Angie's Quilts...

Yesterday, I ran up to Juna's house and picked up Angie's quilts.

Here is a look at some of the blocks in Charlotte's quilt.

These quilts are really special!

Great Giveaway News...

This morning, while catching up with blogfriend Thimbleanna, she directed me to this great giveaway...

You really must head over to Don't Look Now! and check this out.

Next Camille, at Simplify, gave me the heads up on this...

3 prizes, 3 chances to win from Heather of Anka's Treasures fame.

Go visit her at Trends and Traditions and wish her a happy Blogiversary.

Happy Blogiversary Heather!

Mary's got a brand new Blog...

I was so sad when I stopped receiving my Mary Engelbreit Magazine. Well guess what...she has a new blog and now we can have coffee with her every day!

Thanks Mary!

Art with Heart...

When my sister Jeanne came to visit with her BFF Angie in early August, we had a blast. Lots of shopping, crafting, eating, hanging on the screened in porch, and laughing until we cried.

Angie had a quilt project she wanted some help with so we spent one day sewing. You have to see what Angie has taken on...

Angie took the artwork of her kids, traced it on a neutral background, embroidered it, bordered it with a cute jelly roll... and now she has a quilt with her kids art!

{FABULOUS}

Here is a close look at one of Chandler's blocks.

But here is the kicker... Angie has 2 sets of twins. So, Angie is making 4 quilts. The above quilt belongs to Chandler. The quilt below is Charlotte's.

Here is a close up of one of Charlotte's blocks.

Angie wanted help tying these quilts, but I convinced her to have them professionally machine quilted. In the meantime, Angie is back at home working on the quilts for Max and Mason. I think she has the embroidery done. She is also working on a prayer quilt for her church - complete with embroidered blocks!

Isn't she something!

Book Club...

We had book club today and discussed Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. The group was small today, only 5 of us, but we all agreed that we enjoyed the book.

Next we are reading Elizabeth Strout’s Olive Kitteridge, the 2009 Pulitzer Prize fiction winner.

I stopped at Target on the way home and picked it up. I can't wait to start reading! Our book club is always looking for a good book. Let me know if you have suggestions.

Thanks Donna for a lovely afternoon!

Happy 2nd Birthday to The Quilt Shoppe...

The Quilt Shoppe is celebrating their 2nd birthday with 25% off!!!


Plus if you run on over to see Rachel at p.s. i quilt, she is having a great giveaway to celebrate!

Do you know Jane?...

I moved from Iowa to Indiana about 9 years ago. To keep in touch with my quilting friends in Iowa, my new quilting group in Indiana participated in block exchanges with them. First we made 9 patches. Next we exchanged leaf patterns with black backgrounds. Then... someone suggested we exchange Dear Jane blocks.


This is why I ask... Do you know Jane? I apparently was less familiar with her than the other girls in IN because I was the only one ridiculous enough to say YES. The girls from Iowa made a chart and month by month we picked 2 blocks. I always tried to pick anything that resembled a 9 patch or could easily be paper pieced. I avoided the applique blocks and tried to leave those for my friend Theresa. I can't remember if we had 6 quilters participating, but needless to say the first block I made of every set, I kept. My quilt will be truly primitive!

At quilt camp held at Theresa's in July, Jackie showed me this...

there is more...

and more...


Yes... Jackie has her top pieced together and is working on the border. I {and this is where this post gets really lame} on the other hand have mine in a plastic box among the bazillion UFOs in my sewing room.

Someday {definition:: an indefinite date in the future}....

Good for a Laugh...

Just one day after his senior pictures, Charlie went out and shaved his head. This is after I told him absolutely NOT. (Yes Moms... I see where I failed in my logic. I should have said Sure... I'll go too... we'll do it together!)

It reminded me of this funny note my friend Nancy sent in an email.


Anyone want to Amen that?!

Senior Pics for Prince Charles...

School starts in a week and it will be Charlie's senior year of high school. We went to the school and registered yesterday and in the afternoon we had Charlie's senior pictures taken.

{GULP ... wasn't I just picking him up from daycare?}

We met with Joanne Mandel of Amici Photography. It was hot and humid, but Joanne really put Charlie at ease. By early evening Joanne posted a few photos on her blog to give us an idea of what she captured. WOW! You really need to see this :: Charlie through Joanne's eyes.

If you need pictures taken, for ANY occasion, I would highly recommend Joanne. just check out her blog and you'll understand why.

Thank you Joanne!!!

Homestead Cabin Retreat...

Finally... a chance to let you see how my August began, retreating in Hillpoint, Wisconsin. Mom and I actually met our friends at Homestead Cabin Retreat on July 30 and stayed through the weekend.

The Homestead Cabin Retreat, run by Patsy McCluskey, is every bit as quaint and restful as seen above.

Here are a few projects from the sew & tell.

Laurie's quilt. {LOVE it!}

Kate (Laurie's daughter) & her Buggy Barn quilt.Claire (Kate's friend) & her quilt.

Eva K (Mom) and her Country Sampler Table Topper. She can not pass up anything red, white, & blue.

The weather was perfect (fall like), the food was delish, the accommodations were splendid, but the best part was the fellowship...

Anne (me!) & Laurie, friends since infancy. (Did you know the camera adds 100 lbs?)

Fran (Laurie's Mom), Eva K (my Mom), & Pat (honorary aunt)

On the Road Again...

This has been one fun and busy summer!

With 4 trips from Indiana to Iowa, I don't have to ask myself where the summer has gone. Within 4 days of our return from the Iowa bike ride, I was on the road again to central Illinois. I picked up Mom and we headed to Wisconsin for our quilting retreat at the Homestead Cabin Retreat. But... not without a stop at my sister Jeanne's in Dubuque, Iowa and a quick trip to Galena.

Jeanne made dinner and this delish rhubarb dessert. She shared her recipe with me.

Rhubarb Delight

3 cups rhubarb (finely cut)
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tblsp melted butter
¾ cup milk
1 cup sugar
1 cup boiling water
1 tsp vanilla

Place rhubarb in a 9x13 inch pan.

Mix dough: The first cup of sugar, flour, baking powder, butter, milk, and vanilla. Pour over the top of the rhubarb, Sprinkle the second cup of sugar over the top of the dough. Pour the boiling water over the top. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Top with whipped topping or ice cream.

Jeanne added raspberries as a pretty garnish.

The next day before heading to Wisconsin, we had the opportunity to shop and lunch in Galena, IL with Jeanne and her friend Joanne.

Galena, IL is a lovely town rich in history. We visited many shops :: my favorites being Galena Garlic Company, Fiber Wild!, Galena Beads, Ink & Stamp, and the Wooden Wardrobe . Mom bought me a new piece of Polish Pottery at the Wooden Wardrobe. I think I got her hooked on a new thing to collect.

We also had lunch at Gobbie's Sports Pub Pizzeria. They served a basket of beer nuggets (fried dough balls) with marinara sauce like chip & salsa. Really, did I die and go to heaven???

Jeanne can make any visit fun but this was truly delightful. Thanks sista!

There is so much more to tell, but tomorrow is another day... we'll try to catch up then.