Spring Break 2018!!!

Sorry things have been a little quiet around here this last week, but it was Spring Break, and we were enjoying soaking up the sun, sand and waves of beautiful Oahu Hawaii!!! And it was absolutely amazing.  I want to have a record of it,  so here is a quick rundown of the trip for those that want to know ;)   If not, no worries, as of tomorrow we will be back to regularly scheduled quilting posts :)

  We decided about a year ago, that this was the year for a big Family Trip :)    Our oldest is 15 so he doesn't have a job quite yet, and our youngest is 6 so hopefully she will remember it.  So we grabbed my parents (after our last beach trip, I wanted a few extra sets of eyes ;)  and headed out for a week that we will remember for a lifetime!!   Jacob and I have visited Hawaii before but never the island of Oahu and this was the kids first trip.  My dad picked pineapples when he was 18 for a summer, and hasn't been back since so this was a fun return for him and a first for my mom.

We started with a visit to Pearl Harbor.  The day was sunny but as we arrived, the clouds opened up and we got some beautiful warm rains.   But because of that we weren't able to land on the  USS Arizona Memorial but we did get to take a nice (read very wet) boat ride out to it.  I have to say, it is kind of hard to explain to a 6 and 9 year old to be quiet and reverent when they feel like they are on a Water Park ride.   But we toured some museums and watched a film that better explained the history of the place.  It was very moving and a place that I have always wanted to visit. 

We also spent a day at the Polynesian Cultural Center where the kids got to learn all about the culture of the islands.  They did hula dancing, spear tossing, fire stick throwing (without fire of course), Hawaiian bowling, fishing, but most of all, I think they liked the tattoos ;)  

And we even did an 8 mile round trip hike to Laie Falls!!   The kids did amazing, I was worried they wouldn't make it but I should have been worried about me :)  My calves still feel that climb, but it was so worth it for the amazing views and gorgeous waterfall at the end.   We got to enjoy all kinds of terrain including some squelching mud that made for some good times for the kids.   They really did amazing, and I was super impressed with their mad hiking skills!! 

And of course, after all that activity, you need lots of yummy food.  The kids got to try all kinds of fresh mango's, pineapple, and coconut from the local stands.  And we found an awesome place for shaved ice that we made a few stops at.  So good on a hot day!!!   These two were a huge fan of the coconut milk, and with 2 straws, they didn't even have to take turns ;)  And our place had a grill, so we had a lot of BBQ throughout the week thanks to my sweethearts made grilling skills ;)

And we were also treated to some beautiful sunrises that, thanks to the 4 hour time change, were easy to wake up for.   We were so fortunate to find a little home to rent that was right on the beach so every morning we could enjoy stunning scenes like this.   This particular morning was Easter morning and I can't image a better way to wake up on such a special day.  

And the other great thing about being right on the beach, the kids could always be in the water!!!  They were down at the beach every second they could get.  In fact, this was when we first got there and they didn't even get swimsuits on.   I told them they could wade, which promptly turned into full on soaking in their shorts and t-shirts.  Should have seen that one coming ;) 

The kids all learned to snorkel and really enjoyed it.  But mostly they just loved played in the waves!!!  They chased them in and out of the water. They boogie boarded on them, and jumped them, and tubed on them, and overall just turned into little fishes ;)   We visited several beaches and I think we brought a pound of sand home from each.  And I couldn't be happier playing in the water with them or watching them from the beach, just perfect!!! 

All in all, it was our families trip of a lifetime and it was absolutely amazing!!! I am so grateful that we could all spend this week together and that my parents were able to come with us as well.  It was just the best to be all together in such an amazing place sharing an unforgettable week!!

Aloha!!!!   

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day so let's have some fun :)

But first, we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!  

The winner of the Oh, Scrap! book and a Moda Scrap Bag from Olie and Evie  is . . .   Number #60  Congrats scottylover!!!   I have emailed you :)      

     

  

And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Green Fairy Quilts.  Green Fairy Quilts is your home for pre-cut goodness and they always have amazing sales going on every weekend on a selected pre-cut or notion!!!  And did you know that Green Fairy Quilts has a Deal of The Day!!!   Be sure to check those out for some major quilting savings!!!

And today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is all about cute!!! A Cottontail Cottage Fat Eighth Bundle by Bunny Hill Designs for Moda!! I just love those adorable little bunnies and houses.   Oh, so cute!!!

You have two entry chances, the second being optional, and please leave a separate comment for each.  All Entries are welcome, including International Entries.  Please just be sure to leave an email address if you are a no-reply blogger ;)  

ENTRY 1 - Simply leave a comment that tells me the name of your first.  (My first pet was a bunny named Caroline :)  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Green Fairy Quilts love.   You can Sign up for their Newsletter which I highly recommend as it will ensure you catch all of their amazing sales!!  You can follow them on Twitter or Facebook,  or you can visit the Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Green Fairy Quilt Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, April 10th when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

Sew Sampler Baskets Quilt Top

So remember yesterday when I said I couldn't wait to put together my Sew Sampler Basket Quilt Top . . . Well I wasn't kidding.  I woke up early this morning and it was the first thing I wanted to work on.    And before you know it, Eeekk, So loving this!!!

