July Happenings

 July has been about enjoying the long summer days that I love so much.  Days spent outside in the gardens are the best, but my dermatologist would profess differently.  There is great satisfaction in harvesting the benefits of your labors.

The garden has really been exceptional this year.  We put in raised beds last year and it is so much easier on our backs!  Last summer’s chill resulted in less than stellar crops, but this year has made up for it.  There are basketfuls each day to be enjoyed and shared.

As well the flowers have also done great.  The zinnias have been prolific in their bed for over a month now and no signs of slowing down.  The plumerias are also in full bloom with their incredible scent.

The sewing studio has been busy, but still not a lot to share yet.  Check back August 4th for a blog hop in which I am involved.  I do have my Confetti Stars block for this month in the color yellow.  These are for the Color of the month project at Freemotion by the River website.

My sister had a birthday this week and had been admiring a tote that I carry.  I have seen so many totes using old jeans and decided to use them.  It wasn’t nearly as difficult to sew as I imagined it would be with all the thicknesses, and it came out with such nice body to the tote.

I made a couple of the little mini wallets that I’m seeing everywhere.  I hate shopping with my purse and this is perfect for my Costco or grocery runs.  It’s just big enough for a few credit cards, folded bills, change and a key fob.  It easily fits in a pocket and I’m ready to shop without the purse in tow.

Temperature Quilt QAL Update

Month one is down and we are now well into the second month of our Temperature Quilt QAL.  I hope everyone is keeping up AND enjoying the process as we move into February.  We have had exceptionally warm temperatures in our area and my month of colors definitely reflects that fact.  I even had to move into the real reds this past week.  I was able to add the second row to my first and I am really enjoying the secondary block that appears when the two rows come together.

We do need a bit more winter and definitely more rain before our rainy season ends next month.  If you are sewing along with us, how are your colors?  Be sure to check out the other participants on IG at #sistempquilt18 #tempquilt2018 and #temperaturequilt2018

Slowly, but surely, my On Ringo Lake quilt has come together.  I had it all spread out on the living room floor as that was the only place big enough to put it all down.  Thus, I HAD to work on it to clean up the floor!  Good planning, right????  Sewing in bits and spurts, I finally finished it yesterday.  I really love the way it turned out.  Now...to get it quilted.

Of course, all was not easy sailing with a pup who thought the new flooring was quite interesting.  Need I say that there were many pieces displaced in a short amount of time?

The weather has been so warm and inviting all to enjoy the great outdoors.  The roses, despite still blooming, needed to be pruned and sprayed for the year.  Three days later over 100 bushes are done.  Doesn't it look "wintery" now???  lol

A few more blooms from the garden...

We took a stroll on the beach and were amazed at all of the debris that has washed down from the recent rains and slides post fire.

The tide was out and Toby enjoyed the tide pools.

A bit more emergency sewing went on here.  A special little one lost her first tooth.

Our Gridster Bee Queen this month is Elizabeth and her request was for food basket blocks.  She provided the food fabrics and we made the rest with our choice of fabrics.

I've had some really fun mail lately.  The first comes from Sherry.  I had remarked about the darling Mah Jongg fabric that she was using to create cute little origami coin bags.  I was completely surprised and delighted when one arrived in my mail.  The little purse is like a puzzle!  She placed a shiny copper penny in one pocket and it ends up in BOTH pockets when they are opened.

Five of us formed a group called Sewing With Friends a few years ago.  We have done row robins and round robins in the past and this year we are swapping fabric postcards.  This one arrived from Lynette.  The colors are so pretty and the construction is perfect.

Is everyone looking forward to the Olympics?  What is your favorite event.  It's a tough choice between the ice skating and skiing for me.

End of Summer

It's hard to believe summer is over.  The last of the grandchildren return to school tomorrow.  Where did it go?

We've had grandchildren for the last few weeks so there has not been a lot of sewing going on here.  We have had lots of fun water time in spite of an exceptionally cool August.  My August month in my Temperature Quilt looks pretty boring.  The month started out warm and then the coastal fog rolled in ..... for weeks.  We are in for a few days of warmer temps this week.

September is often our warmest month as the Santa Ana winds descend upon us so look forward to seeing some reds next month.

In spite of the cooler temps, the little ones enjoyed some lots of water time.

They had to share the water slide with the tortoise (bottom left) who insisted on climbing right in the middle of their fun.

We had a lot of fun with art supplies - including decorating ourselves in some cases......ahhh...two year olds!

I had the urge to stitch once everyone was back home.  I should have been cleaning the house, but I quietly slipped into my quiet sewing space and added a few blocks to my selvage project.  These are so quick and perfect for satisfying that sewing itch.

Somehow, my selvage stash seems to be getting bigger!  They were all nicely packed down and now they are all fluffed up and twice as big.  Hmmmm.....that wasn't the plan.

I've seen so many fun pincushions on IG this month and really NEED to make a few more.  Of course, I have the perfect excuse with the annual Perfectly Pleasing Pincushion Parade starting next week.  There are lots of great prizes so be sure to check it out HERE.

The garden has done so well this summer - finally.  Right now we are enjoying the tomatoes, beans and zucchini.  Tomato canning went on over the weekend by my husband - his first canning experience.  He did a great job too.  Do you think I can pass it on to him now????  lol

It's Official

Summer is officially over with the children returning to school.  How did that happen?  Where did it go?  I think summer needs a speeding ticket.  It has been one odd summer for us with foggy mornings continuing through August.  That is typically our May and June weather.

The garden has struggled with the weather.  I wish we could help take away some of the flooding waters in the South.  As well, we've been battling with pesky raccoons over the ripe tomatoes.   They seem to be winning.  The one thing they are not interested in is an experimental crop I tried this year - just for fun.  I had a cotton ball with sixteen seeds and tried planting them.  They all came up and have the most beautiful flowers.  The foliage is also so graceful and pretty.  I have no idea what I will do with my cotton balls, but it was fun to grow them.

We had five little ones here while their parents were on vacation.  The week was really busy, but we had a great time.  There was lots of help in everything we did!!!

There was also lots of excitement as a second batch of cockatiel eggs hatched.  Each morning the children would rush out to see if a new egg had hatched.  They are just little balls of fluff - two yellow, two white.  I'm going to link these up with the Pets on Quilts.

This is our grown baby- an only child- from the last eggs that they laid.  He is such a love - so tame and already talking.

Needless to say, there has not been a lot of sewing going on here, but I did get ahead on my September Bee blocks.....fun sewing.

The county fair was last week and the girl's pigs went to market.  They had a great time hanging out for the week in the livestock area with all of the other kids.  I'm guessing they will do the project again next year.

I've been enjoying the Olympics and am sad to see that the end is near for them.  The summer Olympics are always my favorite with the gymnastics, swimming, equestrian and volleyball.  Four more years...............