Some Wonderful Mail!!

Don't you just love getting mail.....I sure do!! First off I got the sweetest Christmas Tea Towel from my swapper friend Rosie. Love the rick rack on there and also a yummy recipe for Apple Cake. As soon as our weather cools down I will be making this great recipe. Rosie must have peeked on my blog to find out that I LOVE Christmas. This swap was courtesy of Kelly of the Charming Girls Tea Towel Swap. Thanks Rosie my swap goodies are so so wonderful.!

Then there was this goodie box from Miss Sharon and this was what was inside for me and this was what was inside for Baby Polka Dot for his first birthday. Oh my word, does he ever love this bear. It plays the song Put Another Candle On The Birthday Cake....those of you old like me will remember that from the Sheriff John days. Baby Polka Dot loves to play that song over and over, and thank you Miss Sharon...I think it is permanently stuck in my head!!!! And you might want to pop over to Miss Sharon's to see why we will really be calling her Miss Sharon! I love the stitchery and those cute star decorations....and a cheese ball mix...I am nuts for cheese balls! Thanks to you Sharon from the bottom of our hearts!

That's all for me...not one speck of quilting. Mr. Polka Dot and I are having way too much fun with this retirement business. I am off for a bit of time to relax in some cooler weather. Wishing you all a very happy week!

Getting A Bit Done.....Sorta!!!

This is a very good lesson in why I shouldn't be hurrying to get a quilt done at midnight. Not that it was the end of world, but the stripe in the block against the same stripe in the border was bugging the heck out of me. So with a bit a reverse sewing problem solved.

Finished the next BOM from Fat Quarter Shop. This block just made me smile. (I am such a simple person :-) !!!) When I looked at the picture on the pattern I thought this was not going to be easy, but with some very sneaky piecing it went together very well....a really fun block to piece.

I actually got my August finish done for the Charming Girls Club including the blanket stitching around all the appliques. I highly recommend this pattern for a quick baby quilt, and it comes with letters to add a name if you like. Very big excitement....the quilting sisters quilted my Scrappy Stars and it is wonderful. My piecing on this quilt is not the best and they managed to save it!! The binding will go on tomorrow and then hopefully it can be my August finish for the finish a project a month challenge with May Brit and Kris.

Joining challenge groups has really kept me on track with getting things done. Speaking of which, while I was poking around I found this really great group to join.... A Year Of Schnibbles.

Sherri and Sinta have come up with this really great idea to pick a Miss Rosie's Schnibble pattern each month and then we all can play along ....as they said we all love charm packs!! They contacted Carrie of Miss Rosie's Quilt Company and she is very excited about the idea. There will be prizes and all kinds of surprises. Come on, join in....you know you want to....and look at the cute button we get to use!!!!

Talk about making me smile......now this put a huge smile on my face. Grandpa and Baby Polka Dot sharing a moment while taking a rest from playing. Such good buddies the two of them.

It's hard to believe it's the last week of August.....so I say let's bring on Fall. Happy week everyone!!!!!!

Charming Girls Club Finish For August

Here's my August finish for the Charming Girls Club. I am looking forward to September and getting some Christmas projects done!

The Best Laid Plans....Ugh!!!!!

We are just back from a wonderful week in Yosemite. I thought I was so smart by typing up a post ahead of time and scheduled it to be posted while I was gone on the 17th. I thought I had typed the 17th....actually I had typed the 27th.......UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's some photos of our week, so much fun. Baby Polka Dot and his mom and dad joined us for a few days and we had a ball. What a great little camper he is and so much for him to point at. Then big excitement, he decided he just might as well start walking while he was there. It was so wonderful for both his mom and dad to see the big event. On day three I got a text from my sister in law saying that our nephew and his family were in the campground across the way so we got to have some fun with them, cards and horseshoes ...that was really a great surprise. Only thing missing was our girl, but with her new job it just wasn't in the cards this year. Our men folk made the hike up to Half Dome....17 miles!!!!! A great father/son memory made!!

Before leaving I did manage to work on my finish for the Charming Girls Quilt Club and also the August BOM for my basket quilt. The day before we left the BOM from the Fat Quarter Shop arrived so I am planning on tackling that this weekend. There was no sewing that happened all week so I am rearing to go!!

Missed you all very much and can't wait to catch up on all the bloginess. Happy weekend everyone!!!

And The Winner Is..................

I am up earlier than planned because I am off for the day to visit my girl. My furry number generator (guinea pig) is not wanting to come out of his comfy hiding spot, and being pressed for time I did the picking. Closed my eyes tight as tight could be ....and drum roll please, the winner is Happy Cottage Quilter!! An email is on the way, and your goodies will go out as soon as I get your address. Congratualtions!!!

Thanks to everyone for stopping by, and for all the nice comments. Being part of this wonderful community of bloggers has been such an amazing and rewarding experience. So many friends made along the way, and so many more friendships to come!



Nothing quilty but we did have this interesting visitor yesterday....he was quite sure there were some fish in the pool, but after hanging out for a couple hours he finally gave up!

So now it's on to bloggy year number three! ! Happy week everyone :-) !!!

Blogiversary Giveaway!!

Monday will be my two year bloggy anniversary. It's been a great two years of blogging with so many new friendships made. I also credit the blog world for keeping me on task with my quilting, and for helping me to become more obsessed with quilting!!(all in a good way of course). So as a really BIG THANKS, I am having a giveaway. Just leave a comment before Tuesday morning and I will enter you in the drawing. My furry random number generator will be up bright and early and ready to nibble, I mean pick a winner. Included is a polka dot tote(made from recycled pop bottles), a Dessert Roll of Glace by Moda and a tin that holds a tape measure. Miss Geranium gave me one of these and I just love it. Also a sweet Annie made by our own Nicole Ellison.

Thanks everyone for the great two years of blogging...you guys ROCK!!!

Happy weekend everyone :-)!

The Big Move And Someone Is Turning One!

Yep, our girl is all moved. It was three really jam packed days....made tons easier by how organized she had everything. Friday was loading up the truck with the packed boxes and furniture, and Saturday driving the truck out to her new place. Leaving at 8:00 a.m. Saturday it was in the low 90's......arriving 2 1/2 hours later at her new place it was in the low 70's...... SWEET.....I see some new hoodies in her future. No more 100 degree plus temps for her to work in. Saturday Baby Polka Dot and his mom and dad were there to help, along with her friend Kerriann and her fiance. Unloading was pretty quick. Such a friendly apartment complex, with some of her new neighbors stopping by to introduce themselves. We spent the rest of Saturday unpacking, putting in new shelf paper and helping her to get organized. Her kitty DC is a little perplexed by the move, but I know she is just going to love it.

A big GIANT smoochy happy birthday to our Baby Polka Dot who turns one year old tomorrow....the time has gone so fast and we love you bunches and bunches. Sunday there is a family birthday party happening....pictures to follow!!!

Quilting....nada, zip, nope, none!!!! I have my next installment for the basket BOM just waiting to be put together, and a bit of quilty reading to do. Once again my MOJO is taking a break as well as a bit of blogger block. My friend Beth emailed me today to let me know I hadn't updated my blog in a week so that spurred me on to do a post....thanks Beth for the nudge :-)

Here's my project that I plan to work on for the Charming Girls Quilt Club. Bad picture but really cute quilt with great fabrics...and RICK RACK!!!!!!

OK, I'm outta here with not so much new stuff, but I have lots rolling around in my head.....if only you could see inside it is quite amazing !!!! Hoping for some production happening soon. Happy August everyone.

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!!