They're HERE!!!!

Well...the house was as clean as it was ever going to be. So let the fun begin. Our first group of Dutch visitors are IN THE HOUSE!!!! We celebrated their arrival with a barbeque and we all had so much fun getting to know one another. And we had another wonderful visitor come too.....

Our grand doggie Munich made the trip to San Diego. She is trying so hard to grow into her ears! We think she is adorable, but there was someone who is liking some of our visitors more than others. Bailey the kitty seems to think Munich is a bit much, but Munich seemed to just ignore her rude welcome.

But we are all taking moments of rest as we can....there is lots to see and do in San Diego. So much so, that our Dutch family has decided to spend some extra time of their vacation with US, and we couldn't be more pleased. So if the blog seems a bit quiet, know that we are out touring the town or dipping into the ocean. I will post when life settles down....hope everyone is enjoying their summer as much as we are!!!!

Summer Days.......

My days have consisted of this.....sand, the sound of waves and the coolness of the water when I am brave enough to take a dip. Mom, Meghan and I love this part of summer. Where we sit, and chat uninterrupted by all the things in life than can be a distraction.

We go thru the deep stack of decorating magazines, planning for Meghan and Dustin's new home. We compare dreams and budgets, the wants and the needs and thank God always for the blessings of this new chapter in their lives.

Our summer is going to get a lot busier. Starting this week our home becomes a hopefully delightful "Bed and Breakfast" for the number of Dutch relatives that will be coming in July and August. I hope they find our home as welcoming as we found theirs.

A soft bed, crisp sheets, something nice to read, and a choice of fragrant soaps.....

a sweet flower to scent the nights slumber.....

and a hope that this message which is printed over the shutters by our guest room bed becomes a reality for all who come to visit.

How Exciting......

Who knew that something as simple as joining a club would be the motivating factor for getting things done? THANKS Charming Girls Club....and here are my finished projects for this month!!!

This is such a cute and easy project named Ladybug Picnic by Suzanne's Art House. The tabletopper is now gracing the home of my sweet niece who called me yesterday to say how much she LOVED it!!!!

This was a project that I made for the shop....to highlight sales for a new Christmas line we have received. I thought it would be fun to applique a few gingerbread men and hearts. It is now on display for our "Quilt Run".

Here is a peek at the backing fabric....and NO working on Christmas projects did NOT make me feel any cooler!!!!

And speaking of EXCITEMENT.....our daughter and her husband have signed papers for their first house!!! They are so thrilled just thinking of what they can do with so much room. They have been living in a one bedroom condo for the two years they have been married. I am guessing the next few months will be very busy ones.....but hopefully I will still be able to complete a few projects AND help with the move. Happy Sunday everyone!

What I learned on my summer vacation.....

I love that summer allows me just a bit more free time....a time to indulge in things I love to do. Here is my baby blanket finished, with thanks to my cousin Jacquie for sharing her pattern and giving me lots of support!

Somehow the blanket turned out quite LARGE.....43 inches square. So maybe I should call it a toddler blanket!

Our Monday Night Knitting Nights with Oma continue to be a source of inspiration and fun. I am not sure what I enjoy most....the knitting , the desserts, or the chance to be with such great group of girls.

Here is my next project....one that will certainly challenge me. Each new project gives me new stitches to learn. This is a FREE pattern on the Purlbee blog. It is called the Summer Shimmer Scarf.

Speaking of challenges....here is my prize from the Bunnyhill Blog!!!! I guessed the right answer to Anne Sutton's question "what will be on my next block". I could choose any of her patterns and Anne generously allowed this to be my choice. Not only did I win this wonderful gift, but Anne herself wrote me the sweetest email!

Anne shared that this was her favorite pattern too....and it hangs in her lovely dining room. Her note said "after you finish the 52 appliqued leaves on the first block, it is a piece of cake"!!! Such a sense of humor, and such a lovely designer. So I guess my summer will continue with lots to do!!!! Hope your summer is full of creative challenges too.

Loving my Summer.....

This poster pretty much describes my summer....and NO I do not surf. Not that I wouldn't love to learn, but I passed those "cute in a bikini days" a long time ago!!!!

Instead, my days have been divided between quilting with Meghan and spending time at the beach. Can you sense my complete relaxation?

Today Jim and I leave for a minivacation to Santa Barbara. I am sure there will be quilt shops to see and Jim will find wonderful things to photograph. I will chat at ya all when I get back. Til then "Hang Ten"....wasn't that surfer talk for have a good time?

I want to be part of the club.....

In a moment of complete boredom this week, I turned on the TV and watched an episode of "Little House on the Prairie". All the girls wanted to join a club that was formed by the evil Nellie Oleson.

