That's me.....

How sweet is this??

Street Sign Generator

It's Still August!!

I said I was going to look for a certain color fabric to finish my August bom from Ellie. Well, I found just about what I had in mind at the quilt shop by the lake. Remember I said orange, pink and yellow....well, that is exactly what this is. I wanted something bright and this is. And yes, only 6 more days for this to hang....well, maybe longer here at my house. I just took down May to hang this today! (of course May is my birthday month and I loved the birdhouse that was the stitchery!!)

I thought I would post this picture I took several days ago at sunset time. I thought it was so unusual because these colors were in the SE sky and not in the West. It must have been some kind of reflection, but when I looked into the west I didn't see any color or anything special in that part of the sky. One of the mysteries of nature!

Some favorite things.

I promised to show you a picture of the neat quilt shop by the lake. I wanted to take lots of pics inside the shop but planned on asking first. Well, when I was standing by the cutting table waiting for "my order" to be cut I glanced up and there on the wall was a fairly large sign stating no photos because of copyright laws for all of the samples that they have hanging. I looked around the store and there wasn't any area that I could have taken a pic that wouldn't include one or more samples. With that, I didn't even bother to ask. Maybe if I was a regular it would be ok....but, I'm not. Still....I love that store and everything in it!

When I was walking around the trailer I noticed this flower....I did not plant it and we have owned the trailer since 2004 and I don't remember seeing this one before. Can anyone tell me what it is?

Finally petunias.....every year I plant them and every year I say "not next year"....especially because of all the dead-heading you have to do to keep them looking nice. But I LOVE the flower and all of the vibrant colors. This is a hanging basket by the front door....and I probably will have them again next year too!!

Giveaway

Check out Karen's blog and enter her giveaway for the cutest idea ever. She has collected Thimbleberries fabric and has cut it into squares and basically made a quick kit for us...or one lucky person!

I'm back....

I'm back from a relaxing few days by Lake Erie. Although I didn't go out onto the lake, I enjoyed looking at it from the shoreline. Hubby went fishing on Friday and caught a nice bunch of perch. I sewed Friday...so nice and quiet and relaxing. This is where I sat on the porch. I really liked doing it on the picnic table...the seat is high and I "slid" from side to side sewing and pressing. Granted, I didn't have a back on the seat, but I took enough breaks that I didn't notice any back soreness.
And this is what I wound up by creating. I had cut everything a while ago and really went out of my comfort zone in choosing all of the bright colors with different motifs on each one. The background fabric is fairies and sort of busy, so I didn't know how all of these patterns would work together. I really like the look of this quilt and am very happy with it. There is one more row to make and then stitch all together. It was a simple pattern for this newbie! I don't know if I will add borders or not...this quilt will be "one granddaughter done". Then only 7 more to make so each grandchild will have one.

I had to include this picture of a beauty shop near the lake because it is my youngest grandson's name.....so cute! And this is how the day ended each evening.....with a gorgeous sunset! (we only had rain on one of the days....the day we left to come home!)

Finally...some finishes!

It has been a whole week since I blogged last. What a whirlwind around our house since hubby was in the hospital. The last week has been spent trying to get caught up on laundry, shopping, cleaning, etc. Plus we finally got rain and hot, humid temps, so you know what that means...weeds and mowing. We have 5 acres, but we only mow about 2 of them....a local farm uses the rest for either hay or corn. That is still a lot to mow. Thank goodness our kids and grandkids have been helping out also!
BUT....while you sit in a hospital room and watch hubby watch TV, this is what you get done. (minus the borders, which were done at home). I want to pick out a really bright fabric for the August stitchery....i think, oranges, yellows with maybe a pink

We'll see what I can find up at a fantastic quilt shop by the lake where we will be for the next few days. Nautical Needle has everything I love....I will try to maintain my composure, but it has been a while since I have been in a quilt shop

This little baby is what I am taking with me. I really love the way it sews and is so light weight to carry around. I just purchased it on the advice of a friend, and am glad I did. We have a screened in porch and I think that is where I will be "set up". Have a good weekend and see you back here on Monday or Tuesday with "hopefully" some more finishes, or at least some starts.

I WON

When I saw this giveaway from Jodi of her Moda Bake Shop goodies, I thought how wonderful. I loved the colors and pattern. My husband has been in the hospital for several days and when I got home this evening and checked my email there it was...an email titled "You Won". Thank you so much Jodie for such special gifties.
P.S. I won the pillow and tablerunner.

Congrats Terry

This is just 2 of the many patterns Terry is giving away for her 1st year blogiversary! I love what Making Memories looks like....I want that one!

A Friend's Wedding

Yesterday we attended a wedding and reception of a friend of our DD#2 Amy. Here is Amy as a bridesmaid at the wedding of Jill and James. I love yellow, one of my favorites!

