Sunday, June 17, 2012

Summer Fun!

I'm doing a huge catch-up post on the main highlights of my life the last few months.  As this blog is a journal of sorts, for me, I want to make sure I can look back on what's happened during my year.  Going back to April...I celebrated my birthday.  This is what I woke up too in the kitchen!  I have an awesome husband,  He really spoiled me this year. 
Here is what was inside those packages.  I'm pretty happy with his choices.  I haven't had a chance to even think about starting these, but one day...
My Sister-in-law gave me a wonderful gift of scissors, my favorite thread, and a whole pack of Frixion pens.  (Have  you discovered how great these are?  They disappear with the touch of an iron.)  It was wrapped inside an awesome project tote. 
Imagine my surprise after going to dinner to find this gift on my porch from my dear friend Jolene.  Jolene's presents are amazing.  I'm still in shock over this gift.  I've always wanted a little sewing machine, and could never  justify buying one.  Well she surprised me!  The pincushion and bag she made are adorable too.  I think she should start a business putting baskets together, as she has a real talent for it.  Thanks JoJo...I love it all!!!!

We went traveling to Las Vegas for Memorial Day.  The weather was rainy and cold where we live in Utah, but that same cold front, made the usually scalding dessert area south of us, the perfect temperature.  We went to Red Rock Canyon for the day.  What a pleasant day to hike all over these rocks. 
My daughter found a great rock formation for a picture.

There were some narrow spots. 
That night we went and saw Phantom of the Opera.  It did not disappoint!  The music was fabulous, and so were the special effects.  If you have a chance to go...then don't hesitate.  The finale is on Sept 2nd.  We put in the offer code Mezz59 on the Phantom/Venetian website, and got tickets for $59.00.  With taxes and fees it was around $72.00.  The seats were awesome, and I would definitely recommend doing that, if you go. The reason I'm mentioning it, is that I had a really hard time finding out reviews on the Mezzanine tickets.  Maybe this will help someone else.
Sorry for the blurry photo, but I love how the Venetian was decorated for Memorial day.  Beautiful, Red,White, and Blue flags were everywhere.  So patriotic! 
This week I went to the annual Wasatch Shop Hop with my mom.  What a fun day!  All of the stores had an "old" television theme.  We were whisked back to the days of Cheers, Gunsmoke, I Love Lucy, and Brady Bunch...just to name a few.  I loved this quilt at Broadbent's.  I hope to reproduce it someday. 
This had to be one of my favorite stores, Elaine's Quilt Block.  Can you guess their theme?  Well, it was M*A*S*H, and they had rented a military ambulance and equipment to decorate their lawn and store.  They gave away granola bars and pop.  So cleaver!
This was the quilt from Quilter's Haven.  They were "The Andy Griffith Show" and they served cookies that looked like hamburgers.  Everyone was dressed like Aunt Bea.    
Loved this wreath made out of rows of ruffles.  This was from Quilter's Haven as well. 

This was my stash haul for the day.  I bought some clearance fabrics to finish up my UFO's and some patterns.  Can't wait to make the skirt and bag! 
I finished the stitching on my Random Thought's by Drawn Thread, but I still  need to finish the hemstitching.  I'm a little intimidated by it!  I've read the directions a million times, but I still haven't tackled it yet.  Maybe this week. 
I took a twisted pinwheel block class at Quilt Guild last month, and we made these simple little quilts.  I liked making this so much that I bought the 1" template.  This quilt is sitting below my child size sewing machine, and it matches perfectly.  
I'm working on Shores again.  Yesterday I started filling in the blue section, which is long and boring.   I have a lot of eye strain today, and can't get motivated to work on it, so I may need to take a break for a day or two.  Also, I think I am going to run out of blue silk, and if that happens, then I'm not sure what to do.  Chances are the dye lots will be tricky to match!  UUUUUGGGGHHH!!!
We survived the many hours of practices and costume making for my daughter's ballet company.  Here she is with her friend celebrating their final ballet performance of "The Little Pagoda".  I'm so happy that it went well, and that she still loves it. 
Yesterday I went to a quilt show, and I had to show some of my favorite quilts.  I have this quilt kit, and after seeing this done in person, I'm really excited to get working on mine.  This is by City Stitcher and I think it's called The Village Square. 
The detail on this quilt was amazing.  This is by P3 Quilt Company.  If only I could sit and sew all day long!
I think this quilt is by The Rabbit Factory, and it's called Jacob's Ladder.  I love the dimension that the wool adds to the border. 
I have no idea what this quilt is called, but it was amazing too.  I'll leave you to admire the talent.  Hope you are having as great of a summer, as I am...Until next time, Happy Sewing, and Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there too!


