I missed my blog birthday.  It was Friday.  I've been at this thing for two years now and I continue to be amazed by the community I've found.  I am so thankful for all the encouragement and support I have received from my blog readers.  I appreciate all the comments you leave - I read them all and try my hardest to respond to as many as I can.  Thank you for enriching my creative life.  I continue to be inspired and motivated by all your creative endeavors, too.

I've received some lovely awards from different bloggers over the last couple of months.  I am always honored and flattered to be chosen, but I rarely pass them on.  I don't want anyone to think that I am ungrateful.  That is not it.  I just could never choose a handful of bloggers to single out.  There are too many wonderful and crafty blogs out there to choose from.  And I hate that I-am-the-last-one-chosen-for-the-team feeling.  You know the one I am talking about, right?  So please know that I really appreciate it even if I don't pass it along.

But, I've been tagged for six random things.  Twice.  This I can manage.

1.  I wear very little make-up:  eyeliner, mascara, lipstick.  Eyeshadow and blush if it's a fancy party.  That's it.

2.  I have no issues putting the laundry in the washing machine.  I can even move it to the dryer.  I despise folding and putting it away.

3.  My closet is a mess most of the time.  See number 2 above.

4.  I love to bake, but I don't do it often because I love baked goods.  And I would eat them all.

5.  I go through the mail when it comes and take out the good stuff.  Once a week I deal with the rest of it.

6.  I'm happy that school is starting, but I am sad that summer is ending.

I'm not going to tag anyone, but feel free to play along.

This photo has nothing to do with this post, but I really love it.  It was one of many magical moments this past weekend.  Hope yours was great too.

Hmmm....I kind of disappeared there, didn't I?

I don't really have much to report.  It's been a busy week - the kind where I seem to have lost a huge chunk of time, but don't have anything to show for it.

I started knitting this sock in the Portland airport on Monday.  I got all the way to the heel and put it down.  I would really like to finish it this weekend, but my wrist is giving me issues.  Remind me not to go bowling without the brace, ok?  My family was in town and we had a lot of fun at the bowling alley, but I am paying for it now.  I have figured out that time is the best medicine I can give my wrist when it is hurting so probably no knitting for awhile.

School starts on Wednesday and there are lots of little errands and tasks to accomplish.  We've got uniforms to alter, shoes to buy, supplies to label and on and on and on.  I'll check in sometime next week.  Until then, have fun!

I can see why people like Portland.

It might have something to do with the beer.

Or the food.

Maybe it's the sea.

For me it's the people. Seven very fun ladies, to be exact.

To say that Fatty and I enjoyed ourselves would be an understatement.  You guys rock.  Thank you for making the effort to come hang out with us.

Good times, people.  Good times.

Which is so not fair.  But that is life.

But, the string-x quilt is finally finished.  I wish I could get it to the fair, but life threw me a curve ball this week and I just don't have the time to put the sleeve on the back.  That's OK, though.  I am pretty much in love with it anyhow.

I pieced and quilted it with my machine, but sewed the binding on by hand.  It measures 81.5" square - a bit smaller than I had planned, but it still fits the guest room bed just fine.

These two photos were the best I got - I was going to take some more today, but I ran out of time.  And then it rained.  Oh well.  Here are a few more - the color is a bit off, but you get the idea.

I might like the back better than the front.  I used the leftover strips from the borders to make the center part.  The rest I just kind of made up as I went.  The large floral will be the curtains in the guest room so I wanted some of it on the back, too.  I just had a lot of the stripe so why not?  After all, the majority of this quilt came from my stash.

I love love love the way the quilting looks on the back.  Love.

I didn't have any aspirations that this would win a ribbon at the fair.  There are small bits that - ahem - give this quilt character.  But I wasn't striving for perfection.  I wanted to make a quilt this year and I did it.  It took a long time, but I stuck with it.  I have only made 4 small throw size quilts before, all done after I started this one.  This is the quilt I wanted to make, though.  This is the one that I won't give away.  It's mine and, yes, I'm pretty much in love.

I'm also feeling a bit stretched thin - a lot to do and not much time.  I think I am going to step away from the blog for a week or so.  Fatty and I have a grand adventure planned - we're off to Portland, Maine for a little getaway.  There is food to eat, drinks to consume and bloggers to meet.  More on that when I get back.

Take care, friends.  See you soon.

I made my friend Marcia a patchwork camera strap for her birthday.

This is the third one I have made and I think the kinks are almost worked out.  I need a new foot for my machine so I can sew the vinyl easier.  Does anyone have a good source for buying Bernina parts online?  The store where I bought my machine went out of business when I was in Telluride.  It was a wonderful, locally owned fabric store that had been open for 103 years.  To say that I am going to miss it sorely is an understatement.  I was there so often that many of the employees knew me by name.  Anyhow, I need a part and have no place to get it.  I'd appreciate any leads.

I can't believe it is already Friday and at the same time, I am so ready for the weekend.  I started binding the state fair quilt last night and I anticipate more than a few hours sitting in front of the TV, stitching away over the next few days.  Fatty and I have a date tonight and the girls start volleyball tomorrow.  School starts on the 20th and our days are getting increasingly busier.  I'm going to savor these last few weeks of down time and squeeze in as much summer as I can.

Hope your weekend is a good one.