Graduation Day!

Yesterday my "baby", Garrett, graduated from high school. It's official...I have no more children in the (free) public school system. Now we get to pay for education!

Living in Orlando does have quite a few advantages. One of which is being able to use the Amway Center, home of the Orlando Magic NBA team. Very nice!

Had to take some photos as inspiration. The oldest son has requested an "Orlando Magic" quilt and I'll be using this basketball swoosh as the design. Now to find the time to do it ;-)

Yes, back to graduation...

All the speeches by the honors students were fabulous. The best, though, was the valedictorian. You would never guess he is a "brain". His speech was hilarious and he took the opportunity to sing his version of Katy Perry's "Baby You're a Firework". The photo below shows the standing ovation and rousing applause he received form is peers...and the audience!

So here he is, folks, my baby, Garrett! (Yes, that's some gorgeous long hair and he's very proud of it!)

Son #2 Nick, Garrett and Howard (#1 son had to work!)

The whole(well part) family

(Can't believe my dad "cut off" our legs! UGH!)

He looks so nice in his dress clothes. We HAD to take a photo as we've never seen him looking like this before and it may be our last chance until he gets married!

Now onto the next chapter of life...college! OK, we'll let him relax for the summer ;-)

Happy Sunday morning

Marking fabric hexagons for stitching, sipping coffee, listening to country music...a lovely Sunday morning. :-)

No more High School!

Yesterday was my "baby's" last day of high school! Next week he graduates, then it's onto college in the fall. He'll stay in town for college, so it won't be too much of an emotoinal strain...for him or us! It's hard to believe I now have no children in elementary, middle or high school....time sure flies!

Mother's Day flowers

Had a great Mother's Day this past Sunday with my family. My boys gave me a card with wonderful words and this little pot of flowers:

We went to my sister's house along with my two brothers and another sister and my parents. (I have three sisters and two brothers!) Add in a few cousins and it was quite a house-ful. What I really want to know is... since when did Mother's Day become a "food" holiday? We had soooo much food and sweets at the house...crazy! And of course you have to try a bit of everything....really? Good thing I work out like a beast!

My siblings, parents and I had quite the political conversation, which is not necessarily the norm at family gatherings.  Thankfully it was not an argument as we are all on the "same side". I was very impressed with my youngest brother who is very knowledgeable about the various candidates. He's a grown man, so I don't know why that is so amazing to me...I guess I still see him as the little baby that we used to dress up like a doll! Please don't tell him I told you! ;-)



the shape of things to come....

Just a few photos of some fabrics I purchased at the sale at Joann's this weekend. These cool hexagons came in a pack and were on clearance. I love these shapes!!

I do wish I would have thought of this before today as I would have given this quilt to my mother on Mother's Day, which is today! Well, her birthday is only a few months away...maybe it'll be done by then? Fingers crossed!!

I love you mom!!

Weekend at the beach!

Howard and I spent the weekend away on the west coast (of Florida). It was such a relaxing time. All we did was sit at the beach and read...nothing strenuous, nothing planned. It was fabulous.

We stayed at the Doubletree in Redington Beach, which was magnificent! The best part? It was free. Yeah, we use our American Express "Hilton Honors"card throughout the year (for everything!) and pay off the balance each month. Therefore, we never pay interest...EVER! But we reap all the points and benefits. Result? Many a free trip. Yes, we had to pay for food, but that is minimal when it's just the two of us. We got a free breakfast buffet each morning because we are "gold members" or whatever they call it. Gotta love it!

Our view from the upgraded hotel room

Some fishermen were casting off the shore and one caught a HUGE stingray which attracted much attention. He let it go before I could snap a photo.

We also saw a manatee but I didn't have my camera with me. It was floating along the shore line in the "swimming area" and would come up for air now and then. I was surprised that it was in the gulf. I'd only seen them in the fresh water springs. We got in the water and followed it for about half a mile. At one point I was three feet from it and could touch it if I wanted to. I wasn't afraid, but think Manatee are still endangered, so I didn't want to mess with it. I could see the spots on it's back and it's mermaid-like tail. Quite an experience.

This guy kept trying to get a bite of our food...

Got some photos of creative inspiration from the most unlikely things...

the underside of the umbrella...

a tote bag...

a beach towel...

While I was away I brought loads of books to begin planning for my fall online classes. I have TONS of ideas! :-)

A great time was had by all...

Bobbin Stitching

Have you ever checked out Superior Threads? It is a "must visit" website full of thread and thread education...all of it superb! In fact, you can join me in taking their Superior University at-home monthly courses. All of the four lessons I've received so far is exactly what I want to learn. Bobbin work, thread sketching, working with soluble thread and invisible (Monopoly) thread. Here's some photos of the first lesson.

Gotta get one of these babies...Pilot Frixion pen. It's a regular gel pen that works on fabric and disappears with heat. Just iron over it and it's gone!

With bobbin stitching you can use thicker threads in the bobbin that wouldn't fit through your needle or upper tension discs.  You essentially stitch upside down. You have to be willing to adjust the bobbin tension for these thicker threads, or do what I have done and purchage a separate bobbin just for bobbin work.  Below, I've got Razzle Dazzle in the bobbin and am stitching along my (poorly drawn!) image.

But when you look beneath...there's the beauty!

All four "mug rugs" were stitched together at the edges with a zigzag and MonoPoly.

I need a bit more practice, but sort of like the "wonkiness" of the stitches.