Our theme this year, Binding Us Together, is just so needed. If you didn't get a chance to check out the post explaining it all --- here is the LINK to the initial post. I'm looking forward to the direction this can take us all, but especially myself, if I give it a whirl. Sometimes stepping out of comfort zones is challenging, but it almost always allows for growth. Here we go: That brings us to June. The beginning of summer and all the business that comes along with that can sometimes put friendships on the back burner. Make an effort this month to at least send a text and let someone know you are thinking about them. A letter would truly be fabulous, especially hand written. Give it whirl and see how it helps to bind each of us to one another.
If you are new to the blog, you may be asking, "just what is a monthly update?" I decided long ago that I just can't keep up with blogging daily. I just can't. Sooooo, what happens is I document each day in my life within one post and if something special happens, a separate post takes place. See, you can stay caught up with a once a month check and then, if you're interested, see the other posts too. It's a great system for me. There will be links throughout this update that go to related posts of MINE. They will open in a new window so that you can keep your place here. Just click on the hyper-links if you wish.
In years past, I have set goals for each month that I NEVER was able to reach. However, I NEED that guideline to follow, so I will continue to do that simply to keep myself on track. UFO mode will continue around here with minimal purchases (those who know me know that this has been a miserable failure so far this year), but also a few fun and new items will make an appearance now and then. The "hopeful attempts" will change each month and will always show up at the bottom of the update if you read that far - and they are joined by links to the previous monthly updates for the year.
Now, grab a cuppa and sit back for a fun read and perhaps a new idea or two. (P.S. I format on a computer, so if you are reading on a phone, well sometimes the pictures will be before or after the story. It is what it is.
1st - A new month means new blocks for the Civil War sew-alongs. It's not too late to join in as two of them go all year and the third is a two-year project. Here are the June blocks and links to join the groups if you wish. Barbara Brachman Sampler
The Loyal Union Sampler blocks for June.
Dear Jane blocks for June.
APQ Challenge - #1. For me this is a wall-hanging from last years MSQC retreat and class. It's packed and with me for my road trip. I'll give it my best shot.
We are on the road to Telluride, CO and our grandsons high school graduation. Driving all night finds us seeing the morning just outside Gunnison CO.
2nd - Our hostel - today is another family day! It's time to celebrate another milestone.
Congratulations to Raef!!!
3rd - It's another travel day. We are on the way to Montana and time with Matt and his family is up first. Here is the LINK to share in the fun during this leg of the trip. Meanwhile, check out this beautiful country we get to see along the way.
4th - Time with grands is something we treasure so very much.
5th - Fun with family. Truly, what could be better?
6th - I'm enjoying the sunshine and ability to sit outside sans mosquitoes. It's the ONE thing I dislike about Texas. Everything else is wonderful, but the bugs - oh the bugs. At any rate, I've finally managed to finish one of April's Country Christmas blocks. I'll get caught up with everything at some point, likely in August, lol.
7th -We are switching houses today. It's Rhiana's time and here is the LINK to join in our fun. One of the things we do today is visit an antique shop while my car is getting a new windshield. Yep, it's been fun here. At any rate, check out the barn quilts on the building.
Italian Soda time -
8th - Off to a plant/coffee shop today. The girls have borrowed Grandpa's hats. Pretty cute, right?
9th - It's another family day and BUBBLES!!! Gammy found a cool bubble machine.
10th - It's another driving day. We are on our way to Bigfork and you can follow along for the next week with this LINK. Along the way, a stop in Avon nets us this beautiful find: Here is your Birdseye Mercantile LINK. This is such a FUN shop.
by 7:30 in the evening, we've arrived. Peonies greet us on the walk to the door.
11th - A trip down to the Swan River for the evening ensues. It's a chance for my immediate family to gather together.
12th - I am a driving unit today. Mom has doctor appointments in town and we follow those up with some shopping at Costco. When Mister gets off work, an evening walk is the end to a nice day.
13th - The ONLY thing on the agenda today is pedicures. Yep, and some sewing happens as well but no pictures to prove it.
14th - My niece, Jill, and her family came down for the evening. I love these extended family moments and it's always fun to be around the littles. Love that they have time with their great-grandmother.
And the Auntie, of course. Make that Great-Auntie.
15th - Mom asked if there was any chance for a gift in my magical bag of supplies. It just so happens that I threw in supplies for a bag, just in case. Spent the day making a bag for her friend, Candy and happy to do so.
16th - The morning is spent preparing for the arrival of Rhiana and her family. Mister and I have switched rooms and are awaiting more time with littles. By evening, the house is full of activity and I'm in heaven. Time with four grands is sooooo treasured. Here is the LINK to the first 2 days of her visit.
17th - We have two soccer games today AND a family BBQ. Things start out bright and early with an 8 a.m. game that is 45 minutes from the house. Yay. It's also cold and rainy. Oh well.soccer games - bbq
Time killing at the farmer's market.
18th - It's our last day with Rhiana and her family. Two more soccer games and then it's a quick pack-up and they hit the road. Here is the day's LINK.
19th - Oh goodness, we are halfway almost two thirds of the way through the month and very little sewing has happened. Here is the LINK to the next 6 days. I did change the sewing thing today by building the big blocks for Spooky Season.
