Down Under Update

It has been a while since I updated you on the Down Under Project. Well, it is done!!! Well, the shelves aren't done and the light in but Phil is very happy with the outcome of the whole thing. So, here are the recent pics. Phil was finishing up the first row of floor joists. He took time out to pose as the architect and main carpenter as well as with his work thus far.
We can walk on one board but that is all at this stage.

The first row is finished. Yeah.

Putting the second row on was faster but still too slow for Phil. As you can he had to add some reinforcements in some areas. Of course , he put enough nails and liquid nails in it so it will be really stable. It won't go anywhere.

Progress. Ah, it is nice to see it. Oh yeah, watch your head. Yes, that door is a little short but we will just have to duck down entering and leaving. Hitting it once will be all one needs - trust us - we know. :-)

The flooring is done. This is from the farthest corner looking south.

This is from the farthest corner looking toward the door. Wow, it looks great.

This is from the south side looking north toward the street.

Pretty good job - if Phil says so himself.

Phil says: "All cleaned up. Tools ready to put in their proper place. Relaxing with my brew admiring my work. I love finished projects. "

Shelving will be next. Then I will put a light in and change a little of the wiring that they put in. Look for future updates.

Trip to the Coast and Mini Shop Hop

Recently, I received a gift card to Gradma's Attic down in Dallas, OR. If you look at an Oregon map, you will see it is straight down I-5 just west of Salem. Well, the only way I know how to get there is to go via the Coast. :-) Oh, ok, so it is not the easiest route, but it made for a wonderful two day excursion with Phil. An SOS (Save our Sanity) weekend. Enjoy our mini vacation.
n Sunday the sky was blue, the sun shining, windy and the views beautiful. As you can see, the crashing waves are trying to figure out which way to come in to the beach area.

We took a little time out to enjoy the view while having a Tillamook ice cream treat. Yummy!!

There were many items on the beach including this huge stump that someone thought would make a good evening fire on a cold night.

King of the log - Phil!!!!

We found not only logs and stumps, but shells and some neat rocks that made great skipping stones. However, the waves usually picked off the stone on the second skip.

A great sunset taken outside the Kyllo restaurant. (notice the beach hairdo - usually windblown).

Nothing like a West Coast sunset on the beach. Just beautiful and breathtaking.

Monday started our shop hop. The shop in Lincoln City, where we spent the night, had closed down so we had to head on to Newport to begin at Quilters Cove.

This is a fun looking pattern of hexagons to make flowers instead of going ahead with Grandmother's Flower Garden pattern. Just may have to add this to my stack of "gotta dos".

We then headed inland east toward Philomath. Our next stop was at JanniLou Creations (as seen on this window etching at the shop). This shop was formerly a theater and they showcase some of the items in their decor. They also have music playing from some Broadway hits.

This is just part of the backroom of the shop. There is more behind the quilts hanging up in the back, more on the side in the classrooms and some upstairs where there is also an apartment for retreats.

We then traveled north to Dallas and finally made it to Grandma's Attic. A wonderful little place with lots of fun fabric in the 1930 pallet.

I just had to check out all the merchandise. There was lots to see.

We then kept traveling north toward home and made another stop in McMinnville. Boersmas is a great shop that is huge. It is also home to Gammill long arm quilting machines, repairs or purchases. I left with a couple of pieces of wonderful wool for my next hand applique penny rug and candle mat projects.

We then went next door to Boersma's yarn shop. Here Headless Hannah and I had a nice visit and she hopes you will come back soon to check out our blog. :-) Thanks to my wonderful hubby for being a great travel companion and taking me exploring the shops and byways of Oregon. You're the bestest. :-}

Great day at Expo

Yesterday I spent the day at the Northwest Quilting Expo with my friends Becky, Cindy, Donna and Marilyn. Since it was my first time, I decided not to take a class. Good choice. This place was huge and had lots of vendors as well as quilts to see. This first picture was a miniature with each mini square cut from floral fabrics and three larger flower squares - all hand appliqued on to a white background. I can do that!!
This quilt shows a machine appliqued pictorial of men in battle in the Civil War era.

A miniature log cabin quilt done in the shape of a flag. You can see a part of it in the picture above.

The quilting on this one was done in between seams and made it look 3-D. A very stunning piece.

Lots of flying geese in this one. Love the layout look.

A nice quilt done in taupes, beiges and browns with hints of red, black and green. I love the different blocks of it - you could almost do small quilts from each block.

Here we are at the end of the show. Our heads are filled with inspiration of what projects we can begin. And, yes, we had some goodies in our bags and purses as well as web site information to visit to see us through until the next time ----- or maybe not. A fun day filled with great friends.

Race for the Cure - Portland, Oregon

Today was the Race for the Cure in downtown Portland. It is the third largest Koman Race for the Cure across the country. So, I have some pics to share with you.
We have our numbers and our shirts. Now to get downtown.

