Thursday, August 1, 2013

Really Random Thursday, 8/1/13

August? Need I say more? Like "how could we possibly be in the eighth month of 2013?" Didn't think so...

Let's see. Where did I leave off? Oh, yes...

I sewed two awesome bags for wet swimsuits, using Jeni's super pattern for lined drawstring bags, and laminated cotton on the inside. Sewing...really random, right? Like when is the last time you have seen sewing projects here?
I did "surgery" on this mother kangaroo, complete with bandaid.
I ordered a Pantone-inspired coffee mug that gauges the strength of your coffee.

I found a cute gift card holder at Joann's and thought it would be a great place to store bobbins. But it needed a little "modifying."
In the midst of going through some stickers to cover the J for Joann and replace it with a C for Cindy, I came across some old student ID cards. This one in particular caught my eye. He is now an optometrist and on the board of trustees at this particular university. Never question the value of a good education.
And I found these. No clue where they came from. But I categorize all my stickers and they were in the category of "animals."
I made this for Charlotte from a vintage pillowcase.
I made these little gadget bags and earbud pouches.
Before flying to Minnesota, I took a picture of the tile in the Fresno airport bathroom for about the gazillionth time, thinking it would make a great quilt. It really would, right? Add it to the list. Check. Also remind myself that it no longer needs to be photographed...
I stayed with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law overnight. Leon completely serviced my precious Featherweight and believe me, it was in tip-top working order. Even waxed and polished! He takes a bike trip from Chicago back to St. Paul every summer. And usually bikes to work every day. Being safety conscious, he "modified" his bike helmet. It has a brim and a light.
Leon and Sharon drove me to Amanda Jean's the next day, where I got to spend some time in the sewing room of her new home. They live on a lake! So pretty.
And for the third year in a row, I spent the night in this adorable little girl's bedroom.
The next day Amanda Jean and I drove to the quilting retreat in St. Cloud, at Gruber's, where I spent nearly three glorious days with good friends.
I made a quilt top for my cousins (more info on them coming up) who are building a cabin in northern Minnesota. It was sewn IN Minnesota, made from a pattern called "Minnesota Hot Dish" by a Minnesota designer, Terry Atkinson, with fabric from a Minnesota shop hop from a few years back. Awesome.

We exchange little gifts each year. This was just the beginning of what I received. I'm pretty happy with what I brought along to give too. However, technology being what it is, my pictures of the cool fused glass coasters containing the state of Minnesota, made by Mark, will have to wait until next week because I cannot get the pictures to download from my "real" camera. It is probably sulking because I didn't take it along on the trip...

I was a judicious wine drinker.
Mary? Not so much. (Just kidding--I totally staged this picture, right, Mary?)
We went out for dinner each night. This was on the menu the second night. There in the center--crispy fried pickles. I had a cheeseburger...

Someone (not me, although I was the only attendee from California) brought grapes. They were from Reedley, California, about thirty miles from where we live.

After that fabulous time sewing, my cousins, Cathy and Terry, picked me up for a few days at their cabin, which is still a work in progress, but nearing completion!
Because the shower still isn't connected in the cabin, I took a shower outdoors, which is actually pretty cool. I also found out for the days when you can't shower, but need to wash your hair, this dry shampoo works really well. The mosquito repellant goes on my head where I part my hair. The Minnesota Mosquito Welcome Wagon representatives really went all out to make my stay...itchy.

Cathy and I ate lunch here.
We did a little shopping. This was pretty funny.
I'm not sure whether I would order this margarita...
And then on the way home, after a six-hour layover in Seattle, there was another two-hour layover because the pilot had forgotten his insurance card and had to drive home to get it!!! They even took us off the departure schedule for awhile. Not funny.
Our son, Aaron, turned 35 last week and we celebrated with Five Guys hamburgers and yogurt.

I unpacked. And my sewing room still looks like this.
So I said yes to Mark's suggestion that I go along with him to run some errands (out of sight, out of mind...). We stopped at Lowe's, where I discovered this paint chip display. Be still my heart. I grabbed a paint chip in every color.
Today Charlotte and I had pedicures--her first. So much fun.
We each chose purple polish. She also had white polka dots added.



I'm so happy to be home. And I think that about gets me caught up to date.

Your turn.











21 comments:

05 08
Unknown said... #

I love the design or the airport bathroom!

Toni said... #

So much fun randomness, Cindy! I'm pretty sure I would love the place where you ate with your cousins. Popcorn and beer!

Mary said... #

I love the fishing poster! I am a sucker for potty humor!

Susan at TheBoredZombie.com said... #

And.... there's a funky sign.... lol, you could make a whole blog about signs and I must admit, I'm a little jealous. :)

Miss Brasher said... #

The red bunny stickers came from a tanning bed. I worked at one in high school and saw TONS of those :-)

Lorna McMahon said... #

By the way.... I ran into Piglet on my way here. And he told me to thank you for fixing up Kanga. Thank You! There is just sew much Randomness going on in this post. I just have to say it was sweet of you to share your visit at Amanda Jean's with us! Thanks for hosting the linky each week.

The Luedtke Family said... #

A lovely trip, it seemed. I really like the details of the MN quilt, not that is my kind of meaning behind a gift! welcome home!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said... #

Great post and photos Cindy! I completely forgot about my drinking photo - I wonder why?? Really had a good laugh over it just now and shared it with Bob. Have to say again how much fun retreat was and can't wait until next July!

Deb@asimplelifequilts said... #

I recognize the Minne Soda Fountain - I live 20 minutes away from Park Rapids! Don't see that every morning while reading blogs...

Vicki said... #

We are thrilled to have you back, also! Great stories and photos. Sounds like you had a great time.

Molly said... #

so much fun! Love having you back, Thursdays just aren't the same without you!!

Susan said... #

Love the pedicures! And the fishing poster- heh, heh!!

Mrs Flying Blind... said... #

Crikey - that's a mighty lot of random xxx

Amanda Jean said... #

ok, there is SO much to love about this post.

-I LOVE the bathroom wall. That would make a GREAT quilt, you are absolutely correct.

-I can't believe that Leon bikes from Chicago to St. Paul every summer. Wow, super impressive! It's a good thing he has a headlamp! hee hee

-Your pantone mug is wonderful!

-sigh. Gruber's was so much fun this year! It was so great hanging out with you, roomie! so glad that you come to visit me before hand. I love it when you stay here. it always goes way too fast!

-thanks for hosting really random Thursday! I made sure to leave a comment because I didn't want to stop in and eat and not say hey. lol!!!

:) sending lots of love your way!

Katy Cameron said... #

Fabulous random there missus! That helmet needs a bluetooth camera to record the rides too :o)

Sarah @ FairyFace Designs said... #

You had a busy time, looks like so much fun!

Terri said... #

Great random list! It's nice to hear more about the quilt retreat and the rest of your trip to the Midwest. Wish we had a Lowe's near us. Looks like a fun display.

Sarah said... #

Fun times! I love the bathroom tile layout. This would be a great quilt. And you fitted quite a bit of sewing into your random. I would have taken one of every Pantone colour too.

Mama Pea said... #

I'm so far behind. I haven't blogged for over a month. Sigh. I love Pantone Universe! How cool! Loved seeing your post. :-)

Rene' said... #

Awesome really random post Cindy!!! I'm exhausted just reading through its entirety ;-))) I had so much fun at our Gruber's retreat again this year!!! It's the best weekend every. Thank you for my happies....just love them all. I had to laugh at Amanda Jean's comment above about leaving a comment!

Organicranking said... #
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.