Checking Back In!

June 25 was my last post????.......SERIOUSLY?!  Wow, but busy times with all the wedding preparations and now less than a month to go.  Last weekend was my girls bridal shower....her girls did an amazing job with the whole thing....I enjoyed helping too!!!   They set up a wonderful

 Mimosa bar, and I found a great Peach Tea recipe on Pinterest.
We have been having extremely hot and humid weather and we did our best to prepare the backyard with some extra shade, and fans for everyone to have at the ready.....BUT, we didn't expect a HUGE thunder shower!!  We at least got to enjoy an hour outside and quickly moved the party inside.  It was a perfect even so,
with tons of laughing and great time spent with family and friends.  Here's my girl looking so sweet in her polka dot dress with her attendants for the wedding.  Each one mean so much to her and I love them all.....my two favorite girls, my daughter in law and my girl.


There is definitely tons to catch up on.  The Dots both started school.  Here's our big guy stylin' in a super cool hat with his very best buddy, and out Little

Dot ready for the first day.....how did they get so big, so fast?!  We greatly enjoy our couple days a week with them and feel so lucky to be so close by.  Another first, Big Dot started soccer....his dad started about the same age.

Notice the action shot for the camera...never mind the game is going on
behind him!  He knows Nana needs a good picture for her blog.

Our old faithful laptop crashed and now we are adjusting to a new one.  This one isn't quite as user friendly (or maybe it's the operator)...that's probably more like it!

I have tons, and tons more to write about, but that will wait for another day.  Today we are off to celebrate another upcoming wedding in the family, my niece!

Hope all is well in blogland, and boy I have  missed you all.  BIG HUGS!!!

 

Quilt Camp……sort of!

We were off camping again…….fun and pretty!   My long time quilting buddy, Lani, lives down the road a bit from camp, so we had ourselves a Quilt Camp day at camp……..FUNNNNN!!!!   There’s my buddy ….oh look at our messy sewing table.  Oh well, we had the best time and I actually used my sewing machine…..SHOCK!!!!   I decided to work on a couple of  Kim Schaefer’s Calendar quilts.  I have had all the months cut out for a few years…. (I am so bad).  July is pieced and fused, buttonholing to happen.  August is partially done.

 

Finally some progress in the sewing department!  Lani always comes with goodies.  Yummy Chocolate Crispy Bars that were really delic and very low in calories.  There were a few more, but we were snacking a bit.  She just got a pile of quilts back from her quilter and  brought some of them along for a trunk show at camp.  The Trip Around The World holds special memories.  When we started quilting together way back in the 80’s there were 4 of us that met every week.  We each selected two fabrics and that’s what’s in that quilt.   Great quilts Lani.

Another favorite day was catching up with our friends Peggy and Rodger who we hadn’t seen in 20 years.  Our daughters met in preschool and were best friends….our families shared lots of fun times.  When the girls were in 4th grade we moved away, and as life goes, life gets busy.  It is so amazing to be back in touch.  It felt like yesterday that we were hanging out!   So funny to think 20 years ago we didn’t even have cell phones. 

I brought along some of my own quilts to bind ….again aging nicely in my sewing closet for the past couple years.  Hey wait a minute look at that cute little trailer in the background!  Hold the phone….it’s stinkin’ cute and you know what I’m thinking?   I am really expecting Pam Kitty, or Lori Holt or Nanette to pop out of that thing.   Darn. No. such luck! But that is one cute trailer!  We never did get invited over for a look see…but I bet it’s super cute in there!

Now back home and settled in for time with The Dots….missed them like crazy.  We will have lots of playing to get to.    It was very nice to get back to a bit of quilting and to have four bindings checked off my to do list! 

So what’s everyone else been up to?

Directionally Challenged!

Yesterday I took a purse class with a friend…..so fun to hang out with her and make a cute purse!

There’s my directionally challenged thing…. my bunting flags are flying sideways.   Even so,  I love this purse, and it was so fun to make. The outside bottom part is pockets all around and here’s a peek at  the inside….MORE POCKETS!!!!   I have fabric cut to do another now that I know what I’m doing!!!

Even though it’s not officially summer here, it sure feels like it.  We have had temps in the high 80’s and The Dots have started swimming lessons…..there’s Big Dot getting arm instructions!!!!  Such a weird glare in my picture.  On the days the boys are here, I cheer on our big guy and papa and Little Dot do the lesson together.  We love our time with the boys so much.