20th - I spent the morning cutting, cutting, cutting and hoping to make progress on these projects. We shall see.
21st - Summer Solstice Day - went to Kalispell for some shopping. I didn't take a single picture today. I also didn't do much. It's sad as the month is rapidly moving past me and I don't have much ready to go. Time to get it together.
22nd - I SEWED!! My Sunny Patches block is done.
AND, I have three of the Loyal Union blocks finished as well.
23rd - It was a stay home and sew day. I made good progress on the Loyal Union blocks. We went to the A Bar for dinner and this is the only picture I got of that. I am certainly going through the scraps that I left here. Fingers are crossed that I get through all the blocks before the bits become too small. I am loving these so much, though, no matter how challenging they are.
24th - We are out and about by 9 for breakfast with Jill's fam at Split Rock.
Food is followed up with a quilt show that Joe told me about yesterday. Here is the Show LINK to go and check it all out for yourself. Just a single pic here.
25th - Went to breakfast with Mom at Stage Stop and then the afternoon at home sewing. Mister worked on the flower beds and fixed the toilet while I sewed and finished the Loyal Union blocks for July. TA-DA!! We went to Saddlehorn to meet Jill and Brock for late lunch/early dinner. Here is the final LINK for the Bigfork part of our road trip and our journey to Utah.
26th - Spent the morning at home sewing (working on Dear Jane blocks) and then into Bigfork for groceries. Mister and I went to Kalispell to meet Brock and Jill for Thai Dinner. A beautiful butterfly showed itself while we were on the patio.
27th - All day at the house doing laundry and packing. Sis and Joe stopped down for a final visit and had Colten with them so we got to see the last of our greats. I finished Dear Jane for the month except paper removal and applique on two blocks - car project for tomorrow.
I did manage to finish May's last HP block embroidery. So, so behind.
28th - Good-byes have been said until October and it is another travel day. We are on the way to Provo for a visit with Cassie and her family. The lake is beautiful as we make our way south.
Making it to Provo just before six, dinner is found and we are ready for sleep.
29th - I am blessed to spend the day with Cassie and the grands at Dinosaur Island - an exhibit at Thanksgiving Point's Ashton Gardens. Here is a link to our wonderful day - Provo Day 1 LINK Smiles with the grands.
30th - It's our second day here and here is the Provo Day 2 LINK. Before I leave the AirBNB this morning, I finally get Dear Jane finished for July - nothing like cutting it close. All I really needed to do was press and take a picture.
My heart is just so full.
That brings us to July and all of the patriotic fun that happens along the way. Take every chance you get to strengthen those friendships and the ties that bind us. This month --- let's focus on GIGGLES. Seriously, laughter brings us all so close and make memories that will stay with us forever. Let's hear the laughter, y'all.
Thank you for reading this far. If you made it here, kudos to you. Hope you have a great month and find a way to bring joy into your life. Stay creative Y'all.
I've tried to make a COMPLETE list here so that I have only one place to look it all up. I apologize in advance for the boring nature of this to y'all, but it helps me.
UFO's to quilt: these are staying on this list and I am so hoping to actually make progress this year with the quilting aspect.
BOM #1 - quilt and bind -
BOM #2 - quilt and bind -
BOM #3 - quilt and bind -
Winter Wonderland - quilt and bind -
BOM #2 - quilt and bind -
BOM #3 - quilt and bind -
Winter Wonderland - quilt and bind -
Witch's Night Out - quilt and bind -
Quarantine Challenge - quilt and bind -
Dawn's Early Light - quilt and bind -
Xing - quilt and bind -
Straits of Mackinac - quilt and bind
Pfeffernusse - quilt and bind
Long May She Wave - quilt and bind
Oh Happy Day - quilt and bind
Skillbuilder - quilt and bind
Current Projects:
Mariel Quilt - Done
Sunny Patches BOM Mystery - current
Joy-Filled - No progress due to road trip - ready to set
Designer Mystery - No progress due to road trip - need to make alternate blocks next
Spooky Season BOM - current as Big Blocks are made, ready to set now
BB Civil War Sampler - current
Loyal Union Sampler - current
Dear Jane - current
Country Christmas BOM (2 per month) - a bit behind here but a road trip coming up April is done
Harry Potter BOM - Second May block is done
Anna's Baskets BOM -
Sewcialites BOW -
Bountiful BOM - current - butterflies done
Barn Star BOM - No progress due to road trip and blocks arriving at home
Forever My Valentine - awaiting fabric for block one
Feathered Star BOW -
UFO Items to work on:
Neutral strings -
Alphabet project from MSQC last summer -
Half Moon Rising project from MSQC last summer -
Snail Trail Quilt from MSQC last summer -
BAD blocks as leader/enders -
BAD blocks as leader/enders -
Whims 2nd quilt -
Summer Moon -
Rhododendron Trail -
Sandcastles -
Midnight Flight -
Daybreak -
Farm Girl - backing/binding made -
Round Robin (mine) -
Row by Rows -
UFO Handwork Items:
Hand Quilting --
Stocking - in Montana, will work on there
Wool Wall Hanging -
Links to Previous 2023 Monthly Posts -
Links to Previous 2023 Monthly Posts -
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