My find!

Each year our local guild has a picnic in July. Great time, wonderful food, and for the past several years, a auction of UFOs. Everyone brings their projects that they no longer want. Those that will never be finished. Those that no longer have a home. Those that we are frustrated with. Most end up with a new home, after a lively few minutes of bidding.

This year I gave my unfinished jacket to the cause. Homespuns and stars. Many pieces quilted. But it has sat in my sewing room for nearly 15 years, and I finally realized it would never be finished. So off to the auction it went.

During our picnic we have a chance to look over the tables full of UFOs. Eye those that we think could have a new home. Decide which one is that special project that we would finish. I helped during the auction, showing the wonderful projects. Some I wouldn't look at twice. Others I couldn't believe were even in the auction.

One of those was a group of blue and white blocks, along with a border print. I knew I had to bring it home. And after some nervous bidding, they did come home with me. Little did I realize that I didn't have any blue and white fabrics to add to the blocks. So during the Minnesota Shop Hop, I located a few fabrics to add to the blocks. Can't wait to see the finished quilt!

Summer garden

How many of you have a perennial garden? How many of you know where every single plant is located? Know which are weeds? Know where you can plant new plants?

I thought I knew. But when those plants started to come up, I began to question whether or not they were perennials or weeds. Tried taking photos and making a drawn map. Will that help for next year? Hope so.

July 4th

Our day at Groveland Assembly Grounds begins with the flag raising. This year the local VFW post presented the colors. Minnetonka High School quartet sang. A wonderful way to begin the day.

It was followed by the neighborhood parade. This year's theme was "Big Screen, Little Screen and everything in between!" So we did just that. Dressed as screens. Everyone had a grand time.

Then it was time for the races. Categories for every age from toddlers to adults. Always a big deal for the kids. Everything from running, three legged races, shoe flipping, and the egg toss.

More races

Kevin and Lucas running the men's race around the lakeshore.

John and Haley running the wheelbarrow race.

Three legged racing by Haley with Kevin, and Lucas with Rasmus.

Summertime at the lake

July 4th festivities last for several days at Groveland Assembly Grounds. This year I was lucky to have relatives from Denmark here for a visit. On July 3rd, we sat down by the lake, sang songs, and ate s'mores. A wonderful evening for all.

New pillows

I made a quilt for my parents using oriental fabrics. My mom asked me to make pillow covers to go with the quilt. Luckily I had a bag of the red fabrics used in the quilt. All precut into strips for the different blocks.

I decided there was no need to make the same blocks over again for the pillows. You wouldn't be able to notice them. I think they will look wonderful with the quilt.

South Dakota quilt

I have tried to make a quilt for each one of my nieces and nephews when they get married. I am behind on several of the quilts, as I had five to make in less than two years. Very frustrating for me, as I truly don't like giving belated gifts. Two of those five quilts have been delivered. Two more are ready to be quilted. Last one is in the piecing process. These wedding occurred in 2007 to 2009. Do they still remember that a quilt is coming? I hope so.

Fast forward to 2011. With my husband's side of the family covered, or the quilts are in the process of completion, I figured I had a few years before my brother's children would marry. Not the case. My niece married this past weekend. My nephew is getting married next year. Dare I make them quilts? Will they move in line with other quilts being made? Can I break this cycle?

I decided I couldn't add another wedding quilt to the list of unfinished quilts. Instead I made myself pick a pattern that I knew could be completed soon. And I picked fabrics that read "South Dakota", where my niece and her husband live. It definitely reminds me of that region. And it was finished and delivered on their wedding day. One quilt that won't go in the line of WIPs.

Grandma's Marathon

Our son Kevin has participated in Grandma's Marathon for several years. This year I decided to head up to Duluth with him and his children. We camped at a state park, which would have been wonderful if it hadn't poured for hours and hours. We ended up rising at the wee hour of 4am, and headed to the drop-off location. Raining and 48F not exactly a happy way to start a marathon. Luckily it warmed into the 50's, and the rain stopped.

Grandma's Marathon

Clock time is for those that started right at the gun. Kevin's chip time was actually 4:54:08.

Minnesota Quilt Show 2011

Each year after attending the Minnesota Quilt Show, I come away inspired and ready to tackle my numerous WIPS. This year was no different. Such wonderful quilts. Many very scrappy ones.

I did notice that a lot of my photos dealt with color and quilting styles. Up close, so I could see the details. I will be taking a class from Bonnie Hunter next winter and hope to use my fabrics in such a manner that my quilt will look as scrappy as these quilts were.

Minnesota Quilt Show 2011

Here is one quilt from those donated to military. A lovely red, white and blue string quilt.

Recital day

Recital day finally arrived. I was SO happy to see this day come. Last school year activity. After this day, summer really begins.

Lucas and Haley did a great job. Cameras were not allowed in the recital, so only photos were afterwards. One of the moms of Lucas' dance buddies made each boy a bouquet of Lego flowers. Very cute. We lucked out this year and had great weather. No worries that curls would droop, or costumes would get ruined. Day went by without any issues. Can't wait to see the DVD.

Finale Rehearsal

This year Haley wanted to be in the Finale. Five extra rehearsals to learn a dance with girls ranging in age from five to eighteen. I felt like this was the first year she could do such a dance. Each student wore their dance costume from their own dance, so you can see her just right of center in her yellow and blue costume. She really enjoyed being part of the bigger group. And she was able to see how the more experienced dancers handled themselves. Overall great time.

Hillbilly Hoedown Rehearsal

Not to be outdone by her little brother, Haley knew all her moves this year, and was in charge of her jazz dance, Hillbilly Hoedown. She is in the center of all three photos.

Don't know what she will decide to do next year. She is getting to the age where she needs to make choices, and no one wants to have the final say. Does she continue to take dance? What level of commitment? Or will she decide to try something else? Too many choices for someone this age. She wants to do everything, but there just aren't that many hours in the day to do that. Tap? Ballet? Jazz? What? Her instructor wants her to take more classes, but that would mean more time. We will see.

Smooth Criminal Rehearsal

Lucas did a great job with the moves in a line. He's in front on the right.

In the above part of the dance, they had two lines of boys. He's the second boy from the right.

This year Lucas joined Haley and took a dance class at Tonka Dance Works. A boys only Hip Hop class. He watched his sister dance the past three years. This year he would join her in the dance recital. Needless to say, I was a bit worried that stage fright would cause him to back out at the last minute. Crossing my fingers, we went to Friday's rehearsal. The four guys followed their instructor David. Quite impressive. Rehearsal was a success. Would the recital turn out?