Summer Fun!

We  spent some time in NW Iowa a few weeks ago camping at Twin Lakes.
Our view from our camping spot.


This is "home" for us. We both grew up just a few miles from there and my Grandparents had a cabin on the lake. I grew up living at the lake most of the summers, and we spent MANY of our summer hours at the lake when we were dating. When our kids were young, and Grandpa no longer had the cabin, we still spent a lot of time there. My sister and I would pack the kids up and head out there for the afternoon.

This time we had relatives out for supper several evenings, and we spent most of our days visiting with others. We did have the opportunity to spend a little time on the lake.


We visited familiar places.


AND these two overweight middle aged people rode bikes around the lake!!!


We hadn't been on bikes for MANY years, but need to find some type of exercise, so we tried it. It was about 90 degrees at 9:00 a.m. When we set out, but we still made it around the lake. We thought we rode seven miles, but the most recent bicycle map we just looked at says it is 11 miles. Either way, we did it!

We had a nice time, and can't wait to go back.

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A Spring Table Runner

As I was decorating this spring I realized I didn't have a table runner big enough for my new dining room table. So, a new one was in order! I wanted something I could finish quickly, so I used a pretty basic layout.


I used a fancy stitch that my machine has to edge the washing at each end.


I quilted meandering loops over the rest of it.


Binding and backing are black to bring in the black background of several fabrics, and to help the bright colors pop. I used a Moda charm pack but I forgot what the pattern was!
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Book Review--These Is my Words

These is my Words by Nancy Turner is a book I read several years ago, but it continues to be one of my favorites.

This is the journal of Sarah Prine, a strong spirited woman in the Arizona Territory in the late 1800s. She rides Indian-style and shoots with deadly aim, loves books, fights fires, floods, and Indian raids.

It is also a love story telling of the love between Sarah and Captain Jack Elliott. They are often apart and lonely but their love endures all. Sarah takes pride in their home. Often drawing the additions out in her notebook. And always waits for Captain Jack to return.

I am always awed by the stories of frontier women. I just know I would never be strong enough to endure the physical work and heartache that they had to endure.

These is my Words is the first in a series. Sarah's Quilt and Star Garden are the two books that follow. And I loved those as well!
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Chevron Baby Quilt

If you have been reading my blog for a while you know that I make a quilt for each new Great Niece/Nephew. Last November my Great Nephew, Brock, was born. I gave him a quilt, but I forgot to take pictures. Since he is in Texas and I'm in Iowa it took awhile to actually get some!

I had been wanting to make a chevron quilt, and I had some cute hippo fabric from IKEA just waiting to be used, so the two came together for this quilt.


I just straight line stitched it to quilt it.


Who knew IKEA had fabric??? here you can see it on the back.

I hope Brock loves his quilt!
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Quilted Sleeping Bag for a Girl!

Clara turned three last week, so a birthday present was in order. I've been dying to use this:


It's "Happy" by Me and My Sister for Moda. It is truly happy, bright fabrics. Just so girly that I knew I would be using it for a girl at some point, so it was a perfect choice for a sleeping bag for Clara! I made one for Grayson for his birthday. You can see it here.


Again I used a pattern from Moda Bakeshop. I quilted loops all around.


And it folds up into a nice little package including the pillow.


Clara and her little friend climbed right in!


I hope she enjoys it for many years! Happy Birthday, Clara!

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Celebrating Two Birthdays!

Cael turned 10 on June 13th. Clara turned 3 on June 28th. We celebrated both birthdays on Saturday.

We started with a Star Wars themed birthday for Cael.


He had friends and family to help him celebrate. On his wrists are our gifts--two money bracelets.


He really wasn't sure what was up with them!


I used this tutorial. I don't like to shop, plus the grandkids have EVERYTHING, so I started giving them money. Last year Cael got his from a tissue box. You can see that here.
They had a piñata full of candy and small gifts, and themed food like Jabba the Hutt Dogs, Princess Laysa Chips, Clone Trooper Corn, Death Star Balls(watermelon), Rebel Denoators(gumballs), Light Sabers(pixie stixs), Space Dust(nerds), Edible Ewoks(sour patch kids), Yoda Soda, C3POH2O, and Hans Solo Rolos.



Saturday afternoon we celebrated Clara's birthday with friends and family.


She had a houseful of people and a mountain of presents! She especially enjoyed a musical card that came with a gift. Who knew you just needed to buy her a card!!LOL

After most people left she got her big gift from her parent and little sister.


A John Deere motorized vehicle. The kids had a great time on it!!

For now we're done with birthdays until August which is a big month.

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