I celebrated my anniversary and birthday in the month of June. I spent July traveling all over India visiting labs and pharma companies. I also picked up every stomach bug imaginable. So the first half of August was spent recovering from my trip. I spent August traveling around Mississippi to sell my sewing products at local festivals.

AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE !!!!

AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE

Hung out, roasted our way through a bunch of southern states in our motor home, quilted my daughters college quilt.

I got out my sewing machine for the first time in years... and learned how to do zippers!

I am still sewing my sister's quilt... Quilt I began 3 years ago when I started to sew. I dreamt SOO much about my future quilts but I decided to finish my UFOs before starting a new project... So I am STILL sewing my sister's quilt... Two days ago I bought some new fabrics from Mickael Miller... They are SOO beautiful !!... But in order to start to do something with them... I am STILLLL sewing my sister's quilt... LOL

Gina, what a sweet and generous giveaway! I don't go on vacation til Monday when I'll spend a few days at Rehoboth Beach Delaware with my Mom & sister. I feel relaxed just thinking about going there.
My highlight of the summer was going to the Gee's Bend quilt exhibit at the Walters here in Baltimore. I met the quilters at their book signing--what wonderful people. I came away very inspired and moved by their story.
Joan

I still want to see the Gee's Bend tour...I am jealous.

Hi Gina from another Gina,

your kids are as spread out as mine. I have one in PreK, one in K, one in 5th grade, one in 10th and one in 12th. Next year is college for the oldest and I am SO not ready for that. The oldest 3 kids spent the summer with their dad and it was just the little two at home. Hubby and I finally got a weekend away without kids. It was the first time in a long time. I did get a pattern designed, made and written. woo hoo. =) Other than that, my mom and I vended at quilt shows and I worked my tail end off.

While my daughter was off to Hawaii with friends, I made a quilt for her dorm room using Moda's Urban Chicks fabrics. I added a valance and did a bulletin board fashioned after the one in Pottery Barn Kids. I covered two of the panels with coordinating fabrics! Her new roommate was impressed! Now its "me" sewing time! My husband and I did sneak away to a B&B for a long weekend! The lazy daze of summer are now behind us!

I had an unprecedented 4 weeks off in August and spent the time lazing at my cottage on the shores of Lake Huron. In that time I finished a cute neon green and purple quilt for my 13 year old niece, started a wall-hanging quilt with sandpipers on it (very apt) and made a quilted tote bag for my mother. I also continued to cross-stitch a quilting based piece and started knitting a pair of slippers out of lovely soft alpaca wool. Pure bliss!

I helped my 10 yr. old granddaughter make a quilt, which to my amazement is on the daily blog on the Quilt Show's web site today. I started a quilt for her 8 yr. old sister. And I promised my other granddaughger that I would help her make one next. I was blessed to spend lots of time with all 4 grandkids - 3 girls and 1 boy. It was a wonderful summer!

I spent time with my family, swimming, playing outside, crafting with my 6 year old and of course sewing!

Just stumbled on your blog, and I love a good contest, so I'm gonna enter :)

We drove from Maryland to Idaho this summer and saw nearly everything on the way. My favorite? The Corn Palace in South Dakota.

I moved from California to Utah this summer. It has been a record setting, way too HOT, summer here.....but I love my new house, being close to kids and grandkids and the beautiful Wasatch mountains I can see from my back balcony!! I'm just now getting my sewing machine out, and am getting ready to make a quilt for my #3 grandchild. (remember the clothes line quilt Gina??) I've enjoyed reading your articles in hopes of seeing any news from people in Brea. Thanks Gina!

We avoid taking vacations in the summer. Rather, we go off-season - late fall or early spring. Less tourists, better travel/accommodation rates.

I took a trip to Spokane to attend two classes taught by my quilt idol - Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Company. She was fabulous!!

In August I completed 3 projects for family bday gifts. That was such a PUSH, that I've completely forgotten what I did in June and July.

But I remember how hot the summer was.

