What a fun and busy summer!! Two days after we got home from Glacier, Brooklyn came to visit for 4 days. As promised, we spent some time at the sewing machine. Her favorite football team is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and I just so happened to have some Buccaneer fabric in my stash. *wink* She decided to make a pillowcase. 

One thing I did not anticipate and was a challenge for me is Brooklyn is a lefty like her birth father! I had a terrible time helping her use the rotary cutter.

The finished product!! She did a fantastic job!

Holden came over every day to spend time with her, too. He was juggling while giving her tips on how to get up on the slackline. He makes me laugh! 

By the time her stay with us was over she was doing a great job getting up on the slackline and was beginning to take a step before she fell.  

Here is Holden showing all the grandgirls how it's done. He can walk all the way across. 

I need to get back in my sewing room and finish up the projects I started way too long ago. One of these days! 

What a fun and busy summer!! Two days after we got home from Glacier, Brooklyn came to visit for 4 days. As promised, we spent some time at the sewing machine. Her favorite football team is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and I just so happened to have some Buccaneer fabric in my stash. *wink* She decided to make a pillowcase. 

One thing I did not anticipate and was a challenge for me is Brooklyn is a lefty like her birth father! I had a terrible time helping her use the rotary cutter.

The finished product!! She did a fantastic job!

Holden came over every day to spend time with her, too. He was juggling while giving her tips on how to get up on the slackline. He makes me laugh! 

By the time her stay with us was over she was doing a great job getting up on the slackline and was beginning to take a step before she fell.  

Here is Holden showing all the grandgirls how it's done. He can walk all the way across. 

I need to get back in my sewing room and finish up the projects I started way too long ago. One of these days! 

Russ and our granddaughter, Brooklyn, have birthdays a couple of days apart, so it was celebration time this weekend. =) 

Brooklyn is seven years old!! She can ride her bike with no training wheels now. =) She has only crashed into a parked car once. lol!

When she grows up, she wants to be a vet and work at a zoo. 

Meerkats are her very favorite animal. =)

 We had a super fun weekend with our girl!!

Russ and our granddaughter, Brooklyn, have birthdays a couple of days apart, so it was celebration time this weekend. =) 

Brooklyn is seven years old!! She can ride her bike with no training wheels now. =) She has only crashed into a parked car once. lol!

When she grows up, she wants to be a vet and work at a zoo. 

Meerkats are her very favorite animal. =)

 We had a super fun weekend with our girl!!

All done!

But I think the back is the best!!

Note to self...Prewash the dark rich colored fabrics. =(  Only two yellow blocks got this bit of bleed, so it could have been worse, but still. *sigh*

I hope you never have to sing the, "I Should Have Pre-washed," blues. 

Happy Thursday to you all!!

All done!

But I think the back is the best!!

Note to self...Prewash the dark rich colored fabrics. =(  Only two yellow blocks got this bit of bleed, so it could have been worse, but still. *sigh*

I hope you never have to sing the, "I Should Have Pre-washed," blues. 

Happy Thursday to you all!!

As you can see from this picture of my granddaughter, Brooklyn, and her parents, Jen and Steve, they are big fans of their alma mater the University of Northern Iowa. 

A month ago, Russ and I went shopping at a new-to-us quilt shop in Iowa Falls and look at what we found! 

It's Steve's turn to get a quilt!! 

When they came for a visit in February, Steve was wondering around in my sewing room and found the fabric. His face was priceless. He was hoping and afraid to hope, all at the same time, that the fabric would be a quilt for him. =) He is so sweet...I confirmed that I was making him a quilt. Gotta put a man out of his misery! =)

Sports themed quilts are difficult, I think. You don't have a lot of colors to work with and making a quilt for a guy just makes it that much harder. 

After a lot of internet and Pinterest searching, I decided on this simple and easy pattern. I used Bella Zen gray instead of white. 

Here is the quilt top assembled. That middle yellow isn't that bright, but you get the idea. I ordered some Bella solids in purple and when that arrives, I will begin to work on the back. I have a plan, but I am going to try very, very hard to keep it a secret. Ha, we will see how that goes!!

For my newer followers, Jen and Steve adopted Brooklyn at birth. My son, Holden, is her birth father. Having an open adoption has been a real blessing for us...I consider Jen and Steve to be my kids. =) We truly are a family. =) 

Have a happy Wednesday, everyone!!

As you can see from this picture of my granddaughter, Brooklyn, and her parents, Jen and Steve, they are big fans of their alma mater the University of Northern Iowa. 

A month ago, Russ and I went shopping at a new-to-us quilt shop in Iowa Falls and look at what we found! 

It's Steve's turn to get a quilt!! 

When they came for a visit in February, Steve was wondering around in my sewing room and found the fabric. His face was priceless. He was hoping and afraid to hope, all at the same time, that the fabric would be a quilt for him. =) He is so sweet...I confirmed that I was making him a quilt. Gotta put a man out of his misery! =)

Sports themed quilts are difficult, I think. You don't have a lot of colors to work with and making a quilt for a guy just makes it that much harder. 

