Here is a picture of the lunch bag I just finished Breanna!  She picked out the colors as she is in to these funky colors lately!  The black part is pet mesh - can you believe it!  I have made a couple of these and while it's easy for some, for me it wasn't so much! LOL!  I had a hard time matching up the seams on the sides and despite Breanna insisting that it was "okay" - I couldn't let her have it that way! LOL! At least not noticeably!  I went and bought the pom poms last night and sewed it on and now you can't tell! Woo hoo! Thank goodness for trims!  She loves the pom poms too so it was worth it!  Now I need one too! LOL!  Enjoy! Michelle

Well, life has been crazy for the past week or two for my family!  School started here on the 5th and my daughter is so happy! She actually had a count down till school starts calendar!  Crazy!  I went back to school on the 22nd and it has been nuts there trying to get all the work done too! We've had one girl decide she didn't want to be a "team player" and left 2 of us to do the work of FIVE (we're missing a couple of people too) then that girl had some appointments which meant.........I must don my cape and bring out my alter ego as..... "Super Secretary" and do it all myself! LOL!  All I can say is thank goodness for answering machines! LOL!  They left and I turned it on! LOL!  Every day it's getting easier though as we're marking things off our lists and we're all back in the office PLUS a new girl and we started interviewing for the last position to fill! YEAH!  Well it would be good if that was all that was going on too......then my car started acting up - need I say more?!  This car is destined for the "great magnet in the sky" soon!  We're going to be trading it in as I am tired of all the trips to the garage to put more into it then it's worth just to keep from having car payments! I could have paid a whole years worth of them with what we paid out in the last two months! YIKES!  I also squeezed in some sewing (yes Kathy on the blocks too) and am working on my daughter's lunch box, well it didn't want to cooperate either! The side seams didn't match up so I had to put it down and walk away! It's one of those bags that is made with the pet screening so it's not easy to tear out and fix! I need to just stop and get some wide ribbon to cover it up and all will be good again! LOL! A good reason to stop by the fabric store on my way home.... good idea! LOL!  So, on to today's challenges.......! Michelle

Here is a picture of my next good intention!  It's part of my attempt to keep up with the super paper piecers on this blog!  These blocks are great fun to make! I just have to get to my machine to do them! LOL! Michelle

Here are the centers of a couple of pillows that my daughter is working on too!  She traced and colored some pictures she liked from the internet. I ironed the wax out of the fabric and she'll now add the fabric from that pile - funny that's exactly how she found it too......I guess I have some cleaning to do....! LOL!  Anyway this has been a month or so in the making but she'll finish it soon!  Michelle

Keeping up with those two is not an easy task!  Here is my first attempt at doing sew! LOL!  This is a block from the Carol Doak Yahoo group! I am making it into a pillow to put in a chair that has a vase of hydrangeas in those colors next to it! Michelle

Here are a couple of the bowtie blocks I am working on for a Christmas gift for one brother! I have no idea why I am making him this quilt, then again why do we make things for people who don't appreciate things?! LOL! Maybe it's to make me feel better - who knows! Anyway the color choices are brown and gold to go with his favorite NASCAR driver #88 Dale Jarrett.  This started off as a scrap only quilt but has worked its way to being an expensive one since I didnt' have enough of either the brown or the gold, then I needed the "right" border, and (while I'm there's happened too), and, and....LOL!  Michelle

Here is my Triple Irish Chain - so far! I am one block away from being done with this center! I then need to figure out my borders and can get it quilted! I think I might need it this winter if the cost of heating stays the same as last year! LOL! Michelle

Well, it's been a while since I've posted anything so I thought it was about time!  I've been a little on the "down side" of things lately! I had surgery on the 10th on my stomach muscles, 2 weeks later I catch a stomach bug! Things weren't pretty there for me for a few days but thank goodness I'm doing better now!  While I was down my DH was able to figure out what I did to the digital camera and fix it - woo hoo! Gotta love my honey!  I can now post pictures of what it's taken me so long to get so far on! LOL! No seriously, I took pictures of a few samples to share! There are more of each block! LOL!  Michelle, off to rest some more

