiness of these events.

I love the very curious little one looking on.

The car trip up for the christening allowed me time to work on the applique of the newest set of the Just Takes 2 blocks.  I really like this set.  I should start putting them together so I can see what it is going to look like.

August is the month for the sunflowers to show off in the garden.  The heat that we've had for the last few weeks has encouraged them even more.   I love all the different colors in this year's plants - including one that is almost black.

My roses are also loving the warmer temperatures.  They were wondering if it would ever come, as was I. 

I need to get in and find the bottom of my cutting table now.  SIGH!!!!

Well Into August

Here we are well into August already.  The days are getting noticeably shorter and the grandchildren return to school on Monday.  It's hard to believe another summer is quickly coming to an end.

The summer chores continue.  I tried something new this year and am quite pleased with the results.  We have a couple of pinot noir grape vines growing over a structure and it is loaded with grapes this year.    What's a gal to do?  Make wine????  Nah...I'm not good at stomping and getting my toes purple.  How about jelly????  I can do that!!  It made the prettiest jelly - a rosy color and it tastes great.

In about a week we are going to have three little ones with us while their mommy and daddy buzz off to Hawaii for a little getaway.  I decided to make them a couple of soft fleece blankets to give them a little comfort.  They were easy and fast projects, but fun nonetheless.

During the wonderful Christmas Hop that was recently showcased I won a darling Christmas mini from Joan at Moose Stash Quilting blog.  I just love it and she did such an amazing job on it.  I know the little ones will get a thrill when they see it hanging during the holidays.  If you have ever wanted to see an amazing scrap quilt, you need to go visit her blog.  Trust me....it will blow you away and it is reversible!!!

I am officially all caught up on my Just Takes 2 blocks with these last two applique blocks.  The newest ones will keep me busy with MORE applique.  Oh dear!!  I think I have tried every type of applique known now and I am not sure it is getting much better.

I also finished my mini quilt for the ALQS7 swap.  I really liked the aqua fabric in this one.  I wish I had more of it for other things. 

#6 star from the Temecula Summer Star QAL is now added to the bunch.

The newest little one is home and doing great.  She is such a good baby - sleeps well and is so mellow.  I think the other children think of her as a doll meant to be dressed up!

I hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy a wonderful weekend ahead.

It's Pink

Last evening we welcomed our newest grandbaby and the baby snuggles have once again begun. 



The nurse putting the baby's footprints on the children's shirts.  Such a cute idea!!!!




Showing their sister's footprints.




The happy family.


Voting has started on the Pets on Quilts show.  There are all kinds of wonderful prizes being offered for contestants AND for voters.  Be sure to pop over and vote for your favorite photos.  (Hint...hint....mine is #27 in the "other" category!!!)  Just click HERE to vote.

Taking Advantage of Time

We are on baby watch for our newest grandbaby this week so I am taking advantage of time spent close to the phone.  I've tried to keep the week cleared of schedules so it has been a productive week around the house.  Cupboards have been sorted out,  lots of deep cleaning, a little gardening and some solid hours of sewing for mending and fun.  It all feels great.

Summer temperatures have finally arrived - at least warmer temps than what we have had so far this summer.  The air conditioning has yet to click on, but it feels toasty warm outside. 

My hummers are still at the feeders all day long, but we also have our orioles making appearances to share their food.  We always enjoy their cackling sound which is so distinctive.  They arrive in March and will migrate back in late August or early September. 

I'm continuing to plug away on my Just Takes 2 blocks. 

I made a quilt for the new baby.  I still need to put a label on it, but I always add a photo label with one of the first pictures of the new baby.  I love this jelly roll for a child's quilt.....such cute fabrics, so bright and cheery.

Minky was used on the back of this quilt.  I really like the look of the quilting with the minky fabrics. 

The 5th star is added to the Summer Star QAL at Temecula Quilt Co.

I've started my swap quilt for the ALQS7 swap.  I have mentioned before that I just love this swap.  It is done perfectly in the fact that you must have a completed quilt to enter.  You then get to view the completed quilts and choose your favorites from which you will then receive one of them.  The quilts I have received in the past have all been gorgeous!!!  A sneak peak.....

It's been fun to sit and hand stitch in the evenings while watching the Olympics.  I am going to be sorry to see them close.  

Summer Fun

With the arrival of August my thoughts turn to the end of summer.  School will start soon for the children and it seems as though they just got out.  Guess that is the "old" in me coming out.  ;-}

We've been taking advantage of the sunny days with a little family beach time.  The water temperatures are still quite chilly (around 61*) which is giving us our cool and foggy summer this year, but the sun feels great.

I'm still plugging away on my Takes 2 blocks.  I am now ready for today's set to come out.  I finished the one applique that has been nagging at me too.  Gosh, I really hate am not good at needle turn applique?  It's a learning process, but my mind is not processing it very well.

Therefore.....it was fun to turn to my mindless sewing of Great Granny squares.  I finished my 20th block, put the borders on it and it is ready to be finished.  Yeah.  The colors do not show up well, but this is such a soft and pretty quilt.

The fourth star to the Summer Stars QAL also got done.  I love these little things.

If you want to see a fabulous idea for a quilt block you need to go visit Sandi's blog today.   Tell me......does that not make you want to make one for each day of the week?

Pets on Quilts

Have you checked out the wonderful Pets on Quilts Parade?  This is such a fun show as people show off their pets, pet quilts and all else.  Be sure to pop over and visit Snoodles and all of the fun links.  You will not be disappointed. 

My entry is in the "other pets" category.  The only pets we currently have are our wonderful tortoises.  They are really more like "half" pets since they sleep all winter.  ;-}

Please meet Joshua and Sagura on my Civil War mini quilt.