In August I completed 3 projects for family bday gifts. That was such a PUSH, that I've completely forgotten what I did in June and July.

But I remember how hot the summer was.

This summer, my husband and two college-aged sons celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary by renewing our vows aboard a sailboat at sunset off the island of Bonaire. It was magical.

This summer was a massive road trip: Texas to Vermont (and back). I'm glad to report that we all made it home with sanity intact!

I spent the hours (and hours!) in the van embroidering, knitting, and paging through favorite quilt magazines and books. Although the trip was wonderful, I'm so glad to be home with my sweet Singer.

My children aren't school aged yet, so we spent most of our summer doing the same things we usually do. We spent lots of time at the park and the beach, visited grandparents and read lots of books. I'm looking forward to Fall and the return of indoor activities. I can knit outside, but it's much more difficult to drag the sewing machine along with me everywhere I go. :)

I hand-made my new son's birth announcements, and in general we (myself, my husband, and our older son) got used to having our cute new little guy around after being born this May.

Hi Gina!
We took two vacations this year. At the end of June, we visited relatives in Vermont and then continued on to Montreal and Quebec City. My mom came out from California at the beginning of August. We stayed on the Cape and visited the Vineyard, Nantucket and Provincetown. It was a great summer. Summer's not officially over yet, so I'm hoping to get in a weekend trip before fall sets in.

I worked to reclaim an old bedroom into my "workshop" for quilting - sorting junk, ebaying stuff, cleaning carpets, painting, furniture assembly(who writes these instructions, anyway?), sorting fabric and projects. Whoooo. I'm almost done, and I can't wait to start sewing in my own space. The kitchen table just never really served me well!

I went to Japan! And tried to not spend too much money on fabrics. Of course now that I'm back I wish I spent more!

I can't believe that we're almost done the 2nd week of school already!! I'm so thankful that this is our last year of 3 different school - Elem, Middle and High!!! It's starting to get old and this driving around. Summer was glorious - we relaxed, spent a fabulous week on the beach in Ocracoke, NC, went blueberry picking.... lots of play dates AHHHH i'm missing all that activity already!! Now - back to my sewing machine creating beautiful things and drooling over fabulous fabrics. Love your apron patterns - very cute - thinking these would make awesome Christmas presents.

I just returned from a 5 day road trip through the Western United States with my husband, brother-in-law and sister-in-law. My sister-in-law and I passed the time pouring over quilt magazines and her handy Quilter's Companion. We tracked quilt stores and made stops when possible. A small shop in Estes Park, CO was a great find. Maggie Mae's was a great find and the 82 yr.old owner amazing. Thank you Maggie for a fun afternoon!

Our vacations were spent at different times this summer. The Fourth of July in Pawleys Island, SC. And a short trip to Iowa in August and back to Pawleys 2 weeks later. Pawleys Island is about 20 miles south of Myrtle Beach. Our home is a mile from the beach and it's just wonderful. IF you ever get to South Carolina head down to Pawleys Island and Merrel's Inlet. Unique shopping and food as well. Just a wonderful family vacation spot...far enough away from the busy beaches in North Myrtle. Anyhow I digressed, I spent time with my DH and 2 DD's...Grace is 6 and Ellery is 5 months. I spent time hand piecing when they napped and swimming and chatting with my close friends there. There are 2 quilt shops and knit shop in Pawleys...so I was in heaven....

Hi Gina!
This summer our state church elected a new bishop who will be consecrated this month. Volunteering to make our church's banner for the event was a neat new adventure, and Carol Jean Harris' "Banners for Worship" had the coolest (and smartest) ideas on how to get ideas from paper onto fabric! The banner was my first adventure in applique - and now I'm really looking forward to using the technique in all kinds of projects!

It has been a busy and exciting summer for me--starting a new part time job at a quilt shop and teaching a few classes.I live in a tourist area on a lake and I am going to enjoy the next few weeks before it gets cold to just enjoy some peace and quiet outdoors. It's fun to have all the excitement but by Labor Day I have had enough of the boats and jet skies, fire crackers and loud campfire parties. Now I can sit outside and do a little embroidery or some other stitchery and listen to the birds and the breeze through the trees!

