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

Away and More....

Another week has just zipped past.  The year marches forward.

My dear friend, Ida, is hosting the second annual Pincushion Parade and it is time to link up.  I won't bore you with the slew of pincushions from years past as you can see them HERE, but I will show you my new pincushions from this year.  I LOVE these little bird pincushions and they are so practical.  Filled with crushed walnut shells they are the perfect pincushion to take along on trips.  They are a free downloadable pattern from Deonn at Quiltscapes.  Thanks, Deonn.

Now....you might ask why I have several birds.  Well...I am hosting what I hope will be our first annual Beachside Quilting Retreat this weekend and I made them for the gals who will be attending.  More on that later, but I have to say that I have never attended a quilting retreat so this is a big adventure to not only attend, but to also host.

This year I also added a turtle to my collection and he holds all of my flat pins.  This is a pattern from Sue at Supermom No Cape.

Be sure to check out the Perfectly Pincushion Parade and show off your pincushions.  There are great prizes to be won.

Dear hubby celebrated one of those milestone birthdays this week so we had a big family celebration.  One of our granddaughters celebrated her 17th birthday along with him.

 For his birthday we took a road trip - driving out through Death Valley and into Red Rock Canyon near Las Vegas.  We stayed in Red Rock for the night before driving back home.  I loved the view from our room of the swimming pool - a sun shaped pool with ray "pools" extending from it.  It is such a great place to stay in Vegas - away from the strip.

 An update on the baby cockatiels....Day 30 and they are now finding the food bowl and becoming very independent of the parents.  It won't be long before they are completely on their own. They now have lots of feathers and are exercising their wings.

 So....as I said, this is going to be a weekend of sewing for me.  I am looking forward to the fun of a retreat, sewing with friends AND to finishing some projects  Bags are packed and I hope I have it planned out well enough.