13 comments:

Margaret said...

What a great post! So much fun to see what you've been up to. Great birthday presents for sure! Looks like you had a great trip to Vegas and all too. The shop hop looks like so much fun -- how great to have a shop rent a military ambulance like that to represent MASH! And the Aunt Bea's -- so cute! Great stash you got too. And your projects -- Random Thoughts looks so pretty. I'd be intimidated by the hem stitching too. Always been curious about the twisted pinwheel pattern -- yours came out great! Shore is gorgeous too! Your DD is adorable in her recital outfit -- I remember those days soooo well! Thanks also for sharing your favorite quilts from the quilt show. So pretty!

Cari said...

Summer fun indeed !! Love everything you posted....stitch, quilts, travels, birthdays.... Just love it all. Enjoy friend !! Hugs

Chris said...

Beautiful update Loraine!
It looks like you had a wonderful birthday. Your DH did a great job decorating and shopping for you. He picked great projects. The other gifts are wonderful too.
Your stitching looks great. Congrat on finishing Random Thoughts. You are getting close on Shores too.
Your trip to Vegas looks great. Those Memorial Day Decorations look great too.
Now onto all those beautiful quilts. I think the Rabbit one is my favorite. I love your little quilt that you made. what a lovely place for the new mini sewing machine to sit.
I have to shoe Rich the ambulance pic. It might be a dodge.
Have a great week!

Melissa said...

What a lovely catch up post, Loraine!

You were very fortunate with your birthday gifts! I do love what Jolene gave you!

All those lovely travel photos - Summer Fun indeed!

woolwoman said...

what an awesome post Loraine - you've really had a lot of fun in the past couple of months - I have an April b-day too ! You really have a lot done on Shores of HRH - it is a beautiful piece - I only seem motivated to work on mine in the summer months. I've always loved DT Random Thoughts - gorgeous piece! Those quilts are just stunning - I am always amazed at the beauty displayed in these quilt shows. Hope you are setting up for a lovely summer full of stitching and quilting and family fun - take care mel

Heather said...

Hello Loraine, great to hear from you :-). Your trip looked like a lot of fun! Your daughter looks so cute all filled up for dancing!

Your new projects look great! I will be in Utah next month and cant wait to explore the shops there some more. Do you have any "fave" shops you recommend?

Carol said...

You've had a fun and busy past few months, Loraine! Happy belated birthday to you--lovely gifts you received! The teeny sewing machine is especially adorable from Jolene :)

Your hiking photos brought back wonderful memories of our only trip west and the fun we had hiking around Bryce Canyon back in 2000. Need to plan another trip out that way :)

Love all your stitching and quilting... Shores is moving along nicely.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Katrina said...

Fun post!!!! Great pictures, love the gifts, projects, and vacation photos :-).

Deb said...

Goodness Loraine - so much going on in this post. You have been really busy. Your trip looks like it was a wonderful time and I'm so envious of your shop hop and all your goodies!!

I bought one of those Twister templates and haven't had time to even think about making something, but it looks like it would be a fun project. Shores is looking wonderful (I should pull out mine, shouldn't I?)!

Love the picture of your daughter and her recital costume. Those pictures are always going to be so much fun to go back and look at.

Hope to hear from you soon - or do I owe you an email? I'll tell you, life has been busy dear friend. Miss our chats!

Catherine said...

What a great post! You certainly have been busy and looks like you've had a lot of fun!! Happy Birthday ~ beautiful gifts you received. Love the pic of your daughter in her ballet dress ~ very pretty!

Karoline said...

Sounds like you had a great birthday. Congratulations on finishing Random Thoughts and you got some great stash.

All those quilts are stunning and your daughter looked lovely in her costume.

Sherry :o) said...

Happy belated Birthday! The shop hop looks like so much fun and what a neat idea with the themes! Your trip looks great and stitching is wonderful.

I agree - sometimes I feel like my blog is a journal of sorts!

Mickaëla said...

I had a wonderful trip to your blog!
Thanks and have a good day!