My Quilty Pleasure!

BOM'S.....glorious BOM'S. I just can't help myself!!!! Block number 2 for the Mystery Designer Block of the Month........and then I just couldn't resist these lovelies.....a little catch up to month 3 and I'm in good shape. I still have my Apron BOM, but I have decided to hand applique that while we are on vacation next month. I think I may need some kind of therapy or intervention :-) !!!


Have you been over to Mel's Own Place?? What a wonderful blog, choked full of all kinds of free patterns with lovely pictures......we love some free patterns, because if you are like me you can never have enough patterns. Also some of Mel's own patterns and tutorials. A very sweet place to visit.

Did someone say ICE CREAM?????? The girls over at Cute Stuff Inside are having the most wonderful giveaway to celebrate their one year blogiversary. You don't want to miss out on all the party fun and the chance to win some wonderful goodies!!!

Today is a day full of quiltiness. Hanging out and having breakfast with quilt friends, and then later in the day dinner and sewing with some quilty friends.....I heart Tuesdays!!! Happy day to one and all.

Scorching Hot!!

It's Sunday afternoon and a bit of a scorcher. I am trying hard to embrace the heat....but not doing a very good job I'm afraid. So something quilty needs to happen. An easy peasy alphabet quilt for baby Polka Dot.

Saturday was a day spent sewing with friends. Scrappy quilts never cease to amaze me. The top one is a great lesson in saving scraps. Sewing it together we were wondering how in the heck is this going to work...but we all loved it when it was done. The bottom one, a sweet snowball quilt with charm squares. Both of these were sewn with the Quilts of Valor group. And who knew......cucumber lemons!! The yummy taste of a cucumber with a hint of lemon......so good and soooo cute!!!! Thanks Pat for introducing us to
them :-) !

Summer means some pool time and baby Polka Dots cousin Caroline is visiting
so Friday there was some pool time and cooling off time. Hard to believe our little dot will be one year old in a couple weeks!

Wishing everyone a happy week and hoping that you have some time to do what makes your heart happy!! I stole that phrase from my friend Nan!!!!!

Happy Day My Son!

30 years ago today we were blessed with a wonderful bundle of joy, our baby boy!! The 30 years have gone so fast, and we never could have imagined all the happiness that that little bundle would bring in to our lives. A wonderful caring son, brother, husband and now father. We are so proud of you and watching you become a father has truly been a highlight. We could not have wished for a better son....and being the first baby, you put up with two newbie parents pretty darn well....hopefully you won't require any therapy! We feel so very lucky to be dad and mom to you and your sister. You two have filled our hearts to the brim, and topping it off with Megan and Luke, well life is pretty darn wonderful....oh wait... grand baby number two will be here pretty soon! Happy birthday to you bud, we love you so much!!!

Fore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No I'm not switching hobbies! Once a year the golf group that Mr. Polka Dot belongs to does this Jack and Jill event. The men do the big golfing, and us women folk do the putts!! The men are avid golfers, the women avid talkers. It is fun and lots of laughs at the expense of those of us who are doing the putts!!!! It was so darn hot...quite a miserable day weather wize, so riding in the carts at least gave us some blasts of hot wind!

This is my latest start. Originally I bought this kit for a raffle quilt for the zoo. It was from Fons and Porter and in their current magazine they are advertising a kit with Zebras that will be available in September. Since the fund raiser is for the zebras I thought that would be a better quilt and this one will be for my girl. Fun to make but a bit more piecing that I realized. I just have the inner and outer borders left and it's done.

I have my July finish done. These blocks were made years ago by three of my quilting buddies. I had the rows together, and all that was needed was the scrappy outer border. I can't imagine why I never finished it. So sweet and I love the no binding edge and of course the buttons.

The plan for this week is get that basket quilt finished, but being the serial starter that I am, there is probably some new something that will be calling to me!!!

August 10th will be my two year blogaversary.....which means giveaway!

So stay tuned. Wishing you all a great start to your week with some sewing tucked in here and there.

I Have Been A Bad Blogger!!!!