After a lot of internet and Pinterest searching, I decided on this simple and easy pattern. I used Bella Zen gray instead of white. 

Here is the quilt top assembled. That middle yellow isn't that bright, but you get the idea. I ordered some Bella solids in purple and when that arrives, I will begin to work on the back. I have a plan, but I am going to try very, very hard to keep it a secret. Ha, we will see how that goes!!

For my newer followers, Jen and Steve adopted Brooklyn at birth. My son, Holden, is her birth father. Having an open adoption has been a real blessing for us...I consider Jen and Steve to be my kids. =) We truly are a family. =) 

Have a happy Wednesday, everyone!!

During my spontaneous blogging break, I have been busy...

Busy loving up on my Brooklyn-girl who is going to be six in a few days!! Her Grandma Loretta bought her the American Girl doll. Talk about darling! You can see a glimpse of the quilt I made her on her bed. 

Of course, I had to stop in my favorite quilt shop while we were in town visiting Brooklyn. I found some Bliss yardage, a new dresden ruler...I love tiny dresdens!..and a 6 1/2 inch Bloc Loc ruler that I have been wanting to try. I have heard nothing but good things about them. 

On the quilting front, I am slowly, but surely getting Flower Girl quilted. 

Last week, I went on a girls day out with some dear friends from church. We visited our local antique shops. I couldn't resist the baby dress patterns. 

And I have been wanting an egg basket for a long time. These things are pricy!! This one was on sale, so I grabbed it up. I am not exactly sure what I am going to do with it, but I am certain I will think of something. 

 Check out the new shelf Judy gave me. She had two and she graciously shared one with me. I have such great friends....

As I have been checking in with the blogs I follow, I see everyone is so very busy. It has me wondering if it has it always been this way or is it more so in the last decade or two? I don't remember my parents being so busy, or maybe I was too young and selfish to notice. What do you think?

During my spontaneous blogging break, I have been busy...

Busy loving up on my Brooklyn-girl who is going to be six in a few days!! Her Grandma Loretta bought her the American Girl doll. Talk about darling! You can see a glimpse of the quilt I made her on her bed. 

Of course, I had to stop in my favorite quilt shop while we were in town visiting Brooklyn. I found some Bliss yardage, a new dresden ruler...I love tiny dresdens!..and a 6 1/2 inch Bloc Loc ruler that I have been wanting to try. I have heard nothing but good things about them. 

On the quilting front, I am slowly, but surely getting Flower Girl quilted. 

Last week, I went on a girls day out with some dear friends from church. We visited our local antique shops. I couldn't resist the baby dress patterns. 

And I have been wanting an egg basket for a long time. These things are pricy!! This one was on sale, so I grabbed it up. I am not exactly sure what I am going to do with it, but I am certain I will think of something. 

 Check out the new shelf Judy gave me. She had two and she graciously shared one with me. I have such great friends....

As I have been checking in with the blogs I follow, I see everyone is so very busy. It has me wondering if it has it always been this way or is it more so in the last decade or two? I don't remember my parents being so busy, or maybe I was too young and selfish to notice. What do you think?

I am so very glad you are here today! Once again, Madame Samm has created a fun blog hop for us to participate in, wether we are on the creating side of things or just hopping along to see what other people have made.  Hasn't Mary been the perfect cheerleader to cheer us on? They both worked incredibly hard to make this blog hop a successful one. 

Ladies, I tip my hat to you both...

Here is the list of the other participants for today's blog hop....

http://www.intheboondocks.blogspot.com

http://mychellem.blogspot.com

www.thimblemouseandspouse.blogspot.com

www.quiltingandsewingarts.com

http://Sewgratefulquilts.wordpress.com

www.aquiltingsheep.com (You are here!)

http://tricia-ramblingsofaquilter.blogspot.com

http://sewmanyyarns.blogspot.com

www.moosestashquilting.blogspot.com

http://bethstrand.wordpress.com

http://quiltoo.blogspot.com

http://teatimecreations.blogspot.ca/

http://secretlystitching.blogspot.gr/

On to my project for the day! I need to share the story to explain my inspiration.  =) 

Once upon a time, my oldest son and his girlfriend found themselves expecting a baby too soon in their lives. They made the hardest and the best decision...the most selfless decision any couple could make. 

They chose life...and placed their sweet baby girl up for adoption. 

Their decision created a family....

Jens' first day as a mom

Gotcha Day! Adoption is finalized....

 Jen and Steve chose to have an open adoption. Being blessed to be able to watch my first grandchild grow up is priceless. Instead of losing a grandchild, I gained two more "kids" for  my own family. 

I chose to make my project a Mother's Day gift to Jen...The perfect mom for Brooklyn....Who waited many years to have a child of her own. I know she would say Brooklyn was

worth the wait...

The dress is one that Brooklyn wore when she was a wee tiny babe. =) This next weekend, we will be traveling to see Brooklyn participate in her first dance recital and I will be able to give Jen her Mother's Day gift myself. 

