First Monday of Fall

I am enjoying seeing the photos on different blogs of the fall colors starting to appear.  We don't have much in the way of color changes, but the leaves are starting to fall and the lighting is completely different on the hills.   It won't be long before we are talking about Christmas.  I am sure that everyone is ready for it.....right????

My Christmas tree quilt is finished and ready to hang.  I just LOVE the way it turned out.  As I mentioned in my last post,  it is a design by Cherry from Cherry Blossoms Quilting.  I FMQ-ed  ribbons and bows around the tree and feathers along the outer border - a first for both!
 

Halloween will soon be here and I had a couple of costumes to make for some of the little ones here.  I'm sure most everyone has seen Woody in Toy Story and that was the look I was going for.  One vest has the sheriff badge embroidered onto it.  Why just one???  Well, we all know that "there's room for only one sheriff in this town".   I doubt that the two year old will care that there is only one. 

Mhairi's mug rug for our fall swap arrived from Australia this week.  She included some fancy teas and a wonderful Australian magazine.  The mug rug is so cute and has a handy little pocket on the side for keeping a spoon or a napkin in it.  Thank you so much, Mhairi.  I will enjoy it this season. 

I've had the joy of having little ones several days this week as well as older ones spending the night over the weekend.  Life is busy...life is good!!!



Oh no....I don't have to stay with Grandma...do I????

Here's hoping this posts since I am now being forced to use the new interface!!!!

Still Alive and Kicking

Yep, I am still here.  I just haven't had time to get a decent post off and I didn't have a lot to show in pictures either.  However, I did manage to squeeze in some sewing today that lasted more than five or ten minutes.

Blocks 66, 67 and 68 are done on my Just Takes 2 QAL.  The new set also looks like they will go up quickly. 

I've been working on a couple of blocks for an upcoming Blog Hop that I will be participating in.  My day will be on October 1st - the first day.  I rather like being first because there isn't the pressure of having seen so many wonderfully constructed blocks.  I guess it is like school when I liked to go first before someone else did an awesome job and then I had to follow.  Here is a sneak peek of my block.

I have also been working on a Christmas Tree design.  It is a fusible applique which I really haven't done much of in the past.  Cherry from Cherry Blossoms Quilting is the creator of this fabulous design.  If you are not familiar with her you will be blown away at what she designs.  I am looking forward to finishing the applique and constructing the quilt.

We had five grandchildren staying with us for a couple of days and they each wanted to make something with the sewing machine.  The boys love the embroidery machine and always have fun creating something unique. 

My granddaughter is redoing her bedroom in aqua, black and white so she did a pillow to put on her bed.  I just loved her color combination.

We also got a chance at some wonderful baby snuggles for a few days.  This little one is as good as gold and is just starting to smile.  LOVE it. 

You know it is autumn when the candy corn arrives.  My DIL showed up yesterday with a fresh bag of it for me.  Each year she manages to find a bag before I see then in the stores.  Now I know it is time to start my decorating for the upcoming season!!!  After all.....this is the last week of summer. 

The days have been a little warm here so we always open the house up early in the morning to cool it off.  I had our doors open and two birds hopped right into the house.  When I saw them I went to show them the way out.  One flew out, but the other flew into the door, breaking it's neck.  I was hoping it was just stunned (as they often are) and set it outside.  The poor mate hopped around the limp little bird for close to an hour trying to get it to jump up and join him (or her).  I felt so awful. 

Lastly....the winner of my book from the Blog Hop Party has not responded to my email nor checked my post saying she was the winner.  It has been two weeks so I selected a new winner through RNG.  This time it goes to Susan.  Susan is actually a regular follower of my blog so congratulations to Susan.  I will send you an e-mail.   

Binding Time

I am one of those crazy people who loves to sit and hand stitch the binding on my quilts.  I know many who dread the task, but it is such a relaxing part of quilting to me.  I had Mary at Quilt Hollow quilt a couple of my tops and they turned out beautifully.  She does such an awesome job and I am just thrilled with the results.  Mary is so helpful in selecting the perfect design and is such a dedicated longarm quilter.  I can now say they are officially FINISHED and crossed off of the to do list.  I have one more large one that I am currently working on the binding so it has been a binding week.

Great Granny QAL...I added a DS striped binding to this one since I did not have any extra fabrics.  I will link this finish up to Richard and Tanya's Friday finishes. 

This was a top that Melissa was getting rid of and I loved the colors.

The finishing directions for the Summer Star QAL came out this week.  It called for 8 stars, but I decided to add the ninth one and finish it off a little differently.  I like the way it turned out.   The colors are really off in the photo.  It must be our rainy day today.

The winner of my Blog Hop giveaway is Leslie.  Congratulations!  I have e-mailed you and will send the book off once I receive your address.  It is always such fun to meet so many new bloggers during the blog hops and I hope that anyone who gets a chance to join in on the fun will do so.  Welcome to all of my new followers. 

The week was a busy one with three little ones here while their mommy and daddy were vacationing in Hawaii.  The days started early and were busy until the wee ones were tucked in each night, but we enjoyed the activity and fun times.  I was a little busy to capture much of it on camera.  ;-(

3 years old with a wild imagination.

2 years old and full of mischief.

7 months old and an easy going, always smiling little guy.  It makes getting up at 5 a.m. worth every minute.

The days are getting shorter and the temperatures seem to be dropping for us.  Fall is in the air and will be in full swing in no time at all.  Our summer was so late in arriving and I would love to have a bit more of it.  I do look forward to the comfort food cooking that the cooler weather brings.   How about you?

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.