Really I have!!! I just had to take a time out. Lots going on in this part of the world. Our girl has a new job lined up which means a move, which means looking for a new place to live. We were very happy she invited us along to be part of the selection process, and I am happy to say she has found a very sweet apartment!!! It was two days of hunting, with the first day being a bit of a let down, but then the perfect place cam along! So let the packing begin.

Another birthday wish to my sweet daughter in law who will be celebrating her day tomorrow. We hit the daughter in law jackpot with her! My son did some good, good, picking and visa versa....thank goodness she choose him!! A happiest of day to you Megan. We love you!!!!!

I have done NO quilting....that's not good!!! My friends however have been very productive. this is my friend Carol's quilt just waiting for the binding, and here are two quilts that my friend Evelyn made. Love the rick rack on those flowers... that is one of Glenna's patterns. Both these quilts will be off to be quilted I am thinking all of these need to go on my "need to make these someday" list! This last one is a customers quilt. This is such a great way to use up a stash of plaids/homespuns. She said she did it with her friendship group and they all swapped blocks. It's amazing how all the colors just flow together.

A few week back Kim tagged me. I haven't' done a tag in a while and thought I would share some new to me blogs that I have found.......not new blogs! Here's the rules....ok, I don't like to follow rules but I have to post them. I also think everyone that visits is tagged because I haven't met a blog that I don't like, and I would just pick everybody anyway..so everybody consider yourselves tagged!!!!

-First, you have to tell your readers 10 things about you they may not already know, but are true.

-Second, you have to tag 10 people (please read my note above :-) ) with the award.

-Third, you have to let the people you've given the award to know that they've received it.

-Finally, make sure you link back to the person who awarded you.

Here's my crazy info:

1. I love decorating for Xmas. The day after Thanksgiving I am on it!

2. When I say the word wash somehow there is an r in it... "warsh". Still to this day my kids

will figure out any way possible to get me to say warsh!

3. I didn't start officially sewing until I was 27 .... home ec sewing and I did not get along.

4. I hate to cook. I am so glad to officially say that!!!

5. I am still friends with the my best friend Cindy...we met when we were 6 years old and this

year we are turning 58! Never had a fight that either of us can remember, but lots of giggling.

When we get together now we still giggle. I am sure people just don't get us...hey, we don't

care!

6. I worked in a steno pool for 3 years transcribing all day long....boy that was boring!

7. I flip through magazines from the back to the front.

8. Scared of heights.......terrified would be a better word.

9. I love frosting!!!! My mom decorated cakes when I was growing up and there was always

frosting in the frig. Yummmy comfort food! Hey, is there a frosting food group?

10. At the moment I am obsessed with blocks of the month. I think I may need some therapy.

Here's my list of blogs that I am tagging!

1. Sweet P. Quilting

2. Allie-Oops Sweet Happy Life (love that name)

3. Charming Chatter

4. Block-A-Day

5. The Dorky Homemade Look

6. Little Girl Quilts
7. Bee In My Bonnet

8. Mary Lou And Cherries Too

9. V and Co.

10. Jaybird

So what have you been up to?? I have so much to catch up on!! I have my giant glass of diet coke and I am settling in and counting on all of you to get me inspired!!! Happy mid July to everyone!!

A Very Happy Day!

This day 27 years ago was such an amazing day! Our beautiful baby girl was born. That sweet baby girl has manged to fill our lives with such joy and happiness, and we are so proud of the young woman she has turned in to. Life holds some adventures ahead for her and we are all so excited for her. In all my dreams I could not have imagined having a better daughter and now friend. We all love you tons and tons!!!!! Looking forward to our trip together to San Diego tomorrow. Hugs and love mom's!!!!!!!!!!

The View......