This summer was a blast for me. First my husband and I had a two week vacation to Poland, Scotland & England (where I bought a 222K FW!) I made a quilt for the Doll Quilt Swap #2, started many doll projects, and finished only a couple things. Besides all that, I've been relaxing and drawing. Now it's time to get reorganized and attack some of my long-awaiting WIPs. :-)

--Tami

My coworker started an extended medical leave at the end of May, so I was scrambling to do the work of two people during the summer months. When I wasn't at work, I finished two quilts, one table runner and a doll. Summer just flew by...

Hi, from the sometimes rainy summers here in Iceland we usually go somewere sunshiny, so we went to another island called Fuerteventura. It is one of the Canary Island in the Atlantic ocean near the coast of Africa. It did not have any Quilt shops !

I lived at the ball fields, the cheer gym, and ice arenas. Can you tell I have kids?

I just recently made the decision to blow the dust off my machine and start quilting again. I discovered your wonderful site through various links at blogs. So jealous of those who get to frequent your shop.

Summer is gone already? Didn't it just start? I'm working frantically on a journal quilt for Houston with a Sept 28 deadline. Luckily it's small, 17" x 22". I've painted all of the fabric which is new for me. I only wish I was going to Houston to see it hanging there. Anyone going that can take a picture for me?
Thanks Gina, I love your blogs.

I mostly finished a quilt for myself (or my guest room more accurately), made a bag, some pillows, and a couple of things for my daughter. Odd -- I thought I hadn't done much, now it seems like I did. Cool.

Enjoyed my summer with my 4 boys, missed my hubby who is in Iraq for the 3rd time, drove down to San Diego with 4 kids to visit my sister on the beach, sewed lots of pacifier blankets for my business and neglected my yard in order to spend time sewing! Oh and I spent allot of time admiring all the fabric I manage to collect:)

Gina

Today finally met with my quilt friendship group and told them about Quiltersbuzz. Hope they will all enter your contest. My summer went too fast. No vacation-1st time both girls were working all summer. Got both off to college. Now we will try to get a mini vacation in Oct.

Not much quilting this summer but now that the girls are not here I should have time to quilt.

Special Hi to Karen G. in Utah and congradulations on 3rd grandchild

Disney World. It usually takes me three summers to get over this type of "vacation." One (a parent) spends a lot of money and another (perhaps a kid) is only interested in swimming at the hotel pool.

I got to meet the long-awaited arrival of my nephew Hudson who was born at the beginning of June. I don't have to worry about anything (or give midnight feedings either). I just get to snuggle and smooch and give him back!

We went to Utah to visit friends and family- it was SO great to get out of the Las Vegas heat! My kids loved playing on the grass!

Unfortunately my beautiful, wonderful, most adorable "Mysty" kitty got sick. My husband went on a four day trip and I stayed home and administered medicine twice a day. The really good news is that Mysty is just fine and I was able to stay home for four days and sew and scheme and learn new things! Without interruptions - who could ask for more? I had a great time.

*sigh* ah summer! It's fading so fast! and the carefree-ness of summer is gone! I spent my summer at the pool, the library and the movie theater with the kids! it was great!

Lunches on the lawn picnic style, friends in and out all day and short trips here and there!

I went to see The Ricky Tims Super Quilt Seminar in Richmond, VA. It was wonderful! I can't tell you how much I learned and laughed. Ricky, Alex Anderson, and Libby Lehman are all great teachers and have so much to share. Ricky even shared his music. I highly encourage anyone that hasn't been to one of these seminars to find one and get themselves there!

I've had a great summer! All 3 of our daughters visited (from TX, Atlanta and Charlotte now) with the oldest bringing our first 4 month old grandchild! I was reminded how much energy is needed to care for a baby and loved my Noni-time with her. We also held a big family party during the visit. As for quilting, I joined the Pickle Road group online, visited Quilt National in Athens, OH, finished a baby quilt for my daughter's friend, took one quilting class at my LQS, got to see Alex Anderson when she spoke here AND a group of us started our first quilt guild! Yay!

