"Bloom" QAL Finished!

The Front:

This finish measures 62"x 72". 

The Quilting:

Yes I broke all the rules and did a Daisy on a String pantograph on this applique quilt...and I love it! 

This is a loose pattern that didn't take away from the applique. I think that was the key.

 Annnddd a peek at the Back:

Another happy finish that was a great stash buster.

Classroom Quilt's Fair Win!

I love fair season and my grand-guy and I spent a good part of yesterday afternoon visiting ours.

Our Classroom Quilt won a blue ribbon in the group quilt division.

The kids will be so excited and I hope many of them see it at the fair this week.

With the new school year quickly approaching, it will find it's new "home" hanging outside my 

classroom to greet this year's new class. After which, it will be used by the kids during reading time.

I was thinking as we walked through all the exhibits that I really need to create more entries for the fair. It's so fun to see them all displayed and judged. Do you complete fair entries? If so, curious if they are only quilt entries or what other entries do you have?

Week of Grammy Camp

Jackson has company this week that has kept him busy!

Yes! His favorite boy!

While Meme here was busy mowing the yard these two were busy "making mud"... 

...and washing cars. LOL! Yes! They got full of mud...but isn't that what little boys are suppose to do?

Anyhoo....not much sewing or stitching this week...as our afternoons are filled with

swim lessons, bubbles and of course ice-cream!

At three and a half, he's also enjoying puzzles, super heros, books and dinosaurs. Such fun!

I've started a new Quilt Novel this week and the County Fair begins tomorrow.

I'm working on a couple posts during their afternoon naps to share this novel as a Give-Away with you and our classroom quilt at the fair. I'm almost finished binding my Bloom Quilt and will have that posted as a Friday finish! Then I'll find myself at the week's end and on my way to return our little guy to his parents. Guess I'll have no excuse to procrastinate any longer quilting my monster quilt that is sitting waiting for me on the long-arm frame.  And like so many of your commented, it will go faster than I anticipate and to just pace myself. Oh and Tuesday Archives will resume soon. I've posted those themes on the sidebar. I'm  just enjoying the dog days of summer (Our daily highs have been between 97-101...yuck!) and admittedly I'm just going a little slower in all areas of life right now.....                 Gotta' love that! As always, thank you for stopping by. I appreciate you following.

Anndd On the Frame This Week...

As I begin this quilting project I'm so very grateful for extra-wide backing!!!

This morning I've been busy getting this queen size pretty on the frame and am anticipating it will take me a good chunk of my last three weeks of summer break to quilt it. I plan to crosshatch the nine-patches and stipple the background of each flower, along with outlining each flower. The song "99 beers " I mean, blocks, is chiming in my head as I prepare for this daunting quilting adventure. 

I'm a little worried as I  haven't even started and I'm already looking forward to having it done. (Hmmmm that might not be a good sign???) But, seriously, after seven years of quilting, I've finally made a quilt for OUR master bed!  I refuse to let this pretty sit and gather dust as a UFO.

 So here we go as I tip-toe through the flowers quilting to the tune of ninty-nine blocks to complete.

Wish me patience and successful ruler skill.

 Click HERE to post and join/rejoin us for this year's 

the Piggy Bank Challenge!

Note: This Linky is open until  August 1st. 
Please feel welcome to grab the code on my sidebar and and help spread the work to all your readers.

Happy Summer Stitching...

The dog days of Summer have arrived for me and I always have to remind myself to enjoy them! Especially since next month at this time, I'll be back in the classroom busy prepping for a new school year. Admittedly, sometimes I just enjoy having nothing to do and  the relaxation is rejuvenating!

 I feel like I've watched a few too many movies as I have found myself binge watching old movies from the 80's. But hey, atleast I've had my Anni Downs BOM stitching to keep me busy as I do:

I especially like that wool stitching is quick to prepare for as much as I like applique, sometimes the prep work takes a while. Our afternoons have been hot as temperatures hit 100 degrees. (Ugh! And to think just five months ago we were buried in snow.)  Anyhoo...my summer mornings have been spent reading, tackling various summer yard projects and my afternoons usually find me, taking life slow as  I enjoy those movies and sew or stitch to escape the heat! I'll finish quilting my Bloom quilt today and am looking forward to binding it as I enjoy some  Slow Sunday Stitching and yes, probably another movie this afternoon. Curious what your favorite "go to" is when life slows down a bit?

 Click HERE to post and join/rejoin us for this year's 

the Piggy Bank Challenge!

Note: This Linky is open until  August 1st. 
Please feel welcome to grab the code on my sidebar and and help spread the work to all your readers.