We are back from a week at San Clemente and this was our view for the week. Some days a bit foggy, but it was a wonderful view and a great week. We spent 4 days camping on our own and then Wednesday all the kiddos came. We had so much fun. Baby polka dot is an amazing little camper and he adjusted just fine. He loves to be outside and was busy perfecting his latest skill...pointing! The weather was barely in the 70's...me lovin that. My family probably would have liked it a bit warmer, but they still managed some beach time! We had some wonderful campfires and our son played his guitar for us. OK, a proud mom here but he is really a amazing guitar player!! I love the photo of Baby P giving his auntie some lovin, the sweet photo of my family playing cards, and a special moment with dad! Spending July 4th at the campground was so festive. We could see the firework shows put on by the City of San Clemente as well as the City of Dana Point......an amazing vantage point!

Before the kids came I spent some time sewing. I have decided I am a serial starter. This basket quilt was started in 99..the reason I know, the receipt for the border fabric was in the box!! I know I have shown this on my blog before with the idea I was going to work on it. Well this time I did. The first picture is what I took camping and the second is what I got done. Now I am on the home stretch with all the pieced triangles ready to go and then to get that border on!

I had a wonderful box waiting for me when I got home. I was in the Christmas In July Swap, with Mrs. Martins Quilt Shop. My swap partner Cynthia sent me this wonderful box of goodies! I don't know how she knew I wanted that copy of Quick Quilts. I usually buy it every month but had missed that one. A pretty apron, a couple wonderful recipes, some ME note cards, Christmas ornament, pincushion, a embroidered Believe, Christmas fabric/buttons, and yummy candy that I already taste tested. Thanks you so much Cynthia!!!

The campground was suppose to have WIFI....it worked for a few minutes here and there. Enough to get a email off and then it would go down. Even the TV was out of commission . Just as well. We had some wonderful family time and lots of great memories were made. I sure did miss you bloggy people and now I am off to see what you all have been up to! Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July!!

YIPEEEEEE!

The Scrappy Star quilt is finally pieced. whew...there are a kazillion pieces in this baby. Well maybe not a kazillion but probably a bazillion :-) ! I really like it and it's big enough to go on our bed - 108 X 86.

After finishing that I was still a bit inspired (must have been that dusting thing that happened the last post) and I decided to start on the Fat Quarter Shop 2009 Designer BOM. This block went together really nice, and again the pattern is wonderful. I was pretty much seeing stars all day.

Lots planned for this weekend. Some sewing time tomorrow with friends and then Sunday a getaway to the beach for a bit of time, and just in the nick of time since it is suppose to be in the 90's!

Ok, I'm off to have some root beer float ice cream...have you tried it??? It's by Dryer's and it's limited edition......yumo!!! Happy weekend everybodeeeee!

A Finish Is A Finish!

I was doing so good on finishing a project a month. That was until May. Over on my side bar May is just looking so sad. It was starting to look like June was going to follow right along. Yesterday I started digging through projects that are waiting to be finished. Some are going to require a whole lot of time, and some are going to need to be quilted. Then there it was.... just sitting at the very bottom of my quilt pile in the hall closet. A rag quilt that I started who knows when. All the rows were together except the last two, and most were already clipped. So I whipped the last two rows on and finished the clipping...washed and dried and WOOHOO, my June finish in the nick of time!! There is a little princess that is going to have a birthday really soon and this will be her gift.

Then some really happy mail came. Just the sight of the box made my heart flutter...so easily pleased! Inside is the 2009 BOM finishing kit and the #1 block from Fat Quarter Quilt Shop. So here we go again. I can't wait to get going on this. The patterns from 2008 were so wonderful and so much fun. I know that these will be just the same. Once again, wonderful yummy fabrics.

This is where I should be reporting all I have worked on....hmmmmmm! Seems the old mojo has taken a bit of a break. The possible cause....... life in general is pulling us in all directions, good directions. My poor sewing machine seems to have a layer of dust on it. I am very happy though to share my friend Carol's sparkly Xmas quilt! The fabrics are so perfect and how could you not love those wonky trees!!!

So off I go with my Swiffer duster and to see if just maybe my mojo is hiding under that layer of dust!!! Happy evening (and good morning to some) everyone!

A Case Of Being Overly Optimistic!!

