Working Lots... Uploading Pictures, Not So Much

I got a new phone recently.  I like it a lot.... but the thing I miss the most about my old phone was that it was a windows phone and INSTANTLY the pictures I took on my phone would appear on my PC.... Which meant easy peasy blogging.  Now I have to get a cord. Sit down and select files to transfer. Take care of 37 problems/questions from the guys I live with while I try to complete my transfer..... so I am going to have to adjust.  And try harder.

So not only have I missed blogging progress, but it's been A LOT of progress!!  This past week was my week off from mothering from 8-5 Monday- Friday I was ALONE.  The monster went to day camp and after I dropped him off at 7:45 each morning I was free to do whatever I wanted!  This year the Hubs even picked him up, so I didn't have to watch the clock at all! 

And I got a lot of sewing done!!

Last time I checked in I had a pile of batik strips....

I managed to get my top sewn....

 Got it quilted.....

And now it's an evening hand sewing project.  

Last night I sat out on the deck stitching for a long while.  

It should be done soon.

I finished my Unicorn!

I finished this little tiny crane mini.

And I hosted a sewing morning and taught my friend Miranda how to paper piece!

I whipped up a tote bag for a friend of ours that will start homeschooling in the fall.

 I broke open my Terrain charm packs and got everything cut for the Fresh QA our group is doing this summer. 

Speaking of summer quilt alongs!!

My friend Miranda told me about this Summer Sampler 2016 thing that she was planning to do, and I thought, aw what the heck! 

So I am also making the Summer Sampler!  

I was six blocks behind because of my traveling, but this week I caught up!

Boy catching up on samplers is MESSY!

Good thing school is out for the summer!

 But it sure is fun!

Hopefully I'll stay caught up!

And I'll check in more often!

A Long Trip & A Finished Quilt

I returned home yesterday after three and a half weeks away.

I didn't take anything with me to blog with... but I did take photos and I managed to sew a bit!

This was a fun surprise at my mom's house, my step-dad had made a ladder for the quilt collection my mom has.  It was really fun to see.  ANNNNDDDD he sent me home with a ladder too!  Once I get it assembled and loaded up I'll show you.

 He even made me a sign for mine!

I took my Retro project with me and had a little set up in my room to work. 

 I just squeezed in time here and there.  Eventually I went over to my mother in law's house and made big progress, finishing the top and getting it basted.

 I am really pleased with it, and I love the bright yellow backing!  I left it with my sister.

Later on in my trip I made a little jog over to the west side of Michigan to meet and sew with my virtual quilty friend April. 

We had a great time.  It was so fun to meet her in real life and sew with her!

Annnnnddddd  she taught me something NEW!

Ready????

This was the before pic.....

And this was the finished product!

SHE TAUGHT ME PAPER PIECING!

Can you believe it?!

Me either!

I am really excited to finish this mini quilt soon!

Then I have my next project ready to go!

Aren't these batiks fun!

I have two weeks until the summer QA begins, and I'd like to make good progress before it starts.

....But I need to start cooking again, catch up on housework and laundry, start some sort of summer school routine, take the dogs to the groomer, one dog to the vet, call the carpet cleaner, get my garden in shape, VBS is next week.....so, it might not happen. 

I just know summer will be over in a second! So I'm going to enjoy it!  Quilting can wait.