Here we are downtown waiting for the 5K walk to begin. As you can see, runners, who began at 7:30 am, are behind us already coming in to the finish line.

Just hanging out until it is our turn to start.

This is part of the Boeing team that Stacey organized. Others were wandering around but not in the pic.

Stacey Youngblood and me. Always a pleasure to be with her.

Even those darn cute little ones were happy to be with us. They were decked out in the Race for the Cure shirts and lots of pink: in their hair, on their wagon, etc.

This is the crowd waiting at the starting gate. Well, the gate is nearby anyway.

JT - a maintenance manger at Boeing - was dressed for the occasion.

We began our walk at Taylor Avenue and the other group just down the street. That is the other group near the back of the picture.

We had marching bands cheering us on with their music. Glad to have groups there.

This is the front of the line before we crossed over the bridge - the bridge being way up there.

This is the back of the line - or what you can see - who were behind us walking. I am sure my mom and my sister, Mary Ann, can remember these kinds of crowds when they did the 3-Day in MI.

Stacey coming through the finish line in the survivor's lane. Yeah, she did it.

We didn't know these gals but their get-up makes for a fun pic.

Kathie and Justin coming near the finish line. She didn't want her pic taken but we were too far away to hear what she was saying.

This is Stacey, her Mom and Dad, two daughters and Mother-in-Law. A great family to know. Glad to be a part of the Race for the Cure. Thanks to all who participated in prayer, monetarily and by walking. I know lots of women who appreciate your help.

9/11/09 - A Good Day

Today is a day to remember. A day to pray for those who lost their lives in the attack. A day to respect and pray for all the service men and women who are fighting for our freedom - both at home and abroad. A day to ask God to bless our families, guide us in His ways and keep us safe from harm.

But it is also a day to Live. A day to hug your family. A day to tell them you love them. A day to take time out with them to either share, pray or just smile at each other. A day to let go of your regrets and to move forward.

So, I am not sure how you spent your day but mine is good so far. Picture wise, it actually starts with yesterday. I picked up my entries that were in the Oregon State Fair a few weeks back. As you can see by this picture, I received a 1st Place blue ribbon for my hand appliqued, machine quilted wall hanging as well as a Special Award ribbon. But the surprise came today in the mail. The Special Award represents a Best of Show in that division and was awarded a $25 gift certificate to Gramma's Attic located in Dallas, OR. YEAH!!! A field trip with my hubby. Some of these flowers are done in material that I got from my Mom and was in dresses I wore when I was little. Won't date myself here but they are old.
This is a table runner that I did for my living room and received a 2nd place on it. It was my first quilt class here in Oregon and it is called "Pat's Favorite Table Runner". Thanks Pat for all your encouragement in helping me finish this.

Then today, I went blueberry picking again. I have a 21st EGA (Embroiders Guild of America) Birthday party to go to tomorrow and am planning on a fruit salad to take as my dish to pass. These will taste wonderful with watermelon and strawberries.

Yesterday at Q-FAC (Quilting and Fiber Arts Club) session, Anne Marie who works at the Museum where we meet, gave us as much sweet corn from her garden that we wanted. So, I asked for 2 dozen and she was happy to oblige. So, this morning I blanched them and cut it off the cob.

As you can see, by putting the corn in the freezer, I either have to stop getting things to put in, or get a bigger freezer. It will all taste good when I need it come winter.

Tonight I will have pulled bbq pork sandwiches, corn on the cob and a wonderful fruit salad with Phil. Yes, today is a good day even if it is a sad remembrance day. A day to live. Hope you had a good one as well.

P.S. Happy Birthday, Mark - my nephew who shares this day with many other birthday celebrants. Hope it was a good one for you.

"Sundance" is done

On my blog a couple of days ago, I told you about my friend Lori who was doing this fusible applique piece, hated it and was going to throw it away. I rescued "Sundance" and decided he needed to be finished. I didn't work on him on Friday at the Girls Night Out as it was too late by the time I finished my other projects for the Home of the Brave. So on Saturday, I sorted, ironed, traced, ironed again, etc., to make sure that I had all the pieces. Here is Sundance laying on the background - not ironed down yet as there are some pieces to be placed under him.
These are some of the pieces - little squiggly things, some larger squiggly things and some that were easier to work with. The pattern has a number of pages to it; placement of pieces on one page per fabric so you don't get mixed up on what piece gets fused to which fabric. Then there is a layout sheet that tells you where all the pieces are to be placed. Well, that layout sheet was not there so I had to look at the picture and put it where I thought it needed to be.

Ta da!!!!! He is done except for his nose needs another addition to it and the fabric wasn't there. Now you see all those squiggly placements in their home. Considering I didn't have the layout page, I think he looks pretty darn good. It took a while but I enjoyed putting this puzzle together for Lori. She will be so happy to have it done.