May Schnibbles and Hello June.

Wow....has it really been two weeks since I last posted?  As they say, "Time flies when you are having fun." 

It has been a busy and wonderful two weeks.  First of all, our very dear friends arrived from the UK and spent some very welcomed time with us.  The guys played a lot of golf while the girls shopped and sewed.  Two years ago when they were here, I had introduced Irene to quilting.  She went back with a small wall hanging.  This time we played with all of my strips and she went home with a full sized lap quilt.  I do hope that it fit into her suitcase!!!!!

She was saving the hand sewing of the binding for the long plane trip.

Although the weather was a little gloomy (and rainy) the first day they were here, it did warm up nicely to allow them a little of their requested sunshine.  They were with up for the first week and then we all left for Palm Desert for a business convention for our husbands.  Again, the weather was still on the cool side with a new storm that had passed through.  This is so unusual for us to see any moisture from March until October and we have already had three days of measurable rainfall and cool temps in May.  Despite that, we continued to have fun in Palm Desert and bid them a safe trip back to the UK yesterday.

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Regretfully, I forgot to take my camera with me when we went to the desert.  It was one of those "duh" moments in packing.  Of course there was tons to take pictures of and they will all simply remain in my mind.  That would include the priceless photo of the two ducks that managed to walk into our room.

Our guest speaker at the spouses luncheon was Tim Gunn from Project Run*way.  I do not watch the show, but he was an interesting speaker nonetheless.  We also had John Wal*sh speak about his very tragic story and what his life has been about since that day in 1981.  I just cannot imagine the grief.

Today I have done a little sewing and trying to catch up with the end of the month swaps.  My goal was to get my Schnibbles quilted this month, but that didn't happen YET!!!  Maybe this weekend.  I did get it all pieced.  This month was a free choice pattern and I chose Gentle Art.  I love it and I love the fabrics - Cherish Nature.  I will be hanging this one in my sewing studio.

Block #7 of the Jelly Roll Quilt Along.

May's Barn Quilt Block.

I also received my PIF gift from Maria.  It is an adorable angel for my sewing room - all hand stitched by her.  She did such an amazing job on it and I will definitely have her hanging in a prominent position as she watches over my stitching.  Thank you so much, Maria.

Would you like to win an AccuQuilt Go????  Silly question, right?  Well.....Barb is offering one on her blog and you should check it out.  Please tell her that I sent you over.

As we enter Memorial Day please remember to fly your flag and pause to give thanks to all those who have served for our freedom.

Schnibbles and More

Since tomorrow is the big Schnibble Parade, I best post pictures of my April Schnibbles, Tagalong.  I know it is not exactly "to the pattern" because I added a little sashing between the blocks.  It makes it just a tad larger which will make a nice table cover.  Be sure to check out the rest of the quilts as it is really fun to see how different each one looks when different fabrics are used.  My fabrics were Chez Moi Boutique from Moda.

Tagalong

I have really been trying to play catch up on my sewing after being away.  Here is my own little parade of work from this week.

Barn Quilt block for April

Yellow and blue block swap with Emily

Finished my pinwheels

Completed my block for the Jelly Roll Quilt Along

Found and added the final border to my Pineapple Quilt

We had nine of the grandchildren with us over the weekend and the girls were having a blast working with my scraps and creating blocks.  They were most pleased with their results and are excited about coming back soon and making more.

May is always a busy month around here for birthdays and anniversaries, but we celebrated Master J's birthday this past week.  I have to tell you that this gift was the hit of the evening - a bug watch.  It is a little band with an air dome.  You can "catch and watch" your very own bug!!!!!  What a thrill it is for a three year old.

Who wouldn't love a tractor pinata??

Last weekend we drove to Las Vegas to catch a FABULOUS show - Jersey Boys.  If it is anywhere near you, you must make a point of seeing it.  It is the story and songs of Fra*nkie Valli and the Four Sea*sons.  I cannot begin to tell you how much fun it was.  I could have stayed for hours and was sad to see it end.  Let me know what you think if you've seen it.

My DH and I really love to get out on the road and drive - anywhere!!!!  We hate to drive the Interstates because of all that you miss seeing along the way.  We found a very roundabout way to get to Vegas and although it only added about 45 miles to the trip, it was beautiful.  The desert is still in bloom due to all the delightful rains we have had this year.  The stark colors of the cactus against the dull background are breathtaking.  It was so nice to be able to pull over and take photos - another thing you cannot do on the interstate.

Our kind of road - see it going up the hill on the other side and not a car in sight.

Joshua Tree forest.

Yuccas about to bloom

Radiant color.

So pretty.

Seriously......as cold as I am all the time, do you think they could give me a warmer room??????