I started this month out thinking that I would just complete the top for the 'All Framed Up' Pattern by Melissa Dunworth over at Sew BittersSweet Designs.

Melissa designed this patter with beginner quilters in mind.  It has a great modern look, and goes together super fast.   I chose a modified cross hatch for my quilting to accent all the squares in the quilt.  


For my binding I went with the 'Susie's Magic Binding' method.  It gives a neat look and I think it was the icing on the cake for this quilt.


I really enjoyed testing this pattern.  I can't wait to see what the other testers made.

I am thinking that I am going to give this quilt to mom for Christmas, she always hints about me making her something. I know I finished the hand sewn labor of love last year, but this is something she can wrap up in on the couch if she wants instead of hanging it on the wall.  If you are worried about my mom reading my blog, well it is ok, because I know she isn't a follower and to be honest I don't think she knows what a blog is.

I have been trying to keep the kids entertained with fun things this summer.  Yes we have spent a lot of days at home, but all in all I think they have had a lot of fun.   Here are a few (ok a lot) pictures of our adventures.


We were very lucky to get tickets to the screening of Turbo (thank you IMS for those).  It is a cute movie and my kids loved it.


 It was even in 3-D The kids loved the glasses.


After the movie we had lunch and headed off to the zoo.


I like the jelly fish display.  Don't mind the face in the glass at the bottom of the picture, it is just a reflection, not a ghost.


The kids were amazed at how many birds could sit on one little tree.


We have gone to a friends house and played in the creek, catching crayfish and minnows.


and maybe a few leaves, but she was on a mission for sure.


He tried to hold still for a picture, but something caught his eye.





But there is no swimming here, not for a while anyways.


They are repairing the dam at this reservoir and will let it refill next summer I believe.  It will be neat to come back and see the difference in a few years.


This is the entrance to a parking area near one of the parks.  They allow the stream to flow over the road and as the algae grows people come with their plastic bags and slide down into the lower end of the creek.  We didn't slide, but stuck our hand in the water last night and it was ice cold.


We also took a short hike to find this hidden beauty.


The flash really darkened the waterfall, but all the same, the kids both smiled for the first picture so I didn't dare press my luck for another one.


There is a tiny bit of things we have done this summer.  No we did not do all of this in one day.  

Well the quilt is now finished thanks to several other ladies in the group who stepped up to piece, quilt and bind it.  I'm going to link you over to Heidi over at Boys Buttons and Butterflies for the big reveal now that Rebecca has the quilt to feel all of our hugs when she is feeling down.

I have really enjoyed testing Melissa's quilt pattern. I'm almost done, I need to add the borders and I should be able to get it quilted by the end of the month.  This will be a nice quilt to have as a wall hanging or just keep on the couch for a chilly evening.


It was quite windy out when I took the picture.  I hope to get the borders on today and then this goes back to the side for a few days while I try my hand at making a puppet or two.  

I'm Linking up with the A Lovely Year of Finishes mid month check in.  

Better than Vera Bradley...Well that is what a lady in my moms group said, and it made me smile.

The inside pockets that go all the way around,  there are 8 pockets total.


A closer look at the cute accent trim on the inside pockets.



Here is the pattern I used in case you love the bag and want to make your own.

This is the second Penny Sturges pattern I have made and her instructions are so simple and easy to follow.  This bag has a zipper and I think this was the easiest zipper I have ever installed.  I got it in right the first time!  I was quite excited over it.

The prints I used were Amy Butler Gypsy in Cobalt, and Treasure Box in Ocean, and paired those with a Navy Blue solid.   Total time to make the bag was about 6 hours which included interruptions of switching laundry, cooking meals, and catering to the children.

I have plans of making another bag as a gift for my mother, she is forever commenting on how she wishes her purse had a zipper.   

I hope everyone has had a wonderful week.   I have had a very off week.  My boys were out of town.  I was grateful for the break, but boy did my emotions get the best of me.  I tried to pass the time by getting out of the house with the girl, and did some sewing.

I had some 'patriotic' fabric in my stash that I had bought a couple of years ago so I decided to use it up and make my daughter a skirt with it.



I'm sure you have all figured out by now that there is no more Google reader, so if you are looking to follow my blog you can follow me on Bloglovin!

I'm trying to do better at not procrastinating.  I'm sure at some point I will fall back into the rut, but for now I'm trying.

Last week my friend Melissa over at Sew Bitter Sweet designs asked for some testers for a quilt pattern she has written.  I volunteered to test out her pattern. You can see her quilt here.  I thought it would make a great gift for my mom, if I don't keep it for me...

I was digging through my fabrics yesterday and there are so many choices. This is without going to the fabric store or looking and ordering online.

I have some 'Simply Color' by V and Co. and then I have some super cute Christmas fabric that I made my version of 'Frosted Stars' from.


I guess I don't need 2 quilts from this fabric, but I do know I bought the additional fabric to make a tree skirt.  

I'm beginning to think procrastination and indecisiveness go hand in hand...have a great Tuesday everyone!

Well I should have done this post at least a week ago, but I told myself I had a week and well I'm sure you all know that when you procrastinate that life foils your plans. Well one day I will learn to stop procrastinating.

My ALYF (A lovely year of finishes) goal for June was to finish one Sun Bonnet Sue block.  I blew my goal out of the water and had one done within the first week!  I guess I'm a bit faster stitcher (Is stitcher not really a word or is spell check just behind times?)  than I thought.


I feel bad for not getting this posted yesterday, but I my stuff done and that is all that matters to me.  Now I'm in the process of picking out some fabric for July's goal.  I promise I won't procrastinate and get it posted  before the end of the week.  Have a great Monday everyone.