One of these days I will surprise you all and actually get back to quilting, but for now we are enjoying lots of family time, and of course getting ready for the upcoming wedding.  Hugs to you all!

A Bit Of Something!

We are recently back from a week camping at Santee Lakes.  They call it the best backyard in San Diego. The trip started out with us taking a bug along, so there was a few days of laying low and trying to kick the thing, which thankfully we did!!  The Lakes are so pretty, with tons of flat walking trails that I took advantage of.  Golfing close by for Mr. P, and he took advantage of that.  The best part, our girl and her guy were very close by, so there was time spent with them and lots of wedding planning going on.  The biggest woohoo of the trip, my girl and I found my dress for the wedding.  Her guy’s family hosted a wonderful dinner for us so we could meet his whole family.  A great day for sure, and once again more wedding planning!!!!

Of course we had to visit the Zoo, and especially since the new Koala exhibit just opened.  It’s so wonderful and look who we spotted when we were out and about…….the perfect day to visit all the animals. 

Since we were practically camping right on their doorstep I just had to take some time out to visit one of my favorite quilt shops .

 

It’s one of those shops you go in and you feel like you are going home.  The ladies are always so welcoming and full of quilty enthusiasm.

My last post talking about Mother’s Day I realized I forgot to show this sweet gift from my daughter in law.  I love it so much it made me cry!!!   We hit the daughter in law jackpot with her for sure.

So here’s my “bit of something”.   Remember the Charming Girls quilt along??  A couple weeks back I saw on another blog a picture of a quilt from that group that a blogger had completed.  It started me thinking, where was my quilt?!!  Digging through my quilt closet, there it set all done and beautifully quilted by my friends Chris

and Karen…..needing binding of course!!  So I took it on vacation and got that job done.  Yesterday I took a bag class and made this super cute ticking bag.   It has outside pockets on each side, and two giant pocket sections on the inside.

 

 

Complete with a snap closure which I have never used before…..easy peasey to put in, and fast too!!!!!!!

Hope you all have some wonderful plans for the weekend. 

A Blog Neglected

I have really neglected my blog, but that just means life has been busy……with lots of good things for sure.  The wedding plans are rolling along and the excitement just keeps building each day.  There has been tons of fun with The Dots…can you believe they are old enough to drive :-)?,  and a wonderful Mother’s Day happened.  Earlier with my girl.  Her work sent her on a trip to Australia for a couple weeks so she was gone for Mother’s day, but before she left we met for a dinner and wonderful homemade scones.   That girl is the best baker…they were delicious.   Mother’s Day afternoon my son and family surprised me with tickets to an afternoon performance of the Beatles Tribute band Rain at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood…..so after breakfast Mr. P. and I were off to the concert.  It was so AMAZING…..they sound exactly like The Beatles.    Not having ever seen then in my youth, this was a huge treat!!!!  I was a Beatles fanatic!

Last summer I posted pictures of  wonderful bird feeders my friend Loretta made out of mason jars and plates.  This is her latest creation.  I love it so much, and so do the birds.

Quilting?????  A big ZERO for me.  Last month I did have a finish……a binding needed to be put on this Christmas quilt I made at a camp a couple years ago.

Still plugging away on my Lucky Star quilt…..hopefully to be finished soon!!!  Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone!

Now Where Was I.......hmmmm

Tons of stuff happening in Polka Dot Land.   I can't believe I haven't posted since March 25....those blog police will be showing up for sure.  Thanks for all the emails checking in on me.........much appreciated!

There is tons of wedding planning going on.  Last Tuesday I met up with our girl and we addressed the Save The Dates.  We have a bit of Lucy and Ethel in us, so lots of laughing was going on.  Tomorrow our sweet couple is headed to their wedding venue for some tasting and other planning.  October will be here before we know it. 

Then there was some time to squeeze in a trip to one of our most favorite places.....Morro Bay.  This is our first camping trip of the year and it was so wonderful to hit the road with the trailer.  Mr. P. had some time for golfing, and I had a bit of time to spend with my sewing machine
 and my Lucky Star quilt. Slow and steady is the progress on this baby.  The rate I am going it will be another few years before it's done.  There were so many pretty sights to see in Morro Bay but one of my most favorites was my friend Annie and her guy......mind you when you are several hours away from home one of the last things you expect to see is a favorite quilting buddy.   Annie and her hubby just happened to be driving by the campground and she spotted me.  She was as surprised as I was.  Nothing better than hearing two squealing quilters happy to see each other.  Totally made our day. Annie had no idea we were in Morro Bay, what are the

odds? Here we are with our fellas.  I'm the shrimpy one!!!!  Thanks Jim and Annie for the wonderful surprise visit.  I am so grateful for our friendship Annie.

