Sew, a Needle Pulling Thread

Believe it or not, learning to quilt has been on my "bucket list" for some time.  More often than not, I have these little desires rumbling around in the back of my mind, and late February was the perfect time for one of these ideas to germinate.  I was lucky enough to find an opening in a quilting class at a local sewing studio the night before it started, so I jumped right in! With the expert guidance of our teacher, Annlee Landman, we were pressing, cutting, piecing,

sewing, quilting,

and with a little help from a furry friend,

binding.

Within no time at all (a month total), a new quilt was created, but even better, a love for a new craft had been firmly planted and an idea had been carried to full fruition!

I'm already looking forward to the next project that is taking shape in my mind and nurturing it to life!

What little desires will inspire you to SPRING into action?

"Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy." ~ Dale Carnegie

Skirting the Issue

I really meant to just post a picture of a sewing project that I somehow managed to squeeze in, but the post title that came to mind brought my attention to the election.  I won't say much, enough has already been said, but I will encourage you all to get out and vote.  It's so important for everyone's voice to be heard.

OK - now I can move forward with some photos of "the skirt."  I saw this flippy corduroy skirt in the Boden Catalogue:

Very cute, rather fun and flirty, but  for $78 bucks before Tax, S/H, tempting, but I don't think so.  Not when I had this little pattern tucked away in the sewing cabinet:

A trip to Joanne's for fabric and I was good to go.  I think it turned out nicely, don't you?

Simplicity 3881

What's keeping you busy these days?

Summer Sew Far

Boy oh boy, where is the summer going?  I drafted this post in JULY to capture some of the season's highlights and post a picture of the Amy Butler Cabo Halter I made for our San Diego trip.  Finally, here it is!

I just adore this pattern, and for awhile it was discontinued, so if you're thinking of trying it, JUMP IN!  "You've got to do a thing to learn it." ~ Mark Twain

More things that I adore:

My son, Max, now 14 and fearless:

My daughter, Rachel, 16 and stunning (especially now that she bit the bullet and got her ears pierced at the mall):

We're so proud of her working her first job as a lifeguard!

My husband and best friend, Brad, of 20 years:

My family:

Orange County, CA

Coors Field - Go Rockies!

Breckenridge

Good times and good eats (some NOT so good for you):

Great scenery!:

Flatirons of Boulder's Chautauqua Park

Weekly Hot Air Balloon launches in the hood!

My animals:

Lucy 

Pepper

What a back log of photos, thanks for wading through with me!

So Many May Babies

May is a dizzying month.  Recitals, finals, graduations, not to mention that every time I turn around there is life to be welcomed or celebrated once again (seems like most of my Facebook Friends and quite a few relatives have birthdays in May - including moi!).  The flowers, the birds, the foals, the calves, the babies are EVERYWHERE.  Our neighbor's family greeted their new son last week, at HOME, and I was pleased as punch to find him these darling little leaf booties over at Tiny Happy

My grandmother celebrated her 100th, yes 100th, can you believe?  She is a testament to sustaining herself with a positive mental attitude - "Mind over Matter Helen" - and enjoying the simple pleasures in life "I just love dandelions, they are so cheery."  Really, of all that blooms in Spring she favors the dandelion.  Simply pleasures indeed.

I'm wishing you all good health and vitality to be out there and enjoy all that Spring has to offer.

Baby Great Horned Owl

Blessings!