I am sure there will be tears....

I love you, Jen...

I am so very glad you are here today! Once again, Madame Samm has created a fun blog hop for us to participate in, wether we are on the creating side of things or just hopping along to see what other people have made.  Hasn't Mary been the perfect cheerleader to cheer us on? They both worked incredibly hard to make this blog hop a successful one. 

Ladies, I tip my hat to you both...

Here is the list of the other participants for today's blog hop....

http://www.intheboondocks.blogspot.com

http://mychellem.blogspot.com

www.thimblemouseandspouse.blogspot.com

www.quiltingandsewingarts.com

http://Sewgratefulquilts.wordpress.com

www.aquiltingsheep.com (You are here!)

http://tricia-ramblingsofaquilter.blogspot.com

http://sewmanyyarns.blogspot.com

www.moosestashquilting.blogspot.com

http://bethstrand.wordpress.com

http://quiltoo.blogspot.com

http://teatimecreations.blogspot.ca/

http://secretlystitching.blogspot.gr/

On to my project for the day! I need to share the story to explain my inspiration.  =) 

Once upon a time, my oldest son and his girlfriend found themselves expecting a baby too soon in their lives. They made the hardest and the best decision...the most selfless decision any couple could make. 

They chose life...and placed their sweet baby girl up for adoption. 

Their decision created a family....

Jens' first day as a mom

Gotcha Day! Adoption is finalized....

 Jen and Steve chose to have an open adoption. Being blessed to be able to watch my first grandchild grow up is priceless. Instead of losing a grandchild, I gained two more "kids" for  my own family. 

I chose to make my project a Mother's Day gift to Jen...The perfect mom for Brooklyn....Who waited many years to have a child of her own. I know she would say Brooklyn was

worth the wait...

The dress is one that Brooklyn wore when she was a wee tiny babe. =) This next weekend, we will be traveling to see Brooklyn participate in her first dance recital and I will be able to give Jen her Mother's Day gift myself. 

I am sure there will be tears....

I love you, Jen...

Without going into details, my two older children are in a situation that has become very toxic and their relationship with each other has been severely damaged. Makes my mother's heart so sad....

SO!

I ran away....Figuratively and literally. 

The literal running away: 

A couple weekends ago, my hubby and I ran away from home for the weekend and did a little bit of retail therapy. My stash has increased and I bought the Hex N More ruler by Jaybird Quilts. 

The figuratively running away: 

Only skimming emails and blogs. I'll get back to reading and commenting one of these days. 

AND! I finished Brooklyn's quilt. The weather here is terrible, so the inside shots will have to do. The pictures will have to be my words for now. 

Final measurement: 93" x 82"

Until next time...

Without going into details, my two older children are in a situation that has become very toxic and their relationship with each other has been severely damaged. Makes my mother's heart so sad....

SO!

I ran away....Figuratively and literally. 

The literal running away: 

A couple weekends ago, my hubby and I ran away from home for the weekend and did a little bit of retail therapy. My stash has increased and I bought the Hex N More ruler by Jaybird Quilts. 

The figuratively running away: 

Only skimming emails and blogs. I'll get back to reading and commenting one of these days. 

AND! I finished Brooklyn's quilt. The weather here is terrible, so the inside shots will have to do. The pictures will have to be my words for now. 

Final measurement: 93" x 82"

Until next time...

to granddaughter's house we go... =) 

Russ and I left our home a day early in order to miss the snow storm that was heading our way. We didn't want to take a chance on not being able to hang out with our favorite girl for the weekend....

For those that don't know...Brooklyn is my son's daughter. He and his girlfriend (at the time) wisely chose to place Brooklyn up for adoption. We are so richly blessed to be able to still be grandparents to this little darling and her parents are raising her to love the Lord. Makes me so happy....

Of course, we made a stop at my very favorite quilt store, Crafty Corner Quilt and Sewing Shoppe. They seriously know how to treat their customers very well and that is an understatement. Brooklyn was very helpful to help me load up the counter with pretty fabrics to come home with me. Some of them will end up in the quilt I am making for her bed.  

Enjoy the eye candy....

Have a happy week!!

to granddaughter's house we go... =) 

Russ and I left our home a day early in order to miss the snow storm that was heading our way. We didn't want to take a chance on not being able to hang out with our favorite girl for the weekend....

For those that don't know...Brooklyn is my son's daughter. He and his girlfriend (at the time) wisely chose to place Brooklyn up for adoption. We are so richly blessed to be able to still be grandparents to this little darling and her parents are raising her to love the Lord. Makes me so happy....

Of course, we made a stop at my very favorite quilt store, Crafty Corner Quilt and Sewing Shoppe. They seriously know how to treat their customers very well and that is an understatement. Brooklyn was very helpful to help me load up the counter with pretty fabrics to come home with me. Some of them will end up in the quilt I am making for her bed.  

Enjoy the eye candy....

Have a happy week!!