Back and Lots To Report On!

Our time away was great, and seeing this view all week with the cool breeze….so nice!!!    It was so fun to have our girl and her guy join us…..and a

 

wild game of Catch  Phrase happened, complete with snorting laughing….the best kind!

There was time for Mr. P to get a couple good rounds of golf in, and time for me to get some things done.  I got my yo yo on…these will be used for my Christmas gifts this month for Christmas Through The Year…..and FINALLY, my Christmas runner I started 4 years ago is completely finished right down to the binding.  I also worked on a top secret project.

 

24 little top secret gifts for quilt retreat friends that’s coming up in a couple weeks, so no peaks until then!!!!

There’s  been some celebrating in our family again.  Last Monday was my daughter in laws birthday.  We are all so lucky to have her part of our family.   She’s a great mom,  and wife to my son and on top of that an amazing nurse.    Today just happens to be their 7th wedding anniversary.   The Dots spent a couple days with us while they had an anniversary getaway.  I can’t believe how fast time has passed, and so much has happened in their lives.  They are quite the team, and you know I am a crazy Nana over those Dots!!!    On top of these two special days, tomorrow is another.  It’s my sons birthday.  We are over the top proud of the man he has become.  We could not ask for a better son, and watching him with his boys is the best.  Happy birthday son…..we love you to pieces for sure!!

Busy week here in Polka Dot land.  Not sure how much sewing will happen, and I have fallen way off the Rehab wagon.  Wishing you all a very happy week!!!!

A Wee Bit Of Sewing….Lucky Me and Some Tutes

  A wee bit that’s all there has been time for.  I pinned and marked my Christmas  runner and then actually quilted it myself….very simple quilting, cross hatched the the whole thing.  I was a bit worried about putting the giant rick rack on before it got washed so I went for it, thru it in the machine then added the rick rack, and now just the binding is left to do.  This month we get to pick the Schnibble pattern of our choice.  I decided to go with Spot and will be making a runner out of Vintage Modern. So far my blocks are made and rows are marked. I love this pattern.  I was one of the lucky winners for last months Schnibbles giveaway, and Miss Rosie herself, Carrie, sent me the most wonderful box of goodies.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, and thanks to Sinta and Sherri for this fun group.

Anyone thinking Christmas???  Darlene and I are once again excited about all the goodies that will be made and we are shaking our pom poms like crazy!!!  If you want some more Christmas inspiration in the gift making department, you just have to check over at Carol’s blog.  She is celebrating Christmas in July and posting a handmade Christmas gift or decoration EVERY day this month……AMAZING!!!!  Now on to some tutes!

Ali and Sandy over at Very Berry Handmade have a tutorial for this cute Travel Earring/Jewelery wrap.  What a wonderful gift this would make.

The next two tutorials are from Liz at Sew4home.  

 

 

 

From the Weekend Wonders with Fabric Series, there’s a tutorial for these cute Placemats With Flatware, tutorial here.     Then a wonderful tutorial for English Cottage Stockings in Blitzen, part of the Moda Christmas in July Series.

This next one I wasn’t able to contact Yolanda for permission to use her picture, but these are SUPER CUTE…….Sticky Note Clipboard from coasters….tutorial here.

And something for the little people in our lives . Lady Bug Boo-Boo Bugs from Show Tell Share, tutorial here.  This will take the ouch out of those boo boos for sure.

The heat has set in here, no use whining because it will be around for at least a couple months……ok, I will be whining!  We are off to escape the heat for a few days at the beach.  Have a great week everyone!

Happy Birthday To Our Girl

Thirty years ago today, one of the best days in my life for sure……our sweet baby girl was born.  Watching her grown in to the wonderful woman that she is, and seeing all the adventures she has had in her life has been so amazing.  I am so lucky

to have her not only as a daughter but as my best friend.      

