In the midst of

fireworks, Major League Soccer games, homemade ice-cream 

(chocolate with golden Oreos - my fave :) 

and Monster's University

I've managed to squeeze in lots of sewing time.  I've had a few projects that all needed to be done, like yesterday, so I was sewing every spare minute I could find this past week.

 

I've slowly been working on a little apple wall hanging using Lori Holt's apple pattern from her Bee in my Bonnet Row Along.  It's going to be back to school time before we know it and I thought it would be a fun display for the quilt shop I work at.

Yesterday I finished up two quilt tops.  One was this heart quilt.  It's a really special project ~ one that I'm glad I can be a part of.  Several friends of mine (from high school) sent me some heart blocks to compile together for my friends 3 year old daughter who just found out she has stage 2 Burkitts Lymphoma.  It's our way to show our friend and her daughter that we're thinking of them and hopefully this little girl can use her quilt to wrap up in during her chemo treatments.  I'll show more pictures when it's all finished.  

The other quilt I finished and dropped off to my quilter was this Spin Cycle pattern (designed by Allison of Cluck, Cluck, Sew).  My daughter is turning 8 and will be baptized in a few weeks.  I wanted to give this quilt to her as a gift.  She doesn't know I've made it yet, but she picked out this pattern about a year ago when I was checking out at a quilt shop (I was secretly thrilled that she found this pattern all by herself and that it was one that I loved too!)  

She collected all the fabrics from different quilt shops over the last few years.  Picking out one fat quarter each time was a fun tradition.  I finally had to start cutting her off though.  Apparently we go to a lot of quilt shops (especially since I work at one).

I can't keep staring at this picture of her.

It's a special time in her life.  She's growing up so fast and I'm so thankful for her.  Sometimes it feels like she's already sixteen.  She's a little diva, a major smartie pants and has a good heart.  She's a daddy's girl, idolizes her big brother, loves her dog and is a social butterfly.  I love this girl.  She's beautiful inside and out.

Now, if we can just get through the next few weeks 

I'll be able to breath again.

July checklist:

M's Baptism announcements/invitations mailed: check

Baptism quilt: almost done

Birthday party: still working on that

Getting M's ears pierced: can't she wait a few years???

What happened to the lazy days of summer?

How are they for you?  Lazy or Cray Cray?

Hopefully you're enjoying them.

~ Amber