Way overly optimistic!!!! I really thought by now I would have my Scrappy Stars quilt done. I set out to "just finish the borders" and quickly realized there was a lot more involved then I thought. First off there needed to be 3 l/2 inch light squares around the entire outer edge of the center...job done!! Then I realized each border (yep 4 sides) has one row of 3 1/2 inch half square triangles and two rows of light 3 1/2 inch squares. Very time consuming so as you can see I have two sides done. At least some progress has been made.

Last week was filled with lots of family time. Our girl was home for three days and we enjoyed every minute of having her here. That doesn't happen very often. We even had a trip to the San Diego Zoo. I knew that girl has been working too long with her giraffes because she has morphed in to one!!! We met up with her old room mate and fiance for dinner and that was tons of fun.

Saturday we had a family birthday party for my father in law who turned 88....the most wonderful 88 you could ever imagine. Both of my in laws are very active and full of life. We had the best time and all our kids were there. My sister in law coordinated the meal, with all of us bringing a dish. Baby Polka Dot really enjoyed the day. His favorite was the gift bag that was laying empty on the floor and the musical card we got dad. He kept opening and closing it to hear the music...so cute! We were missing my two nephews and their families because they were at baseball tournaments for their kids. We have some amazing athletes in the family and we are all so proud of them. My much" younger" sister in law and my nephew, niece and her boyfriend also were there. So much eating, so much laughing, so much great family time! I am very grateful for the extended family I have.

We are still having the weirdest weather here.....63 degrees yesterday. Now I am lovin' it because that heat and I don't get along so I am soaking up every bit of coolness.

This week I really am planning on having my Scrappy Stars done..I don't think there are any other surprise borders to be added! Happy mid week to everyone!!!!

We Are Swinging From The Trees.......

......... make that swinging from the swing at the park! We have the most exciting news. Baby Polka Dot is going to have a new baby brother or sister. Can you hear my WOOHOO!!!! We don't know for sure the date our next baby polka dot is expected, but probably sometime around the holidays.

Two grand babies. We feel very, very lucky!!

There has been some more progress on my Scrappy Stars, and I am finally nearing the home stretch. My hopes are to show a picture by this weekend. I have finished a giftie for my Christmas In July person, but I can't show too much. And sadly I have to report I had no WISP for May....I forgot:-( !!!

So I am here floating on cloud 9 with visions of baby quilts swirling around in my head. Happy Wednesday everyone!!!!

It's All About The Reverse Sewing!

UPDATE, UPDATE----Today Tuesday, June 9th , is Ms. Geranium's birthday.

A giant HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you Sharon! (((((hugs))))))!

Here's my Scrappy Star quilt with the rows all sewn together. Yesterday when I laid it out I found a bunch of like fabrics together. Not the end of the world, but it was making me crazy. It was the light squares, and light half square triangles with the darks. It just left holes here and there.......so that's when all the reverse sewing started happening, and happening. Two hours later all fixed. Now there are some darks touching on the diagonal here and there, but enough is enough and I'm leaving them. The two scrappy outer borders are the next step and then finished! Not bad for 4 l/2 years!!!

Over on Jen's blog I saw this quilt and just knew Baby Polka Dot had to have one. It just so happens that Jen has sets of these letters on her Etsy site and mine arrived yesterday. They are so great and come already fused. I am going to (without shame) copy her quilt because it is just so cute ( with her permission of course! ) So if you are in need of some letters Jen's the person to go to.

Now that I am back on board and have this new zippy computer I have been catching up on all things bloggy. Marcie has this really cute pox button that she has made up and we are all welcome to snag so our blogs will be immunized!! Some people are so darn clever, not me, but some people....just sayin'!

Then I was visiting over at Quilt Hollow and there is the cutest Sewing Machine video if you click here! So perfect for all of us who love our sewing machines.

Ms. Geranium is busy, busy getting settled in her new digs. I hear the second truck made it there yesterday. We had been texting like crazy, but now finally back to emails. With all the boxes I saw they should be unpacked by Xmas!

So there you have it for a Saturday in Polka Dot Land. Happy day to everyone :-) !!