Thanks for yakking with me about our favorite fabric designers...looking forward to Road to California...let's do a big dinner!

My summer holiday was a while back now (Spring is beginning here) - but I can still remember the lazy days by the beach. Our beach house is just across the road from the easy-going bay beach, perfect for kids to run around and swim, search the beach for flotsum, and for me to read my quilty mags! The surf beach is a short drive away - exciting and dramatic - still, the quilty mags came -they won't be left behind!

I had THE BEST time this Summer!!! : ) We went to the Beach for a week. Then, we took BIG family cruise to Alaska. And, it was a QUILTING Cruise!!! What could be better?! I won the block challenge, & came home with 30 blocks & a quilt top to make... I made a quilt for my Mom's 75th birthday. I am working hard to finish quilting a Dresden Plate quilt for our bed. Meanwhile, I finished a queen size & 2 baby quilts in an on point Trip Around the World pattern. And, I had Sewing Camp with my dear MIL. I made a terrific, reversible, hip blazer, plus, learned zippers & French seams too. The days are just packed...! : )

The highlight of our summer was the visit from our grandchildren. We hung out by the pool, did some hiking, and some snow sledding, cooky baking. It was wonderful!

Enjoyed having the college kids home, designed new patterns &sewed with my girls. it went by to fast!
jan lutz

I'm a teacher, so summer is the time for me to QUILT! I worked on my UFOs, and am now in the process of taking them to the quilter and binding them. I also made a quilt for my Principal who had a baby. She named her Olivia - naturally, I used all Olivia fabrics. It is SO cute! I also started a series of wallhangings to hang in my NEW school, but I'm already behind. "August" is still hanging! I have to go finish "September...."

Hi,

I love your blog and checked it out many times this summer. This summer I spent lots of time with my family. I didnt do much quilting but did do some fabric shopping.

Have fun. Toni

I tried very hard to have a spur-of-the-moment summer where we could, at the drop of a hat, go camping or to Carmel or to the cabin at Lake Huntington. What we got was a very scheduled, workman like summer with no spur of the moment trips. A few jaunts to the beach and a couple of family visitors and planning for a family wedding in October. Maybe next summer we'll figure it out.

This summer I made Pat Sloan's House at Chelsea Lane for my cousin and her new husband as a wedding gift. And, my younger daughter was the flower girl so I made the flower girl dress. I did a bunch of little things as well.... two sets of blocks for Pat Sloan's farmer's market through her newsletter, worked on some hexagons for a grandmother's flower garden, and worked on a memory quilt for my dad. Probably did more but I am at a loss for words (yeah right!). Hope I win!

* Attended two family reunions. Helped host one.

* Attended a fabric dying class. Can't wait to try it again at home.

* Attended a class where we made custom fitted pants patterns for ourselves. All my life (even when I was thin) pants have always had a huge gap at the waist. Now I'll be able to make myself pants that fit!

* To further that goal, I bought a serger and took the orientation classes. Now I need to make some time to play with my new toy -- I mean, tool.

* Went to Ikea to get tables and a bookcase for my sewing studio. (The next phase will be free-standing closets for my stash.)

* Completed several hand sewing projects, including a UFO that I hand quilted on and off for years. I'm currently finishing up an embroidered cube that will be a pin cushion.

* Received an invitation to enter a local quilt show. It is not judged. It's just supposed to be for fun.

* Finally went to one of the local quilt guild meetings. Wow, what a great lecture the guest speaker gave. Donated some unused stuff to the "garage sale." Brought home some fabrics to make a charity quilt for the local safe house. I plan to join the guild next year.

* Went to the family cottage for a weekend of rest, but ended up doing maintenance! Several things broke down while we were there. At least I got to do a lot of hand sewing during the car ride there and back.