Daughter's 30th birthday

Enjoying some family fun over the 4th of July and celebrating daughter's birthday on the 5th out on the lake.  Husband with the help of 2 year old grandson did a great job of steering the boat.  We had a good time in spite of the heat.

The catch of the day

Our evening was spent with the entire family which doesn't happen often enough.  Dinner at The Landing Bransonlanding.com ending with an enormous slice of chocolate cake for our birthday girl which we all had a generous piece of. 
Still adjusting to the fact that I have a 30 year old child.  Yesterday brought back a lot of thoughts and memories of raising children and the good times we had at the lake.  Now a grandson that is growing up fast right before our eyes.  Good family time is the best.  Even worked in a little stitching time!

Crazy Quilting fun

Returned home a little over a week ago from a great Crazy Quilt retreat in O'Fallon, Illinois so inspired.  It was a relaxed time away to enjoy our common interest and each other's company.  Everyone was so ready to share their talents and tips and ideas as well as offer encouragement and praise for each other's work.  Of course we worked in some shopping and eating with lots of laughter mixed in.  My sister Bonnie and I left the retreat committed to spend some time each day on projects, even if only a few minutes.  So far I must admit I haven't held to that everyday-life gets busy and energy runs low.  My first choice would be to sit and stitch every evening but duty calls and I feel pulled in many directions.  I have several ideas for new projects as well as UFO's to complete.

I am please with progress made during the retreat on my cq purse.  It was a project started during a class taught by Barbara Randle randledesigns.com in Omaha a few years ago.  Will post pics of the finished purse when complete.

Now off to the lake for a few days to celebrate July 4th with family and daughter's 30th birthday.  Hoping for some relaxing time to stitch while there.

Homer Laughlin Currier & Ives china

Homer Laughlin "Home Sweet Home" collection

While shopping with my sister in law we discovered another common interest.  I have collected this set of vintage china since I first came across it in the early 90's.  I picked up several pieces at a silent auction we held at work.  It was love at first sight; they just really appealed to me.  I think I paid $30 or so for several pieces and over the years have had fun poking through flea markets and searching ebay to find additional pieces to complete my set.  They were first offered through Montgomery Ward catalog in the 40's and have many serving pieces to complete the set.  They are rather hard to find and can be rather pricey.  My first purchase was a steal!

St. Louis Botanical Center

 While attending the Crazy Quilt retreat in St. Louis we took an evening to attend the Japaneese lantern display at the botanical center.  mobot.org  Called "Art by Night" it was a wonderful visual display when the lights came on and the many lantern displays were lit amongst the flower beds, trees and lily pond.                                                                                                                         

More Fall Flowers

This is a wild flower I came across while on the trail. I have never seen it before. Any ideas???? I would love to know what it is. It stands 3 foot tall and has a varigated head of pink blooms.

This is a pot of annuals that I put together last spring. I love the performance of vinca which blooms strong spring to first frost. Mixed with sun coleus it puts on quite a show in pots on the deck.

Does anything look any happier than a sunflower? Especially in the fall when it is going strong. I know they aren't every one's favorite but I cannnot go a season without this favorite flower in my gardens.

Fall Flowers

Caryopteris - I purchased this plant/perennial/shrub a few years ago and have loved it's performance every fall. It has beautiful blue blooms (I love blue flowers of any kind!!!) on chartrues green foliage. I have also since divided it and started sprouts in two other beds with great results.

Last Blue Block Going Home

On the CQ for Newbies website I joined in my first round robin which started last March. For the past six months, 6 ladies in the SLATE blue group have circulated blocks all pieced in blue fabrics. Embellishments had to all be in the blue tones. This is the last block for me to work on and then home it goes to Marianne in New Jersey. I think her block turned out really nice and can't wait to see mine.

On this block I first added the flower trim with 5 buttons in the center of the block below the bird. I tried to add some stitching detail to the bird applique with stem stitch and buillon stitiches. I then did a silk ribbon flower spray tied with a bow in the upper left of this photo. It just still needed something else. (Or I just wasn't ready to quit.)

So I put together the dragonfly using fabric for the wings, outlined with chenile fiber and then beaded. This round robin was a great experience, one I will definitely try again.