I don’t know what I did to win the mom prize in daughters, but I am so grateful.  Dad and I love you so much and are so proud of you.  We can’t wait to spend the day with you today.  Love you mucho cupcake……moms

Pay It Forward

A short while back Terry over at Terry’s Treasures , posted about a Pay It Forward she was opening up…..  WANTED-- three people who would be interested in receiving a handmade gift from her some time during the next year.  Today this is the wonderful goodness I received from her.  She had posted this sweet heart project on her blog a bit back, and I loved it went I saw it, and now I am so lucky to have it!!  Also included was a sweet doily and some beautiful floss.  Thanks so much Terry.   To continue on the Pay It Forward, I am looking for three people who would like to receive a homemade gift from me during the next year.  You must have an active blog  and agree to pass on the PIF to three people as well.  If you are interested just leave me a comment.

Terry is also starting a Scrappy Star Quilt-Along in August……two blocks per month.  Now that seems pretty darn doable to me….and I am actually considering using my 30’s stash.  If you would like to join in, you can sign up over at Terry’s blog.

I have really been trying my best to concentrate on getting UFO’s done.  This Christmas table runner was started about 4 years ago.  It’s so stinkin’ easy, why oh why did I put it away?!!!  Here’s the shocking part….I am actually going to quilt it myself.  Crosshatch the whole thing…right thru the borders, then rickrack will go down both sides….easie peasie I hope!!

So what’s your plans for the weekend??  My son and The Granddots are taking Papa to The Angel game tomorrow night so I know where I will be….sewing room here I come!  Happy weekend everyone. 

The Christmas Through The Year June Winner Is……………………..

The winner of the June giveaway is Sunny from Quilting Dreams!!!!!!!  Email  me your address Sunny and your prize will be in the mail.  What a great turnout we had for June, heat and all.  I think Darlene and all her pom pom shaking had something to do with it.  She is really, really good!  Now on to July and tutorial Monday!!.

 

Val Laird has a wonderful tutorial for this cute thread catcher.  Sweet embroidery on there!

I was visiting  (lurking) over at Megan’s blog, The Brassy Apple, and saw these cute lap desks .  Love them, and how fun to make your own personalizing them with just the perfect fabric for who you are making them for.  The tutorial is from Rachel at Pleased As Punch.

Another favorite spot to visit is Karen’s blog, Sew Many Ways.  She is one clever lady, and comes up with some dandy ideas for using everyday things you have hanging around.  She also has some wonderful tutorials.    Here’s a cute Reversible Eyeglass Case tutorial, and an Easy Apron  tutorial.

 

Wishing everyone a happy, happy 4th of July!

Monthly Finishes….Leap Year, Christmas Through The Year, and An Oldie!!!

  Squeaking in here, but I am so excited that I finished Leap Year.  Vintage

Modern has a spell over me.  I am already thinking what can I make next out of it!!!  Sherri and Sinta will have the parade of Schnibbles up in a day or two.  It’s always so much fun to see the different fabrics used each month……and also it will be very exciting to see which pattern they pick for July!

June….seriously June?!  I think we say this each month, but time is just flying by.   My gifties for this month were fun and super easy to make, and once again out of one of my favorite fabrics….  Countdown To Christmas.  I think I will be whipping up some more of these.  Next time probably reversing the direction of one of the hot pads!  Darlene will have Mr. Linky up tomorrow, and if you link up you will be entered in the drawing for a chance to win this tote bag….along with a couple little goodies tucked inside.

This next finish I am super, duper excited about.  I started this quilt about 8 years ago, had it quilted 2 years later only to find I didn’t have binding to go with.  Every now and then I would try to match up fabric to use as binding, and nothing ever worked.  I couldn’t even find the fabric online.  The quilt got tucked away and I really forgot about it.  Last month on my way to quilt camp, I stopped at a quilt shop and there sitting in a sale bin was 1/2 yard of the exact same blue fabric marked at $2.00.  SCORE!!!!!!!!  A big old happy dance and a great finish!

We had a wonderful 4 days away…..very lazy and relaxing.  The view was amazing…the picture not so good.  We had a few friends stop by just to check out what was going on…very low key guests!!!  All my finishes were thanks to the four relaxing days….and a couple wonderful golf days for Mr. P too!!   Happy weekend everyone.

