Have I Got a Lot to Tell You!

I made this "She Loves Me, She Loves Me Knot" purse (pattern can be purchased at this link as well as photos of purses made by others: http://www.youcanmakethis.com/info/featured-products/She-Loves-Me-She-Loves-Me-Knot-Handbag.htm ) for my mom for Mother's Day. I started a second one for me but haven't completed it yet. She loves it and has already toted it around town. My step-daughter graduated from St. Louis University this month. She has a B.S. in Social Work. She entered the 5-year master of science in SW so she will obtain her MS next year. We are so proud of her as she graduated summa cum laude! Way to go Cary - here she is with her dad, my husband and a photo of the very large graduating class from SLU. Since I'm telling you about school type stuff, here is a photo of my niece before leaving for prom. I've attended three graduation ceremonies this month. I have one more to attend this weekend for my nephew. It is an exciting time in my family. While on the subject of family, here is a family photo of most of the attendees of our Memorial Day celebration. Approximately 6-7 people who attended are missing from the photo (a little camera shy.) My family usually eats all holiday meals together, rotating between members' homes. When asked what I did for a holiday, I tell them this, but this photo shows the closeness of our family unit. I have finished my flying geese challenge quilt. The requirements were to make a quilt using flying geese as the main theme. The geese must be pieced and the quilt top could be no larger than 30" on any one side. In addition, the quilt must be completed which includes the binding. I started the quilt 4/7/2009 and completed it 5/3/2009. I purchased this pattern about 4 years ago at Hancocks of Paducah not knowing that I needed to also have the accompanying DVD for piecing directions. So I figured out how to piece it myself. I changed the pattern a little to meet the flying geese requirement and used my own method for piecing the top together. The "Soaring Compliments" pattern by Caryl Bryer Fallert can be found here: http://www.bryerpatch.com/wkshops/soaring_compliments_2day.htm . As you can see in the photo, I won first place! I was pleasantly surprised as the competition was fierce.

Here are all the challenge quilts. We had art quilts as well as traditional styles entered. The above challenge quilts were due at our quilt retreat. Memorial Day weekend, Friday through Sunday, I went on a retreat in Greenville, IL. We had so much fun and the food and hospitality was excellent. Here you see the retreat attendees taking a fun group photo.

Here are the projects we worked on. The pattern is Bamboo and Pinwheels. You are making blocks for both quilts at the same time. I added an additional row to each wall quilt size and plan to add borders to make into twin quilts. These will go to twin great-nephews. Come back in a day or two to see the 60 cell phone cases I've made. I just need to add buttons to about 20 of them. Then, I will upload a photo and take off my UFO list. Also, I'm making a few free standing lace bookmarks.
I also found the fabric for Turning Twenty Again quilt. I had quilted it and then couldn't remember where I put the binding fabric. Well, after looking for a couple of months I have finally found it. I hope I get enough time this week to add the binding to the quilt (all by machine of course.) I know this was a long post but I just had to share what's been happening in my life. I hope that was okay as I was so excited that I had to tell you.
-------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com