Hi Everyone! Sorry I've been gone so long! I was having so much fun in New Hampshire (Lake Winnipesaukee) that I just didn't do any blogging. Then I was out of town again for work. So, now I find myself trying to catch up (again!). I know I am behind on responding to some of your comments! So sorry!
When in New Hampshire, we did a lot of this:
(Kids jumping off my brother's dock...)
And this:
(Sweet Pea and I "tubing." Also, I got up on the wakeboard! Woo hoo!)
And this:
(Anchoring the boat in a cove on the lake so the kids could swim and the adults could relax.)
And this:
(Having a couple of drinky-poos on the boat with my brother, sister, and SIL.)
And this:
(We took the cog railway train up to the peak of Mt. Washington. This photo is "gray" because we were up in the clouds! The weather was horrible at the peak!)
And this:
(More boating and generally having a great time.)
And this:
(Going out for evening boat rides to watch the sunset.)
I love how this photo turned out.
The sunsets were truly awesome. I had fun playing with the settings on my camera to see what produced the best photos. I think I took about 500 photos over the course of the week.
One of the highlights of my trip was getting to meet Amy Friend of During Quiet Time blog. (She is such a shrimp, I felt gargantuan next to her! And I'm only 5'3"! I have got to get back on my diet! How cute is she?!) She emailed me when I blogged I was in New Hampshire and said I might not be that far away. So, my dad (who is always up for exploring) and I made a road trip to her town. Dad went exploring the town, while Amy and I went for frozen yogurt with her two adorable kids and just ahd a chance to talk. I had a great time meeting her. Her kids are so cute, I could just eat them up! I hope we can get together again sometime when I am there to see my brother again. She even gave me a little something, which I'll blog later. She is so sweet. I wish I had had something to gift to her. I will have to start thinking of something. Hmmm......
It was a great trip, and then it was back to reality and work. I still owe you all a post on my Happies from the Gruber's retreat. So, here they are. I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends!
Here was my Happy for everyone else. I packaged up three of the Lavender Sachets I made into a cellophane bag, and I made this treat topper on my printer and Silhouette cutter.
I found the flower, lettering, and background "paper," which I thought all matched the Lucy's Crab Shack fabric wonderfully, at Lettering Delights' website. Awesome. I designed the topper myself, and even set my cutter to cut out around the white part of the flower. So, all I had to do was bend it and staple it on. I was really proud of myself for learning how to do that!
Amanda Jean gave me this cute little thread catcher. I adore it. I love the colors, and pinwheels are just my fave!!!
Michelle gave me this wonderful door hanger--what a hoot! And some cool Mardi Gras fabric!
From Rene', a little bundle of joy....
Rene' is from Florida, so some really "Florida" fabrics, and some pretty stinkin' awesome chocolates!
Terri gave me a zipper pouch made from her own fabric, designed on Spoonflower.com. If you want some of Terri's fabrics, here is where you can get them.
I love attention to detail, like Terri's logo patch inside the pouch. The inside fabric and logo are also designed by Terri.
Doris gave me another cool zipper pouch with a clear vinyl front. I love the label on the front. The sewing machines you see are the lining inside. Just awesome!
It has been a pretty wonderful and Happy summer! No complaints here! Thank you to my friends for such wonderful gifts! I adore them all!
Hope your summer is a blast, too!
Until next time,
It was so nice to meet you and you owe me nothing!!!
Posted by: Amy | July 30, 2012 at 12:14 PM
Looks like you had a great time!
Amanda Jean and the thread catcher....my daughter's name is Amanda Jean:)
Posted by: Sue | July 30, 2012 at 12:57 PM
What an amazing trip!!!! Such awesome goodies too!!!! Wow. What a great post! :-)
Posted by: Linda | July 30, 2012 at 01:16 PM
Loved seeing all the pictures of your trip. You really captured some great ones of E. Great picture of you and Amy. I love how you get around and meet fellow bloggers. Loved this post.
Posted by: carolld | July 30, 2012 at 03:16 PM
Your time spent in NH looks fabulous! What a treat to get to spend so much time on and in the water. Beautiful sunset photos! Happy you like the happies! They are so fun, aren't they.
Posted by: terriaw | July 30, 2012 at 03:16 PM
Enjoyed hearing about your NH trip - very nice photos esp of E leaning back on the boat and the sunset. I love meeting fellow bloggers; glad you were able to!
Posted by: Deb | July 30, 2012 at 03:53 PM
There's nothing better than spending time with family having fun. I'm so glad you did.
Posted by: Linda in Calif. | July 30, 2012 at 03:59 PM
Loved hearing about your visit to Lake Winnipesaukee! I live on the lake in Wolfeboro and I love it!! Where abouts were you visiting?? Great pictures and the I LOVE your sunset photos... It never gets old here!! Welcome and thank you for sharing your visit with everyone!
Posted by: Jamie Hathcock | July 30, 2012 at 05:09 PM
Looks like you had a great time. I am impressed that you got up on the wakeboard! My SIL wakeboards. The pics of the sunset are gorgeous. So glad you met a blogging friend.
The pics of all your quilting friends makes me want one of each!
Hugs,
Donna
Posted by: Donna | July 30, 2012 at 06:22 PM
Looks like you have been having a great time!
Posted by: Lynn | July 30, 2012 at 07:11 PM
Beautiful pictures! And yes, more than a teensy bit envious you got to meet Amy! And all the happies we received were fabulous, weren't they? (I'll make up for it next year since I was the total slacker this year...). Yours is so cool--and the lavender smells fabulous in my sewing room!
Posted by: liveacolorfullife | July 30, 2012 at 10:28 PM
I.SIMPLY.MISS.YOU.
Posted by: Jackie | July 30, 2012 at 10:35 PM
What fun! There is nothing like relaxing by a lake with family! And quilting friends! Starting to ramp up for the AQS in Grand Rapids!
Posted by: Maggie Szafranski | July 31, 2012 at 07:44 AM
The pics you took of Sweet Pea need to be framed, girl, they're wonderful! So glad you're having a great summer, no place like the lake! Great goodies from your retreat!
Posted by: Allie | July 31, 2012 at 08:31 AM
Sounds like you're having an Awesome summer -- as it should be! I LOVE that last little sewing pouch -- the fabric and tag are perfect!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | July 31, 2012 at 10:17 AM
Love the picture of Sweetpea, blow it up and frame it or put it on canvas!
The happies are so neat! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Maureen | July 31, 2012 at 10:04 PM