Read to the end & see if I can make it worthwhile for one of you!
Here's the story: I had some secret sewing that took ALL my time for 2 1/2 weeks. Then right after, I had my sweet grandson for four days.
Here is the sewing I did between then and now:
Here is a dress I made for Audrey. My sister also made one for her granddaughter at the same time. The style was based on a picture she saw.
I made this bag and key fob for my secret partner ine th Gnome Swap:
I made this block for th Mid-Century Modern Bee in May:
I made these kaleidoscope block pieces for the Sew Sisters Bee in June:
I made this June block for the Mid-Century Modern Bee:
I got a request for a Bella dress for Quilty, the American Girl doll that lives at Grandma's house.
I started my Katie Jump Rope quilt for the My Precious QAL:
Then I made a maxi dress for Audrey using Cotton & Steel fabric:
Our annual Gruber's retreat was last week. Each year we make/buy "Happies" for each of our friends.
This is what I made.
They are pincushions made using an eggcup. I EPP the flower in the center using 1/4" hexies out of Liberty of London tana lawn fabric. I then hand appliquéd to another light weight fabric, cut out a circular piece, gathered it, stuffed with fiberfill and glued it into the eggcup.
Here is everything I received from my Gruber Gals:
One thing not sewing related- with all the rain, the raspberries have been especially nice:
And here is the July block for the Mid-Century Modern Bee:
We had a scrap challenge at our Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild that was a lot of fun. We filled a quart bag with our chosen scraps, selected another person's bag and made them something only using one other fabric. I made my partner this mini-quilt only adding the background fabric:
Here is what my partner made me:
It is a 24" pillow and the fabric she added was the green with brown polka dots. I love it!
Whew! Did you see all of that?
So now if you leave a comment by the end of the day Friday, July 24th telling me if you have ever swam in a lake, I will choose a winner and their prize will be a 6 fat quarter bundle from Blank Quilting in great fall colors.
Thanks for stopping back to visit!
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99 readers left a comment:
I am just happy you are well! BUt OH MY, you have been sewing up a steam there my dear. What sweet dresses - the doll dress blows be away. Everything is just scrumptious!!
Well, I'll read it after whatever length of time you've gone missing. When a post pops up on my dashboard with pictures of lovely projects I will read and enjoy it. And you certainly have some lovely things -- I especially like the black and white Bee block -- the circle print radiating out from the center is a great touch. As to your question, yes, I used to swim in Lake Erie when I was a kid. I'm sure I've gone in other lakes as well, although not recently. I'm more squeamish than I used to be about what is swimming with me!
I grew up by the ocean, so that is where I did most of my swimming. But, I think I remember swimming in a lake at girl scout camp and I went in a lake at a family reunion in Missouri.
Who will read your blog??? All of us who appreciate the time and effort it takes to blog and share all the wonderful Creative Bliss we all love sew much. Audrey is adorable in her two new dresses. I can't tell you the last time I swam in a lake because I don't know how to swim...however was in the water at Lake Havasu/London Bridge. High on Life July...
You have some wonderful blocks and projects here. The dresses for Audrey are beautiful! I grew up in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate NY, so we swam in the lakes a lot!
Of course I'll read your blog! Always do when you post. You have been busy haven't you? Love your Katie Jump Rope and the July Mid Century Modern block. Red has to be one of my favorite colors. Audrey looks so cute in the maxi dress and looks like she loves it.
I grew up in Kansas and Missouri so in the summer our go to place was Lake of the Ozarks. My brother had a house there until about a year ago. Nothing like jumping off the dock to cool off when the heat index is 117. Rina
I grew up in Moses Lake so swimming in the Lake at the State park was a favorite thing to do when we had a family gathering. Nice to see you have been sewing. Sometimes the blogging has to take a back seat to the Family FUN! Cute dresses and Doll that wears a Belle Dress!
I swam in lakes a bunch as a kid. I remember wearing old tennis shoes because there was grass growing on the lake surface. It looks like you are having a nice summer.
I think I've swam in a lake in Italy, but I was a small kid so my memories are a bit dusty!! You have been sewing up a storm, so many wonderful projects!! The egg cup pin cushions are really beautiful. emilyste7ens at gmail dot com.
I have swum in lakes.
Renragjdatgmaildotcom
I love it all but especially Audrey's dresses.
I love your mini quilt you made! You have been one busy girl.
squilter.wright@gmail.com
I still love swimming in lakes, and plan to go today also! I prefer lakes to the ocean, the water in lakes somehow seems softer. And no jellyfish to look out for!
Good to see your blog again! I swam in a lake in East Tn. . If you were real still the trout would nibble on you !
