I'm Baaaaccckkk!

Okay, so I know I've been gone a long time. My only real excuse (other than the fact that DD and I went on vacation for a week) is that my computer is giving me headaches and I hate uploading my photos. Otherwise, I'd jump onto my blog while at work (during lunch, of course) and keep you all updated.

So, DD and I went on a great vacation in August. We drove from WI to Virginia. We spent 2 days in the Shenandoah Valley (highlight was tubbing down the Shenandoah River and having my tube spring a leak), 2 days in Virginia Beach, and 2 days at Williamsburg. It was a wonderful vacation. See some pix below.

Here we are at one of the scenic overlooks on Skyline Drive.

DD and a new friend playing in the surf at Virginia Beach. This was a couple of days before they closed the beach due to Hurricane Bill.

Here's DD at Williamsburg. We rented a costume (long white dress with a purple sash), and bought the hat. She's so cute!

The week after our vacation we continued to be very busy. On Weds we went to the Milwaukee Brewers game.

DD got a new T-shirt at the game. Of course, they lost to the Reds. I don't think they've ever won a game we went to.

Then that Saturday night 3 of my friends and I went to the Jimmy Buffet concert! I had bought the tickets back last FEBRUARY and even though I jumped on the phone the minute the tickets went on sale, all I could get were lawn seats. As the day grew closer, I fretted over what to wear and finally on the day before, went to the local Goodwill and found a men's Hawaii shirt for dirt cheap. I planned on layering it over a t-shirt as it had been a little cool lately (late August). When we got to the venue, it was cold and spitting rain. Temperature must have been in the 50's and when the stage lights lit up the audience, you could see the rain coming down at a 60 degree angle. Some people had been partying for HOURS, but we weren't that dedicated of Parrot Heads, so we only tailgated about an hour. But we had a great time in spite of the weather and in spite of getting carded at the liquor counter (did we have our ID's? -- No, of course not, who would have thought that these 4 women in age from 40-58 would get carded!).

No, that's not snow in the picture, just rain. But it felt like snow! So much for finding a Hawaiian shirt!

Then in September, DD started 5th grade. In our small town, 5th grade is the beginning of middle school (5 - 8th). So DD is now in middle school and sometimes wants to dress up like a diva in the mornings and sometimes just wants to hang out in comfortable clothes. Very interesting.

Here's DD on her first day of 5th grade.

Over Labor Day weekend, I attended Bonnie Hunter's class in Auburn, IN for her Boxy Stars pattern. Once again, we had a great time. I got 9 blocks done, just need 3 more.

Ever since I got back from Bonnie's class, I've been working on my Mini Summer Quilt Swap item. I finally got it all pieced and sandwiched last night. Tonight I hope to get it all quilted so that tomorrow night I can put on the binding.

Today I received this wonderful quilt from the lady who had my name.

It came from Marian in SPAIN! Wow! It is so cool and will look great in my entryway. She also sent a bunch of fabric and notions. Very cool gift. It really is inspiring me to get my items completed. Marian's blog is http://www.quiltandpatch.blogspot.com/. Check it out.

I'll try to post more often. Of course, I say that and I'm already planning to be out of town this weekend. But I'll post the picture of my outgoing Summer Quilt Swap quilt before I mail it.

Have a great weekend!

Lots of Stuff to Tell You

Since it has been a week since I last posted, I have a lot to tell (and show) you.

First, last Wednesday I attended Bonnie Hunter's "Sister's Choice" class. I would highly recommend her class (in fact, I'm signed up for a different one in September).

Here's Bonnie and I in front of her sample quilt.

Here's the four blocks I got done (I also have about 6-7 half done). Instead of the pure scrappy quilt, I chose a color controlled teal and purple combination. I'll be working on this quilt for the next month or so (at least I hope I get the top done before I see her in September).

I also got my Spring Blossom Mini Quilt Swap quilt done and out in the mail this week. Here's out it turned out. I ended up hand quilting it (which I hadn't done any hand quilting in about 10 years). I love the colors (and hope my swap friend does, too).

Last, but not least, I thought I'd share a picture of some of the flowers in my garden with you. These are Painted Daisy's in front of my Salvia. When I first planted them about 4 years ago, they were a good half a foot away from each other. Now they kind of grow together and since I love the hot pink with the purple, I'm leaving them that way. The white in the far right hand side is some field Phlox that is coming into bloom.

I'm now working on a couple of bags from Amandajean (and the Moda Bake Shop) as birthday presents that I hope to gift next weekend. Hopefully I can show pictures before they're gone.

Have a good week!