A Bit of Rehab….and Fun With Aunt KK

Slow and steady wins the race…..that’s my focus for getting this BOM done!!! 

 

 

 

Two rows completed, and one more to go……that will be the plan for this week.  Work on row 3.  Thanks Sinta for the motivation.

The week was a good one, especially for the first couple days.  Our girl came to stay, and The Dots were here ….. they LOVE their Auntie.   A highlight for Big Dot was definitely the pool noodles at the store….perfect for reaching things that are high and out of reach.

 

Then there was a trip to the park…..  

 

 

 

 

some car racing, playing on the slide and riding the

 

wackadoddle teeter totter!!!  One park wasn’t enough so we stopped by Micky D’s to play in that playground too!!!   Seems like just yesterday that I was watching my sweet little girl doing the very same things  ….

 

oh wait…there she is!!  I am a very, very lucky mom and a very lucky Nana too!

Today we are off for a getaway and for some much needed R & R….sewing machine packed for me, and golf clubs for Mr. P!!  Wishing you all a very happy week.   

Tutorial Monday…and The Giveaway For Christmas Through The Year

Monday already?…..yep, and tutorial Monday.  Hope I’m not driving you all crazy with these, but I love finding them.  Hats off to these amazing crafty ladies that came up with these fun projects, and heaps of thanks for letting me use their pictures.  Please make sure to link back to them if you post on your blog.

Darlene is busy over at her place shaking her pom poms like crazy to keep us all encouraged to get a gift or two done for Christmas  I know it’s June, and thinking about Christmas seems pretty darn crazy, but boy when Xmas rolls around and you have gifts made and ready to go it’s wonderful.  Darlene will have Mr. Linky up on June 30th, and if you link up you will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win this lunch bag.  

So here we go!!!!

Sarah at Cooking On Clover Lane has this great tutorial for personalized photo placemats.  Let the photo collecting begin!  

 

 

I love these Holiday Coasters.   Kim at Poppy Seed Fabrics has a wonderful tutorial here.  Great stocking stuffers or great gifts to have on hand in case someone stops by!

Jen at Miss Punkie Pie has been a craft making machine.  She posted these pictures on her blog a couple weeks ago……stinkin’cute!  She used the tutorial from Tara at Tinkerfrog and Tara was happy to share the link with us.  I think they would make great bags for kiddos toys in the back seat…just sayin’!!!

Allie, the founder of Christmas Through The Year, is always on the lookout for tutorials for us and she sent me the link for this cute Gift/ Storage Basket.  The tutorial is from Linda at Buzzing and  Bumbling. 

Journals make such great gifts.  Vanessa at V and Co. came up with this really cute Composition Book Cover, tutorial here.  Love the fabric she used.

Here’s a super, duper cute Patchwork Taggie blanket, tutorial from Karen at Sew Much 2 Luv!!  Such a happy taggie, and any little one would love this for sure.

My girl is home tomorrow for a couple days and I can’t wait to spend some time with her and maybe even some shopping.  Happy week everyone!!!!

FNSI Results

  Yes there was some time to sew on Friday night.  I am determined to stay up with the Schnibbles group….I love, love Miss Rosie’s Schnibbles patterns. and this months pattern is called Leap Year.  In my head I thought I will whip this out Friday night……but the reality is I got the charm squares cut into strips, pieced, sewn and recut, and one 16 patch pieced.  That overly optimistic me is always trying to take over!!  Thanks Heidi and Bobbi for another fun FNSI.

Then I have some things calling me.  My 30’s stash would be perfect made out of this pattern, which would mean actually “using” my 30’s stash.  My friends tease me that it is my shrine, that is incased by a dust shield ….actually I think they are probably right :-)!   Here’s another project that I spotted while out and about…this is going on my have to make list too.  Oh please more hours in the day.

But what is really calling me is CLEANING!!  So today I will think about projects while that is being done.  Wishing you all a very happy weekend.