You've been busy! Thanks for filling us in on your missing months. I've swum in Lake Hartwell in Georgia and Lake Logan Martin in Alabama. I've visited Lake Livingston in Texas, but didn't go swimming. Just enjoyed watching the great egrets and sometimes a great blue heron. I would live by the lake if I could!
I'm glad I read all the way through to the end- I saw my MCM Bee block! It's gorgeous Mary! Thank you! And I have swum in a lake, as well at oceans, seas, rivers and swimming pools!
My goodness - no wonder you haven't had time to post for 2 months!! I absolutely love your gnome bag. As I scrolled to each new photo I found myself thinking how very, very talented you are!!
Loved catching up on all your activities and you sure have been busy. We go on holiday in the summer to the Highlands of Scotland and where we stay is a Loch (Scottish Lake!!!!) and we have been swimming in there on many summers. It is actually a clear brackish brown colour which comes from the peat the water drains through. It is really peaceful but also very cold. Thank you for the Giveaway. Hugs, Susie x
I swam in Lake George.
Welcome back to the blogging world! My favorite swimming place is Thompson Lake in Maine. I've been swimming there for many years.
Holy cow! You have been super productive. That would be a years worth of sweing for me! I have never swam in a lake but I have in a waterhole
Wow you have been busy. I too often wonder if anyone is reading my blog. :) As to swimming in a lake as kids we (lake merwin) did but any more I limit myself to a pool.
Robin in Washington State
Assweetaspeaches hotmail com
I have never swam a lake. I don't think I've ever been as productive as you have been recently either!
I'll still read your blog :-) Your projects are beautiful! You've been busy. Such happy sewing for happy kids! I've swam in a lake before. I wouldn't swim in the lake here though. Too many gators!!
Yeah, you're back! Great job on the Belle dress!
I have swam in a lake, but it has been many years since I did!
Sandy
Wow, lots of great projects! Yes, I have swam in a lake, but it has been many years since I've done that. Thanks for the chance to win!
Wow you have been busy with lots of fun things. The pincushions are adoreable! Loved your swap quilt and the pillow you received.
Very cute dresses! Love your Bell dress ;)
It was great to catch up on what you've been doing.
I spent my childhood swimming in lakes and quarries.
I live closer to the ocean than a lake, so usually I swim in the ocean. But I have had the opportunity to swim in lakes, and after getting used to the icky feeling in the toes I enjoyed the fish coming so close and being able to actually see in the water! And not getting knocked down by waves of course . . . .
Love your doll clothes, I like making matching clothes for my daughter and her dolls.
Lovely projects!
Yes I've been swimming in a lake-a long time ago!
Wow! That post was worth waiting for! Lots of great sewing projects. I grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan so only swam in lakes for years and years. Loved the clean water, and beautiful rocks. Thanks for a great post!
Wowie!! What a busy lady you are! Beautiful projects!!! (and the raspberries look Yummy!) Thanks for chance to win your give-a-way! :)
Absolutely lovely things! No wonder you didn't have time to blog! Yes, I swim in a lake. Every summer since I can remember. But I didn't skinny-dip until just before my 50th birthday. It was on my bucket list! It was very dark and my husband was standing right there with the towel! LOL!
Mary , I can't believe how grown Audrey is! I remember when she was born! You have been truly busy with amazing projects. Unfortunately I have never swam in a lake
Every weekend! Or we were until the "green" arrived ... my family & I rented a cabin for the summer ... loving every minute of our lake time! Love the mini and the pillow top ....
Enjoyed all the pictures, especially the dresses, they are so delightful. Looks like the models enjoyed them as well.
Swimming in lakes I did a lot of in my much younger years. Loved it then and probably would love it now, but just don't do it any longer.
When I was a kid we lived on a lake and all seven of us kids lived in the water and on the beach all summer. I burn real easy and had to wear long sleeved shirts even when swimming. They didn't have sun screen back then.
You have been busy making some wonderful projects! And, yes, when my son was younger, we often went to the nearby state park to swim in the lake! And I did some lake swimming in upstate NY and Canada when I was growing up. Thanks for the chance for the great giveaway!
What a wonderful post - so much eye candy! I grew up at a lake in southwestern lower Michigan - my nickname for several years was "Fish" and my younger sister was "guppy" ... Have also swum in three of the Great Lakes (Michigan, Superior, and Huron) ... So my answer is "yes, I have swum in a lake"
Love the ziploc bag scrap swap projects!!
I still read your blog because you are my friend! Love all the wonderful secret sewing you've been keeping busy with. Those dresses are sooo adorable! I grew up in Wisconsin, so we swam in Lake Michigan all the time as kids. My cousins also had a house on Random Lake where we swam and went water-skiing all the time. And now my parents have a house in Door County, where we swim in Lake Michigan and Green Bay. I love the Great Lakes!