Then come join a quilting group on Yahoo with me!  I started this list back in January with another cyber friend and we're having a lot of fun!  We have a swap going on to make blocks to identify your home state and another "project" that we're doing as a group! It's to make pink and white blocks for the Quilt Pink project going on right now!  It is a little on the chatty side as we don't always stick to quilting subjects but put your waders on and jump in with us! You're in for a fun time!  Here is the name of the group "Quilters Coast to Coast", just mention about the blog in a note to the "moderator" and I'll send it on through and you'll be in for more fun! Don't miss out on the fun!Michelle

Well, computer was acting up again, or should I say the ISP was acting up! This gets really irritating especially when the bulk of your communication with friends and family is through the computer! UGH!  Summer school finished for me on Friday so now I am off for almost 3 weeks and boy will it feel good! Only thing is this morning it was pouring down rain (no surprise there) and I had to get up at 0430 to take my DH to the bus stop!  I should go back to sleep........nah! I'm up, computer is co-operating so what the heck right?! I'm learning how to make my own Italian sausage today too with my neighbor who is a chef so that will be fun!  Michelle

My one claim to fame! LOL!   I made the "Langley AFB" block for this Air Force 50th Anniversary quilt.  A friend of mine took a picture of the real thing and sent it to me recently!  I wish I had been there to see it with her!  The green stripes with white crosses is the flag the pilots from that base wore, the two planes are representative of the air power that the base has seen and, of course, since Langley is near the beach and Chesapeake Bay you have to have the boat and setting sun!  Anyway, I thought I'd share since I just got it from her! Michelle

It's been a while since I got to post anything here! Between time getting away from me, working projects (really!) and our computer being "down for the count", I haven't been on!  We're expecting that little rascal back today so it'll be easier to post what I've been up to, my pictures and more! YEAH!  I do have something to talk about though that is fun! My daughter and I went to a local quilt shop yesterday to start work on a "QuiltPink" project.  We got to work with Pat Sloan! Woo hooo!  I walked in the door of the shop and could not believe that she was actually there!  We helped her with one of her "Crooked Cabin" quilts that she is donating to this cause.  Breanna ironed and I sewed.  It was great to work with someone of her caliber and expertise!  Before we left though, we got our picture with her and had her sign one of her books for us too!  So, or should I say "sew" the stack of 3D bowties is growing and I think I am ready to lay them out for the actual top! I am just winging it on the amount of ties but I had a friend (Hi Kela!) do a  layout for me in her EQ5 to help with ideas!  I'll be glad when this unplanned project is finished.  I think working from a book, when you're trying to do 20 things at once (and what working Mom isn't?) is easier! LOL!  Hope you're all having a great summer! We're either dodging raindrops or sweating here in DC!  Michelle,off to work!

Now throw summer activities into that, except lately it's been "raindrop dodging", and you're just plain tired! LOL! I think, and told my DH so this A.M., that I am wishing that I hadn't signed up for summer school! It's monopolizing too much of my valuable time! I fell asleep last night before 9:00! Sad isn't it?! I was in the que for the iron with my challenge quilt blocks and some brown and gold 3D bowties I am working on! Darn it!  I had a friend at work say how she makes herself spend 15 minutes every day in her sewing room and winds up spending more but gets stuff done during busy times. I am thinking, most days anyway, if I have 15 minutes I'm going to the bathroom! LOL! Then again maybe I need to rethink that as, they find me there!! LOL! Sign permission slips, answer questions "can so and so spend the night", etc.... (note to self - lock the door next time, no wait, I'll get notes slid under the door as I have in the past.....darn it! LOL!)  So, or should I say "sew" back to the blocks I am trying to get ironed, my challenge blocks are coming out beautiful! I had almost wished I had chosen a different fabric as blue is not on my top 3 or so favorite colors (don't hurt me if it's yours!) but I really like the purple-ish tone of the Texas Bluebonnets! I can't wait to go to the next step! I am also working on 3D bow ties from WWW.DELAWAREQUILTS.COM for my brother's quilt. I chose the colors brown and gold because he is a HUGE, did I say "huge" yet, fan of Dale Jarret in the NASCAR arena and those are his colors from the UPS car he drives!  I thought it's time I made quilts for my family since I've done quite a few of my DH's family - did 6 kinder quilts last Christmas in 3 weeks, talk about a mad rush fueled at the last minute by "Red Bull"! LOL! Anyway, it's July so I know I need to start on this year's gifts (hence the bow ties) maybe that's the reason for the whiney-ness?!! LOL!  Okay so next time maybe I'll insert an early warning "this entry includes whining, the names have been omitted to protect the not so innocent......"! LOL! Okay now I'm outta coffee, outta time on the computer and off to start ANOTHER day of "raindrop dodging" on my way to work! Hope your day is fun......! Michelle