Of course we missed The Dots and had some things to catch up on with them.  They reminded me my car was in need of another trip to the drive thru car wash, so off we went. Boy is it fun, but a bit noisy....time to cover our ears.  Then my pincushion was a mess, so Big Dot took care of that job.....He told me he likes the artwork in my sewing room.  What a cutie pie and he appreciates Nana's artwork! 

Met up with a very good friend at PF Chang's.......yummmmmmy and we had the most wonderful visit. It always amazes me how people come in to your life just at the right time.  (HUGS) to you my sweet friend.

This weekend was a quilt get away weekend.  My friend Lani invited me up to her beautiful cabin.......just the two of us and our sewing machines.  Confession time.......it was more of a talking weekend, but boy did we have a great time.  We each made a gadget bucket for our sewing notions, and started working on a civil war quilt.  It was so relaxing up there, and so, pretty.  I am already looking forward to our next get away.  We have been friends for 29 years.   I so treasure our friendship. 

To get to the heart of what has been keeping me busy.....BINDINGS!  Business is booming so there has been quite a few hours spent binding away.  These babies are done and there's another stack calling to me, so I know what I will be doing this week.  Another thing I need to get back to is REHAB.  A Year To Crow About is just waiting to be put together, and I only have two more blocks to do on Christmas Favorites.  If you are looking for some motivation on getting your BOM's done, just check in to REHAB with Sinta on Monday's and get those BOM's done!

I got a bit overwhelmed thinking what to write about.....so much has been going on and I am so behind on everything bloggy.  Reading over my post the theme of friendship jumps out at me.  I am so grateful for the friendships I have and that includes all you bloggy friends.

Wishing you all a very happy week.

Oh Boy.....Some Reverse Sewing and Fixing

Last week I was celebrating being done with all my A Year To Crow About BOM's.  Looking at a couple of the blocks I realized they were WRONG, so very, very wrong.  UGHHHHH, some reverse sewing, some cutting of new pieces, sewing back together...oh wait, some more reverse sewing because I once again sewed something WRONG........ let me repeat UGH!!!!!   Now another happy dance.......all my A Year To Crow About blocks are done  AGAIN....Tahdah!!!!!  I think I will hold off looking at the others for a while****.just sayin'!!!
.  Spring is starting to poke up here and there.  Today the boys were here and they had a great old time playing outside and being silly.  Little Dot loves the tulips ...he was calling them toelips.  I think that's what I will call them from now on.   They wanted me to take a silly picture of them ....so here's silly.    

They have so much fun playing together, and it's fun to watch that brotherly bond grow stronger and stronger.  We have another day together tomorrow and all kinds of fun is planned.  They pointed out my car was a bit dirty, so we planned a date with the drive thru car wash.   Nothing like having water squirted at you in the safety of your car and then being covered with bubbles.   Happy Tuesday everyone.

 

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

Our trip to Arizona was WONDERFU, the bonus was meeting up with Darlene and Carol for lunch.  The reason we went was BASEBALL…Spring Training games.  This is something Mr.. P has always wanted to do, and being an huge Angels fan the time seemed perfect.   The first game was against Milwaukee.  It was a bit hot that day, so we moved to the shady side!  Game two playing Cleveland, was in Tempe at the Angel’s home field, Diablo Stadium.   The weather was perfect that day, and we were really up close and personal with the players .                                                                                                                                                                 So fun watching all the kiddos and bigger fans getting autographs and talking to the players.  Here’s our skipper, Mike Scioscia signing autographs.  The lady you can see had a  huge notebook of baseball cards……a big fan I would say!
There was some time for sightseeing.  We visited the Casa Grande Ruins….quite an amazing place.   I highly recommend visiting there if you have the chance.




Somebody got in a round of golf, and I worked in some time to sew.  I brought along a Lucky Star quilt that has been cut out since 2004……I found a picture in the box of one a friend made that had the date on it!  So I’m thinking this fabric has aged enough and is ready to become a quilt!  Later in the day I moved outside to our patio where we were staying……the perfect spot to sew.  That evening  I had a pile of stars ready to be trimmed.

                Back to life for us and more important visiting The Dots tonight…….we really missed them!  I also have decided to jump in and give Bloglovin a try...how about you?   Happy weekend everyone.