Birthdays and more

In my last post I shared about the Posy Needle Case Swap and how much fun swaps are! Do you know what is more fun?  Winning a giveaway, especially a surprise one!  This is what came in the mail all the way from The Netherlands!  

Heidi from All My Scattering Moments picked random winners from comments made on her surprise finishing giveaway.  I made a comment on a specific post about one of her quilts and that was her secret giveaway post.  What FUN!

I have also been busy with hand made gifts for some very special kids in our life! Here is a picture from the girl's birthdays celebration.  [We missed Tieg's birthday as we were on vacation.]

Klara [8], Tieg [6], and Greta [10] ~ sisters and cousins!

For Tieg, I made this cute Tic Tac Toe on the Go game board. You can make one too here!

For Greta and Klara, I made cute quilted portfolios for writing and drawing with plenty of supplies! These are from here. I added a magnetic clasp so all the supplies didn't fall out.  Note: add the clasp before you bind. A button clasp would be cute also!

These little projects were thrown in between my July/August goals but I have been working on my quilting goals.  I sandwiched my red and white quilt and started the quilting! I also worked on the design layout for my stitchery quilt.  I think I'm satisfied with it.  Now I need to start gathering fabrics! How are your goals coming along?

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!

Saturday Night Fun

I promised that I would come back to show you what all the striped squares of fabric were for.  A very dear friend of our family, Ken, celebrated turning 40!  His beautiful wife, Kristin, threw a surprise party for him.  Several guy friends met at the local 9 hole golf coarse and surprised Ken.  As they golfed, some of the wives set up for a party on the patio.  The patio is at the end of the 9th hole. So as Ken was finishing his golf game, he could see us all gathered.  What a FUN night! With Ken it couldn't be any other way!  

First 4 some to golf

Ken in his new golfing outfit

Another 4 some and Ken's caddy

The tee off

Pretty table decorations - see the striped square of fabric!

Coming off the 9th hole with his daughters, Klara & Greta

funny Ken & beautiful Kristin

And such a beautiful day it was!!