We used to go to camp Ironwood in California and every day before swimming we'd have slime collecting contests the winner receiving a free sno-cone. :)
Your projects are great! You've had a busy summer
I am so fortunate to have retired at a small lake. The same one that we came swimming to as kids every Sunday afternoon after the farm shores were done.
I've splashed in and waded along a lake but never swam that I remember. You have been awfully busy--loads of lovely work (and a lucky,lovely granddaughter). Nice to see you blogging again!
We have a cottage on Lake Erie, so I've swum in a lake for the past 60 years. We also have some local lakes here in eastern PA that make for a nice refreshing day.
You have had such a busy 2 months! Lovely work for your time away, but glad you are back again. I can't believe how big Audrey is getting. She is adorable.
I swam a lot in the Wapsie River in Iowa as we grew up.
I've been checking in every day to see if you were back! Glad to see all is well, and that you have been making so many lovelies. Audrey is getting to big and beautiful. I can't believe how big she's gotten. I have never taken a swim in a lake, or anywhere else for that matter. I can't swim, and am terrified of the water. I think it's the result of a swimming teacher holding my head under water when I was a little girl......
Glad you're back! xo Linda
Excited to see you back! Of course I will read your blog! I have swam in many lakes, growing up in Minnesota. I have probably swam in more lakes that pools.
Well you've obviously been too busy to blog, but it's good to see you back! I grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and I've been swimming in numerous lakes in the hills! A great way to spend a hot summer day.
I love the egg cup idea! I used to swim in the lake all of the time growing up! missysaprons@gmail.com
Glad to see you back. I grew up near Butler State Park in Kentucky and learned to swim in the lake there. Spent many summer days there swimming and we always had our family reunions there back then. Loved it. love your pin cushions. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
bettyharden@charter.net
Busy lady and your sweet little Audre is getting cuter all the time. Yes I have swam in a lake. We would visit Iowa every year and a dip in a lake was a welcome relief from the heat.
Yay you're back. I love the green polka dots in your pillow. I always swim in lakes. We had an RV spot in Honeymoon Bay for 22 years and that is where we would spend the summers.
slowery@shaw.ca
Glad to see you back and so productive, too! I've swam in a few lakes in my younger years, actually I'm not too fond of lakes, more of a pool girl!
I think your post was worth the wait. Quality over quantity. You do beautiful work and it is a pleasure to see what you share. I have swam in a lake, but not since I was a teenager about 30 years ago. Seems like it might be time to try again!
I have swam in a lake....brrrr! Thanks for updating us on all of your cute projects.
Wow, you have been super busy.
I don't remember ever swimming in a lake because we usually lived by the sea.
Helen
Welcome back! And, yes, there are many lakes that I have swam in. Not a very good swimmer, but it is fun. Usually a lot of goofing around.
I have been swimming in a lake before but it was not my favorite place because of the mud squishing up between my toes but that was a long time ago. You have been very busy and it is all just beautiful. Thanks for coming back!
That's all there is around here to swim in is ponds, lakes and rivers. I have swam many times in all of them!
I'm happy to see you back! you were missed. All of your project are lovely and there were a lot of them. I used to spend a week each summer at my aunt's cabin on a lake. We swam and boated and generally made it hard for mom to fish.
Yes I have gone swimming in lakes, but not this year.
I have swam in many a lakes. Mostly Lake Mead in Nevada.
You have done some great quilty stuff in the last two months! Love the American Girl dress.
Growing up in the country in Missouri, almost all my swimming was done in a lake or pond. Going to a pool was a rare treat.
Every lake I've ever swam in was a high altitude, icy-water lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Lake Tahoe, Serene Lakes, Convict Lake (yes, they actually caught some convicts there back in the 1880's), Huntington Lake and others I've forgotten the names of.
I love that you were able to get time to complete so many great sewing projects. I'll continue to read your blog posts ForEVAH.
Jan
I was raised in a town called "Wonder Lake" in Illinois. Swam in it often as a kid. ronniebazan@gmail.com.
Haven't gone swimming in a lake before....Lots of lovely makes!
You have accomplished so much! Glad you are back. We like lake swimming the best.
Wow! You've been VERY busy! And everything looks wonderful. Yes, I swam in a lake once...on some float thingy...and with my clothes on!
Swam in green lake near Willmar, MN. Grandparents had a cabin. Welcome back!
Folsom Lake in California as a 12-year old. Now I live in Missouri and don't swim in these lakes, the geese like them too much,
Summertime swimming in the lake is the best!! Ruth Lake in California is my favorite but I now I live too far from there. We have a place in Arnold and swim at Lake Alpine. Stunningly beautiful up there.
BTW - glad you're back!
I learnt to swim in a salt water lake by the sea, and also did much of my swimming when young in the ocean. You have been very busy, what a fabulous lot of projects to show!
