A Long Absence

With all the best intentions, I did not expect to be gone from blogging for so long. After school was out, I was excited for summer and time for quilting. I did do some sewing but I also embarked on trying out some natural dyeing. Before I knew it, my hubby and I were headed to the PNW for 10 days. We had a wonderful time hiking in the wilderness of the North Cascade Mountains. 

It is beautiful in the mountains with lush greens and many wild flowers.

After we got home, we had 3 days to get ready for our grandson and his parents to come for a week. We were very excited as we had not seen him in person (Face Time is wonderful!) for a while. 

What an incredible visit we had over the week of July 4th! Our grandson is growing so fast! He is in the stage where new discoveries are happening daily. He is a very curious baby boy!

He loves the water and already takes swimming lessons. 

(with his Morfar and daddy)

We took a trip to the zoo! 

(with his mommy and daddy)

(with his mama!)

Happy boy!

(with me ~ Mormor)

Now I have a few days before our youngest daughter comes home for 5 days. I really needed to get some of the monthly blocks challenge blocks done before I fell too far behind. 

For the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, July's color is pink. Here are my blocks.

Waterfront Starburst

Reverse Star Block 

I'm linking up to Scrap Happy Saturday over at So Scrappy.

I also was able to complete 2 blocks for the Covered in Love Charity. Kat of Kat and Cat Quilts took off May & June to catch up, but the July/August blocks are Red, White and Blue stars. 

These blocks are 12" finished. 

Here are some pictures of the quilt I gifted to this newly married couple on their wedding day. 

Purple Passion

And here is the graduate with her T-Shirt quilt! All smiles!

One last picture because I can't help myself. I just love this little smiley face!

Hope you're enjoying your summer!

Vacation Part 2

I finished my pictures from the 2nd half of our vacation!  Our DD3, Kari, flew back home after our week's visit with DD2, Kirsten, while hubby and I went on for week 2 in Colorado. Yes, this was our first summer vacation without any of our girls!  Of coarse, we have had extended weekends trips without them but never a summer vacation!  It must mean we are getting closer to becoming empty nesters! Although we both enjoy hiking in the mountains and other outdoor activities [and we did our share of them], this week was much more relaxing ~ Farmer's Market, walks in the parks and a trip to Glenwood Hot Springs (sorry no pictures at the hot springs)!  Have a look at beautiful Colorado!

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I'm back!

Well this post is well over due but somehow when you get back from vacation, it takes awhile to get caught up! 

First, let me show you what was waiting for me when I arrived home.  A package with these lovelies inside!

I won this give away from Dawn over at The Straw Needle.  Two quilted heart potholders and a charm pack of Aster Manor for Moda!  Thank you Dawn!

Next up is a follow up on my Charming Girls' Quilt Club.  As mentioned before, this month's theme is Self-Care.  When I first posted about this topic, I mentioned that I was going to treat myself to a pedicure!  And I DID!

It was wonderful to pamper myself and have pretty feet before heading off for vacation! 

Love the red!

This past Monday (the day after we got home), I completely finished by Between Charming Friends QAL quilt.  I needed to bind it since I couldn't do that without my machine.  Here is the finished 'A Little Gem!'

And finally an update on my goals!  

Quilting ~ finished by QAL

~put the borders on my Red & White, need to get backing material

~finished my Applique Posy Needle Case (and a little extra surprise) for my swap partner and sent it.  Will post pictures once it's received. 

~have worked on a design layout for my stitchery, but it isn't finalized.

~second Happy Camper quilt may have to be put on the back burner due to other priorities coming to up.

Reading ~ while on vacation, we listen to 3 books on tape.  Does that count?  I would think so since I couldn't really be reading while listening.  These included:

Airborn by Kenneth Oppel

Smiles to Go by Jerry Spinelli

and My Antonia by Willa Cather

I also finished 2 books.  

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

and Free Range Knitter by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee 

I'm currently reading The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks!

Vacation ~ I will share Part 1 of our vacation now! We had a wonderful time with our daughter, Kirsten and future SIL, Mike (and his family) in South Dakota. Take a look! Hope you enjoy it!

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Will need to post about Vacation Part 2 later!  Be back soon!