Laura succumbed to the "need" to be part of the group.....even when the club ridiculed her friend who had a stuttering problem. Haven't we ALL been there. Wanting to be part of a "fun group". Well, this is a roundabout way of sharing a delightful club, and Nellie Oleson need NOT apply!!!!

This club was created to encourage those of us who start quilts to FINISH them. A club just for me!!! No calls to Dr. Phil to get the serious help I need. Instead I joined the "Charming Girls Club" and the great news is you can join too!!!! I have a link to the left of my blog....so check it out.

These are my two projects to finish this month. I have a bit of quilting to complete, and a binding to do. I have hope this one will make the cut!

This is a quilt for the shop that features a new line we are carrying. It too needs to be finished, quilted and bound. I THINK I will get it completed and especially because I want to STAY in this club!!!!

So check it out....I think you will enjoy this club as much as I plan too. And more blog news! I won the most wonderful blog contest by my VERY favorite Anne Sutton from Bunnyhill!!! I get to pick out any one of her patterns that I want. I feel like the child in the candy store....I want that one and that one. So hard to make a decision.

So here is to a week of sewing and completing quilts. Hope you all enjoy your week....off to the sewing room!

Dear Amy Butler.....

I have been quilting a long time....a very long time. It is my recreation, my therapy, my opportunity to show my creativity. It is a gift that I wanted to share with all those I love. So I became a quilting teacher and I felt SEW BLESSED.

Then my little girl grew older and I just knew she would love to quilt too. I sent her to quilt camp where she made two quilts...one for each grandmother. I just knew that would make her want to quilt with me. She hated it, and I was very sad.

The years passed by and then one day she called me while I was on vacation. She said "Mom....have you ever heard of Amy Butler?" Of course I told her, and then what followed were the sweetest words this quilting Mom could ever imagine. "Mom, if I got some of her fabric, would you help me to make a quilt?" My dream had come true, and it only gets better and better!!!!

Here is Meghan working on her quilt. I love that she sees fabrics with new eyes. She teaches me more than I can teach her. Her accomplishment makes my heart soar, and the time we spend together is a gift that she can not imagine.

So this is what we did today. I cut, she sewed, we both pressed and then we stood back and discussed her quilt. She is anxiously, along with her sweet husband, looking for a home. Two school teachers can not afford a whole lot, but I know that it will not be the "worth" of their house that defines what is important in their home. It will be the love that will be found inside their walls that makes the difference.

Like a wonderful quilt, love provides warmth and comfort. We both are learning that piece by piece.

Summertime....and the living is BUSY!!!!

Life is definitely in Summer Mode. The garden is bursting in blooms, the barbeque is the preferred choice for dinner and lots of fun things to enjoy and look forward to.

Last weekend began the summer of fun Quilt Events. Starry Night Hollow is one of my favorite shops. It feels like home....sweet and cottagey. Kim not only provides the most wonderful quilt inspiration, but she feeds you!!!!

Yes she had doughnuts for breakfast and barbeque hamburgers for lunch. She filled her garden full of the most wonderful quilts and filled the back room of the cottage with the most unbelievable sales. I LOVE Kim....and I love the time I spend in her cottage.

Here is Kim and her equally adorable husband. He even pulled my ticket for the first prize. What a couple....what a shop!

After our visit to Starry Hollow, we went to pick up this cute lady at the Amtrak Station. I love that Mom had such a good time on her trip up North, and that she wants to go again. She continues to be an inspiration, and I hope I am as adventuresome and forward thinking when I am her age.

That weekend Jonathan and Jill hosted a wonderful picnic in honor of Jake's homecoming. Lots of fun and I had a chance to meet my new Grandchild. How cute is she....and destined to become quite a BIG girl!!!

I have squeezed in some time for quilting. This tabletopper needs a bit more quilting, a lot of buttons sewn on for the ladybug spots, and a binding. It will then wing it's way to a sweet ladybug that I love very much....hope she likes it!

Can't say enough good things about the Moda Bakeshop site. Oh my .....such inspiration and all those great free patterns. Needless to say I am knee deep in quilts that need to be quilted, so no more piecing for me until I play a bit of catch up.

But time for that is running out. The guest room is close to finished in preparation for all of the Dutch relatives that will come this summer. It will be so wonderful to see them all again....and hoping they have the best time visiting San Diego.

So that catches you up on what is going on at our home. I am ready for the 4th....and looking forward to the rest of our summer. Rumor has it that today is a beach day ( as was yesterday). Only problem is you would think at MY age, you would know you can still get sunburned on a cloudy day. OUCH!!! Happy Fourth....be safe and have lots of fun!