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Vacation and upcoming plans

It’s been a little while since I’ve blogged, mostly due to a short vacation with the whole family.  Yes, that’s all four children, son-in-law and granddaughter together in one place.  We went on a houseboating trip to Shasta Lake in Northern California and it was just beautiful.  Since we had my niece’s graduation party to attend nearby, we decided to turn it into a mini vacation on the lake.  We beat the summer crowds and the summer heat, so it turned out to be a good idea.

Cefalu family, houseboating trip 2017

Early morning - Lake Shasta 2017

 

I think Cooper might have had the most fun of all.  The early morning mist gave way to spectacular days of perfect sunshine and warm weather.

Cooper on Lake Shasta

 

We got to spend a full week with Amelia and it was heaven.  It was long enough so that she felt right at home and we got to experience the real Amelia in all her sweetness.  Oh, how I love being a Grandma!

Grandma Julie and Amelia at the farm

 

Because of all of this happy stuff, my Sew Thankful Sunday blog post has been postponed to this coming Sunday.  It will be worth the wait.  There are so many fun things to share!

Other things that have been keeping me busy:  I’m working on a new pattern!  This is a “real” pattern (as opposed to a tutorial) that I’ve named Glimmer.  It’s currently being tested and will be available for purchase in either print or PDF format by the end of this summer.  There has been a lot of tech-learning going on behind the scenes with formatting and graphics.  (Hopefully the next one will be a little easier. )

Glimmer is an intermediate level quilt that measures 66 1/2″ x 89 1/2″.  I’ve been working with a red and white color palette for this quilt which poses its own challenges.  Getting enough contrast in the color values isn’t always easy.  It even required a little shopping at Fat Quarter Shop to fill in the blanks!

Sneak peak at Glimmer, my new pattern.

 

I’ll be traveling to Tennessee in August to give a lecture and workshop to the Cumberland Valley Quilter’s Association Guild.  This will be my first, official guild presentation so I’m excited and a little nervous!  There will be lots of prep work for that this summer along with my usual teaching and working schedule.

I’m also a participating blogger in Jacquelynne Steves’ upcoming, free block of the month, I Love Home.  It starts in August, and I’ve got the first month’s block in the works.  This will be my third year participating and it keeps getting better each time!

I Love Home free block of the month at Jacquelynne Steves

How’s your summer list looking?  I hope it includes some “making” time, along with some vacation time.  Throw in a good book or Netflix series, some hand stitching and good summer-time food, and I think we’ve got the perfect summer recipe!

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12 Comments

  1. Love your blog. I’m interested in purchasing the pattern for your Christmas tree skirt.

  2. What a lovely time you must have had! I always cherished the “adult child” vacations with my parents – a true gift. Can’t wait to see your pattern and would love a lessons learned post on it. Its on my todo list, but first downsizing to an apartment in the early fall from a house we have owned for nearly 22 years!

  3. So many things to get ready for! It sounds like you are having your dreams come true! Very happy for you and I can’t wait to see your pattern to be out by the summer! Congratulations!!!

  4. Oh how your pictures bring back memories when our family took vacations together. Love the pic of you and Amelia. Grandchildren are wonderful!!

  5. Vacationing with family in northern Indiana and on Lake Michigan. Shopping for quilt fabric in Shipshewana, Amish country. Beautiful quilts and lots of fabric. Enjoying cool weather since I am from Florida. Found a folded pot holder pattern I can’t wait to make and fabric for man apron and towel.

  6. Where do I start–Love the photos and so nice to get away! congrats on your new pattern in the works, and the reds will be nice- you always coordinate your fabrics well! I was wondering about Sunday-Sew Thankful…and oh I need to check jacquelynnes quilt along again (yes, I’ve done the last 2 years too-YEAH), and now why I”m here–trying to find I think they were lunch bags you made at Christmas for your kids…. 🙂 Thanks for the update. PS don’t tell the boss i’m checking at work 🙂

  7. So nice that you enjoyed your vacation time. I am looking forward to your Sunday post, I love what you share. I am also looking forward to seeing your new pattern. We will be taking a little vacation with most of our family in early July, always a fun time.

  8. Julie, you will think I’m either crazy or extremely slow, I have kept the pictures of your snowflower quilt since you posted them. Would it be possible for you to list the measurements for the pieces or at least the size of the squares? I have finally retired and almost have a house that I can quilt in and I love that pattern. Thanks in advance

  9. Great picture of you and Amelia Julie. Enjoy her while you can, they grow up so fast.. look forward to Sunday’s post. Happy Spring, and it’s almost summer! Vangie Brake

  10. Glad you had such a wonderful family vacation. The scenery was spectacular. No wonder Cooper liked it so much .
    And Amelia definitely looks just like her Grandma…..such a cute picture!

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