I hope you have all your Christmas gifts gathered by now. I just finished my last holiday quilt for a customer, so now I can finish up mine! Pictured here is a lovely quilt done by my friend Dania. I really like the pattern--in fact I like it so much I had to get the book for it. I am planning to use a jelly roll I had languishing in my stash, of course then I had to do a search for  the rest of the fabrics to complete the quilt( borders, bindings, sashing and backing) I was lucky to find it and at a great price--just 4.00 per yard for MODA!!! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Also, be on the lookout for an announcement after the holidays.......Cheers!!

This photo is of a block of the month quilt.  Signing up for a block of the month can be a great way to challenge yourself to complete a large project and refine your piecing skills. This particular quilt is from Quilted Treasures in Anthem Arizona and was pieced by the owner, Diane Grubic.

This is a couple photos of an amazing quilt made by Connie J. She and Vicki O (they're sisters) each made this New York Beauty, but Vicki did hers in a bright, vibrant color palette, while Connies is in the fall colors. What a awesome accomplishment and a great idea to make a challenging quilt together so you can support each other to the finish!!

I've been MIA for awhile but hope to get more photos of completed quilts up more regularly. This is a few snapshots of a beautiful New york Beauty quilt I did for my friend Vicki. What an amazing quilt!! I really had a blast taking the belts off my statler and doing custom work all over. Her colors were so intense, they made me think of the ocean, current and seaweed.

Liv and Hannah own at photo shoots! :D

Hannah and her friend Olivia made this cute little video I wanted to share with you. Hannah is on the right above

Here's a video of my daughter singing and playing "Back to December" by Taylor Swift.  Be sure to subscribe to her channel on YouTube   "LivLaughLuvSing"

there is something refreshing about blue and white quilts (also blue and yellow) Although you can't really see it well in this photograph, my friend Dolly made this with a sweet little toile print.  I think it is going to be the sweetest little quilt.

Isn't this an amazing quilt? My quilting pal Jill really outdid herself this time. I just love the color gradation she created.  Some of my quilting buddies just might recognize the little scrappy quilt in the foreground--it is Jills' Charming Chamberlain which is near completion. We exchanged blocks for what seemed like forever and now most of us have completed our quilts--what a great keepsake. I will have to include a picture of mine sometime....

Isn't this the cutest little bag? My so talented and prolific friend Gwyn made it while we were in the mountains at our favorite little quilt retreat. If you have never taken the time away for yourself, just make plans and do it! It is so relaxing and inspiring to spend time creating with like minded people....I know I look forward to these little getaways, and I always get quite a few projects done!

 Here are some photos of a little project I finished quilting recently for my friend Nancy. I am looking forward to seeing her soon as she always comes as the weather begins to cool here. It is still pretty darn hot out there--triple digits, even. Maybe I will start on some Christmas projects....

okay folks-this is a really amazing book, and if you're interested in starting a blog or just learning about blogging, this is the book to get. It is easy to read and understand and just full of useful information. Check it out and let me know what you think!!

I think this is an amazing quilt...it could make one a little dizzy to work on it tho..

what a great sewing room--be sure to check out www.ikeafans.com for more ideas on what you can do to get your space organized:)

huglei�ingar efnishyggjukonu: My sewing room

huglei�ingar efnishyggjukonu: My sewing room there are some great ideas for sewing room organization in this blog---check it out!

Well today I went to IKEA(as an addition to a dental appt for the kids) and as always am overwhelmed by how much there is to see and buy there. I found this great pillow that is appliqued and embroidered for only $10 for the cover. The insert is down and quite reasonable at $6(i think i paid 4 x that much at pottery barn for the others i have) So I picked these up for when I have the others getting washed. I am going to have to make another trip soon when Zach isn't with me-he is no fun when shopping!

