Summertime...

has been delightful so far. We're enjoying some time on the lake as we cat sit for friends. We've been out in the canoe...

(Andrew, his girlfriend Liz and Grace)

We've watched some beautiful sunsets...

And I've found time to do a little quilting. I finished piecing this top this morning, then quilted it and sewed the binding on this afternoon. Tomorrow, we're heading to NY to see friends that we haven't seen in the 10 years since we moved back to NJ. I'll be hand stitching the binding to the back of it as we drive...hopefully I can finish it and get it washed so I can give it to a little girl on Thursday night...I hope she likes it!

Thank you!

A few weeks ago, Peg from Happy In Quilting had a giveaway, and I was the lucky winner! The prize was this gorgeous quilt that she had made. It arrived here a few days ago and it's just beautiful. I have a lot of quilts that I've made, but none are as special as those that have been made for me. There is just something wonderful about a quilt that is made just for you, given as a gift. So thank you, Peg...I will always treasure this quilt!


Peg also included a few treats with the quilt. There was a package of eucalyptus candies, which I'd show you, but Grace has really enjoyed them! There was also a tube of Vegemite. I had no idea what it was, I only knew it from the old Men at Work song. I haven't tried it yet, maybe for lunch today?

We've been out of school for a week now. Why is it the last 3 days of school seemed to take a year, but the first week out of school flew by? We've been busy, but things are starting to settle down for the summer. I've had time to quilt some customer quilts and do a little sewing. It's also time to start building this year's Canoe Carnival float. Our design this year is simple, so it should be an easy build. I designed this year's float, so I hope it turns out! The boss is happy...he can use power tools. As he always says about Canoe Carnival...You combine beer, electricity, power tools and water...what's not to love?

If I get something done, I'll be back later with a peek at the latest quilt I'm working on. I need to add some pink to it!

Graduation

Grace graduated from 8th grade on Tuesday night, complete with gown and aircast!

Congratulations, Grace...I'm so proud of you! I found it amusing that her graduation of almost 60 kids was about 20 minutes longer than the high school graduation, where 370 kids graduated!

Now summer can really begin...Grace will be going to Dorney Park tomorrow with the acolytes from our church on their annual trip. I'm planning to head north to Pennington Quilt Works for my annual "birthday trek", so I can use the coupon they sent me. I'm debating whether, with gas prices as high as they are, I should make the drive. But hey...my birthday is on Sunday, so I think I'll treat myself!

As another treat, I've decided I'm going to take guitar lessons. I've always wanted to learn to play. Grace had been taking lessons for almost a year from a great guy, but she's decided that she's done. So, I'm going to take her guitar and her time slot! I'm nervous about it...but I'm looking forward to it. I'm may be Van's first guitar student to fail!

Tuesday Afternoon...

and it's hot and humid here in southern NJ. A good day to stay indoors. I've been working on a customer quilt, but took a nice, long break to sit outside with a glass of water and read. I love the longer days of summer...



Last Friday was my birthday, so yesterday I took a ride to Pennington Quilt Works to use my 20% off birthday coupon which expires at the end of June. I had a collection of FQ's and had nothing to go with them. Using my coupon I picked up 2 one yard pieces...the polka dots and one of the florals, and 3 yards of a cream background fabric to go with them. The whole collection is now washed (not ironed as you can see in the photo!) and waiting for inspiration to strike.

I also made a few more blocks for my sampler quilt. I guess this wouldn't fit into Finn's orphan train challenge since I'm making all these blocks new for the quilt. I do have some orphans laying around, I'm hoping to collect them and make something of them this summer.

Back to the machine or I'll never get anything done this summer! :o)

School's Out for Summer...

We're back from Virginia and now I'm done all my traveling for the summer! We had a wonderful time visiting the University of Mary Washington. It's a beautiful school and Fredericksburg is a delightful little town! Thanks Jen for the advice...we did have lunch at Sammy T's and it was delicious. However we opted for gelato instead of ice cream...we'll try Carl's next time we're down.
We're planning to head back down in the fall so she can get a feel for the campus when there are students around. UMW is definitely at the top of her list right now!
As for what summer will bring, I'm not sure! I have a lot of customer quilts to finish, a few of my own that I'd like to have done and I found a cute pattern for a cable knit scarf that I'd like to make for the winter. Add in the prayer shawls that I'm making (I started a crocheted, triangular scarf last night...it's going fast!), doctor's appointments and all of the normal, day to day stuff and I can see summer will go much too quickly for my liking! :o) But it's filled with opportunities....