On the First Day of Summer

School is Out! My summer vacation officially started! 

What do you think I did on my first day? 

You bet I spent a good few hours in my sewing room. 

I have a few more Little Blue Houses made.

I have started making these cute foxes using the Fancy Fox pattern by 

Elizabeth Hartman of Ohfransson. 

June is here and the color of the month for the Rainbow Scrap challenge is aqua with a pop of lime green. Back in January, the color of the month was blue. I made several different shades of blue including this aqua block. So I will instead be working on a lime green block for this month. Stay tuned!

My garden is in bloom! Love my giant poppies!

and my purple lupines!

These tulips were a end of the year gift! So pretty!

I'd say a nice start to summer!

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FnsI Results!

Another Friday night enjoying sewing with all of you. ♡ 

I actually had most of Friday to sew. Lucky me! 

Remember this quilt? 

My day started with sandwiching it. I had previously pieced the backing but hadn't gotten around to sandwiching it. Sew now it is ready for quilting.

In the late afternoon, I spent some time hand quilting this mini quilt. I can only show a peek as it is a surprise gift to someone.

I have a few more cups to hand quilt and it will be ready to bind!

After dinner, I decided to work on another mini quilt that I have been wanting to try. A book shelf...

All the books are sitting on the shelf but I need to add the titles to the books. I did rummage thru my selvages and choose the ones I want to use.  There was some picking out going on last night...not my favorite thing to do. 

I used this tutorial for this project. 

What did you do on FNSI? You can find out what others have done here.

I also have added a few more flowers to my hexi garden this week.

And some beautiful tulips to brighten the day!

Have a wonderful day!

I'm Ecstatic!

Yep!  Today I finished the Mariner's Compass quilt!! I am so excited for my DH to see it but he is out of town until later tonight.  So I will just show you first! Heehee!  It is all quilted [by me], bound and labeled!! I am very pleased with the results!! What do you think?  

Some artsy photos!!

For anyone that is following my blog, I started quiltingbydawn back in January when I started this very quilt.  I was a bit overwhelmed as I never did a quilt quite so complicated.  I wanted to chart my progress.  Kinda like Julie in the movie Julie & Julia.  That's where I got the idea and before you know it I was blogging.  I have since become addicted!  Mostly because of the inspiration and creativity among quilt bloggers and such.  So although this quilt is a FINISH, my blogging will go on.  Enjoy!

I'll leave you with a few pictures from some summer fun!

Here we are at Ravinia celebrating our very good friend, Ruth's birthday!  Where's the birthday girl?  Well, as you can see, we were busy trying to keep dry. The tarps and umbrellas were used throughout the night.  We actually had a great time even if we ended up drenched in the end!

Here is my birthday and Father's Day!  We shared the day this year!  Notice Ruth [in the purple] who was missing from her birthday pictures!  She made the most delicious cake for me! Thanks Ruth!  Love this family!!

Here are some pretty cactus flowers blooming in the yard.  They are the most brilliant yellow!

I should also mention that I signed up for a applique posy needle case swap!  Michele from Quilting Bloggers is doing the swap.  Sign ups are still going on so hop on over here and sign up.  This is my first swap and I am pretty excited to find out who my swap partner will be!

UPDATE...finally

Again it has been a while since I have been able to get around to my blog.  There has been a lot going on following my daughter, Kirsten's graduation.  She arrived home on Monday, May 3rd and started packing up her things.  She has moved to South Dakota and has started her new job.  On the Friday before she left,  our wonderful family friends hosted a Open House/Art Gallery to show her work.  Here are a few pictures...

Early Saturday she was headed for Rapid City, South Dakota.  That same night, May 8th, our oldest daughter, Brit, graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a degree in Art Education.  Yay!! We are so proud of her! Here are a few pictures from her graduation.

Receiving her diploma!

CONGRATULATIONS BRIT AND KIRSTEN!! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU! WELL DONE!

The very next day was Mother's Day.  My daughter's did a nice job making me feel special! Take a look.

AND now for an update on the little bit of sewing I have been able to get done...I finished 5 more little bags and added a some bling.  I also knitted a pair of fingerless gloves to help out a friend (no picture).

Also, coming May 21st is the Friday Night Sew-In hosted by Heidi and Bobbi.  Head on over here to join the fun!  It's a great way to devote some serious time to catching up and maybe win a prize!

One last picture from my spring gardens.  Pretty...

That's all for now.  As summer comes, I will have more free time for the things I love!