When I first started these basket blocks a year ago, my plan was to use a solid background, but this morning I remembered I had the leftover "low volume" Fat Quarters from my Roundabout Quilt that uses this same line, and how fun would it be to keep the whole Low Volume theme from the basket backgrounds throughout the back of the quilt.  So I quickly pressed and cut, and then I was on fire sewing this together ;)

And I love that I also had those skinny piano keys border already cut from my Roundabout as well.  They were a little scrap piece that were all in the same size and worked perfect for that skinny little border that I just love!!!   Now it is time to get it quilted up and then I have made a scrappy print binding from some of the leftover basket pieces. It will be the perfect finish ;)  Now I just have to decide how to quilt it???  I am thinking my all over Fireworks, but we'll see.  

And I might have my Baskets Quilt Top done . . . but this fabric is already starting a New Project!!!   sSince I had a Fat Eighth bundle for these baskets and a Fat Quarter bundle of this fantastic Freedom line by Sweewater for the Roundabout quilt . . . I still had some leftovers . . . and I instantly knew what I wanted to make with them.  I started slicing everything into 2 1/2" strips, and what really makes it fun is that all the strips are different lengths depending on how much was used for the baskets.

And then I sliced up all the leftover Low Volume prints and stacked them up.   Won't this goregous stack make the best 4th of July Ribbons Quilt!!!!   Time to get stitching ;)

Thanks for popping in today and each day!!  I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Weekend!!!

Linking up this quilt top finish to Amanda's, Sarah's, and Myra's ;)

March Sew Sampler Box!!!

Another month come and gone and another happy Blue Box arriving on my doorstep!! My March Sew Sampler box showed up and I was all kinds of squealing when I opened the lid to see that Spectrum was this month's theme ;)    I just knew it was going to have a rainbow of quilty goodness inside and it did not disappoint!!! So excited!!!

I have already played with Vanessa Christensen's new Ombre Confetti Metallic fabrics in this Shine Quilt and Tutorial, so I was so happy to find a Half Yard Bundle of 4 stunning colors!!  Doesn't that just make you so happy for Spring :)   I don't know what these are going to be used for yet, but I am thinking they will be for something special indeed.  

And how fun is this new Curvy Log Cabin ruler!!!   Talk about some fun tiny piecing.  And I am so loving that center star in The Sparkler Quilt.  This has me wanting to make a quilt of just curvy stars.  Wouldn't that be so awesome!!  And since the ruler just trims, I can just use scrappy strips to put it together and it will go so quick ;)

And I was thrilled to see more True Grips!!  These were in one of the first Sew Sampler Boxes and I love adding them to the backs of my rulers.  They really do eliminate a lot of the slipping, which is nice as I try not to put as much pressure on my ruler anymore (don't want to have to have carpal tunnel surgery again in 5 years, tee hee hee ;)   And finally, this Bella Rose Gold Tape Measure is just so pretty.   I don't see myself using it a whole lot (not much of a garment maker here ;)  but I know just the person that it will be a wonderful little gift for ;)   

And I am so, so, so excited because this is the final Basket Block!!!   Block 12 and wow, I can't believe how fast that went by!!!  My goal is to get all 12 blocks made up into a quilt before next month, because I wan't this done before we see the big reveal of what to expect for the next year!!!  I totally can't wait to see this new years blocks ;)

And that is my March Sew Sampler Box  . . . and wow, this marks the end of 2 years with Sew Sampler and I have just loved every month of it!!  Can't wait for Year 3 to see what amazing quilty goodness it brings!!!


Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!


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If you Give a Quilter a Sale

So you know that book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie . . . Well that is how today's post is going down ;)

You see, two weeks ago, Martingale Publishing had their Semi-annual Warehouse Sale,   And if you give a Quilter a book sale . . . She will have to browse through it.   I love adding to my quilting library at this sale, but this year, I didn't buy quilting books, I bought Bag books!!!   Windy City Bags by Sara Lawson and Style and Swing by Susan Dunlop to be exact and I am super excited (and scared)  I have wanted to give bag making a try for a while now, and now I think it might actually happen!  But if you give a Quilter a Structured Bag Book . . .  you are going to need some Structure :)   So off, I went to buy some Soft and Stable ;)

But while I was looking for Soft and Stable, I noticed a little banner that said Fat Quarter Shop was having their Annual Spring Cleaning Sale!!  And if you give a Quilter a Sale . . . she has to browse through it, right :)   I like to search the pre-cuts first and was so excited to find a Little Miss Sunshine Jelly Roll in the sale because I absolutely love this line and had used my layer cake in a previous project.   But if you Give a Quilter a Jelly Roll . . . She will need a project to make with it.  And  I instantly thought of the  Jelly Roll Rug Pattern.  I have loved seeing all of these on Instagram and I have so, so, so wanted to make one.  Not only are they super cute, but they would use up some of my endless batting scraps!!!   I can't wait to start this, and I have a feeling I won't be able to stop at just 1, good thing I have more Jelly Rolls stashed ;)

And I was all ready to check out, But if you Give a Quilter an Amazing Sale . . . She has to buy more than one Pre-Cut, right :)  (Please tell me you all add extra goodies in your cart just because :  You all know I love Charm Packs and I just let a good friend use my Just Another Walk in the Woods Charm Pack to make a Charming Tote and it turned out so cute, I knew I needed to make one in the same fabric.   And the Grand Canal Charm Pack, well I just love Kate Spain and hey, I could have got the layer cake too :)

So I am curious, is this how you find your quilting shopping works too??  I wouldn't be surprised because you know, If you Give a Quilter a Sale . . . 

Hope you have a very Happy Quilting Day ;) 



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