Well, time off from school and I am making big progress on my challenge quilt! It's the blue double Irish Chain with Texas bluebonnet fabrics from the "Hill Country" collection! I'm SEW excited at how it's turning out so far and simply love those flowers! I don't know why! I took my daughter and neighbor to a "paint your own" pottery place tonight and chose a platter - painted those darn flowers on it too! LOL! It at least will match my pottery from Poland - I hope! LOL! Anyway when I'm done with the blocks I'll post a picture!  Now for the bad news.......summer school started today and UGH am I going to be nuts for a few days! Thank goodness for my daughter who will be in to help me tomorrow! Off to sew and then off to bed now!  Michelle

WOO HOO!  I am so in need of this summer break too! In the last week of school I had put in aver 50 hours by Wednesday if you can believe that! LOL! I didn't even know I would get paid for the overtime but hey who's knocking the extra money! I just did it to get my job done!  So the big question is "what now"! I have a whole 5 days off before I start summer school!  Our vacation plans got cancelled due to rain but we'll make do! I could use the lounge around in my jammies time to work on some sewing projects! WOO HOO! Can you tell I'm excited here!  Michelle, off to make pasta with sun-dried tomato sauce and sausage...want some?! 

Last night was my daughter's unduction ceremony for the National Junior Honor Society! I'm so proud of her! I just had to brag!  I think she was tired of seeing me behnd a camera by this picture! LOL!  Michelle   Edited 10 June - my daughter decided she'd rather not have the picture I had previously posted up anymore! Sorry, but I took it down at her request!  Thanks for understanding

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a great Memorial Day Weekend! We did!  We didn't go anywhere but were able to spend time with friends we were stationed with in both Germany and in Illinois! They're now moving here to DC! They are, unfortunately, house hunting right now and it's not going well!  Yesterday we didn't do much either except sleep in, do my walk (4 miles!) and lounge!  How was everyone else's weekend?!! Where is everyone?! Busy sewing?!! Michelle

WWOO HOOO! Happy dance with me girls! My daughter got the information today that her application was accepted and she will be in the National Junior Honor Society!!  I'm so proud of her!  Party at my place next week if you can make it!! LOL! Michelle

Here's my gang from graduation! It's hard to believe I am 2/3 done with children graduating! LOL! I got good news today as well that my youngest was invited to submit her application for the National Junior Honor Society too! Woo Hoo!  Michelle p.s. I'm the "hot babe" in the back row! LOL! Edited 10 June Another picture I was requested by my daughter to remove! I think she's doing a great job of following the "Internet Safety" lessons she got at school a few years ago!

Well, I am home again! I went to Missouri to see my son graduate and it was a great experience! I was so proud of him as he did quite well!  He was quite the character and did a dance as well of the stage - gee I wonder where he got the "character" in him from! LOL! I was also able to see my brother (1 of 4) and my Dad as well! Michael had asked if his uncle was coming so I bought him a ticket and paid for his room just to be sure my son got what he hoped for!  It was a really good trip as I got to see my eldest daughter too! She's in quite a stage right now but hopefully she'll be okay soon!  I tried really hard to make it to a cute little quilt shop that was there before but wouldn't you know it, it closed 3 months ago! Darn! LOL! I did go to a Salvation Army though, my daughter's request and found an old iron for $5! I'll have to take a picture of it with my little collection! I got quite an interesting one while in Germany as well!  So now on with the rest of the week - to bed early tonight though as yesterday the day started at 2:00 am and I don't care what anyone says, sleeping on the airplane is not resting so we're still all wiped out - add grocery shopping and laundry on that when I got home! LOL!  Hope you all had a great weekend too! Michelle