Moda Bake Shop Progressive Dinner

I've been a big fan of the Moda Bake Shop when it comes to getting ideas for sewing or quilting. RIght now they're having a Progressive Dinner blog hop and this is one of my favorite blogs so far. The Polka Dot Chair. Lots of great tutorials and recipes in all of these so far, very impressive. Take a peek!

My First Quilt!!

ok So I haven't made too many new 'original" designs for cards this year. I have mostly CASED. Which is the case for my Christmas cards that I made this year. (so in my opinion not worth showing)
However...I made my first ever quilt for my niece, Ainsley. I tried to keep it simple and used Moda Fabrics, "Soiree", Charm packs. I love the colors in this line of fabrics. I was inspired after seeing it used often in a lot of quilting blogs such as Crazy Mom Quilts. I truly could not have done it without the help of my friend, Maria. She really was a blessing!


It's not real pretty close up, I stitched in the ditch for my quilt top, kinda. I hope to do better on my next quilt. After trying to quilt on my old 1960 model Kenmore and then using Maria's Bernina, I was quickly convinced I need a new machine. The difference was huge!

Christmas in Chicago

We had a great trip visiting my family in Chicago this year. We got a white Christmas- my niece Alexandra couldn't have been happier about that. Multiple times a day she was ready to go out and play in the snow- her specialty- snowball fights.
Got some great cuddle time with my niece, Ainsley too! It was a great little trip but as usual, not long enough.

Thanksgiving 2010

My Dad and his wife, Linda, were able to come out for Thanksgiving this year. It was a great weekend. We went to Lynn's Paradise Cafe and to the Woodford Reserve Distillery. They have delicious bourbon balls. YUM! As you can see- we had a great time.



My friend, Guen, who I have known since high school, joined us for a bit of dinner, wine and chocolate pecan pie (yum!). It was great catching up again.

Breeder's Cup 2010

We went to the Breeder's Cup this year. The big attraction was Zenyatta. Unbeated in all of her 19 career starts. AMAZING! These are the best pictures I was able to get. She lost for the first time in her career to a horse named Blame, by a nose. Sadly in the next stride she beat him.
In this picture she is the number 8 horse (third from the front). Click on the picture to see it better. She came from dead last to almost win. It was seriously the kind of race you see in the movies, except without the happy ending.

Dog day at the Pool Closing

The city pools let people bring their dogs in to play in the pool when they are ready to close for the winter. This was Rocks' first time swimming with other dogs around. This poor Golden Retriever all she wanted to do was get her tennis balls and Rocks kept trying to jump on her in the water. She was a good sport and so was her owner.

He went out in the deep end to swim after her a couple of times. The first time he realized that he was in really deep water was kinda funny.

Welcome Baby Ainsley Helen!

Early in September we drove up to Chicago to welcome my new niece to the world. Ainsley Helen was born Sept. 3rd. She is so very, very precious! Look at all that hair! :) What a blessing!