The Wedding

And, just like that ... she's married.

Donut Wall

It was a beautiful venue, ceremony & reception. And, of course a lovely couple too. They are home from the honeymoon & settling in to a new life. I couldn't be more proud.

The Wedding Gift

My niece is getting married tomorrow. Here is the quilt I made as a wedding present for them. It was a kit I purchased a couple of years ago - Garden Charm. My first attempt at applique which wasn't an easy feat because of my wrist issues but I modified a bit & viola, I did it! I think I've finally graduated from Novice quilt maker to maybe Intermediate?

Queen Size but still couldn't get it all in the pic.

Closeup of center

Complete w/label.

It's doesn't match any decor she has decided to use and ironically the backing is actually a better fit. They are going to be living in a small one bedroom tiny house (my Mom's) & already has her white comforter set. She will undoubtedly store it at my sisters. I hope when they build a house she will find a use for it.

I also made a pillow topper, made w/leftover fabric, but it is waaaay to busy to be used w/the quilt.

I will finish this & use it on the island at the Barn Apartment & will make her another that is more toned down.

We've got a wedding to attend!

February 2018 - Lots going on.

Last week I went to my annual Featherweight quilt retreat in SC & got 2 quilt tops done. I used the same pattern but different fabrics. The blue one is for my 87 year old FIL who is recovering from having his hip removed but is finally home from re-hab. Hopefully we'll soon find out if they will be able to put in another hip. I finished it this morning & will gift it to him this afternoon. 

The earth tone one is for me! My friend Jenny found the fabric for me & the squares are made using the 4 patch posey technique. The lines inside are more green than grey. I hope to finish it before fall of next year!

When I got home from SC I went to an Estate Sale that had an original Featherweight table for sale. It is only 31" x 31" & is portable & was reasonably priced. The top is all wood & the metal hardware to hold the machine is very sturdy. I think it's very cute & will keep the FW off my dining table, making room to lay out more quilting projects.

And, here is a picture of the T-shirt my Greg got me for Valentines Day.

I forgot to mention in my last couple of posts that my niece got engaged, to a really great guy, in early December.

It was a complete surprise as you can see by the photo. No, it wasn't staged. Her BFF (who knew about the engagement) was taking pictures of their group at a plantation they were visiting for the day. She had been taking 'artsy type' photos all morning. She had asked these 2  to stand back to back & take 2 steps before turning partially around. Of course the soon to be groom kneeled instead of taking the steps. The wedding is in November & the planning has begun. We went Wedding dress shopping last Sunday & she found exactly what she wanted. She will be such a beautiful bride.

Hope everyone is having a good week. We have a few house & land projects going that I hope to post about soon.

Catching up ... Briann First

Yeah, I've not done much documenting lately. I'll just use the lazy & busy excuse.

Now I'm back & will start with my Niece Briann (Brooke's younger sister). This year was her senior prom, graduation & then I gave her & her friends a beach trip.

First her prom. She & her friends (most since pre-school) posed for pictures before heading out for the big night. They are all so very beautiful (inside & out).

Back of her dress

Friends since pre-school.

Most of these kids have been together many many years & all are very smart, well behaved, spiritual kids. Several in her class got 100% Bright Futures Scholarships & many 75% and are going away to the big FL schools for continuing education. She doesn't do so well on tests & got 25% so she is going to one of the most accredited nursing schools in the East. She's very smart & was in the top honor program at her high school. She gave the opening prayer for the graduation ceremony & did a great job. I wouldn't have been able to stand up in front of over 700 people & give prayer the way she did!. Greg & I are so very proud. The 12 or so kids that have 'grown up' together had a post graduation party that my sister & the other parents organized.

All the kids decorated their caps & this is what Briann did.

On the field, after the graduation ceremony

All parents created a memory table.

It was a nice party with a picture booth, corn hole, a DJ & lots of food.

Finally, since the friends were all going their separate ways I decided I needed a beach vacation & invited her & some friends to the beach for a week.

Typical teenagers with their faces in their communication devices.

But they did have time for some fun & a pic in the water.

Pausing between GoPro antics.

Yes, they multiplied. One extra came before the week was out.

Me & my beautiful niece the day they left.

We had a great time & I am very happy to see her continuing on with her life & growing into the beautiful person that I know she will be from now & forever.

Through Fresh Eyes - San Francisco

I'm back from California. My 16 year old niece & I had a great time. She is beautiful, sweet, caring & very spiritual. She has not been north the Mason Dixon Line or west of the Mississippi, so she was very excited about this trip.

She loved the city & everything about it. She was amazed at the landscapes, the sounds, the people & the architecture. Especially the architecture. I think she took a picture of every single Victorian that she saw. We did the usual tourist things & it felt good to just let go for 4 days.

We walked, talked, gawked & ate. Boy, did we eat ... Seafood, Chinese, French, Italian & sushi (she loves sushi). She's an adventurous eater & will try anything (well, maybe not the alligator toes we saw in Chinatown). Actually she loved everything. I think her favorites were the lamb stew at  Absinthe & escargot at North Beach. We both agreed that every single salad we had was just wonderful. Not a french fry was had the whole time.

I get teased in my family about my fresh/organic eating habits. As we were walking back to the hotel the 1st day, my niece pointed out an organic sign hanging over a restaurant. We ate breakfast there almost every day & it was wonderful! She tried my Eggs Benedict & ordered her own the next time we ate there. If you are ever in the Wharf area I highly recommend this place Beach Street Grill.



We went on a Hike in the Muir Woods. Our guide was great, he only takes small groups (up to 7) & goes very early in the morning well before any crowds. We hiked about 3 miles & it was absolutely gorgeous & very peaceful. http://www.muirwoodstour.com/

We shopped Union Square & wandered through Chinatown, saw the Sea Lions & strolled through the Ferry Plaza farmer's market (talk about Organic!). http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/farmers_market.php/farmers_market.php.

We also saw Les Miserables, had lunch in the Haight & took a Segway Tour of Golden Gate State Park  http://www.electrictourcompany.com/?gclid=CLiP4rn-srECFc2a7QodAw8Agw.

Overall, I think we had about 2 hours of down time. Otherwise, we were on the go the whole time.

I enjoyed myself & so did she, which was the whole point. Everything was new & exciting to her. It was great to see her eyes light up & to hear her exclaim "Oh WOW" at everything. Then, "I've GOT to get a picture of that!". Very refreshing.

Although, I AM glad to be home, those hills were hell on my shins.