ALASKA - JUNE 2013

                                   My favorite city we visited while in Alaska was Ketchican.

                   We went to Totem Blight State Park where we saw amazing original totem poles.
                          David loved all the berries we found.  They were quite delicious!

                       The stores lined the creek and we found some really nice local wares

                                       I found a quilt shop in EVERY town we visited!!!

                            Our ship.....The Sapphire Princess.  This was truly our best trip ever!!!

Tula Pink at Patched Works Quilt Shop (March 2013)

                   Tula Pink designs fabrics and patterns.  She is quite the funky gal.

                          Tula has a new book coming out and this is one of the samplers.

                            She has someone quilt her quilts and they are amazing!

                                              A simple but effective pattern

                                             I'm loving the black, white and Gray!

                                         Sue is looking at the different color options

                              You find all kids of fun little motifs throughout her quilts

                       Does she look familiar? The girl on the fabric is modeled after Tula

                               Love these pillows!  Another thing to add to my list of to-do projects.

Patched Works Retreat March 2013

               Every year for the past 28 years I have gone to a quilting retreat. 
               Hearthside Quilter's Nook started it 4 years before I joined the
               group so needless to say I've been a loyal attendee.  When the
               owners of Hearthside retired, two of the store employees
               continued the tradition until 8 years ago when Julie from Patched
               Works took over.

                          This is Julie and the weekend project.  I usually do "Independent
                          study where I finish up unfinished projects.

                                                                  Sue and Robin

                                       The best part of the retreat is all the wonderful
                                  women that attend.  We got together before my trip to
                                  California and she gave me awesome input as to where
                                 to stay when traveling up the coast, quilt shops, etc....

                     Beth's face is a little grumpy.  She is not happy about the colors she used
                                       in this quilt and how they all blend together.

                              The last few years Julie has had someone come to speak to us. 
                              His quilts were fabulous and I discovered that I graduated with
                              his brother at Brookfield East.  Small world!!!

                                     The Gang!!!  We really have a wonderful time together!

Joyce Meyer conference

This weekend Joyce Meyer is at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee. It's been very inspirational!

Adorable knitted baby hat

Chalk up another completed project!  I feel like I'm finally on a roll.  I am making
things ahead of time so when babies arrive I'm ready :-) 

 This is part of my Broadway Series Play group and we are having dinner before going to
see Memphis.  (We are missing Anita)  The music, the dancing, the acting, the story line
was amazing.

David Jr.'s College Graduation!!!

David Jr. graduated December 16th from UWMilwaukee!!!  What made it extra special
was that my niece, Heidi, graduated as well.  David graduated with a Political Science
major, like his mama, and is currently working for Verizon.  He is contemplating moving
out to California with his Big Sis, Ashley.  Two graduated from college and one to go!

                                                                David & Heidi

                           Grandma Horne, David, Grandma & Grandpa Silbernagel

                  Heidi, her boyfriend John, Holly & Anita waiting for the rest of their family

                 I really wish Ashley could of come for David's big day.  This picture is
                                                      incomplete without her :(

Weschester Lakes Cookie Exchange

I stopped participating in these exchanges a few years ago because my kids like
my traditional Butterhorns, Beacon Hill, Sugar Cookie Cut Outs & Gingerbread
cookies that I make every year.  I decided to join my neighbors this year and found
this adorable "Melting Snowman" cookie to make. 

His head is a partially melted marshmallow. Unfortunately, I only had 18 cookies to
exchange because my devilish dogs jumped up on the dining room table and
ate half of them while I was at Costco with Christie.

 Susan Lash was our hostess this year and she came up with the idea of a trivia game
to add laughter to the mixture.  We really had a wonderful time!

 Below is a sampling of all the wonderful cookies exchanged.  Some of the women
really put some effort into their cookies.  It was a very festive evening and a great
kick-off to the holiday season.

Finished projects!!!

Even though I haven't posted in a while, I HAVE been quite busy making things.
The table runner above was a Christmas present for my friend Anita who likes
all things creepy.

 My niece, Jennifer, is pregnant with their first child (a boy!) and I
made this for a shower gift.  It is white and can be used at his baptism.

My friend, Marlene, bought this beaded/stone yarn and hated working with it
so I became the lucky beneficiary of it.  It is absolutely beautiful (even if it is
a bit heavy to wear......the price of beauty).