I am lusting after this sink, but afraid if I scraped enough money together to get it, one of my loves would manage to chip it......will have to keep it in the someday file

this is what happens when 2 girls go shopping, find a package of "manly" mustaches......

well well girls (and boys?) i am still buzzing about the amazing sewing room my pal linda just completed--totally awesome. they transformed their 3rd garage into a sewing room by removing the garage door and putting french doors in, beautiful storage cabinets, beautiful wood floors, awesome lighting(necessity) AC(absolute necessity) and a design wall. I know she is going to be getting projects done at warp speed now... don't think i'd want to leave. what do you think of the photo;)...some girls just have it all, huh?

this cute little guy was at the Portland International Rose Test Garden --he was so friendly, I am sure he is used to handouts (he a bit chunky too:) I will include some photos soon of the gardens. The air was so fragrant, it was wonderful. it made me long to live in a climate where everything seems to grow and thrive so effortlessly

ok folks - a little birdie (or old crow?--haha) reminded me that i have been slacking on the blog, so here goes.....it's been a crazy summer so far with the trip to Paris and then i just returned from a week in Oregon with my sweetie Hannah:) last week. i really couldn't get over how green and lush and beautiful everything there was. we were in eugene most of the time at the university at the PICCFEST--Hannahs' first official choral festival

this photo was taken during a class with Sharon Schamber. the background is one of her quilts

this photo is of the cutest little chocolate shop in Amboise, France. We spent several days in this town, and they had the best cup of cappuccino in town.

I saw these little cat mummies at the Egyptian exhibit at the Louvre. I thought it was interesting how they drew faces on some. We saw so many interesting things there, and did lots of walking and still didn't see it all. What an amazing place to experience

I found these fabrics at a cute little quilt shop in
Paris called Le Rouvray--www.lerouvray.com The owner of the shop is an expatriot. I purchased the very french fabrics below and they gave me the 2 above for free as a gift(basically two 1/4 yard cuts.)

On my first day in Paris we toured the Arc De Triomphe. It was sprinkling a bit, but was a beautiful day. We shopped on Champs de Elsyees and ate at a lovely little restaurant on the boardwalk.

looking forward to seeing everyone again and sharing photos from my trip. It's sad to leave, but am ready to be home:)

seeing this in person is really amazing. we took an evening boat ride on the seine--it was fabulous to see the sights at night when they put on a light show

Well I have been on a fabulous blogiday!!! I will be posting photos soon of my trip to France, Monaco and Italy and adding some of the highlights of the trip. It has been great to spend time with my sisters and explore the world, but am looking forward to seeing all my sweeties at home.

this is another quilt made by my friend Vicki. It was fun to quilt the feathers and the mctavishing behind the birds. It inspired me to make one too...now if I can only finish it! one of my many UFO's. I've never stopped to count how many of projects I have currently in process, but I am getting much more accomplished with the help of the statler:)

what a great way to use up all those scraps lying around....

I have always like black and white checks and really think this place rocks!

here is another quilt by Vicki Olson, another version of the one block wonder

here's a cute little shot of Sammie all tuckered out after halloween. What is it about little dogs that makes them so adorable? He is such a little character, so full of personality

this quilt was made for my son Zach because he has always loved cars, and one of our favorite vacation spots is the beach

this picture is of the log cabin quilt I made for David for our anniversary, inspired by one my friend Diane made. It looks great on our sleigh bed

my quilt buddies and I fell in love with this quilt made by our friend Gwyn, so we did a block exchange for 15 months, making 12 blocks each month to exchange. i had my friends sign the back. i just love the graphic quality of this scrappy quilt

some pics of my latest quilt. when I told Hannah it was for her, I made her day. She has been having a rough time of it lately--mean girls and all that. the panel on the quilt is also on the back of the quilt. now i just need to make a label to put on the back

sometimes life gives you lemons, right???? you know how that goes---my sweet little girl was diagnosed with scoliosis and after 4 months of observation her curve progressed 5%.....so she now has to wear a brace about 14 hours a day in the hopes that we can stop the progression and prevent surgery. these things have come a long way since I was a kid, and we were able to get this design, hoping to make it a little easier on her. She doesn't have to wear it to school, but most of the rest of the day, and at night when her spine does the most growing. i keep teasing her telling her she looks kinda like lady gaga when she wears it. please send positive thoughts and prayers our way:)

this is the front and back of a quilt my friend Vicki sent me to quilt. aren't these the most beautiful colors? i love to work with batiks. pretty cool treatment for the back of the quilt, too...these colors remind me of the ocean...wish i was there

mothers day

Today was mother's day and the day my blog was born! I am also blessed with 2 awesome kids, 2 cats and 2 dogs. I don't know how soon I will have my new baby(this blog) up and running, but hope it will be soon. How about a snap of my sweet little chihuahua;)