I have been swimming in three of the Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and Lake Superior. Sometimes blogging has to take a back seat to the rest of what's going on in your world.
Can't live in Ontario...and not have swam in a lake thats for sure...I love swimming anywhere anytime.
erin2470@hotmail.com
Welcome back! You have been really busy. Love that idea of swapping scraps to make something for the other person. I may share that with our guild.
Oops! Forgot to say that YES I have definitely been swimming in a lake. Growing up in Minnesota not too far from Green Lake.
Wow, you've been busy! That's a great list of accomplishments! Yes, I've swam in a few lakes, but prefer to canoe in them. Thanks! teachmca at aol
You have been busy! I have swan in a lake - We have lots of lake here in Michigan ! thank you!~
I have lived on a small northern MN lake for 37 years- our house is just 20 feet from the shore! Swimming is a requirement!! I love all your projects!
Yes I have gone swimming in several Lakesover the years. Always so refreshing. Love your projects especially the "Belle" AG dress!!
Would love to winning the giveaway- thanks for the chance.
You have been really busy. Yes I have been swimming in a lake many years ago. We had so much fun. Makes me wonder why I haven't done it again!
Of course I'd read your blog : ) lovely makes again. I don't recognize the May block for mid century. I think it was my basket? Anyway, yes I have swam in a lake. Far less dangerous than the ocean......
In 1979 I swam in Lost Lake in Oregon and when I emerged the mosquitoes feasted on my flesh to such an extent I couldn't see out of one eye the next day. I've stuck to pools ever since. What else does one do late at night when suffering from insomnia but read blogs?
Of COURSE I read your blog whenever you post!!! Sheesh! Swim in a lake? I grew up on a lake...would start swimming at 8a.m. and got out at bedtime...my mother said I had gills! However I must admit I haven't been swimming in a lake for a looooonnnnng time! I do like warmth...like in hot tubs! :o))
Love your projects!
Paulette
Good to have you back blogging!
Yes as a child we spent our summer vacations in Minnesota and spent the days swimming in the lakes, until one summer my baby sister brought to the cabin that night a leech, stuck to her bottom. That was it for me!
vmsparks@msn.com
You have been very busy!! Well I have to say I can't swim but I have been in a lake before. Thanks for a chance to win!!
Great post. Yes I grew up swimming in a lake. Great Sacandoga Lake in the Adirondack Mountains. Thanks for sharing.
hehehe not much for lake swimming or ocean for that matter.. gimme a chlorine or salt pool and I'm on .. err.. in it!
Wonderful projects and so many varied ones. I was interested in the raspberries. I have red ones but I've never seen that color - ever. What kind are they? They look delicious; do they taste like a red or black raspberry?
I live on a lake so I swim in one all the time and I also live near Lake Michigan so I also swim in that lake plus I know I have swam in many others. I always love reading your posts no longer how long you've been gone. I love the cute dresses you sewed.
Having grown up in a land-locked state, of course I've swum in a lake!!
I read the whole post, Mary! Technically, no, as I cannot swim but I have played in the water of a lake on many occasions!
I'm pretty sure Audrey could not be any cuter than she is--so adorable. You have gotten a lot done besides your secret sewing and I cherish my egg cup pincushion so very much.
Nope, have never been swimming in a lake.
And the raspberries look delicious--my very favorite berry!
Oh my gosh. I'm plain worn out from reading through the long list of things you've made! Goodness. You're a stickler for being part of swaps, challenges and gift-giving, aren't you? But each of them are lovely, though I like the HST swap quilt the best. If I ever swam in a lake, it wasn't by choice! First, I don't swim; I dog paddle. And second, I've never been around a lake. They always look green and yucky. But I know your lake is great... especially when appreciated from a pontoon boat! :-)
I love seeing your blog and check back to see if you have posted every now and then. I can't fault you when I saw my last post was in May!
I love swimming and swim in every lake I possible can. I call it swimming if I jump in and right back out when it is a freezing cold mountain lake. In high school I used to swim across the lake if I could get my sisters to paddle the canoe along side me. That way I got to ride back home from the other side!
Yes, living in Minnesota it is hard NOT to swim in a lake at some point, as you well know. I can think of more than once however that my choice to swim in the lake was not voluntary. As a kid,I remember the dock at my grandparent's cabin was not very wide and often someone would bend over or step back not realizing I was there and SPLASH- into the lake I would go. Lake memories are some of my best childhood memories. :)
You may not have been posting but you sure have been busy with all your sewing. Good luck to all for the give away.
Of, course I've swam in a lake ! What's summer for, if not to enjoy life on a lake. I forgive you for not posting in a while, your projects are beautiful !!
I know this is an old post, but it was so fun to see all of your summer sewing in one place. You are amazing! And Audrey is such a sweetie! I sure love my adorable egg cup pin cushion!
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