My granddaughter Mia as Jr. Bridesmaid and her brother, Oliver (our grandson) as ring bearer. I must admit, a reluctant one at best!!

Happier times after the ceremony!

DD#1, Laura and her nephew, Oliver. So pretty and handsome!

The day ended with a lot of dancing and having fun....as shown by the energetic granddaughter!

Odds and Ends.

I love Morning Glories.....hope they get loads of blossoms!

Here is what to do on a hot day! Grandsons and a buddy in their pool.

These guys (or a couple) are cooling off too....on the roof....spread your wing and let the breezes flow! He just sat there like that for the longest time!

Thought I would share these pictures of our poodle, Jackson, before his grooming and then a week later after he got his "pretties". He always looks 10 pounds heavier with all of those curls. We always laugh (not in front of him..lol) about how he looks right after he is clipped. He is a sweetie and just had his first birthday a couple of weeks ago.

I Did This Today.....

This is what I sat in most of this afternoon on a gorgeous summer (spring temps) Ohio day.

When I looked up this is what I saw.

Barney, the beagle dog, layed by me the whole time.

And this is what I worked on. (delight by Gail Pan). Plus watched the birds, read the newspaper and closed my eyes a couple of times also!

Christmas in July

What a great early Christmas gift if you win these items in Jodi's giveaway over at her blog! She did a tutorial on all 3 items at Moda Bake Shop.

Lovely

Earlier this summer my good friend, Terry, brought me some of her gorgeous perennials that she had divided from her yard. They are established here now and starting to bloom. This first picture is Rose of Sharon...I just love the delicate color combination.

This next plant is a Butterfly Bush....also in bloom. However, for some reason I always pictured a Butterfly Bush to have red blooms....maybe there are different varieties....am I way off base, Terry??
These are cosmos that I just scattered seeds this year. I really love this flower and they self seed sometimes for the following year. I would love to have an English garden with many, many perennials that just flowed in the breeze like these do.

This plant I discovered at the garden center this year. I thought I kept the tag for it, but can't find it. It looks like it should be a perennial (on the order of mums), but it is actually an annual.
I really like it and maybe if I'm lucky it will come back next year also! ;o)

Fresh Garden Produce....and fabric!

I love fresh veggies from the garden. Our garden isn't doing real well because of our recent lack of rain. The plants are still in pretty good shape, but they aren't growing like they should be. We were still able to pick beans and lettuce and I love bringing veggies in the house and eating them within minutes....nothing could be fresher. These were wonderful tonight!

I am finally finishing up this 4 block wallhanging that was a beginning quilt by machine class a long, long time ago. We even made up the binding, so that is done. Just a little more quilting, trimming and binding and I will be showing a finish!

Will be starting this girly quilt by the weekend....it has been cut and screaming my name for quite a few weeks.

I was in Connie's Siggy Swap 2 and just love my blocks I received a while ago. I have layed out the order I want them in and will soon join them into a wallhanging. I love looking at them and wondering about each gal that sewed and signed them just for me. Thank you all!

A great Cause......

Go over to Vanessa at V & Co. and read about the giveaway and the great cause that Brandy's Etsy shop supports....some really gorgeous items!

http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2009/07/give-waaaaay.html

Another one....

I usually don't blog so much about giveaways, but the last couple of days there have been a plethora of them all over blogland! Head over to Judi's blog and sign up...here is one of the giveaways....I really want this one, bad!

Cool Giveaway

Visit Rebecca over at Rainy Day Kisses and sign up for a great paper giveaway. She is new to the blogging world and a Navy wife. She has a darling skirt shown that she made for her daughter...very summery!

Birthday Giveaway

Head on over to Ryan's blog for his birthday giveaway...his birthday (not sure which one) is the 14th of this month. This is Folklorique line by Moda....one of the giveaways.

http://imjustaguywhoquilts.blogspot.com/2009/07/its-july-birthday-giveaway.html

41 years...time flies!

Today was hubby and my 41st anniversary...wow, how time flies. Our idea of celebrating is usually just going out to dinner, which is what we did. Last year for our 40th, we went to Niagara Falls and spent a fun couple of days with dinner in the Skylon Tower that revolves...what a fantastic view as you turn during dinner. But this year it was just a nice dinner at a local steak house. It was very good food. Here's to another 41 (or so) years!

2 in one day....whoa

We picked up our precious babies/dogs from the Vet's kennel on Monday morning....as soon as it opened at 8 AM I might add. I thought this was the funniest thing ever that they presented to us along with the pups.....their report cards. It really did fit them to a T.....they were glad to be back home with us after 10 days. We were glad also!!
These are the cards with their respective owners/dogs........

Two posts today....it makes me feel "back in the loop" again....missed my blogging. Now have to get to that needle, thread and fabric!!