Random Rejuvenation

Mickaela loves these shoes but they're getting really worn. On their way out the back door, this can of spray paint jumped in the way & said, "Wait! I can help!" Used to spray the mini pumpkins for Terry's 25th anniversary, it was never put away, so I thought, what have I got to lose?! They're almost as good as new if you don't look too close! See, there's always a good reason for not putting things away after you use them!

CMQG retreat @ Siena Center Racine Wisconsin

CMQG retreat @ Siena Center Racine Wisconsin. Before heading home, just had to see the lakefront since it was hidden by fog for the 2 days before. Too bad we couldn't quilt down here!

A Quick Trip Together

One of the few requests of Karli for the summer was to go blueberry picking in Michigan, which we did 2 summers ago with the Bachs  before Andy went off to U of Missouri. Well, the summer flew by & I didn’t think it would happen. When I mentioned Karli’s wish to Terry & how it would’ve been nice if we had more time, right away she asked, “Want to go Sunday for the day?” She said Ryan needed to see Oma before he left for Boston U.

Sometimes it’s the last minute plans that come together the best!

Amazingly, both of our families of 4 all were available & Jeff was in town. What a GREAT day! Jeff & Andy perch fished in Chicago early in the morning & met us up there. Blueberry picked in the afternoon at Stephenson Farms in South Haven, a walk thru town before dinner, a delicious roasted chicken dinner by Roman & Oma, & then we finished the evening with ice cream at Sherman’s not because we were hungry, just because you have to! Andy & Jeff headed back to Chicago & the rest of us stayed overnight.

Thank you, sis, for taking us! Thank you Oma & Roman for having us!

A Round Robin with the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild

Objective for 1st Round: Add rectangles to assigned member’s applique block & bring back to next months meeting to swap for another’s block & add next border for the next month.

I got my friend Donna’s, all patterned fabric block. Very beautiful, but I don’t have much of a stash, let alone metallicish print, worthy enough to adorn her block. If I look at something often & long enough, I eventually come up with an idea, but usually the night before its due!

Well, our next meeting isn’t for 2 weeks & I’m actually done! And I really like it. Simple but effective, keeping with the angle of the circles going yet also keeps the eye moving with the red accent.

Since I’m still reading Memoirs of a Geisha from my book club (Books & Bordeaux), I think the Asian frame of mind helped me on this one.

I love it! Too bad its not mine to keep. Each of our blocks will be passed around until November when we get to see our original block with the additions of 4 more peoples creative additions. I can’t wait!

The Bach Boat on Lake Michigan

At Winnetka boat ramp

Karli, Mickaela & Lauren K  Baha'i Temple Wilmette, IL

Mickaela & Lauren K

Jelly Roll 1600

40 strips of 2 1/2"x40" fabric of various leftover & unused fabric laying around doing nothing. Sew them end to end for a strip 1600" long.

47 minutes later it turned into this! How cool is that?!

4th of July Parade 2011

Mom, Dad, Terry & Fran joined us for Brookfield’s parade to see M march with the cheerleaders. She was very excited to be part of the parade. Last year M & K were both in it. K with her softball team, M with a friends local carwash. Afterwards, we enjoyed the music of The Neverly Brothers at the park. Mom & Dad have heard them before a couple times at various locations & really enjoy their music. They not only do Everly Brothers songs, but a whole mini history of early rock & roll. A perfect day!

Mug Rug Swap with the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild

Ebony of the guild organized the swap. I thought 4 was a good number but they’re pretty addicting because you want to keep trying new designs. Since they’re small, there is no fear in making mistakes. You just make another one if you don’t like it. Although, when it’s the deadline, you swap what you made & hope they like it!

Father’s Day Picnic & Dinner

A sunny & muggy day. Breakfast in the screen house, lunch at the Forest Preserve, & dinner at Andrew’s Open Pit. A very filling day.  Jeff was here for 2 out of 3 meals, had to go on the road. A really good day! I wanted to touch some fabric by the end of the day but time ran out. Maybe tomorrow.

Progress on my WISP (work in slow progress)

Started a year ago with the Moosequilts Online Jellyroll Sampler Quilt Along, I'm finally happy with the finished top. The pieced border was made out of the leftover strips that I somehow squeezed and stretched them to fit perfectly. We'll see how that works for me when is time to quilt it! Puckers, I'm sure! I really want to get the back done so this can be finished & used this summer, I love the colors! Its just that I want to make the back pretty with some leftover pieces but I'm not sure how to put it together. And because I need a big empty space to lay it all out, I'm not finding the time to make this happen. I know... I just need to

"Just Do It"

Mother’s Day on the Fox River

       

Every year since bro Billy bought his house near the Fox River, we have gathered for Mother’s Day & his birthday. This year it was minus my sister & Jeff.( Terry-Michigan, Jeff-on the road). A beautiful day as usual! I remembered to take a picture of B’s gift in progress but not of the finished project. It’s a picture of B&V on a glass jar with a citronella candle for outside topped with beaded copper wire. He loved it!

Having Fun with the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild

I'm so glad I found them! I look forward to the monthly meetings & became the self appointed photographer of the monthly Show & Tells. My friend Donna (met her thru an Art Quilt class @ quiltfabric.com) joined & is thrilled more than I am about what being part of this group has done with our art/craft. These are from the first challenge I took part in. We made a quilt block & placed the block with the remaider of the 4 fat quarters we used in a bag to be blind swapped at the meeting. We then had to finish into a quilt the block & fabric, adding from our own stash as needed & return to gift the owner at the July meeting. It was a BIG challenge for me, since I've never created anything as I went along. It was really fun though & everyone LOVED theirs when it was returned to them at the meeting. The most recent event at the guild was "Iron Quilter". Here's the results at the guilds blog. http://thechicagomodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/2011/03/iron-quilter-huge-success.html We were divided into random teams, my team ROCKED! Donna, Sarah, & Erika. I'd say we worked really well together & won the judges choice award for creative use of embelishments. It seemed like all our supplies given were really ugly, but it came together in the end. We all had a blast & can't wait to work as a team again. Next months meeting is a "sew-in" & a strip swap. I'm not sure what that is, I'm sure it'll be fun & interesting!